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Saturday, June 28, 2014

Dennys World News: How World Governments Got Incompetent, June 2014: U.S., World News Links




Photo
BAGHDAD/ARBIL - Iraqi forces launched an airborne assault on rebel-held Tikrit on Thursday 
with commandos flown into a stadium in helicopters, at least one of which crashed 
after taking fire from insurgents who have seized northern cities. Source: Reuters


Dennys World News: June 2014: U.S., World News Links: From Denny:  Yes, I took a month off from posting.  It was interesting to observe how well the government and the Pentagon would do without me constantly fussing at them, pricking their bloated egos, prodding to action and offering solutions they usually adopted to some degree a few days later, trying not to be obvious they had no good ideas.

Sure rattled the Pentagon I took time away from posting any analysis.  "Where the hell is she?" demanded them of former Navy Seal Richard Marcinko, trying to scorch his butt for thinking he had not kept up with me.  They seem to be worried I'm too smart for them all - like a Snowden.  These guys have a long standing caustic military culture of trying to dominate what they don't understand, attempts to control what they are clueless about and then go ballistic when things don't go their way.  Yeah, we women are a mysterious bunch.  Women are the new Snowdens. :)  Read on for more laughs ...



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Wednesday, June 18, 2014

A Truth Journal: Iraq Sectarian Violence: Will U.S. Be Sunni Or Shiite Puppet?


Volunteers, who have joined the Iraqi Army to fight against the predominantly Sunni militants from the radical Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), gather with their weapons during a parade on the streets in Basra, southeast of Baghdad, June 16, 2014. REUTERS-Essam Al-Sudani
Volunteers, who have joined the Iraqi Army to fight against the predominantly Sunni militants 
from the radical Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), gather with their weapons 
during a parade on the streets in Basra, southeast of Baghdad, June 16, 2014. 
REUTERS/Essam Al-Sudani

A Truth Journal: Iraq Sectarian Violence: Will U.S. Be Sunni Or Shiite Puppet?: From Denny:  While the U.S. Congress rings its collective hands about how to stem the violence erupting in Iraq, everyone is missing the point.  Too many Republican politicians are trying to force a military return to Iraq in order to please their war profiteering defense contractors that support their campaign war chests.

Everyone is shoving bad advice President Obama's way, mostly to support that idiot Shi'ite puppet government that President Bush 43 installed.  This is the same Shi'ite government that aligned itself with Iran to be their puppet instead of the U.S. puppet.  This same Shi'ite government shut out the Sunni faction from participating in its own government.  Is it any surprise the Sunnis went rogue?...


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President Obama Statement: Readout of the President’s Meeting with Congressional Leaders


Readout of the President’s Meeting with Congressional Leaders

June 18, 2014

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary

President Obama met today with Senate Majority Leader Reid, Speaker Boehner, Democratic Leader Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader McConnell to discuss the situation in Iraq. The President provided an update on the Administration’s efforts to respond to the threat from ISIL by urging Iraq’s leaders to set aside sectarian agendas and to come together with a sense of national unity. He also reviewed our efforts to strengthen the capacity of Iraq’s security forces to confront the threat from ISIL, including options for increased security assistance. He asked each of the leaders for their view of the current situation and pledged to continue consulting closely with Congress going forward.


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Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Innovative Entrepreneurs, Middle East Terrorism: Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney en route Pittsburgh, PA, 6/17/2014

Press Gaggle by Press Secretary Jay Carney en route Pittsburgh, PA, 6/17/2014

Aboard Air Force One
En Route Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
11:50 A.M. EDT
MR. CARNEY:  Welcome aboard Air Force One as we make the first of two stops, the first being to Pittsburgh, where, as you know, the President will be meeting with workers at TechShop, a company that helps American investors make affordable prototypes.  He’ll continue his drumbeat about expanding opportunity for all Americans by focusing on additional ways that we can create good jobs by continuing to spur innovation, entrepreneurship and manufacturing.
Tomorrow, as you know, he’ll host the first-ever White House Maker Faire as part of this effort.  And that Maker Faire will feature Americans who are making new, innovative products, and who reflect the best of our country’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Ahead of today’s visit, we announced new steps to further spur manufacturing and innovation, including a partnership with mayors across the country who will bring this makers movement to their own backyards.  At TechShop today, the President will take a tour of their facility before delivering remarks and taking questions from TechShop workers and member organizations who use their services.
I have, obviously, more detail, and you may as well, about TechShop and about today’s event.  Happy to take questions on that and any other subject.

