Vietor: 'We Stand with the Malawi People During Their Time of Mourning'

Statement by National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor on the Situation in Malawi

The United States extends its condolences to the people of Malawi and the family of President Bingu wa Mutharika following his recent passing, and we welcome today’s announcement that Vice President Joyce Banda was sworn in as President. By following constitutional procedures for this transition, the government and people of Malawi have reaffirmed their commitment to democratic principles and demonstrated the critical importance of sound democratic institutions. We stand with the people of Malawi during their time of mourning, and look forward to deepening the partnership between our nations. 

Information on the death of Malawi's president and the impact it will have on the country is available here: Voice of America: Banda Sworn In

'The U.S. is Gravely Concerned by the Situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile'

Statement by National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Sudan

Today, the President authorized the use of up to $26 million from the Emergency Refugee and Migration Assistance Fund to respond to the unexpected and urgent needs resulting from the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states of Sudan.

The emergency funds will be used to support the efforts of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to provide lifesaving protection and assistance to the over 140,000 refugees who have fled the two states.

The United States is gravely concerned by the situation in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, especially as the violent clashes continue along the shared border with South Sudan. We continue to call upon the Government of Sudan to allow full and unfettered access for international humanitarian agencies to South Kordofan and Blue Nile to provide emergency assistance to those in need. 

The United States continues to call upon Sudan and South Sudan to exercise maximum restraint and to reach a negotiated settlement to the outstanding issues between them.

In particular, the United States urges Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit to proceed with plans to meet in a summit to sign agreements on nationality and border issues, and to reach an agreement on oil.

'We Call for the Immediate Release of All Who Were Detained...'

NSC's Vietor on the Detention of Members of Damas de Blanco

National Security Council (NSC) spokesman Tommy Vietor has issued the following statement in response to the detention of members of the Cuban activist group Las Damas de Blanco:

The detention of members of the Damas de Blanco this weekend in Havana in the lead up to Pope Benedict's visit underscores the disdain of Cuban authorities for the universal rights of the Cuban people.  The quiet dignity of the Damas stands in stark contrast with the acts of those who are standing in the way of the basic aspirations of the Cuban people.  We call for the immediate release of all who were detained and for Cuban authorities to abandon their tactics of intimidation and harassment to stifle peaceful dissent.

President Obama and the American people remain steadfast in standing with the Damas and other courageous voices in Cuban civil society who demonstrate the Cuban people's desire to freely determine their country's future.

'The Loss of So Many Young Lives is Especially Heartbreaking'

Statement by National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Accident in Switzerland

The President sends his deepest condolences to the victims and their families of last night’s bus accident in Switzerland. The loss of so many young lives is especially heartbreaking. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Belgian communities of Lommel and Heverlee and all the people of Belgium at this difficult time. As a close friend of both Belgium and Switzerland, the United States stands ready to provide whatever assistance may be helpful. 

International Engagement Conference for South Sudan

Flag of South Sudan

Statement from National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor

On December 14th and 15th, the U.S. Government and the Republic of South Sudan will co-host an International Engagement Conference for South Sudan in Washington D.C. to support the world’s newest nation as it unveils its vision for development and economic growth priorities. The conference will bring together international partners, private sector and civil society leaders, to discuss opportunities for collaboration and investment in South Sudan. The conference is co-sponsored with several key international partners, including the governments of United Kingdom, Norway, Turkey, the European Union, the African Union, the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the Corporate Council on Africa, and InterAction.

Vietor: 'We Are Proud of Our Support of Golos'

Statement by NSC Spokesman Tommy Vietor on Russian Government Harassment of Golos

The Obama administration is concerned with today’s decision by a Moscow court regarding the election monitoring NGO Golos, as well as what appears to be a pattern of harassment directed against this organization. We have communicated our concerns to the Russian government in Moscow and to the Russian Embassy in Washington.

Golos is a well-known and well-regarded Russian independent election monitoring organization that has operated in Russia for over a decade. The data Golos publishes is from Russian observers and Russian citizens around the country. International and domestic observation is a normal part of the democratic process and allowing observers to conduct their work unfettered is critical to electoral transparency. As a participating State of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Russia has agreed that foreign and domestic election observers can enhance the electoral process.

