Oval Office Chat Session: Obama and Lee

Readout of the President's Call with President Lee of Korea

The President spoke by phone this afternoon with Korean President Lee Myung-bak of Korea to welcome the entry into force of the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) at midnight on March 15 in both countries.  

The President noted that the agreement will begin boosting exports and creating jobs and growth immediately. 

The President thanked President Lee for Korea’s close cooperation in getting the agreement implemented, and noted this is a strong example of the accomplishments achieved in the U.S.-Korea partnership.  

The two countries have made great strides in modernizing our alliance to promote security in the region and in promoting economic growth and trade in the Asia-Pacific.  

The President also said he is looking forward to his upcoming March 25-27 trip to Korea and anticipates a successful Nuclear Security Summit. 

Information on KORUS is available by clicking here:  KORUS

Ma Ying-jeou Wins Election

Ma Ting-jeou, President of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Statement by the Press Secretary on Taiwan's Elections

We congratulate Ma Ying-jeou on his reelection and the people of Taiwan on the successful conduct of their presidential and legislative elections.

Through the hard work of its people and its remarkable economic and political development over the past decades, Taiwan has proven to be one of the great success stories in Asia. In this year's elections, Taiwan has again demonstrated the strength and vitality of its democratic system. We are confident Taiwan will build on its many accomplishments, and we will continue to work together to advance our many common interests, including expanding trade and investment ties.

Cross-Strait peace, stability and improved relations, in an environment free from intimidation, are of profound importance to the United States.  We hope the impressive efforts that both sides have undertaken in recent years to build cross-Strait ties continue. Such ties and stability in cross-Strait relations have also benefitted U.S.-Taiwan relations.

The relationship between the people of the United States and the people of Taiwan is based on common interests and a shared commitment to freedom and democracy. As we have done for more than 30 years, we will maintain our close unofficial ties with the people on Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan and according to our one China policy based on the three Joint Communiqués with the People’s Republic of China and the Taiwan Relations Act.

Photo source:  Transferred from zh.wikipedia; transferred to Commons by User:Shizhao using CommonsHelper

Author: Evo101469

Permission: CC-BY-SA-3.0.

European Union Denies Banks Capital

Amid growing concern about the liquidity of European banks, the EU rules out new recapitalization and reiterates trust in existing policies.

Sources:EUX.TVThe TelegraphThe Globe and MailSan Francisco ChronicleCNBCThe Telegraph

Multisource political news, world news, and entertainment news analysis by Newsy.com

By Mikkel Noel Lansky

Anchor: Jim Flink

Video provided by Newsy.com

President Obama Meets with the Dali Lama

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso

Statement from the Press Secretary on the President's Meeting with His Holiness the XIV Dali Lama

The President met this morning at the White House with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama. The President reiterated his strong support for the preservation of the unique religious, cultural, and linguistic traditions of Tibet and the Tibetan people throughout the world. He underscored the importance of the protection of human rights of Tibetans in China. The President commended the Dalai Lama’s commitment to nonviolence and dialogue with China and his pursuit of the “Middle Way” approach. Reiterating the U.S. policy that Tibet is a part of the People’s Republic of China and the United States does not support independence for Tibet, the President stressed that he encourages direct dialogue to resolve long-standing differences and that a dialogue that produces results would be positive for China and Tibetans. The President stressed the importance he attaches to building a U.S.-China cooperative partnership. The Dalai Lama stated that he is not seeking independence for Tibet and hopes that dialogue between his representatives and the Chinese government can soon resume.

Photo source: Wikipedia

(cropped from Image:Dalai Lama 1430 Luca Galuzzi 2007.jpg)

Author: Luca Galuzzi

Permission: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.5 Generic