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Q    Josh, can you -- or, Josh --
MR. CARNEY:  Josh!  (Laughter.)  How quickly we forget! 
Q    Sorry, I take it back.  Let me start again.  Jay, can you talk a bit about this Libyan raid that captured a suspect in the Benghazi attack?  What the U.S. plans to do with him in terms of the judicial system, how he will be detained, and how he will be treated?
MR. CARNEY:  I can only tell you that the Department of Defense has issued a statement confirming that the United States military, in cooperation with law enforcement personnel, captured Ahmed Abu Khatallah, a key figure in the attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya, in September of 2012.  He is in U.S. custody in a secure location outside of Libya.  For more details and any questions about the operation, I would refer you to the Department of Defense.
More broadly, we have made it clear since that cowardly attack on our facilities that we would go to any lengths to find, apprehend, and bring to justice those who perpetrated it and were responsible for the deaths of four Americans.  The capture of Abu Khatallah is not the end of that effort, but it marks an important milestone.
So this is an important development, but I’m not going to get ahead of things.  The Department of Justice -- I mean, rather, the Department of Defense will be providing more details later in the day.
Q    Just about him, though, is it accurate that he is a mastermind, the mastermind?  Can you fill us in on that a little bit?
MR. CARNEY:  I wouldn’t want to characterize that.  He obviously was a key figure in the attacks, but beyond that I’d refer you to the Department of Defense.
Q    Is he at Guantanamo?
MR. CARNEY:  He’s at a secure location outside of Libya. 
   Typically, those have been U.S. military ships.  Can you say that?
MR. CARNEY:  I’m not going to comment beyond what I’ve just said about him being at a secure location out of Libya. 
Q    And the process for bringing him to justice would be a military tribunal court system?
MR. CARNEY:  At this point, Jim, because obviously this has just been reported and the initial statement has just gone out from the Department of Defense, I don’t have more details about the process moving forward at this time, but we will.
   Anything about when and where it’ll happen?
MR. CARNEY:  Again, as I think you’ve seen in the reports, and the Department of Defense and I just noted, it was an operation involving U.S. military personnel as well as law enforcement personnel that led to the capture of this individual.  But more details will be forthcoming later in the day.
   Jay, reports are that this guy had been kind of operating openly in Libya.  Any idea why it took to this point to capture him?
MR. CARNEY:  For details on the operation I’d refer you to the Defense Department.  What I think this makes clear is that when it comes to doing what we, as the United States, said we would do, which is bring to justice those responsible for the acts in Benghazi, there’s no time limit on that.  We’re patient and we fulfill our commitments.
   What do you think this says to the political critics of the President on Benghazi in terms of -- I mean, does this, from your perspective, silence some of their criticisms?
MR. CARNEY:  I really think this is entirely about the objective that we had as a country in the immediate aftermath and ever since, which is to bring those responsible to justice.  That’s been our focus and continues to be our focus -- that and of course taking the steps necessary to ensure that we can prevent these kinds of attacks in the future.
Q    After last night’s meeting, what’s the timetable for the President’s decision on Iraq?  Can you give us any more insight into that?
MR. CARNEY:  The President, as we noted, met with his National Security Council yesterday, late yesterday, to discuss the situation in Iraq.  And he will continue to consult with his national security team in the days to come.  They will also -- he and his team will continue to consult with members of Congress to share views and discuss possible responses.  Those consultations will continue, including closed briefings with a number of committees this week.
As you know, the President directed his national security team to develop a range of options, and that work is ongoing.  I think that rather than discuss timetables, I would note that the national security team is preparing options that are part of a comprehensive strategy -- because we have been clear, the President has been clear, that this is not primarily a military challenge.  It is evident, of course, that Iraq needs significantly more help to break the momentum of extremist groups and to bolster the capabilities of the Iraqi security forces.
But there is no military solution that will solve Iraq’s problems, which is why we’ve been urgently pressing Iraq’s leaders across the political spectrum to govern in a non-sectarian manner; to promote stability and unity among Iraq’s diverse population; to address the legitimate grievances of Iraq’s Sunni, Kurd and Shia communities; and build and invest in the capacity of Iraq’s security forces. 
Along those lines, we welcome the Iraqi Federal Supreme Court’s ratification of the April 30th election results.  This is an extremely important step as Iraq undertakes a peaceful transition of power from one elected government to another.  With the election results officially ratified, we call on Iraq’s leaders to move forward expeditiously to form an inclusive and representative government that represents the people of Iraq as determined through the democratic and constitutional process. 
It’s critical that all political leaders come together without delay to put the interest of the Iraqi people foremost in their negotiations to establish the makeup of a new government.
We have also supported Iraqi political and religious leaders and their call for national unity to confront the ISIL terrorist threat.  Most notably, were calls from Grand Ayatollah Sistani’s office over the weekend to avoid sectarian actions that would harm the unity and national fabric of the Iraqi people.  And he also emphasized the need for volunteers to work through the legal framework.  In that light, Iraqi National Security Advisor Fayad also announced the formation of a public mobilization effort to regulate the thousands of volunteers who have stepped forward to assist Iraq’s security forces at this time of need.
Q    So does this constitute the move toward an inclusive political agenda that the President said he wanted to see before he would consider military action?
MR. CARNEY:  It’s an important step.  It is still very much an imperative that Iraq’s political leaders take steps to become more united, to govern in a non-sectarian manner so that it is clear to all members of Iraq’s diverse population that ISIL is a threat to the Iraqi nation and to all Iraqis, and that the government and the security forces are working on behalf of all of Iraq’s citizens regardless of their religious and ethnic background.
Q    Jay, there are reports ISIL is 40 miles from Baghdad.  What kind of time does the President think he has before he at least moves to protect that city?
MR. CARNEY:  Jim, the President has tasked his national security team to develop options, and that effort continues.  The President made clear that in his view there is not a military solution to Iraq’s problems.  There is a near-term challenge presented by the movement of ISIL through the north and west of the country and towards Baghdad.  And we are assessing that situation and will continue to do that, and will continue to look at options available to us to assist the Iraqi security forces in that effort.
   Jay, did the President narrow any options at the NSC meeting last night?
MR. CARNEY:  Did he what?
Q    Did he narrow anything?
MR. CARNEY:  I’m not going to characterize it beyond to say that the President tasked the national security team to develop options.  And at the meeting yesterday, the national security team and the President discussed the situation in Iraq and the development of those options.
   Did he offer -- or do you have deadline to have the options and go over things for -- by Thursday, by Friday?
MR. CARNEY:  Again, I’m not going to get into a timeframe.  I think that the President has made clear that the issue here in terms of the United States and our national security interest is the necessity to prevent ISIL from establishing a terrorist safe haven in the region.  That’s first and foremost, obviously, our primary interest when it comes to the national security of the United States and our partners and allies. 
And to that end, the President is also making clear that the medium- and long-term challenges that Iraq faces cannot be solved militarily, they must be solved through actions taken by Iraq’s leaders to govern inclusively so that it is abundantly clear to Iraq’s citizens that extremist groups like ISIL do not have their interests at heart, that their actions have virtually nothing to do with domestic Iraqi politics, but have only to do with advancing a brutal extremist ideology in their country.
Q    Ambassador Ryan Crocker this morning on CBS said that Secretary Kerry should already be on a plane to Baghdad, saying that the U.S. should take a stronger lead in diplomacy.  Given that the White House has said that this is a diplomatic solution, why haven’t we seen that?  Or will we expect to see that?
MR. CARNEY:  Secretary Kerry has obviously been very engaged in this effort, as has Vice President Biden and other members of the President’s national security team.  For the Secretary’s travels, I would refer you to the State Department.
Q    You talked about consultations with Congress.  How much consultation has there been with allies like France and the UK?  And now that that refinery has been closed, that main refinery near Baghdad, at Baiji, has there been consultations with partners in the region about oil supplies?
MR. CARNEY:  I don’t have any updates on that issue, the second part of your question.  We are obviously in regular consultation with our allies and partners about the situation in Iraq.
   The 275 people sent mainly to protect the embassy, but there were others there, are any of them allowed to interact with the Iraqi military -- give training, give advice?  Anything like that?
MR. CARNEY:  A couple of points.  At the request of the U.S. State Department, the Department of Defense continues to provide security assistance for embassy personnel inside of Iraq.  Over the weekend, a number of teams, totaling approximately 170 U.S. personnel, began arriving in Baghdad from within the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.  The personnel will provide assistance to the Department of State in connection with the temporary relocation of some staff from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad to the U.S. Consulates General in Basra and Erbil and to the Iraq Support Unit in Amman.
These U.S. military personnel are entering Iraq with the consent of the government of Iraq.  There have been a number of times when we have filed similar war power resolution letters and we have needed to augment existing security at our embassies.  The safety of personnel serving in diplomatic missions abroad is among our highest priorities. 
The military has also moved approximately 100 personnel in the region to provide airfield management security and logistics support if required.  So their mission is to provide that security that I just described to the Department.
Q    What about training or advice?
MR. CARNEY:  Well, as you know, we have a relationship -- a security relationship with Iraq that involves providing security training outside in a third country, as well as an advisory capacity.  These troops are focused on -- or these personnel are focused on security for the embassy and embassy personnel.
Q    Jay, regarding allied contacts, has the President himself made calls to foreign leaders on the issue?
MR. CARNEY:  I don’t have any foreign leader calls to update you on.
Q    Without any readouts.  But has he made calls?
MR. CARNEY:  I don’t have any that I have information on for you.
Q    Are all three of these events tonight fundraisers?  The galas --
MR. CARNEY:  There is one event in which the President is attending as a participant, but he is not in this context -- sorry, this is the event -- I forget which one this is.  This is an event where he is attending the event as a special guest.  We announced his participation in super PAC events in February.  For the context, the President does not ask for or solicit funds at this event.  The other two I believe are committee events.
Q    So this is a PAC, it’s not a fundraiser event?
MR. CARNEY:  Well, his participation is not -- is guided by what I just said.
   Anything on the maritime -- on this maritime executive action.  When is he going to do that?
MR. CARNEY:  I don’t have anything on that for you, Jim.
Q    I think you put it right before we took off, didn’t you?
MR. CARNEY:  I don’t think I have anything on that, Jim.
   There doesn’t seem to be much drilling in that area of the Pacific maritime region that they’re talking about.
MR. CARNEY:  This the ocean stuff?
Q    Yes.
MR. CARNEY:  President Obama is committed to protecting the ocean and its marine ecosystems.  Americans all over the country depend on the ocean for food, jobs and recreation.  But the health of our ocean is under threat on multiple fronts, from over-fishing to carbon pollution.  Recognizing these significant challenges, President Obama launched the National Ocean Policy early in his first term. 
This week, the State Department is hosting the “Our Ocean” Conference, an international conference on sustainable fisheries, marine pollution and ocean acidification that concludes today.  As part of the conference, the President is announcing several steps that the U.S. is taking to answer that call, including protections for world-class marine areas and steps to combat black market fishing and supporting fishermen. 
For more details, I’d refer you to the State Department and the Council on Environmental Quality.  I hope that was responsive.
Q    Thank you, sir.
MR. CARNEY:  It’s been a pleasure.
   And congrats.
MR. CARNEY:  Thank you.
END
12:09 P.M. EDT

