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Clinton Announced 4-point Counter-Piracy Strategy

I’d like to take a moment to discuss an issue that affects us all, and that is the scourge of piracy. The attempted capture of the Maersk Alabama and the attack yesterday on the Liberty Sun off the coast of Somalia are just the most recent reminders that we have to act swiftly and decisively to combat this threat. These pirates are criminals. They are armed gangs on the sea. And those plotting attacks must be stopped, and those who have carried them out must be brought to justice.

Last weekend, we were all inspired by the courage and heroism of Captain Phillips and his crew, and by the bravery and skill of the U.S. Navy. These men are examples of the best that America has to offer. And I salute and thank them. But now it falls to us to ensure that others are not put into a similar situation. As I said last week, we may be dealing with a 17th century crime, but we need to bring 21st century solutions to bear.

US asked to leave Yongbyon North Korea -- Abort Shutdown, Monitoring

Four U.S technical experts are currently at Yongbyon. They are preparing to leave. Questions about North Korea continued at a fierce pace for a second day. Here's the US State Dept. Daily Press Briefing
April 15, 2009 - STATEMENTS RELATED TO NORTH KOREA

US STATE DEPT: U.S. Government experts and staff monitoring the shutdown and disablement of the Yongbyon facilities have been asked by North Korean authorities to depart the DPRK. Our team on the ground is making preparations to leave. We are discussing next steps on this matter with the DPRK.

The IAEA informed members of the Board of Governors on Tuesday that the DPRK had decided to cease all cooperation immediately with the IAEA, and requested IAEA inspectors to leave the DPRK at the earliest possible time. We refer to you the IAEA regarding the current status of their experts in Yongbyon. So that’s where we are.

IAEA Officially Un-invited from North Korea

IAEA Inspectors Asked to Leave the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

April 14th, 2009-- Following is a statement to the media by IAEA Spokesperson Marc Vidricaire on the situation in the DPRK:

"The Democratic People´s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has today informed IAEA inspectors in the Yongbyon facility that it is immediately ceasing all cooperation with the IAEA. It has requested the removal of all containment and surveillance equipment, following which, IAEA inspectors will no longer be provided access to the facility. The inspectors have also been asked to leave the DPRK at the earliest possible time.

The DPRK also informed the IAEA that it has decided to reactivate all facilities and go ahead with the reprocessing of spent fuel."

The DPRK - IAEA process began in 1977 when North Korea signed its first agreement related to nuclear programs. TAKE A PEAK AT THE LONG AND TUMULTUOUS HISTORY OF NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION with North Korea

About the IAEA: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) serves as the world's foremost intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear technology. Established as an autonomous organization under the United Nations (UN) in 1957, the IAEA carries out programmes to maximize the useful contribution of nuclear technology to society while verifying its peaceful use.

NORTH KOREA: DPRK STRONGLY Denounces United Nations Security Councl's Missile Launch Rebuke

'DPRK will never participate in the talks any longer nor it will be bound to any agreement of the six-party talks'

This official statement from North Korea's Foreign Ministry/ KCNA agency: --  "The DPRK Foreign Ministry issued a statement Tuesday flatly rejecting the brigandish 'presidential statement' which the U.S. and its followers finally released by abusing the UNSC to condemn the DPRK's launch of satellite for peaceful purposes.

Saying that throughout history the UNSC has never taken issue with satellite launches, the statement continues:

First, the DPRK resolutely rejects the unjust action taken by the UNSC wantonly infringing upon the sovereignty of the DPRK and seriously hurting the dignity of the Korean people.

Second, there would be no need to hold six-party talks which the DPRK has attended.

Now that the six-party talks have turned into a platform for infringing upon the sovereignty of the DPRK and seeking to force the DPRK to disarm itself and bring down the system in it the DPRK will never participate in the talks any longer nor it will be bound to any agreement of the six-party talks.

Third, the DPRK will bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense in every way.

It will take the measure for restoring to their original state the nuclear facilities which had been disabled under the agreement of the six-party talks and putting their operation on a normal track and fully reprocess the spent fuel rods churned out from the pilot atomic power plant as part of it."

READ OTHER RECENT OFFICIAL RELEASES FROM NORTH KOREA ON THEIR MISSILE LAUNCH:
Int'l Organization Refutes Smear Campaign over DPRK's Satellite Launch

Back to -- NORTH KOREA: After stalling, UN Condemns Missile Launch

This from the United Nations Official News Service: Security Council condemns DPR Korea’s recent launch -- 13 April 2009 – The Security Council today spoke out against the recent rocket launch by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), stressing the importance of preserving peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and in North-East Asia.

