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White House Statement, October 1, 2010Footnote 1
This afternoon, President Obama spoke with President Álvaro Colom of Guatemala to express his deep regret regarding the study conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service in the 1940s on sexually transmitted disease inoculation and to extend an apology to all those affected. The President reaffirmed the United States’ unwavering commitment to ensure that all human medical studies conducted today meet exacting U.S. and international legal and ethical standards. He also underscored the United States’ deep respect for the people of Guatemala and the importance of our bilateral relationship.
White House Statement, October 6, 2010Footnote 2
Earlier today, President Obama called Ecuadoran President Rafael Correa. The President reiterated the United States’ support for President Correa and Ecuador's democratic institutions. The President underscored the importance of resolving any tensions in Ecuador in the context of the country's democratic and constitutional order.
Statement by President Obama, October 12, 2010Footnote 3
President Obama. Our thoughts and prayers are with the brave miners, their families, and the men and women who have been working so hard to rescue them. While that rescue is far from over and difficult work remains, we pray that by God's grace, the miners will be able to emerge safely and return to their families soon. We are also proud of all of the Americans who have been working with our Chilean friends on the ground to do everything that we can to bring these miners home.
Press Release from the Department of Homeland Security, October 19, 2010Footnote 4
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today met with Brazilian Minister of Defense Nelson Jobim to reaffirm the shared commitment of the United States and Brazil to strengthening the global aviation system. The United States and Brazil signed a Joint Statement of Intent on aviation security between DHS, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Empresa Brasileira de Infra-Estrutura Aeroportuária (INFRAERO), a state-owned company which operates under the Brazilian Ministry of Defense.
“Together, the international community is forging a 21st century international aviation security framework that will make air travel safer and more secure than ever before,” said Secretary Napolitano. “I look forward to working closely with my Brazilian counterparts to continue our unprecedented collaboration to better protect the international aviation system.”
During today's meeting, Secretary Napolitano and Minister Jobim highlighted their mutual commitment to strengthening aviation security through enhanced employee training and continued collaboration by both nations to develop and implement best practices regarding screening, equipment testing and certification and airport security standards.
Secretary Napolitano also applauded Brazil's support for the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) recent adoption of a historic Declaration on Aviation Security—forging a new foundation for aviation security that will better protect the entire global aviation system from evolving terrorist threats.
Following the attempted Dec. 25 terrorist attack, DHS partnered with ICAO and international partners—including representatives from the private sector ranging from airline CEOs to airport authorities to aviation industry trade associations—at five regional aviation security summits on five continents, as well as the ICAO Triennial Assembly in Montreal earlier this month, in an unprecedented effort to strengthen international aviation security.
Press Release from the Department of Homeland Security, October 22, 2010Footnote 5
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton today joined Mexican Secretary of Finance Ernesto Cordero Arroyo and Tax Administration Service and Customs Director Alfredo Gutiérrez Ortiz-Mena to host the first-ever graduation of Mexican customs officials from a 10-week, ICE-led investigator training course at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Academy in North Charleston, S.C.
“Our efforts to crack down on criminal organizations and others who threaten the safety of our citizens and our economy require close cooperation between the United States and Mexico,” said Secretary Napolitano. “Today's historic graduation of Mexican customs officials from this U.S.-led investigator training course reflects the unprecedented collaboration between our two nations to better combat transnational crime while facilitating legitimate travel and trade.”
“A well-functioning border is an opportunity for growth—it opens doors to commercial exchange, peace, progress and human development,” said Secretary Cordero.
Twenty-four men and women from Mexico's Tax Administration Service and Customs participated in the inaugural session of the Mexican customs investigator training conducted by ICE agents.
The course included coursework in both Mexican and U.S. customs law, as well as training in a wide variety of investigative techniques, officer safety tactics, and ethics—helping to provide the graduates with the tools and knowledge necessary to combat cross-border crime, including money laundering, customs offenses and weapons and drug trafficking, in close coordination with ICE special agents and other U.S. law enforcement officials.
President Obama is committed to shared responsibility with President Felipe Calderón and the government of Mexico to secure the Southwest border and ensure the security of both nations through programs such as the Mérida Initiative—the cornerstone of U.S.-Mexico security cooperation. The Mexican customs investigator training course is part of this multiyear, Department of State-led initiative—designed to provide assistance to Mexico and Central America in the form of capacity building, training and equipment to better equip law enforcement agencies to complete their missions. The United States has appropriated $1.4 billion in aid for Mexico through the initiative—including resources to provide training and equipment to support law enforcement operations.
