U.S. President Obama on vacation in Hawaii

 

U.S. President Barack Obama is seen sitting in his car as he leaves Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Dec. 24, 2010. Obama and his family will spend the last vacation this year in Hawaii.

Source:http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/

Read more...

Obama calls Jonathan on Cote d’Ivoire

NEW YORK—PRESIDENT Barack Obama has placed a phone call to President Goodluck Jonathan,  congratulating him over Nigeria’s leadership role in handling the political crisis in Cote d’Ivoire.
Vanguard gathered that Obama spoke with Jonathan on Wednesday afternoon, ahead of an emergency ECOWAS meeting in Abuja on Friday to discuss the situation in Cote d’ Ivoire.
A read-out of the telephone revealed that President Obama congratulated President Jonathan for Nigeria’s resolute leadership in standing squarely behind the people of Cote d’Ivoire and insisting that the internationally_recognised results of  the November 28 election be respected.”
Obama was quoted to have expressed admiration for the efforts of  ECOWAS in this regard.
He informed Jonathan about the steps the U.S. had taken recently, including imposition of travel sanctions on persons supporting or benefiting from former President Laurent Gbagbo’s efforts to retain power.
The read-out said: “The two presidents agreed to continue consulting on this issue which is so important to regional stability and democratic governance.”
The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday that it was discussing with ECOWAS countries about boosting UN troops in Cote’d’Ivoire.
Reinforcing UN peacekeeping force
The State Department spokesman, Philip Crowley, told reporters that the U.S. was in discussions with “other regional countries to see if there are ways in which we can reinforce the UN peacekeeping force.”
Côte d’Ivoire has been plunged into political uncertainty after incumbent President, Laurent Gbagbo,  refused to concede electoral defeat to Alassane Ouattara.
ECOWAS, AU and  the UN had endorsed Ouattara’s victory  in the run_off presidential elections held on November 28 which Gbagbo claimed to have won.
The UN, which has about 10,000 peacekeepers in the country, had reported that national security forces loyal to Gbagbo have targeted UN personnel and their operations.
On Thursday, the UN Human Rights Commission in a meeting in Geneva, said post_election violence had claimed 173 lives.
As ECOWAS meets on Friday, international pressure is mounting on  Gbagbo to quit the presidency.



Read more...

Obama signing 'don't ask, don't tell' repeal

WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama says valor and sacrifice in the armed forces are no longer defined by sexual orientation.

Obama spoke Wednesday morning at the Interior Department as he prepared to sign a landmark law ordering America's armed services to let homosexuals serve openly for the first time. Surrounded by senior military officials and members of Congress, Obama said he is proud to sign the bill, which he says will strengthen national security.

Source:http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/

Read more...

Obama begins final campaign for mid-term elections

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks during a rally in Hyde Park in Chicago, Illinois, on Oct. 30, 2010. Obama began a final campaign push ahead of the Nov. 2 midterm elections in Philadelphia of Pennsylvania, Bridgeport of Connecticut and Chicago of Illinois on Saturday, rallying fellow Democrats to the polls. Read more...

Obama asks voters to stick with Democrats

Supporters hold up signs as US President Barack Obama speaks at a rally at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles Oct 22, 2010. Obama is on a four-day, five-state swing to support Democrats in the upcoming election.
US President Barack Obama shakes hands as he attends a campaign rally at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles Oct 22, 2010.  
 Source: http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/photo/2010-10/23/content_11449123.htm
 
Read more...