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Presidential Memorandum: Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud

Presidential Memorandum -- Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud


The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
June 17, 2014

MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES 
SUBJECT:  
 Establishing a Comprehensive Framework to Combat Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud
 
The United States is a global leader in sustainable seafood.  Over the course of the last 6 years, the United States has largely ended overfishing in federally managed waters and successfully rebuilt a record number of stocks depleted by the excesses of the past.  At the same time, effective domestic management and enforcement of fishing regulations have supported near record highs in both landings and revenue for our domestic fishing industry.  As a result, the U.S. management scheme is recognized internationally as a model for other countries as they work to end overfishing.
 
Nevertheless, illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing continues to undermine the economic and environmental sustainability of fisheries and fish stocks, both in the United States and around the world.  Global losses attributable to the black market from IUU fishing are estimated to be $10-23 billion annually, weakening profitability for legally caught seafood, fueling illegal trafficking operations, and undermining economic opportunity for legitimate fishermen in the
United States and around the world.
 
It is in the national interest of the United States to promote a framework that supports sustainable fishing practices and combats seafood fraud and the sale of IUU fishing products.  To achieve these objectives, the United States will need to enhance the tools it has available to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud, including by implementing the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Agreement on Port State Measures to Prevent, Deter and Eliminate Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing; strengthening coordination and implementation of existing authorities to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud; working with the Congress to strengthen and harmonize the enforcement provisions of U.S. statutes for implementing international fisheries agreements; and working with industry and foreign partners to develop and implement new and existing measures, such as voluntary, or other, traceability programs, that can combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud, and ensure accurate labeling for consumers.
  