Over the past year, Secretary Napolitano and her Mexican counterparts have engaged in an unprecedented level of cooperation, signing a number of bilateral agreements and declarations to bolster cooperation in the areas of enforcement, information and intelligence sharing, joint operations and trade facilitation along the Southwest border. DHS has doubled the number of law enforcement personnel assigned to DHS's Border Enforcement Security Task Forces (BEST), multi-agency teams that collaborate to identify, disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations which pose significant threats to border security and coordinate intelligence sharing on both sides of the border. The formation of the first-ever Mexico-based BEST was announced by Secretary Napolitano in August of 2009.
White House Statement, November 6, 2010Footnote 6
President Obama spoke today with Mexican President Felipe Calderón to reaffirm United States support for Mexico's efforts to end the impunity of organized criminal groups following yesterday's operation in Matamoros against Gulf Cartel leader Antonio Cárdenas Guillén, known as Tony Tormenta, in which Cárdenas Guillén died.
The President offered his condolences to President Calderón on the death of Mexican officials involved in the operation, as well as the death of Matamoros journalist Carlos Guajardo. He thanked President Calderón for Mexico's close coordination with US officials to help assure the safety of US citizens in Matamoros.
Finally, the President reiterated his commitment to deepening the US security partnership with Mexico.
Press Release from the Department of Homeland Security, November 10, 2010Footnote 7
Attorney General Eric Holder, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, Canadian Minister of Justice and Attorney General Rob Nicholson and Canada's Minister of Public Safety Vic Toews met today to enhance continued engagement between the two countries during the 11th United States-Canada Cross-Border Crime Forum (CBCF) Ministerial.
The annual CBCF focuses on enhancing cooperation on key cross-border crime and security issues, with a particular focus on cross-border investigations and the resulting prosecutions. The CBCF brings together senior public safety and law enforcement officials, and prosecutors to address a number of cross-border issues, including terrorism, mass-marketing fraud, interoperability, organized crime and others.
To better combat ever-evolving threats and transnational crime, the United States and Canadian officials highlighted the critical role of the CBCF in addressing the broadening scope of cross-border and homeland security concerns faced by both nations, and discussed streamlining information sharing and enforcement efforts, as well as enhancing the ability of both countries to identify and respond to a wide range of threats.
“The threats we face today are unprecedented, but they are not isolated. There's no question that our countries’ security interests are intertwined,” said Attorney General Holder. “By coming together, we are signaling our ongoing commitment to strengthen our important relationship and build on the progress that's been made in recent years.”
“DHS remains committed to strengthening collaboration with our Canadian counterparts to combat terrorism and evolving threats in both nations,” said Secretary Napolitano. “I look forward to continuing this historic partnership as we enhance our efforts to protect our citizens from terrorism and transnational crime while facilitating legitimate trade and travel along our shared border.”
During the forum, officials underscored the importance of a shared vision for border security and highlighted progress made by the United States and Canada over the past year to safeguard the critical resources, infrastructure and citizens of both nations. They also discussed the report, Identity-Related Crime: A Threat Assessment, as well as joint cross-border operations, such as Shiprider, which stations joint law enforcement teams along the international maritime border.
“Close international co-operation plays an important role in protecting our two countries from the dangers of cross-border crime,” said Canadian Minister of Justice and Attorney General Nicholson. “This meeting fostered that co-operation, and I am confident that we will continue to work together to ensure the safety and security of both the United States and Canada.”
“This Forum is another demonstration of our Government's commitment to working with our longtime friend and ally to combat crime at our shared border. Our discussion focused on how we can build upon existing cooperation that addresses our mutual concerns, in a way that promotes competitiveness and economic prosperity. We face the same threats, and share the same concerns,” said Canadian Minister of Public Safety Toews. “Joint partnerships, such as Shiprider, strengthen our joint ability to maximize law enforcement resources and make our communities safer. Meanwhile, initiatives such as the NEXUS program encourage free flows of legitimate trade and travel.”
