THE WHITE HOUSE

Oval Office

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May 17, 2011

 

 

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH II OF JORDAN

AFTER BILATERAL MEETING

 

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WASHINGTON- Today U.S. President Barack Obama met with King Abdullah the second on economic development, on governance reform efforts in Jordan and on regional conflicts near Jordan.

King Abdullah is leading reform efforts taking place in the Arab state of Jordan.

Additionally, he is leading efforts to provide 50,000 metric tons of wheat to Jordanian people. The U.S. will give Jordan $1 billion dollars to sustain economic development inside of Jordan. President Obama and King Abdullah also discussed the situation in Libya, the security and stability of Jordan, the situation with respect to Israel and the Palestinian conflict and they discussed greater opportunity in Jordan to ensure that Jordan becomes a model of a prosperity, modernity, and success.

The partnership of United States of America and Jordan continues to be strong despite the global challenges being faced. 

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U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA and NATO SECRETARY GENERAL ANDERS FOGH RASMUSSEN

White House Photography by Pete Souza, April 13, 2011.

President Barack Obama meets with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in the Oval Office.

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U.S. FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA and DR. JILL BIDEN
White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy, April 13, 2011.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, seated far left, meet with staff aboard Bright Star during a flight from New River Marine Corps Air Station in North Carolina to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. The trip was to launch Joining Forces, a national initiative to support and honor America's service members and their families.

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WHITE HOUSE RECEPTION"
Posted by Karen Ann Carr

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WASHINGTON- The East Room of the White House was ablaze with its gleaming chandeliers and its golden drapery as a crowd of about 300 people enjoyed a White House reception to celebrate the Jewish American Heritage Month.

     President Barack Obama was greeted with a warm applause and dozens of guest holding up their mobile phones to snap pictures of him.

 

     President Obama addressed those who had gathered in the White House East Room to celebrate the U.S. Jewish American Heritage Month at about 2:54 PM.  President Obama welcomed everyone to the White House. President Obama noted that DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz was one of the driving forces behind the creation of Jewish American Heritage Month. Chairperson Schultz garnered large applause.  President Obama also recognized were Elie Wiesel, Justice Breyer and Justice Ginsburg, as well as Ambassador Michael Oren. President Obama said the month of May provides opportunity for Americans, of all faiths, to appreciate the many contributions of Jewish people throughout history.

      "They remain our leaders, our teachers, our neighbors and our friends," President Obama said.

     President Obama lingered with guest in the White House East Room after concluding his remarks and the White House guests gently jostled to get a photograph of President Obama.

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U.S. FIRST LADY MICHELLE OBAMA and DR. JILL BIDEN
White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy, April 13, 2011.

First Lady Michelle Obama, Dr. Jill Biden, and facility manager Judith Markelz, second left, greet volunteers preparing a meal at the Warrior and Family Support Center in San Antonio, Texas. The First Lady and Dr. Biden met with service members and their families during their visit to the facility, which helps care for family members of Wounded Warriors whose recovery is expected to last a long period of time.

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THE WHITE HOUSE BILATERAL MEETING OF

U.S.PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA AND HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH II OF JORDAN

Oval Office

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May 17, 2011

 

 

12:17 P.M. EDT

U.S. PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:

     "Well, it is a great pleasure to welcome once again my good friend King Abdullah to the White House.  The United States and Jordan have had a longstanding friendship, an extraordinary relationship of cooperation on a wide range of fronts.  I have valued His Majesty’s advice on numerous occasions, and obviously this meeting was an opportunity for us to share our views on the extraordinary changes that are taking place throughout the Middle East, throughout the region.

     We discussed the situation in Libya, and are grateful for the support of a wide range of Arab countries in our efforts to make sure that humanitarian assistance and humanitarian protection occurs inside of Libya.  We discussed the rapid transformation that’s taking place in places like Egypt and Tunisia, and we both agreed that it’s critical that not only does political reform proceed, but economic reform accompanies those changes there, because so much of what’s taking place has to do with the aspirations of young people throughout the Arab world for their ability to determine their own fate, to get an education, to get a job, to be able to support a family.  And that means some of the old structures that were inhibiting their ability to progress have to be reworked.

     His Majesty discussed the reform efforts that are taking place inside Jordan as well, and we welcome the initiatives that His Majesty has already embarked on, and feel confident that, to the extent that he’s able to move these reforms forward, this will be good for the security and stability of Jordan, but also will be good for the economic prosperity of the people of Jordan.  And so we’re very pleased to support him on that front.

     Along those lines, one of the things we discussed is how the United States can continue to be supportive of these economic efforts that His Majesty has embarked on, and so I’m pleased to announce that we have mobilized several hundreds of millions of dollars through OPIC, and that will leverage ultimately about $1 billion for economic development inside of Jordan.  In addition, because of the huge spike in commodity prices throughout the world, we are going to be providing 50,000 metric tons of wheat to Jordan.  All of this will help to stabilize the cost of living and day-to-day situation of Jordanians and will provide a foundation so that these economic reforms can move forward and long-term development can take place.  So we’re very happy to be partnering with His Majesty on that issue.

     We also discussed the situation with respect to Israel and the Palestinian conflict.  And we both share the view that despite the many changes, or perhaps because of the many changes that are taking place in the region, it’s more vital than ever that both Israelis and Palestinians find a way to get back to the table and begin negotiating a process whereby they can create two states that are living side by side in peace and security.

     Jordan, obviously, with its own peace with Israel, has an enormous stake in this.  The United States has an enormous stake in this.  We will continue to partner to try to encourage an equitable and just solution to a problem that has been nagging the region for many, many years.

     Finally, I just want to say that we continue to appreciate all the security and counterterrorism cooperation that we receive from the Jordanians.  It is very important in terms of our own security, and that partnership we expect to continue. 

     So Your Majesty, you are always welcome here.  The American people feel great affection for the Jordanian people.  And we trust that during this remarkable time of transition in the region that Jordan will be at the forefront in being able to move a process forward that creates greater opportunity and ensures that Jordan is a model of a prosperous, modern, and successful Arab state under your leadership.

     So thank you very much." 

HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH II: 

     "Thank you.  Mr. President, I’m delighted to be back here and again take this opportunity to thank you and your government for the tremendous support that you’re showing Jordan economically and the support of the United States and a lot of our friends internationally on really being able to push reform in an aggressive manner in our country, and again your continued interest and support on the core issue of the Middle East, which is the Israeli and Palestinian peace.

     We are very, very grateful to the President’s role in all these issues.  I’m delighted to be back here.  And I will continue to be a strong partner with you, sir, on all the challenges that we face.  Thank you."