In a statement read out by Ambassador Claude Heller of Mexico, which holds the Council’s rotating presidency, the 15-member body deems the 5 April launch to be in contravention of resolution 1718, which demanded that the country “not conduct any further nuclear test or launch of a ballistic missile,” following its claims to have conducted a nuclear test in October 2006.

Obama on Piracy | Rescue

FROM THE WHITE HOUSE: STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON THE RESCUE OF CAPTAIN PHILLIPS -- I am very pleased that Captain Phillips has been rescued and is safely on board the USS Boxer.  His safety has been our principal concern, and I know this is a welcome relief to his family and his crew.

I am also very proud of the efforts of the U.S. military and many other departments and agencies who worked tirelessly to secure Captain Phillips’s safe recovery.

We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region. To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes. 

I share the country’s admiration for the bravery of Captain Phillips and his selfless concern for his crew.  His courage is a model for all Americans.

AUSTRALIA - US Issue Communique: Talk Trade, Defense, DeNuke Korea, China and Pakistan -- all in a G'day

Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations
Joint Communiqué -- From Washington, DC, April 9, 2009

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, Minister for Foreign Affairs Stephen Smith, and Minister for Defence Joel Fitzgibbon met in Washington D.C. on April 9, 2009 to further the United States-Australia alliance and to discuss global and regional security issues. The talks marked the 24^th anniversary of the Australia-United States Ministerial Consultations (AUSMIN) and 58 years of strategic partnership under the ANZUS alliance.
The 2009 AUSMIN, the first such meeting under the Obama Administration, confirmed the strength and contemporary relevance of the U.S.-Australia alliance in strategic, security, military, and foreign policy fields. The discussions reaffirmed the commitment of both countries to work together closely to support their common interests and to achieve their shared objectives.

Global Security
The United States and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to stabilization and reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. Noting the recently released Afghanistan and Pakistan strategic policy review undertaken by the United States in cooperation with allies, the two countries agreed on the importance of a comprehensive approach to regional challenges. They endorsed the Chairman’s Statement of the March 31 International Conference on Afghanistan in The Hague. The two countries agreed on the continuing priority attached to curbing the ability of al-Qaida and other terrorist groups to operate in the region. They reaffirmed their commitment to work together to give the Afghan people the means to secure their own future, particularly by building the capacity of the Afghan National Army and Police.

IRAN and Nuclear Issue -- 'The P5+1' and what REALLY is different now.

US STATE DEPT: The P-5+1 political directors discussed next steps in addressing international concerns about Iran’s pursuit of nuclear – of a nuclear weapons capability, and affirmed their unwavering commitment to a negotiated diplomatic solution to those concerns.

 

We, the United States, outlined the President’s and the Secretary’s goal on Iran, which is to explore diplomatic solutions to the very serious areas of concern.  A diplomatic solution necessitates a willingness to engage directly with each other on the basis of mutual respect and mutual interest.  We hope that the Government of Iran chooses to reciprocate.

 

On the nuclear issue, the U.S. remains committed to the P-5+1 process.  What is different is that the U.S. will join P-5+1 discussions with Iran from now on.  The P-5+1 has asked Dr. Javier Solana, EU High Representative for Common and Foreign Security Policy, to extend an invitation to the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to meet with representatives of the P-5+1.

 

If Iran accepts, we hope this will be the occasion to seriously engage Iran on how to break the logjam of recent years and work in a cooperative manner to resolve the outstanding international concerns about its nuclear program.  Any breakthrough will be the result of the collective efforts of all the parties, including Iran.

 

The P-5+1 strategy is a dual-track approach, as you all know.  All P-5+1 members will be active in the engagement track.  In addition, all will continue to hold Iran to international standards of conduct, including Iran’s compliance with its international nuclear obligations.

US State Dept. Robert Wood, Acting Department Spokesman, Daily Press Briefing,  April 8, 2009

P-5+1 and other US - IRAN foreign policy issues continued to dominate the State Dept. Press Briefing:

QUESTION:  When you meet with the Iranian – well, if they come back to you and say, yes, we’d like to meet, do you plan to give them a new offer or an updated offer from the incentives package offered last June?

 

MR. WOOD:  Well, that incentive package remains on the table.  We hope that Iran will take up that package.  But we’re certainly looking forward to engaging the Iranians in a discussion of their nuclear program.  As I said, we will be – we will have a seat at the table from now on.