In addition to the meeting, Stephen Rigby, Canada Border Services Agency President; David Aguilar, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Deputy Commissioner; and John Morton, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director, participated in the official signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Sharing of Currency Seizure Information—announced by Secretary Napolitano and Minister Toews in July 2010. The MOU will help identify potential threats and assist in money-laundering and terrorist-financing investigations by creating a notification protocol for both countries when Canadian and United States border officers intercept more than $10,000.
The next United States-Canada Cross Border Crime Forum will be held in Ottawa, Ontario, in 2011.
Press Release from the Department of Homeland Security, November 29, 2010Footnote 8
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today visited Panama City to meet with her international counterparts and reiterate the Obama administration's strong commitment to fighting terrorism and other threats in collaboration with our partners around the globe-signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and Panama that will enhance information sharing and help secure the international aviation system against terrorism and international crime.
“The security of the international aviation system relies on close cooperation and global information sharing,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This MOU underscores the shared commitment of the United States and Panama to enhance our mutual security and secure air travel through enhanced information sharing and cooperation.”
The MOU enhances the abilities of both countries to combat transnational crime and terrorism by improving information sharing-supporting Panama's efforts to strengthen its own air travel security measures to better identify suspicious individuals traveling by air and utilizing U.S. expertise in aviation security technologies, training and privacy protections.
While in Panama City, Secretary Napolitano met with Panama President Ricardo Martinelli and Vice President Juan Carlos Varela to reiterate our shared commitment to expanding partnerships between Panama and the United States on security issues. She also met with representatives from several Central American nations to discuss the United State's continued collaboration with the region to bolster aviation security and combat multinational threats.
Following the attempted Dec. 25 terrorist attack, DHS has worked with the International Civil Aviation Organization and our global partners at five regional aviation security summits on five continents in an unprecedented effort to strengthen international aviation security-also taking concrete steps to bolster security at airports throughout the United States by deploying law enforcement personnel, behavior detection officers, air marshals, and explosives detection canine teams; expediting the deployment of new Advanced Imaging Technology (AIT) units to help detect metallic and non-metallic explosives; and implementing new, enhanced security measures for all air carriers with international flights to the United States.
Tomorrow, Secretary Napolitano will visit Mexico City to meet with her counterparts to reiterate the United States’ commitment to working with our Mexican partners to enhance information-sharing and ensure our mutual security.
Press Release from the Department of Homeland Security, November 30, 2010Footnote 9
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today visited Mexico City to meet with her international counterparts and reiterate the Obama administration's ongoing commitment to combating terrorism and other transnational crimes-signing an agreement to facilitate secure, legitimate travel as part the United States’ and Mexico's continued efforts to enhance the security of both nations.
“In the face of ever-evolving, multinational threats, the United States is committed to working with our international partners to enhance information-sharing and our mutual security,” said Secretary Napolitano. “We look forward to our continued partnership with the Mexican government as we forge an unprecedented international security framework that facilitates legitimate trade and travel while protecting our citizens.”
In Mexico City, Secretary Napolitano and Mexico Ministry of the Interior Secretary José Francisco Blake Mora signed an agreement expressing their intent to develop a Global Entry international trusted traveler program pilot between the United States and Mexico-leveraging the success of the United States’ Global Entry program to facilitate secure, legitimate travel between the two nations.
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows pre-approved members who have undergone robust background checks and provided biometrics expedited customs processing-reducing average wait times while allowing law enforcement to focus on the most serious security threats at points of entry to our country. At Global Entry kiosks, members insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader, provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions on the kiosk's touch-screen, and then present a transaction receipt to CBP officers before leaving the inspection area.
Secretary Napolitano, Minister Blake Mora and Mexican Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Julian Ventura also signed a Letter of Intent between DHS, Mexico's Secretariat of Governance and Secretariat of Foreign Affairs affirming their shared commitment to collaborating on a strategic plan for the expedited and humane repatriation of Mexican nationals to the interior of Mexico.
The Letter of Intent builds on the framework of 30 Local Arrangements for the Repatriation of Mexican Nationals between consular and immigration authorities of both nations established by Secretary Napolitano and Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa on April 3, 2009-formalizing the operational coordination between governments to guarantee a safe, orderly and humane repatriation process.
On Monday, Secretary Napolitano visited Panama City to meet with her international counterparts and sign a new Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Panama that will enhance information sharing and help secure the international aviation system against terrorism and international crime.