Therefore, by the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, and to ensure that seafood sold in the United States is legally and sustainably caught and to combat the negative impacts of seafood fraud on the United States, I hereby direct the following:
 
Section 1.  Policy.  (a)  It shall be the policy of the United States for all executive departments and agencies (agencies) to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud by strengthening coordination and implementation of relevant existing authorities and, where appropriate, by improving the transparency and traceability of the seafood supply chain.  All agencies and offices charged with overseeing the seafood supply chain and verifying the authenticity of its products shall implement and enforce relevant policies, regulations, and laws to ensure that seafood sold in the United States is legally caught and accurately labeled.
 
(b)  It shall also be the policy of the United States to promote legally and sustainably caught and accurately labeled seafood and to take appropriate actions within existing authorities and budgets to assist foreign nations in building capacity to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud.  In addition, agencies shall identify opportunities to enhance domestic and international efforts to combat global IUU fishing and seafood fraud.
 
Sec. 2.  Establishment.  There is established, as a subcommittee reporting to the National Ocean Council established by Executive Order 13547 of July 19, 2010 (Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes), a Presidential Task Force on Combating Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing and Seafood Fraud (Task Force), to be co-chaired by the Secretaries of State and Commerce, or their designees.  The Task Force shall meet not later than 60 days from the date of this memorandum and at least quarterly thereafter.
Sec. 3.  Membership.  In addition to the Co-Chairs, the Task Force shall include designated senior-level representatives from:
 
(a) the Department of Defense;
 
(b) the Department of Justice;
 
(c) the Department of the Interior;
 
(d) the Department of Agriculture;
 
(e) the Department of Commerce;
 
(f) the Department of Health and Human Services;
 
(g) the Department of Homeland Security;
 
(h) the Office of Management and Budget;
 
(i) the Council on Environmental Quality;
 
(j) the Office of Science and Technology Policy;
  
(k) the Office of the United States Trade Representative; 
(l) the United States Agency for International Development; and
 
(m) such agencies and offices as the Co-Chairs may, from   time to time, designate.
 
Sec. 4.  Functions.  Consistent with the authorities and responsibilities of member agencies, the Task Force shall perform the following functions:
 
(a) Not later than 180 days after the date of this memorandum, the Task Force shall report to the President through the National Ocean Council, with recommendations for the implementation of a comprehensive framework of integrated programs to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud that emphasizes areas of greatest need.  The Task Force should consider a broad range of strategies, including implementation of existing programs, and, if appropriate, development of new, voluntary or other, programs for seafood tracking and traceability.  In providing these recommendations, the Task Force shall identify: 
(i) existing regulatory authorities and make recommendations regarding further authorities that may be warranted;
 
(ii) enforcement best practices and challenges;  
(iii) benefits provided by such a framework, as well as potential impacts on the U.S. fishing industry;
 
(iv) opportunities to address these issues at the international level through the regional fisheries management organizations as well as bilateral efforts, such as technical assistance and capacity building; 
(v) priority actions that will be taken by agencies,
including strengthening coordination between Federal, State, local, and foreign agencies; and
 
(vi) industry approaches that contribute to efforts to combat IUU fishing and seafood fraud, including with respect to seafood traceability and ways to minimize any costs and reporting burdens on small businesses.
 
(b) Upon receiving guidance from the President on the recommendations developed pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the Task Force shall begin its implementation of those recommendations and, within 1 year, report to the President, through the National Ocean Council, on its progress.
 
(c) The Task Force shall also consider the need for other strategies for addressing IUU fishing and seafood fraud and may provide recommendations on the development and enhancement of those strategies.
 
(d) In undertaking these efforts, the Task Force shall coordinate its efforts with other Presidential initiatives focused on related issues, including the work of the
Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking established in Executive Order 13648 of July 1, 2013 (Combating Wildlife Trafficking), and activities being conducted pursuant to Executive Order 13659 of February 19, 2014 (Streamlining the Export/Import Process for America's Businesses).
 
(e) The Task Force shall, as applicable, consult with governments at State, local, tribal, and regional levels to achieve the goals and objectives of this memorandum, as well as the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and academia.
 
Sec. 5.  General Provisions.  (a)  This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable domestic and international law, and subject to the availability of appropriations.
 
(b) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
 
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the head thereof; or
 
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(c) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to require the disclosure of confidential business information or trade secrets, classified information, law enforcement sensitive information, or other information that must be protected in the interest of national security or public safety.
 
(d) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
BARACK OBAMA

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President Obama Statement FACT SHEET: The U.S.-Brazil Bilateral Relationship