We are proud of our support of Golos, which is intended to strengthen democratic institutions and processes – not influence elections – and we believe that citizens everywhere should have a right to report concerns about their electoral processes. The United States has supported and will continue to support those citizens and non-governmental organizations working for free and fair elections in Russia, as we do globally.

Photo source: Own source

Author: UpstateNYer
Permission: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Turkey Issues Sanctions Against Syria

Flag of Turkey

Statement from National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor

We commend the Turkish government for its announcement of economic sanctions and other measures against the Syrian regime. The leadership shown by Turkey in response to the brutality and violation of the fundamental rights of the Syrian people will isolate the Assad regime and send a strong message to Assad and his circle that their actions are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The measures announced by the Turkish government today will undoubtedly increase the pressure on the Syrian regime, and we continue to call on other governments to join the chorus of condemnation and pressure against the Assad regime so that the peaceful and democratic aspirations of the Syrian people can be realized. President Obama has coordinated closely with Prime Minister Erdogan throughout the crisis in Syria and will continue to do so going forward.

Image source: Türk Tarih Kurumu

Author: David Benbennick

Permission: Public Domain

Sudan, South Sudan Face Major Crisis

Statement from National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor

At the President's request, Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough joined Special Envoy for Sudan Princeton Lyman on a visit to Sudan and South Sudan November 20-21. This follows Mr. McDonough’s short visit to Iraq with National Security Advisor to the Vice President and Deputy Assistant to the President Tony Blinken.

In Khartoum, Mr. McDonough and Special Envoy Lyman discussed the urgent crisis in the states of Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile in Sudan and recent cross-border attacks that threaten the peace between Sudan and South Sudan.

They reiterated the United States’ deep concern over continuing fighting in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile and the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the fighting, which is exacerbated by the Government of Sudan’s blocking of international humanitarian assistance to the civilian population.

The meetings also addressed the state of U.S.-Sudan relations, the importance of resolving the remaining post-Comprehensive Peace Agreement issues between Sudan and South Sudan, and highlighted the importance of bringing peace and justice to Darfur.

In Juba, Mr. McDonough and Special Envoy Lyman addressed these same crises and the need to respect the sovereignty of Sudan, including by ending support for the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) in Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile.

The meetings also discussed ways for making progress to resolve the remaining post-Comprehensive Peace Agreement issues.

Photo source: http://www.blackpast.org

Author: International Rescue Committee

Permission: Public Domain

U.S. Launches Strategic Energy Dialogue with Brazil

Statement from National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor

Deputy Secretary of the Department of Energy Daniel Poneman will lead an interagency delegation to Brasília, Brazil on August 17, 2011 to launch the U.S.-Brazil Strategic Energy Dialogue, a presidential-level partnership announced by President Obama and Brazilian President Rousseff on March 19, 2011 during the President’s trip to Brazil.

Poneman will co-chair the launch with his counterpart from the Brazilian Ministry of Mining and Energy, Dr. Márcio Zimmermann. The U.S. delegation will include officials from the National Security Staff, the Departments of State and Commerce, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

Prior to stopping in Brasilia and in view of the important role that the private sector will play in this partnership, Poneman will lead the delegation to São Paulo and to Rio de Janeiro to meet with public and private enterprise.

Based on the Presidents’ joint commitment in March to take concrete steps to enhance cooperation between their two countries’ energy sectors, the Strategic Energy Dialogue will address our mutual interest in the development of safe, secure and affordable energy in an environmentally sound way, including oil, natural gas, biofuels, clean energy, and civilian nuclear energy.

Photo credited to http://israelsurvivalupdates.wordpress.com.

NSC Responds to Strategy 31 Protests in Russia

The Russian Federation on the Globe

Statement by National Security Council Spokesman Tommy Vietor
on Strategy 31 Protests in Russia

"The United States is concerned by reports of the detention on March 31 of many Russian citizens who were participating in peaceful rallies throughout Russia to demonstrate their support for Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees Russian citizens the right to peaceful assembly. The United States reiterates the importance of embracing and protecting universal values, including freedoms of expression and assembly, enshrined in the Russian Constitution as well as in international agreements Russia has signed. Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are not only vital ingredients of sound political systems, they are essential for economic modernization and broad-based prosperity. Without freedom of assembly, it will be impossible to foster genuine competition during Russia’s upcoming parliamentary elections in December."

Photo source: Wikipedia
Permission: GNU Free Documentation License