2009 Policy Archive

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Policy News Archive, Oct-Dec 2009

Secretary Janet Napolitano Thanks Passengers who Thwarted Attack on December 25, Warns of Delays

The Department of Homeland Security immediately put additional screening measures into place-for all domestic and international flights-to ensure the continued safety of the traveling public.
Another Tremendous Step Forward - Affordable Health Care for All Americans

The President congratulated the Senate on its historic vote to pass health insurance reform.
President Obama Calls Climate Change Accord an Important Milestone

President Obama said he worked closely with major world leaders at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen.
President Barack Obama, Nobel Peace Laureate

In a formal ceremony in Oslo, Norway, President Obama became the 97th individual (along with 23 organizations) to receive the Nobel Prize for Peace.
President Obama outlines strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan

At the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, President Obama outlined his strategy on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Presidential Proclamation — Thanksgiving Day

Today, President Obama proclaimed Thursday, November 26, 2009, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.
President Obama calls upon North Korea to take “serious steps” on the nuclear issue

President Obama spoke in Seoul about efforts to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program in exchange for “the reduction of sanctions and its increasing integration into the international community.”
U.S. dismayed at Israel's plans for new settlements

In an interview with Fox News in China, President Obama repeated that “Israel's security is a vital national interest to the United States, and we will make sure they are secure."
Obama Talks with Chinese Students

Speaking at a town hall meeting ahead of meetings with Chinese leaders in Beijing, Obama said he is “a big believer” in technology and openness and a “big supporter of noncensorship.”
Moving Beyond History: The Fall of the Berlin Wall

At a meet and greet event with embassy staff and family, Secretary Clinton said in Berlin: “...And tonight, we will have the chancellor of Germany and the president of France and the prime minister of Great Britain, because they are leading a Europe that understands how imperative it is to move beyond the history that we have all lived.”
Clinton at Freedom’s Challenge Awards: "There is no wall we cannot topple"

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Atlantic Council hosted the “Freedom’s Challenge: A Gala Banquet and Awards Ceremony."
Westerwelle in Washington

Secretary Clinton meets with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle.
U.S. Position on Israeli Settlements

After her meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Secretary Clinton said in Cairo: “Our policy on settlements has not changed. And I want to say it again: our policy on settlement activity has not changed."
Chancellor Merkel Addresses Joint Session of Congress

Senators and Representatives attended a Joint Meeting of Congress “to receive Her Excellency, Doctor Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.”
United States Stands with Pakistan Against Violent Extremism

At a roundtable with senior Pakistani editors in Lahore, Secretary Clinton said: "Al-Qaida has had safe haven in Pakistan since 2002. I find it hard to believe that nobody in your government knows where they are and couldn't get them if they really wanted to... So I think I am more than willing to hear every complaint about the United States... But this is a two-way street."
Release of the 2009 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in Washington: “The right to profess, practice, and promote one’s religious beliefs is a founding principle of our nation."
NATO Looks at Boosting Afghanistan Support, Defense’s Gates Says

After an informal meeting of NATO defense ministers in Bratislava, Slovakia, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said NATO allies are considering sending more military forces and civilian aid to Afghanistan.
Biden Praises Central Europe’s Democratic Advances

In a speech at the Central University Library in Bucharest, Romania, Vice President Biden praised the courage of the people of Central Europe for moving into a new direction toward freedom, justice and fairness.
Strengthening the Pillars of Global Nonproliferation

At the United States Institute of Peace in Washington, Secretary Clinton said: “We must continue to strengthen each of the three mutually reinforcing pillars of global nonproliferation—preventing the spread of nuclear weapons, promoting disarmament, and facilitating the peaceful use of nuclear energy."
President Obama meets with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki

President Obama discussed with Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki how the relationship between the United States and Iraq will progress in the coming months and years.
Secretary Clinton discusses new Sudan Strategy

In Washington, Secretary Clinton discussed the new U.S. strategy for building peace and security in Sudan.
Achieving U.S. Goals in Afghanistan

In an interview with CNN Secretary Clinton said: The President “asked for a report about how we should think about what we were doing. It was quite remarkable that the report came in with two big ideas that had not, in my view, been fully either explored or certainly implemented in the prior eight years.
Responding to World Hunger

For the first time in history, there are more than 1 billion undernourished people in the world — increasing the urgency of tackling food insecurity and improving agriculture.
Transforming the U.S.-Russian Relationship

After her meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Secretary Hillary Clinton said: “We have had a very productive and comprehensive set of discussions."
President Obama wins Nobel Peace Prize

The Norwegian Nobel Committee awards this year’s Peace Prize to President Barack Obama “for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.”
President Obama signed a new Executive Order on Federal Sustainability

President Obama signed a new Executive Order on Federal Sustainability which gives Federal agencies 90 days to set a 2020 greenhouse reduction goal.
Iran: A "Constructive Beginning" With "Hard Work Ahead"

Upon conclusion of the P5+1 meeting on Iran, President Obama sent a strong message on behalf of the international community: Iran must take “concrete action” in regards to its nuclear program.