FACT SHEET: The U.S.-Brazil Bilateral Relationship


The White House
Office of the Vice President
June 17, 2014

Vice President Biden traveled to Brazil to attend the first United States World Cup game and to meet with President Dilma Rousseff and Vice-President Michel Temer to discuss our countries’ broad and multifaceted bilateral relationship. 
Growing Economic Cooperation
The United States and Brazil engage regularly in a number of formal dialogues and working groups on economic issues.  These consultations are contributing to two-way goods and services trade that exceeded $100 billion in 2013.  The United States has foreign direct investment in Brazil totaling roughly $80 billion and Brazilian foreign direct investment in the United States is rising, reaching approximately $14 billion in 2012.
The U.S. Secretary of the Treasury recently visited Brazil for discussions on bilateral and global economic and financial issues, reflecting the two countries’ increasingly shared stake in promoting strong, sustainable, and balanced global economic growth and job creation.  In May, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation visited Brazil to meet with Brazilian counterparts on land, air, and waterway transportation cooperation that can facilitate trade and travel.  The continued exchange of high-level official delegations underscores the two countries’ commitment to building a mutually-beneficial economic partnership.
Internet Governance
Global and Multilateral Partnership
In April 2014, Brazil hosted NetMundial, a global multi-stakeholder meeting to discuss the future of Internet governance.  The U.S. government was pleased to serve as a member of the High-Level Multi-stakeholder Committee along with representatives of eleven other countries (Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Ghana, India, Indonesia, South Africa, South Korea, Tunisia, and Turkey) and twelve representatives of civil society, the private sector, academia, and the technical community.  The United States and Brazil, along with the other meeting participants, worked to develop a shared vision for the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance that seeks further evolution to an increasingly open, inclusive, and responsive system. 
Vice-President Biden spoke to President Dilma and Vice-President Temer about global and regional developments and welcomed Brazil’s efforts to promote dialogue in Venezuela.  The United States and Brazil are committed to promoting democracy, respect for human rights, cultural awareness, and social and economic inclusion around the world.  The two governments have also worked closely to promote the human rights of LGBT persons, to ensure a stronger Inter-American Human Rights Commission, and to support the OAS Inter-American Convention Against Corruption, as part of our common global agenda as members of the Open Government Partnership steering committee.
People-to-People Ties
Over the last year, Brazil and the United States have made strides in fostering people-to-people ties. 
  • By fall 2014, the United States will have welcomed more than 25,000 students at more than 200 U.S. universities in 46 states through the Brazilian Scientific Mobility Program.  Through the first three rounds of the 100,000 Strong in the Americas Innovation Fund grants competition, five grants totaling approximately $125,000 will support partnerships between U.S. and Brazilian universities. 
  • Additionally, our re-vamped visa operations across Brazil have reduced wait times dramatically and processed a record number of visas in the last three years.


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Monday, June 16, 2014

Iraq Terrorism, Iran As Ally To Stem Middle East Violence? Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route JBA, 6/16/2014



Press Gaggle by Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest en route JBA, 6/16/2014


The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
June 16, 2014

Aboard Air Force One
En Route Joint Base Andrews
2:00 P.M. EDT
MR. EARNEST:  Good afternoon, everybody.  Can we assume the position here?  I’ll do a quick thing at the top and then we’ll get to your questions. 
As part of the President’s economic agenda to expand opportunity for all Americans, this week he’ll focus on additional ways we can create good jobs by continuing to spur innovation, entrepreneurship and manufacturing.
Tomorrow, the President will travel to Pittsburgh, where he’ll meet with workers at TechShop, a company that helps American investors make affordable prototypes.
Then, on Wednesday, the President will host the first-ever White House Maker Faire, where he will meet Americans who are taking the challenge of innovation into their own hands.  I’m told there will be 3-D printed pancakes at the event. 
Q    Pancakes?
MR. EARNEST:  Yes.  So there are a lot of reasons to eagerly anticipate Wednesday’s event.
Nationwide, the maker movement opens access to new tools for democratized production, and is boosting innovation and entrepreneurship in manufacturing in the same way that the Internet and cloud computing have lowered the barriers to entry for digital startups and assisted in the revitalization of American manufacturing.  In advance of these events, I expect we’ll have some new announcements to make about additional steps the public and private sectors will take to further expand this kind of manufacturing innovation.
So with that, I’ll get to your questions.