Remarks by Secretary of Defense Gates, November 20, 2010Footnote 10
Secretary Robert Gates delivered these remarks in Santiago, Chile
Secretary Gates. Good morning. I'd like to thank Minister Ravinet and the people of Chile for your warm hospitality. I enjoyed hosting your defense minister at the Pentagon this past September and am happy to have the chance to return the visit today.
I'll take this opportunity to congratulate you on your bi-centennial year. What should have been a year of celebration was interrupted by natural disaster, but became an opportunity for you to display to the world your nation's fortitude and resilience. Americans were deeply impressed with the manner in which the Chilean government, military and people responded to the horrific earthquake and tsunami that struck in February. The losses were tragic, but would have been far worse without the swift and skillful response that saved many lives and rebuilt many communities. And then of course, we all witnessed and cheered the extraordinary rescue of 33 trapped miners—a tribute to the spirit, courage, and ingenuity of not only those men, but of Chile as a nation.
My meeting with Minister Ravinet was a welcome opportunity to discuss what our hemisphere can learn from Chile's experience and achievements in dealing with crises and natural disasters. We also spoke about ways to deepen and strengthen our bilateral defense relationship. The United States and Chile share common values, interests, and the overarching goal of peace and stability in this hemisphere. Our two militaries have collaborated on defense modernization, and Chile has forged a partnership with the state of Texas to share experience and build capability in areas such as crisis response.
In our meeting, we also discussed revitalizing multi-lateral institutions such as the Inter-American Defense Board, and spoke about the upcoming Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas, which we will both attend on Monday in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. I believe this forum has a vital role to play in fostering cooperation between the governments and militaries in this hemisphere and allowing us to address those challenges which we all face, whether the fight against drug, arms, and human trafficking or the need to improve disaster response capability. I especially look forward to discussing potential regional mechanisms to improve our responses to natural disasters by creating a framework to share information, expertise, and to deliver life-saving capabilities more quickly and effectively than was possible in Haiti.
Chile can offer real experience and accomplishment in this area. In addition to its domestic expertise, it has long been an important contributor to the multi-national peacekeeping force in Haiti, playing a critical role in the United Nations stabilization mission there before and in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake they suffered.
As we move forward to address these and other challenges, the United States will continue to be grateful for the friendship and partnership of the Chilean people. I want to thank Minister Ravinet for his generosity in hosting a dinner for me tonight, and for arranging my trip this afternoon to Fuerte Lautaro. I'm very much looking forward to seeing Chile's elite special forces.
Thank you.
Q. Hi. My name is Anne Gearan with the Associated Press. Secretary Gates, there's been a fair amount of confusion about what the 2014 timeline means in Afghanistan. Can you clarify whether you foresee a U.S. combat role beyond that date? And if so, isn't that a rather extraordinary thing to be saying in 2010 that a war that began in 2001 might not be over for U.S. forces in 2014?
Secretary Gates. No, I think what we have done is embrace a goal that was established by President Karzai that by the end of 2014, primary responsibility for security across all of Afghanistan would have been transferred or transitioned to Afghan forces, Anne. So I think the intention is that by 2014, that the lead role in all security activities across the entire country would have been transitioned to Afghanistan and to their security forces.
I anticipate that the international forces—some fraction of them will remain to do training and to provide support for the Afghans. But I think anything that remains after 2014 would be very modest and very much focused on the kind of train and advise and assist role that we are now taking on in Iraq.
Q.-
Secretary Gates. The interpretation, frankly, was a little broken up. But if I understood the thrust of the question, I think from the United States’ standpoint, these kinds of issues are bi-lateral in nature. And we would leave it up to the countries involved to work this out. I think that one of the subjects that the Minister and I discussed was the contribution that UNASUR [Union de Naciones Suramericanas—Union of South American Nations] and the South American Defense Council can play in building trust among the different nations in South America, we obviously would like to see that. We obviously want to see South America remain a zone of peace. The percentage spent on the military in South America is among the lowest in the world. This is a good thing. And so in that broad framework, the specific issue, I would say, we would leave to the countries involved.
Q. David Alexander from Reuters. Secretary Gates, if the Senate fails to pass the START treaty, what impact will that have on U.S. ability to re-supply in Afghanistan through the northern route? And what effect might it have on Russia's support for sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program?
