President Obama and Vice President Biden Address National Governors Asso...

Travel Diary: US-Secretary Clinton Departs for Geneva | U.S. Department of State Blog

Travel Diary: US-Secretary Clinton Departs for Geneva | U.S. Department of State Blog

Posted by DipNote Bloggers / February 27, 2011

More: Trip Page | Press Statement -- Holding the Qadhafi Government Accountable

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton travels to Geneva, Switzerland on February 27 to 28. 

While in Geneva, she will hold consultations with her counterparts on the situation in Libya, and events and trends in the broader Middle East. 

She will also address the high-level segment of the 16th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Before departing for Geneva, Secretary Clinton spoke with members of the press. 

The Secretary said: 

 "Let me start by saying as strongly as I can that the United States and the American people support the aspirations and rights of the Libyan people. They are clearly sending as strong a message as they are capable of doing that it is time for Qadhafi to go. We think he must go as soon as possible without further bloodshed and violence.
 

"We are also very conscious of the actions that have been taken against the Libyan people by the Qadhafi regime. And the Security Council resolution passed unanimously yesterday makes clear there will be accountability for crimes against humanity and war crimes and other atrocities that are being perpetrated against the Libyan people, including a referral to the International Criminal Court. And I want to underscore this unanimous message from the Security Council to those who are around Qadhafi that you will be held accountable for the actions that are being taken and have been taken against your own people.

"The Security Council resolution yesterday was part of a concerted effort that the United States has been lining up and implementing over the last days, both for unilateral and multilateral action. And we will continue to pursue steps aggressively that we believe will make a difference. Obviously, the Security Council resolution, which was passed in record time and included countries that are often reluctant to empower the international community to take such actions, sends a strong, unmistakable signal. The specifics that go to targeted sanctions and arms embargo and other measures are exactly what we have been looking toward and wanting to achieve in this period.

"It also opens the door for humanitarian relief, which is going to be essential -- the numbers of people fleeing across the borders, particularly into Tunisia and Egypt, where those two countries are facing huge humanitarian demands, plus internally displaced people.

"There's also a strong message in the Security Council resolution to countries in the region: You must stop mercenaries, you must stop those who may be going to Libya either at the behest or opportunistically to engage in violence or other criminal acts. And we will be working closely with those neighboring countries to ensure that they do so.

"This change that is sweeping across the region is coming from inside societies. It is not coming from the outside. But each country is different, and each country must deal with the demands of their own people and pursue paths that will lead toward change.

"The United States supports those who are pursuing the path of reform. In particular, His Majesty King Hamad of Bahrain and His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan are engaged in meaningful outreach and efforts to try to bring about the change that will be in line with the needs of the people of their countries. So this is a period of great historical challenge and opportunity, and the United States will be pursuing actions and policies that we believe are in the best interests of the United States and also in the best interests of the region and the world."

Read the full transcript of the Secretary's briefing here, and follow her trip to Geneva here.

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Deutscher Entwicklungsminister Dirk Niebel be­ein­druckt von Willen zu po­liti­schem Wan­del in Ägyp­ten

Deutscher Bundes­entwicklungsminister Dirk Niebel be­ein­druckt von Willen zu po­liti­schem Wan­del in Ägyp­ten

Der deutsche Bundes­minister für wirt­schaftliche Zu­sammen­arbeit und Ent­wick­lung Dirk Niebel hat sich bei seinem Besuch in Kairo beeindruckt gezeigt vom Willen zum politischen Wandel im Land und den Demokratie­be­strebun­gen in der ägyptischen Bevölkerung.
"Es verdient große Anerkennung, wie sich die Ägypter für mehr Freiheit und Demokratie in ihrem Land einsetzen", sagte der deutsche Minister Dirk Niebel nach einem Gespräch mit jungen Aktivisten, die die Revo­lution in den zurück­liegenden knapp drei Wochen mit­gestaltet und unter­stützt hatten.
Zugleich betonte der Minister, die Bundes­regie­rung stehe bereit, die Men­schen auf dem Weg in eine demo­kra­tische Zukunft zu unter­stützen.

Wichtig sei aber, dass dies auch gewünscht sei: "Wir werden kein Land von außen demokratisieren. Das muss Ägypten ganz allein tun. Aber wir helfen gerne, wenn wir gefragt werden.", so Minister Niebel.
So hat die deutsche Bundes­regierung sofort reagiert und Fonds aufgelegt, um Demokratie, Bildung und Wirtschaft zu fördern.

"Die Gespräche mit den Menschen hier haben mich darin bestätigt, dass es wichtig ist, diese drei Bereiche zu unterstützen. Denn besonders junge Ägypter benötigen nun Perspektiven für die Zukunft. Mit unseren Sofortmaßnahmen wollen wir dazu beitragen, diese zu schaffen", sagte der deutsche Entwicklungsminister Niebel.