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Q    Is the President considering President Rouhani’s offer to help in Iraq?
MR. EARNEST:  Well, let me say a couple of things about this.  The first is there are ongoing conversations in Vienna -- or conversations in Vienna that are about to start among the P5-plus-1 members and senior Iranian officials about their nuclear program.
Those conversations and resolving the international community’s concerns about the Iranian nuclear program remains a top priority of this administration’s foreign policy.  You’ve heard some State Department officials acknowledge today that it’s possible that there could be some conversations on the margins of that meeting among the P5-plus-1 members.  But I want to make very clear that any of those conversations that may occur on the margins are entirely separate from the conversations about Iran’s nuclear program.  So it’s important to understand that.
The second thing that’s important for you to understand is that any conversations with the Iranian regime will not include military coordination.  We will not be -- we’re not interested in any effort to coordinate military activities with Iran. 
The third thing I’d say about this also relates to something we will not discuss, and that specifically is the future of Iraq.  So Iraq is an independent, sovereign country and decisions about the future of Iraq should be made by an Iraqi political leadership that reflects the best interests of Iraq’s diverse population.  Decisions about Iraqis’ futures should be made solely in that venue and not by outside actors.
   So what might be coordinated with Iran, given what will not be coordinated with Iran?
MR. EARNEST:  I think what’s been made clear -- and I think even according to published reports, it’s clear that the Iranians feel a stake in resolving the deteriorating security situation that we’ve seen in Iraq.  Frankly, it’s in the interest of all of the countries in the region that the kind of violence at the hands of extremists that we’ve seen in Iraq come to an end.  It’s also in the interest of countries throughout the region to see the Iraq leadership pursue the governing of that country in a non-sectarian way; that there’s a way for countries in the region to support the efforts of the Iraqi political leadership to invest in a political agenda and in security forces that are not sort of riven by sectarian differences.
Q    Does President Obama want the U.S. and Iran to both apply pressure on Maliki to behave a certain way?  Does President Obama want the U.S. and Iran to work together to find regional efforts with other countries?  Can you tell me affirmatively what he is comfortable with partnering with Iran to do?  And would he speak with Rouhani himself, or is it not going to happen at that level?
MR. EARNEST:  I don’t want to make any predictions about what kinds of conversations may occur other than to say that conversations may occur on the margins of the P5-plus-1 meeting in the context of conversations that are entirely separate from ongoing nuclear talks.
Here’s what I think the administration would like to see:  We would like to see the Iranian regime and the leaders of other countries in the region play a constructive role in encouraging Iraq’s political leadership to pursue an inclusive diplomatic agenda.  That means that -- it’s the view of the United States that it’s in the interest of all of these countries, including Iran, to see an Iraq that’s governed in a non-sectarian way, and that investments in building up an inclusive political agenda and strengthening security forces, which are obviously in need of strengthening, that all of that is done in the context of a non-sectarian, inclusive effort.
Q    Josh, you keep mentioning that both talks would be separate from the P5-plus-1.  Is the United States concerned that Iran might use this as leverage in the P5-plus-1?  Clearly, they have something right now that the United States wants.
MR. EARNEST:  No, we’re not concerned about that because, as I mentioned, the conversations that are ongoing with the P5-plus-1 members and Iran about their nuclear security program -- about their nuclear program is something that continues to be a high priority of this administration’s foreign policy.  And we’re going to continue to pursue the opportunity for a resolution to those differences that exist between the Iranian regime and the international community.  There is a deadline, a July 20th deadline that’s been set for resolving those differences of opinion.
It’s our view that significant gaps remain between the international community’s position for resolving these differences and what the Iranians have stated a willingness to do.  So we’re going to spend some time over the course of the next month in advance of the July 20th deadline trying to bridge the significant gaps that still remain.
But all of that is very important work and entirely separate from the common interest that is shared by countries in the region who would like to see the peaceful resolution of the security situation in Iraq.
   Do you see any ironies in the fact that Washington is asking for Tehran’s assistance on this?
MR. EARNEST:  I think those are your words.  I didn’t quite say that.  I think it is merely an observation by many people in the international community that there is a shared interest among the variety of countries in the region around Iraq to see this kind of extremism, violent extremism stopped in its tracks.  And it is not in anybody’s interest for the nation of Iraq to be torn apart along sectarian lines in a way that’s driven by extremists.
Q    Josh, there’s nothing in Iran’s track record on Iraq that suggests that it’s really interested in a multi-sectarian government.  In previous episodes where the sectarian stuff has blown up, the Iranians have typically sent in their own agents, sent in Quds force, played a disruptive role.  So what I’m wondering is whether, if this conversation were to happen this week, you’d be laying down some pretty strong markers to the Iranians saying, look, we know what you’ve done before in cases like this; don’t plan on doing it this time.  Would that be a fair characterization?
MR. EARNEST:  Well, I don’t want to get ahead of characterizing those conversations before they occur.  But you can --
   What about Iran’s record on this?
MR. EARNEST:  Well, I think you can assume that the message that we are sending publicly about the need for all of Iraq’s political leadership to pursue an inclusive political agenda is a position that will be conveyed candidly to the Iranian leadership if those kinds of conversations actually occur.  But there is no -- I guess what I’m trying to say is this:  Our position on this is really, really clear.  We do think that there is some common ground, because we do think it’s in the interest of Iran and other countries that neighbor Iraq for this kind of violent sectarian strife to come to an end because it’s in everybody’s interest. 
The kind of violence and sectarian strife that we’ve seen in Syria has spilled over into Iraq, and it has had a destabilizing impact on that regime and on that country.  So, presumably, the leaders of other countries wouldn’t want to see that destabilizing activity continue to occur and propagate.  
   One more question on this.  There’s a reasonable concern on Iran’s part that if the United States is contemplating military action that’s potentially destabilizing on its own border, would there be any thought to also offering the Iranians assurances that were the U.S. to consider military action it would be strictly limited, it would only be aimed at sort of fending off this insurgency as opposed to something bigger, which obviously Iran has had occasion to see in the past from the United States.
MR. EARNEST:  Well, even outside the context of Iran, we’ve been pretty clear about what kind of -- what the goals of any contemplated military action would be.  Specifically, they would be to bolster efforts by the Iraqi leadership to pursue a more inclusive political agenda.  And that’s true whether Iran is involved or not.
And I guess the other thing that I want to do here is reiterate something that the President said on Friday, which is that any of the military options that the President might consider, they would not include an open-ended military commitment.  They would not include combat boots on the grounds.  And they would be predicated on commitments from the Iraqi political leadership to pursue an inclusive political agenda that takes into account the legitimate grievances of the Kurdish, Shia and Sunni populations in that country.
   Can I ask about the executive order?  A couple things.  Has he signed it yet?  And do you have any fact sheet, or are you releasing anything about how many people are affected, any economic impact?
