This morning President Obama and United Kingdom Prime Minister David Cameron held a joint press conference at the White House. The two leaders addressed the global economy, Iran's nuclear program and the war in Afghanistan.
They also reiterated how strong the relationship is between the U.S. and the United Kingdom. President Obama stated "The alliance between our countries is a foundation, not only for the security and prosperity of our two nations, but for international peace and security as well. David shares my belief that, in a time of rapid change, the leadership of the United States and the United Kingdom is more important than ever. The future we seek is only possible if the rights and responsibilities of nations and people are upheld. And that’s a cause that we advanced today."
Prime Minister Cameron said "There are some countries whose alliance is a matter of convenience, but ours is a matter of conviction. Two states united for freedom and enterprise; working together, day in, day out, to defend those values and advance our shared interests." He also said that "the relationship between Britain and America is the strongest that it has ever been. And I believe that’s because we’re working together as closely as at any point in our history. And together, I’m confident that we can help secure the future of our nations and the world for generations to come."
President Obama stated that job growth is still the main focus, ensuring that the two nations will continue to explore ways to "increase transatlantic trade and investment."
Concerning Afghanistan, the president said that the U.S. and the United Kingdom are the two largest contributors of forces to the mission and that they have made extraordinary sacrifices. "The tragic events of recent days are a reminder that this continues to be a very difficult mission. And obviously we both have lost a number of extraordinary young men and women in theater. What’s also undeniable, though, and what we can never forget, is that our forces are making very real progress: dismantling al Qaeda; breaking the Taliban’s momentum; and training Afghan forces so that they can take the lead and our troops can come home.
The President continued "That transition is already underway, and about half of all Afghans currently live in areas where Afghan security forces are taking responsibility. Today, the Prime Minister and I reaffirmed the transition plan that we agreed to with our coalition partners in Lisbon. Specifically, at the upcoming NATO summit in my hometown of Chicago, we’ll determine the next phase of transition. This includes shifting to a support role next year, in 2013, in advance of Afghans taking full responsibility for security in 2014. We’re going to complete this mission, and we're going to do it responsibly. And NATO will maintain an enduring commitment so that Afghanistan never again becomes a haven for al Qaeda to attack our countries."
On Iran, President Obama stated "As I said in a speech just a couple of weeks ago, I am determined not simply to contain Iran that is in possession of a nuclear weapon, I am determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon." The President said that we have applied tough sanctions, and mobilized the international community with "greater unity than we've ever seen." He also said that those sanctions are going to sting even more this summer, and that we are already seeing significant effects on Iran's economy.
With respect to Syria, the President said that the situation is extremely difficult. He stated that United States military plans for everything, but that does not mean that we are at this time going to war. President Obama said that the international community will continue to stand together to send Syria a strong message, that what they are doing is not acceptable.
Read more at www.whitehouse.gov
They also reiterated how strong the relationship is between the U.S. and the United Kingdom. President Obama stated "The alliance between our countries is a foundation, not only for the security and prosperity of our two nations, but for international peace and security as well. David shares my belief that, in a time of rapid change, the leadership of the United States and the United Kingdom is more important than ever. The future we seek is only possible if the rights and responsibilities of nations and people are upheld. And that’s a cause that we advanced today."
Prime Minister Cameron said "There are some countries whose alliance is a matter of convenience, but ours is a matter of conviction. Two states united for freedom and enterprise; working together, day in, day out, to defend those values and advance our shared interests." He also said that "the relationship between Britain and America is the strongest that it has ever been. And I believe that’s because we’re working together as closely as at any point in our history. And together, I’m confident that we can help secure the future of our nations and the world for generations to come."
President Obama stated that job growth is still the main focus, ensuring that the two nations will continue to explore ways to "increase transatlantic trade and investment."
Concerning Afghanistan, the president said that the U.S. and the United Kingdom are the two largest contributors of forces to the mission and that they have made extraordinary sacrifices. "The tragic events of recent days are a reminder that this continues to be a very difficult mission. And obviously we both have lost a number of extraordinary young men and women in theater. What’s also undeniable, though, and what we can never forget, is that our forces are making very real progress: dismantling al Qaeda; breaking the Taliban’s momentum; and training Afghan forces so that they can take the lead and our troops can come home.
The President continued "That transition is already underway, and about half of all Afghans currently live in areas where Afghan security forces are taking responsibility. Today, the Prime Minister and I reaffirmed the transition plan that we agreed to with our coalition partners in Lisbon. Specifically, at the upcoming NATO summit in my hometown of Chicago, we’ll determine the next phase of transition. This includes shifting to a support role next year, in 2013, in advance of Afghans taking full responsibility for security in 2014. We’re going to complete this mission, and we're going to do it responsibly. And NATO will maintain an enduring commitment so that Afghanistan never again becomes a haven for al Qaeda to attack our countries."
On Iran, President Obama stated "As I said in a speech just a couple of weeks ago, I am determined not simply to contain Iran that is in possession of a nuclear weapon, I am determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon." The President said that we have applied tough sanctions, and mobilized the international community with "greater unity than we've ever seen." He also said that those sanctions are going to sting even more this summer, and that we are already seeing significant effects on Iran's economy.
With respect to Syria, the President said that the situation is extremely difficult. He stated that United States military plans for everything, but that does not mean that we are at this time going to war. President Obama said that the international community will continue to stand together to send Syria a strong message, that what they are doing is not acceptable.
Read more at www.whitehouse.gov
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