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Obama stays silent as another Arab leader puts onus on Israel
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)--Following is the transcript of President Barack Obama's comments and those of Sheikh Sabah, the emir of Kuwait, at the White House on Monday, August 3.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: I want to extend my welcome to the Amir of Kuwait. We are grateful for his visit. When I was traveling in the region, the Amir showed me great hospitality, so I'm glad to be able to return the gesture. Although, I have to confess that I think the meal that we're preparing is much smaller than the one he prepared for me.
Kuwait and the United States enjoy very strong bilateral relations. We are looking to make those relations even stronger. Kuwait has been an outstanding host for the United States Armed Forces during its operations in Iraq. And as we transition our operations in Iraq, it's important for us to emphasize not only our gratitude to Kuwait, but also our ongoing commitment to Kuwait's security.
We're also discussing important regional issues ranging from the importance of moving the Arab-Israeli peace process forward, to the situation in Afghanistan, our joint counterterrorism efforts, and our need to emphasize Iran meeting its international obligations. And I'm confident that, based on this conversation and ongoing work between our two countries, that we can strengthen not only Kuwaiti-U.S. relationships, but also to create a more stable region of peace and security in the region.
HIS HIGHNESS SHEIKH SABAH: (As translated.) Thank you very much, Mr. President, His Excellency, for this kind welcome. And I would like to affirm to the American people that Kuwait shall remain a partner of the United States. Kuwait shall remain an ally and a partner of the United States.
At the same time, I'm very delighted to be here with my colleagues during this visit. I also am very delighted to congratulate President Obama on his birthday tomorrow. And I also would like to congratulate him on the finding of the remains of the pilot, the U.S. pilot Speicher, that was lost back during the first war of Iraq.
I also would like to congratulate President Obama on his presidency. We have also discussed various issues of Afghanistan, the issue of Iran, and the issue of the Israeli-Arab relations. I affirmed to President Obama that we are interested in bringing about peace in the Middle East. It is in our interest that peace be brought about. And the indicator is that the recent Arab peace initiative that was agreed upon by all of the Arab parties and states, and we would implement this peace initiative when Israel implements and fulfills its obligations.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Okay. Thank you, everybody.
Obama to host Mubarek Aug. 18
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)—President Obama will welcome President Mubarak of Egypt to the White House on August 18th, The White House said Monday.
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The President looks forward to building on his discussions with President Mubarak during his visit to Cairo on June 4th. The two leaders will discuss the full range of issues of common concern – including Middle East peace, combating extremism and other regional threats, and promoting reform across the Arab world – as well as how to strengthen the bilateral relationshipthe White House said in a written statement.
U.S. shares Israel's concern about Hezbollah rearming-Robert Wood
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release)--Following are Israel-related excerpts from the briefing conducted Wednesday by the State Department's deputy spokesman, Robert Wood.
QUESTION: Yes. Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has threatened Lebanon yesterday, saying that Israel will find itself extremely free to launch a military operation on Lebanon no matter what the consequences of this operation will be. And he added that Israel will not accept the current situation while Hezbollah is represented in the parliament and in the government, and has 40,000 rockets. How do you view this threat?
MR. WOOD: Well, I haven’t seen the comments by the Israeli defense minister, but we remain extremely concerned about Hezbollah’s – the role Hezbollah is playing in Lebanon, including its attempts to rearm in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. Hezbollah continues to pose a threat to peace and security in the region. But what’s important is that – here is that the United States fully supports the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.
QUESTION: But how do you read that threat, or how do you view it?
MR. WOOD: I haven’t seen the remarks, so it’s unfair for me to really comment on them. But clearly, the Israelis as well as the United States and others are very concerned, as I said, about the type of activity that Hezbollah has been engaged in. And that – those concerns remain very strong.
QUESTION: Something related to that, to this issue too. The U.S. is trying to get Syria to demarcate the border with Lebanon, and Ha’aretz said that the goal is to get Israeli forces out of the Shebaa Farms area. Do you have anything on this?
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MR. WOOD: I don’t have anything new to add on that besides what our position has been for some time on that question.
Ahmadinejad 'elected leader'
of Iran, Gibbs tells media
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Following are the Middle East excerpts of the press briefing on Tuesday, August 4, by Robert Gibbs, White House press secretary.
Q And on Iran, President Ahmadinejad will be sworn in tomorrow. Some of the U.S. allies will be sending representatives to attend that ceremony. The administration is not. Does the U.S. absence in any way indicate that it is not, shall we say, does not recognize the legitimacy of Ahmadinejad's reelection?
MR. GIBBS: No, I -- let me get some larger guidance on our participation. Look, I think we have said throughout this that this was a decision and a debate that was ongoing in Iran by Iranians. That they were going to choose their leadership.
The President has discussed our goals for reaching out in order to ensure that they don't develop a nuclear weapons program. Those continue to be our goals.
Q But does the administration recognize Ahmadinejad as the legitimate President in Iran?
MR. GIBBS: He's the elected leader.
{For exchange on AIPAC statement about Mary Robinson, please click here}
At a State Department briefing by Robert Wood on Wednesday, the issue of whether the U.S. recognizes Ahmadinejad was revisited:
QUESTION: Just on Iran, then, do you accept that Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is the elected president of Iran? Is that the official position?
MR. WOOD: It’s not for us to accept or not accept. That’s an issue for the Iranian people. But we will have to deal with whatever Iranian Government people decide. But again, we have offered to engage Iran directly. Iran has not responded. So that’s all I’ve got on the matter.
Yes, Kim.
QUESTION: Will you engage with the Iranian opposition? Will you engage with the opposition, the reformers inside Iran?
MR. WOOD: Well, look, we are very supportive of the Iranian people’s efforts to have a democracy and to be able to have their country function as a democracy. We support those types of activities. But I don’t have anything specific for you on – in terms of engagement with the opposition at this point.
U.S. Defense Dept. considering
air-to-air missiles sale to Jordan
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Press Release) – The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress on Monday of a possible foreign military sale to the Government of Jordan of 85 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM) and associated equipment, parts and logistical support at an estimated cost of $131 million.
The Government of Jordan has requested a possible sale of 85 AIM-120C-7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM), 6 120C Captive Air Training Missiles, missile containers, spare and repair parts, support and test equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $131 million.
The proposed sale will enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a key regional partner who has proven to be a vital force for political stability and peace in the Middle East.
The proposed sale will improve Jordan’s capability to meet current and future threats of enemy air-to-air weapons. Jordan will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. Jordan will have no difficulty absorbing these additional missiles.
The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The prime contractor will be the Raytheon Corporation of Tucson, Arizona. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.
Implementation of this proposed sale will require bi-annual trips to Jordan involving up to six U.S. Government and four contractor representatives for one-week intervals for program management reviews.
There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.
This notice of a potential sale is required by law. It does not mean that the sale has been concluded.
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