MR. EARNEST:  At this point, Steve, the only thing I can confirm is that the President, following on his pledge for this to be a year of action to expand opportunity for all Americans, has directed his staff to prepare for his signature, an executive order that prohibits federal contractors from discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.  The specific details of that order have not been finalized, so I can’t give you the kinds of details that you’re seeking. 
Q    Electronically or by --
MR. EARNEST:  He has not signed it yet.
   When he lands today?
MR. EARNEST:  No -- I don’t.  The details are still being formalized.  What the President has asked is for his staff to put together an executive order like this.  So it’s not something that’s ready to be signed yet.  He’s asked them to put together an executive order that can be signed in the future.
   No numbers on how many people would be affected?
MR. EARNEST:  That’s something that we may have more information on once we have the details of what this executive order says.
   Also, the community has been asking for this since 2008.  Why did it take so long?
MR. EARNEST:  Well, as we’ve said, Steve, what we have sought is congressional legislation on this.  The action that the -- an executive order along these lines would not be a substitute for robust congressional action.  Last year we did see the Senate pass the so-called ENDA legislation.  We have for several months now been encouraging the House to take up and pass that legislation.  Unfortunately, this is yet another example of Republicans blocking progress on the kind of issue that has pretty strong support all across the country.
So we’re disappointed that the House hasn’t taken action.  The President was really clear at the beginning of the year that once we want to work with Congress in bipartisan fashion to make progress on behalf of the American people.  But the President is not going to give up his ability to act unilaterally in pursuit of that kind of agenda.  And I think an executive order like this is a pretty good example of that strategy on the President’s part, which is to work with Congress where we can but also act unilaterally where necessary to advance expanded opportunity for the American people.
   Can I ask one more on Iraq?  On Friday, the president said he would have a better sense by the end of the weekend what international partners might be willing to do to aid in any U.S. action in Iraq.  I’m wondering if you could describe the outreach that happened over the weekend and the reception that you might be getting from other foreign leaders.
MR. EARNEST:  I do have some information about it. Secretary Kerry placed a number of calls over the weekend to some of his counterparts in the region.  He called the foreign ministers of Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. 
You recall that on Friday the President directed his national security team to spend some time working over the weekend assembling a range of options for him.  You received emails from me over the weekend a couple of times a day letting you know that the President was in pretty close touch with his National Security Advisor, Susan Rice, who regularly updated him on a few things. 
The first -- she obviously updated him on the security situation in Iraq.  She also updated him on the diplomatic discussions that have been ongoing at a variety of levels, both with the Iraqi political leadership, the political leadership of other countries in the region, and countries around the world that have a legitimate concern similar to the concern we’ve expressed about the deteriorating security situation in Iraq.
She also kept him updated on the conversations that were ongoing among members of his national security team.  She provided the President another update along these lines this morning before we left Palm Springs.  The President said that he wanted to meet with his national security team when he returns to Washington this evening.  And the purpose of that meeting would be to hear from members of his national security team directly about their ongoing efforts to present him with a range of options. 
So that’s a process that’s still ongoing, and this will be an opportunity for him to talk directly with members of his national security team about those ongoing efforts.
   Do you have any updates about what that thinking is?  And do you have any sense of what a timetable might be for an announcement of U.S. action?
MR. EARNEST:  I don’t have any update on those conversations other than to say that they’re ongoing.  This obviously is serious work, and it’s something that the President’s national security team takes very seriously.  It’s a collaborative effort among the diplomatic members of his team.  There’s also an important role here for the military and the intelligence teams to present the President with a range of options, and that’s something that they’re still working on.
Q    -- happens tonight, it will be military, plus the NSC formally presenting the -- is it right to say that he will be presented with the range of options tonight?
MR. EARNEST:  I don’t want to get ahead of that meeting.  I think what I can say confidently now is the President will be updated on their ongoing efforts.  I’m not in a position right now to say whether or not he’ll be presented with a range of options in the context of that meeting.  But the goal of this meeting is for the President to get an update on the thinking of individual members of his team as they’ve been working over the weekend to prepare --
Q    Dempsey, as well?
MR. EARNEST:  I will see if we can get you a manifest of those who participate in the meeting.  I don’t have it with me right now, though.
Q    Can we expect a readout as well, afterwards?
MR. EARNEST:  We’ll see if we can get you something.
Q    What do we think of you moving people out of the embassy in Baghdad?  Do you expect Baghdad to be under great threat or do you expect some recriminations if you take military action?
MR. EARNEST:  I think the actions right now are precipitated on doing everything we can to protect the security of Americans who are representing our interests in Iraq.  So there have been some movements that you’ve heard about of relocating some staff members to some consulates in Iraq. 
But the embassy is open and is conducting official business.  But it’s something that we, the President always is concerned about is doing everything that we can to preserve the safety and security of Americans who are serving abroad. 
   Josh, back to the ENDA question.  White House officials have been saying for ages that the President did not want to do this executive order because you wanted to leave open room for the legislative solution to happen.  What led to you deciding to do it this week?  And do you have any sense of a timetable as to when that order will be ready for him to sign?
MR. EARNEST:  Well, I do want to be crystal clear about something, which is that the door for legislative action remains open.  There is nothing in an executive order that they’re still working to put together that would preclude Congress from taking an important but commonsense step to pass legislation that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation. 
As you know, an executive order that the President would sign along these lines would apply to federal contractors.  And Congress would have the power to pass legislation, and it’s passed the Senate already, to ensure -- to ban this discrimination across the country.  So there’s something much more widespread that Congress can do.  It has passed through the Senate; it should pass through the House. 
Q    But the question was, why are you doing it now?
MR. EARNEST:  I mean, quite simply, we’ve been waiting for quite a few months now for the House to take action, and unfortunately there aren’t particularly strong indications that Congress is prepared to act on this.  So like I said, we stand ready to continue to work with Congress to advance the cause of expanding opportunity for all Americans all across the country.  This is one way in which Congress could act to do that, and we stand ready to work with them to get that done.  But the President is not just going to sit around and wait for Congress to take action.  This has not been a particularly prolific Congress when it comes to passing legislation, even legislation that has strong support all across the country like this.
So the President is going to do what he can -- in this case, consider an executive order that would ban discrimination by federal contractors on the basis of gender identity or sexual orientation.