Secretary Gates. Well, I think that this actually is one of the subjects that has not received much attention in terms of the debate on the new START treaty in the United States. And that is the consequences of the failure to ratify the treaty. First, the one we've spoken of most frequently is the absence of any ability to conduct any on-site inspections in Russia. And we have been without this ability. And the verification measures that have been developed in previous strategic agreements with the Russians in terms of verifying what their capabilities are and monitoring and keeping track of their strategic developments. We lose all of that on an enduring basis if the treaty isn't passed.
I think that it is an unknown what the consequences politically would be of a failure to ratify the agreement. It isn't just limited to this narrow subject, but reflects on the relationship as a whole. And the truth of the matter is the Russians in the last year or two have been very cooperative, first of all, in helping us establish the northern distribution network to help supply Afghanistan including a recent decision at my request to allow us to move these mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles—MRAPs—across Russia. And they were also supportive of the UN Security Council resolution, the most recent one, with respect to Iran.
So what happens to all of these political relationships, the impact on the internal political situation in Russia, if this treaty is voted down? These are all unknowns, but, I think, potential worries if the treaty isn't ratified.
The reality is, despite what anybody says, I as Secretary of Defense, and the entire uniformed leadership of the American military believe that this treaty is in our national security interests. We believe it does not limit our ability to deploy missile defense. Anything that we have in mind, now or in the years to come that we have even thought of, is not prohibited of what we think we would like to do. And at the same time, it does continue to provide predictability in terms of strategic deployments on both sides. It doesn't limit us when it comes to prompt global strike. And part of the arrangements, part of the discussions are that support for the treaty also will bring support for the modernization of the U.S. nuclear enterprise. I think the failure to ratify the treaty puts that at high risk.
So I think that there are significant consequences in the failure—there would be significant consequences in the failure to ratify the new START treaty.
Q. Jordi Zamora, AFP. Secretary Gates, following the recent visit of President Chavez—Venezuelan President Chavez—the touring of Russia and other countries, and the announcement especially of the construction of a nuclear plant in Venezuela, have you updated your assessment of what does it mean for the U.S. national security that the construction of the nuclear plant and the general arms agreement program in Venezuela.
And just a quick one for the Chilean Minister
Secretary Gates. First of all, I think that we certainly have no objection to civilian nuclear power, and the right of countries to have civilian nuclear power. We've said this even with respect to Iran.
But what we feel strongly about is that if countries are going to move in that direction that it be done within the framework of the non-proliferation regimes, the UN resolutions, and, above all, the international safeguards to ensure that a plant is, in fact, limited only to providing civil power and cannot be used for weapons. So, having it under the umbrella of the International Atomic Energy Commission, having it under the umbrella of all the rules relating to proliferation around the world, if those circumstances are all met, then we believe that other countries have the right to have their own nuclear power along these lines.
And, by the way, I might just intercede. The Minister might actually correct me here, but I actually think the initiative on transparency is a Chilean initiative, not an American initiative.
Remarks by Secretary of Defense Gates, November 22, 2010Footnote 11
Secretary Robert Gates delivered these remarks in Santa Cruz, Bolivia
Secretary Gates. Thank you, Minister Saavedra, for welcoming and hosting us here in the city of Santa Cruz de la Sierra. It is a real pleasure to be here with my fellow ministers in such a beautiful setting. I know that a good deal of work went into preparing for this ministerial and I would like to extend my praise and appreciation to all involved, particularly the government of Bolivia.
I would start today by restating what I said to this gathering in Banff two years ago: that the security challenges we face in our hemisphere—natural and man-made disasters, sophisticated and brutal criminal networks, illicit drugs, weapons and human trafficking—are transnational threats that affect us all. That is why I emphasized then, and I do so again today, that to successfully confront these challenges we must stand and work together as true partners. Indeed, the recent tragedy in Haiti taught us once again that the need for partnership and cooperation among the nations of the Americas is more urgent than ever.
The CDMA (Conference of Defense Ministers of the Americas) plays a vital role in fostering the kind of collaboration this hemisphere so desperately requires. But to make this aspiration a reality, the CDMA must become more than a forum for dialogue alone. It is time to act.