IRAN Diplomacy = P-5+1 and the IAEA

Secy. Clinton commented on the P5+1 (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States) process :
Under Secretary Bill Burns is now participating in the P-5+1 as a full participant, not just as an observer. And obviously, we believe that, you know, pursuing very careful engagement on a range of issues that affect our interests and the interests of the world with Iran makes sense, and there’s nothing more important than trying to convince Iran to cease its efforts to obtain a nuclear weapon. --Wash. DC, April 8th, 2009

Here's the March 5th Statement of “P5+1” Group on Iran’s Nuclear Program from the IAEA BOARD OF GOVERNORS, March 2009 SESSION

 STATEMENT

Statement on behalf of China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

We thank the Director General for his report on the "Implementation of the NPT Safeguards and relevant provisions of UN Security Council Resolutions 1737, 1747, 1803, and 1835 in the Islamic Republic of Iran."

(Reader req.) Obama with Prime Minister Topolanek of the Czech Republic

Posted late, but here are the 2 items is as per reader request, both April 5, 2009: 
White House Readout of President Obama's meeting with President Klaus and Prime Minister Topolanek of the Czech Republic:  President Obama met with Czech President Vaclav Klaus and Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek.  This was President Obama's first bilateral meeting with his Czech counterparts.  They discussed cooperation on a wide range of issues, including the results of the NATO Summit, climate change, our shared commitment to success in Afghanistan, and our cooperation on missile defense.

REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA BEFORE MEETING WITH PRESIDENT KLAUS AND PRIME MINISTER TOPOLANEK OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC at  Prague Castle, Prague, Czech Republic

PRESIDENT OBAMA: Hello, everybody. It is -- let me begin by thanking the President and First Lady for their extraordinary hospitality in this spectacular setting in this beautiful city, in a country that is one of America's greatest friends.

NATO SUMMIT ROUNDUP: Danes to lead, Obama Afghan plan OK, Welcome back France

FACT SHEET FROM THE WHITE HOUSE ON NATO SUMMIT IN STRASBOURG-KEHL

President Obama joined NATO leaders at the NATO Summit in Strasbourg-Kehl to celebrate sixty years of peace and security within the Alliance as the foundation for a Europe whole, free and at peace.  The summit demonstrates the transatlantic commitmaent to the success and ongoing transformation of the Alliance to meet today’s security challenges.  From meeting NATO's crucial security tasks in Afghanistan to adapting NATO to confront new threats, NATO remains as vital to our common security in the 21st century as it was in the 20th century.

NATO’s Commitment to Success in Afghanistan

Allies strongly endorsed President Obama’s strategy for Afghanistan, reaffirming and building on the strategic consensus achieved at the March 31 International Conference on Afghanistan in The Netherlands, and committed to helping Afghans take on more responsibility for their political future and for protecting the Afghan people.  In what was a down payment on greater international support for this strategy, NATO Allies and partners announced today that they will:

• Establish a NATO Training Mission-Afghanistan, drawing on NATO’s successful experience training in Iraq, to oversee higher level training for the Afghan National Army while training and mentoring the Afghan National Police;
• Support this Afghan National Police training, including through the contributions of several allies who have committed over 300 new para-military trainers and mentors;

Obama to Turkish Parliament: 'US not at war with Islam'

"I know there have been difficulties these last few years...So let me say this as clearly as I can:
The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam."

 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA TO THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT -- April 6, 2009 -- ANKARA, TURKEY: Mr. Speaker, Madam Deputy Speaker, distinguished members, I am honored to speak in this chamber, and I am committed to renewing the alliance between our nations and the friendship between our people. This is my first trip overseas as President of the United States. I've been to the G20 summit in London, and the NATO summit in Strasbourg, and the European Union summit in Prague. Some people have asked me if I chose to continue my travels to Ankara and Istanbul to send a message to the world. And my answer is simple: Evet -- yes. (Applause.) Turkey is a critical ally. Turkey is an important part of Europe. And Turkey and the United States must stand together -- and work together -- to overcome the challenges of our time. This morning I had the great privilege of visiting the tomb of your extraordinary founder of your republic. And I was deeply impressed by this beautiful memorial to a man who did so much to shape the course of history. But it is also clear that the greatest monument to Ataturk's life is not something that can be cast in stone and marble. His greatest legacy is Turkey's strong, vibrant, secular democracy, and that is the work that this assembly carries on today. (Applause.)

President Obama meets with, left to right, Armenian Foreign Minister Eduard Nalbandian, Swiss Foreign Minister (and mediator) Micheline Calmy-Rey, Turkish undersecretary of the foreign ministry Ertugul Apakan and Turkish Foreign Minister Ali Babacan at a reception in Istanbul, Turkey on April 6, 2009. White House photo by Pete Souza.  TOP PHOTO: President Barack Obama addresses the Turkish Parliament, April 6, 2009, in Ankara, Turkey. White House Photo, Chuck Kennedy