Q    When do you think that will be ready for him to sign?
MR. EARNEST:  I don’t have a timetable at this point, but we’ll keep you updated.  If I can get you better guidance about that timetable, we’ll do that.  But there’s still some work that needs to be done to prepare an executive order for his signature.
Q    Can I ask you a quick Russia question?  Some indications that Russia has been limiting through Gazprom the supplies to Ukraine, and that is affecting Ukrainians and also prices in Europe.  Do you think that -- is it the White House’s concern that Russia is taking advantage of the situation with Iraq to kind of make a move?  Or maybe completely disconnected from that, do you have concerns about what’s happening now with Russia and oil supplies to Ukraine?
MR. EARNEST:  Well, you’ve heard us say before that access to energy supplies should not be used to inappropriately influence the government of another country.  It shouldn’t be used to coerce another nation’s political leadership.  So that’s something that we’re concerned about and we’re following very closely.  There is an opportunity for us to act with our partners around the world to protect the interests of a sovereign Ukraine.
The EU has been actively engaged in trying to negotiate a settlement to this dispute between the Russians and the Ukrainians, and we’re supportive of that effort and we’re hopeful it will continue.
Q    Can I ask about the situation on the border?  The Vice President is heading down to Guatemala, and part of the reason officials said he was going was to dispel a misperception there that the President’s delayed deportation -- deferred deportation policy would affect them and that they would be able to take advantage of it.  And I’m wondering what led the White House to believe that’s become an issue -- because just last week you were sort of writing that off as a political talking point for Republicans.
MR. EARNEST:  Well, I think the suggestion from Republicans was a little bit less honest than the assessment that you presented.  Let me just leave it at that. 
The efforts of the Vice President are to go and cooperate with our partners in Central America because we have a shared interest in the safety of children, and that what we have seen is an influx of unaccompanied minors at the border between the United States and Mexico, and that’s something that we’re concerned about.  And there have been a number of steps that have been ramped up to try to meet the humanitarian needs of children who show up on the border and are apprehended by the
Border Patrol.  So there’s a whole effort that’s been stood up by FEMA, including good work from HHS to try to meet this growing need. 
But what the Vice President will be engaged in is talking to the leaders of these other countries, because the leaders of these other countries are obviously concerned about the safety and security of kids in their country, and the United States remains concerned too. 
So went to -- if there are steps that these countries can take to ensure the safety of their children and to dissuade parents from entrusting them in the hands of strangers to try to deliver them to the United States, we’d like to shut that off as quickly as we can.  And some of that is making sure that those parents understand exactly what the law is, and the law says that these unaccompanied minors when they show up at the border would not qualify for deferred action, like the administration announced a couple years ago.
Q    Just to clarify -- you do believe the misperceptions of the deferred action is part of what’s leading to this wave of immigrant kids on the border?  The White House now is certain that that’s part of what is leading to all of these kids coming over here?
MR. EARNEST:  Well, again, I don’t think I want to put myself in a position of being able to understand exactly what’s happening, but to the extent that we can clarify what the law is, we’re going to do that.  And that will be part of the Vice President’s mission.
   Just as we were taking off I saw a report that Malia Obama is working as a production assistant on a Steven Spielberg film.  Can you say anything about that, and confirm whether that’s true?  And she’s not on this flight.  Is she living in California temporarily to do that?  Or what is the situation there?
MR. EARNEST:  I’ve seen those reports as well, Nedra.  As you know, what we have done to protect the privacy of the President and First Lady’s two daughters is to talk about the daughters’ activities when they’re appearing in public with their parents, and conversely to not talk about their activities when they’re not appearing in public with their parents.  So I’m going to try and live up to that principle in the context of this gaggle and not comment on those reports.
Q    -- it rises to the level of like a public official and sort of a public event?  It’s not like an internship with no one you’ve ever heard of.  It’s Steven Spielberg. 
Q    -- photos of her going in and off the job site, too, right?  So --
MR. EARNEST:  Like I said, I’ve seen the reports.  And, again, the line that we draw is related to the two daughters being involved in public activities with their parents; that when they are traveling with them -- that’s one of the reasons that I try to -- that we worked over the weekend to provide you some greater clarity about whether or not they were in California with the President and First Lady. 
Again, this was a public trip of the President and First Lady to California, and so there are potential -- the involvement of the First Daughters in that trip was a legitimate question, and that’s why we were able to determine for you that Malia did spend the weekend with her parents and Sasha did not.
But in terms of what Malia and Sasha are up to when their parents aren’t around is not something I’m just going to be in a position to get into.
   I would just add that I think we’ve been pretty respectful of that as well, but if she is living in another state, that’s significant, I would say.  And maybe she’s not, I don’t know, but I just want to put it -- make that on the record.
MR. EARNEST:  Look, I will stipulate to the fact that the President and First Lady are genuinely appreciative of the respect that the White House Press Corps has shown to their daughters and the privacy that’s been afforded to them, even in a pretty competitive media environment.  So I am appreciative of that.  I’m not suggesting that questions along these lines, based on public reports, are somehow illegitimate or unfair.  I’m just saying that I’m not going to talk about them.
   Just one thing about the IRS.  The IRS said that a computer crash led to an untold number of Lois Lerner’s emails being -- they just disappeared apparently.  Do you think that’s a reasonable explanation?  I think a lot of technical experts say, well, you know, e-mails aren’t stored on a computer, they’re stored on a cloud somewhere.  Does that seem like a reasonable thing for the IRS to be telling congressional investigators who are outraged that these e-mails have gone missing?
MR. EARNEST:  You’ve never heard of a computer crashing before?
Q    I think e-mails generally are not stored on a computer; they’re stored on a server somewhere.  And the IRS’s explanation for these e-mails going missing was that her computer crashed.  So a lot of people are skeptical of, one, that that’s a truthful answer, and two, that they’re not trying to mislead Congress or trying to hide something in these e-mails.  So I’m wondering if you think that’s reasonable.
MR. EARNEST:  I think it’s entirely reasonable, because it’s the truth and it’s a fact, and speculation otherwise I think is indicative of the kinds of conspiracies that are propagated around this story.  And they’re propagated in a way that has left people with a very mistaken impression about what exactly occurred.
The fact of the matter is, 67,000 e-mails either sent by or received by Lois Lerner have been provided to Congress.  So if we are trying to hide Lois Lerner’s e-mails from congressional oversight, there’s a pretty large loophole.  Thousands of those e-mails actually relate to the time period covered by the hard drive crash that you referred to.  So we have -- or IRS, I should say, has been engaged in an effort to track down e-mails that she may have sent or may have received.  And tens of thousands of those have also been provided to Congress.
So there is ample evidence to indicate that a good-faith effort has been made by the IRS to cooperate with congressional oversight.  And the far-fetched skepticism expressed by some Republican members of Congress I think is not at all surprising and not particularly believable.
Thanks, guys.
END
2:31 P.M. EDT
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