Fortunately, we have an opportunity over the next few days to make real progress. We've taken an important first step by working closely together to craft a substantive and comprehensive agenda. At this CDMA, many of the countries represented in this room collaborated on a regional proposal for consideration during the discussion on the theme “regional security and natural disasters: strengthening hemispheric cooperation.”
The proposal is the product of extensive consultation and deliberation. In September, 2010, two workshops were held—one in Washington, the other in Lima. Those sessions included detailed input from many of our countries aimed at defining the key elements needed to improve cooperation on disaster relief. Those discussions were aided by honest assessments of what worked and what didn't in Haiti. Such work is commendable because greater cooperation in this case can impact all of our citizens. That is one reason why several ministers, in the past, including myself, stressed the need for a hemisphere-wide mechanism to more effectively channel disaster relief.
At this CDMA therefore, many of the nations represented in this room propose to:
Standardize a system for facilitating military collaboration during disaster relief operations through the adoption of a Military Assistance Collaboration Cell (MACC);
Adopt a common technology platform for information-sharing; and, Establish working groups that will develop the framework for military support for civilian-led disaster relief operations.
I wholeheartedly endorse this proposal and believe it is a promising blueprint for other cooperative efforts to further our mutual interests in concrete and beneficial ways. I also believe the proposal's working groups might provide a measure of continuity by facilitating collaboration in between our biennial ministerial gatherings. Most importantly, this initiative will go far to help mitigate the human suffering that results from these tragedies.
Furthermore, I am pleased that the “consolidation of peace, trust, security, and cooperation in the Americas“ is a major theme of the CDMA agenda. Being more open about our nations’ intentions and capabilities can generate mutual trust throughout the hemisphere, which the U.S. considers to be an important national interest.
The United States places great value on transparency. It is why our president disseminates a national security strategy, it is why the department of defense produces a quadrennial defense review, and it is why we partner so closely with the nations in the region.
We take the same approach to defense spending. For example, in addition to submitting defense budget requests annually and publicly to our congress, each year the United States takes part in the United Nations instrument for reporting military expenditures. This report covers military-related expenditures on training and operating costs, personnel costs, maintenance costs, procurement, construction, and research and development. It is a comprehensive accounting of U.S. defense spending, and we are proud to be a participant.
The United States will continue to support hemispheric efforts to foster transparency in defense spending in the hope that the nations of the Americas can serve as a model to the world on how to build mutual trust. Therefore, I have directed my staff to work with the state department to re-evaluate the Inter-American Convention on Transparency in Conventional Weapons Acquisitions and determine the prospects for submitting it to our senate for ratification. Although I make no guarantees, I hope this highlights our commitment to improving trust and transparency in our hemisphere.
Another important theme we will take up, “democracy, armed forces, security, and society,” offers an opportunity to examine how to strengthen civilian capacity in our defense ministries. Civilian expertise in defense matters is crucial. In fact, it is a critical prerequisite for civilian control of the military, itself a key component of true democracy.
But greater civilian expertise requires more education, which is often lacking. Therefore, I am pleased to announce that the Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies (CHDS) has offered to host workshops for those interested in strengthening the civilian role in defense ministries. The center has also committed to providing each of you and your ministry two scholarships to its courses, which is exactly the type of exchange that fosters mutual understanding.
Fellow ministers, I call upon us all to concentrate on how we can strengthen the valuable institution that is the CDMA and use it for concrete good. As a hemisphere, we are more tightly linked than ever; never before has our collective well-being depended so much on one another. As Peru's recent Nobel Laureate Mario Vargas Llosa once said, “one can't fight with oneself, for this battle has only one loser.”
Let us aspire to work together as the community that we truly are. Let us not lose sight of our shared dreams and common aspirations of a free, prosperous and secure Americas.
Thank you.
White House Statement, December 11, 2010Footnote 12
Earlier today President Obama called President Felipe Calderon of Mexico. President Obama congratulated President Calderon for his leadership and Mexico's excellent work chairing the Cancun conference to a successful conclusion that builds on the historic Copenhagen Accord and advances the effort to address the challenge of climate change.
The Presidents also underscored the importance of the U.S.-Mexico partnership across a broad range of issues and reaffirmed their shared commitment to work together against transnational criminal organizations, to enhance border cooperation, and to improve the economic well being of people in both countries. The Presidents discussed the deplorable actions by WikiLeaks and agreed its irresponsible acts should not distract our two countries from our important cooperation.