Eine weitere Sofortmaßnahme der deutschen Ent­wicklungs­zusammenarbeit ist die Unter­stüt­zung eines Ombuds­mann-Büros des Nationalen Rates für Menschenrechte, das Bundesminister Niebel in Kairo besuchte.
Diese Institution trägt zur Rechen­schafts­pflicht der Regierung bei und unterstützt damit die Transparenz des Übergangs zur Demokratie.
Das Büro war während der Unruhen ausgebrannt.
Das BMZ unterstützt die Maß­nahmen, die nun nötig sind, damit die rund 30 Mitarbeiter möglichst schnell wieder ungehindert arbeiten können. Möglich sind hier etwa die Anmietung und Ausstattung von Räumlich­keiten.

Im Gespräch mit seiner Amtskollegin Fayza Aboul Naga unterstrich der deutsche Entwicklungsminister Niebel die Bedeutung einer reformorientierten Trans­for­mations­politik, damit der politische Wandel zu einer nachhaltigen Verbesserung der Lebens­situation der Ägypter führt.

Dirk Niebel und Fayza Aboul Naga waren sich einig, das der Zugang der armen Bevölkerungs­gruppen zu Trink­wasser sowie Aus- und Weiter­bildung und zusätzliche Maß­nahmen im Bereich Demokratie­förderung zu den Schwerpunkten der Ent­wicklungs­zusammenarbeit zwischen Ägypten und Deutschland zählen werden.

Abschließend besuchte Niebel ein Projekt zur partizipa­tiven Stadt­entwicklung. "Dieses Projekt zeigt eindrucksvoll, wie Bürger bei Entscheidungen über die Gestal­tung ihres unmittel­baren Lebens­umfeldes einbezogen werden. Es stärkt dadurch die Demokratie auf kommu­naler Ebene", sagte Bundesminister Niebel.

Deutscher Bundes­ent­wick­lungs­mi­nister Dirk Niebel ruft Global Fund erneut zu Auf­klä­rung der Kor­rup­tions­vor­würfe auf

Deutscher Bundes­ent­wick­lungs­mi­nister Niebel ruft Global Fund erneut zu Auf­klä­rung der Kor­rup­tions­vor­würfe auf

Bundes­ent­wick­lungs­minister Dirk Niebel hat den Globalen Fonds zur Bekämpfung von AIDS, Tuberkulose und Malaria (Global Fund, GFATM) am Sonntag in Berlin erneut zu einer schnellen und gründ­lichen Klärung der gegen den Fonds erhobenen Fehl­ver­wen­dungs- und Korruptionsvorwürfe aufgerufen.
Zuvor hatte der Minister alle Aus­zahlungen an den GFATM bis zur vollständigen Aufklärung gestoppt. "Ich trage gegenüber dem deutschen Steuer­zahler die Verant­wor­tung, eine sachgerechte Mittel­verwendung zu gewährleisten", unterstrich Niebel.
Der Minister hatte bereits in mehreren Gesprächen ab Ende 2009 dem Exe­kutiv­direktor des Fonds sowie leiten­den Mit­arbeitern deutlich gemacht, dass die deutschen Steuer­gelder einer strengen Kontrolle und effizienten Ver­wen­dung bedürfen.

Der Minister Niebel betonte heute, er unterstütze die Einrichtung eines internationalen Prüfpanels und sei zufrieden mit der bisher erfolgten Aufdeckung von Unregelmäßigkeiten durch den GFATM.
Aktuell werde darüber hinaus eine deutsche Sonderprüfung vorbereitet, die in Form einer qualifizierten Stichprobe durchgeführt werden soll – falls Art und Umfang der Prüfung durch das Panel den Anforderungen nicht entsprechen sollten.

Die für das laufende Jahr im Haushalt des Bundesministeriums für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung (BMZ) vorgesehenen Mittel von 200 Millionen Euro blieben für den Globalen Fonds reserviert.

Der deutsche Entwicklungsminister Niebel betonte: "Aber selbstverständlich können wir keine Aus­zahlungen vornehmen, wenn nicht sicher­gestellt ist, dass alles unter­nommen wird, um zu verhindern, dass Gelder fehlgeleitet werden."
Auch stehe die Bundesregierung – vorbehaltlich eines positiven Ausgangs der laufenden Prüfungen sowie der nötigen Reform der Finanzierungs- und Durchführungsinstrumente des GFATM – weiter zu den im Oktober 2010 bei der Wieder­auf­füllungs­kon­fe­renz in New York gemachten Zusagen von weiteren jeweils 200 Millionen Euro für die Jahre 2012 und 2013, wobei diese Zusagen noch unter Haushaltsvorbehalt stehen.

Der Abschluss der Überprüfung seitens des GFATM wird im Sommer erwartet. Bei einem Gespräch mit dem GFATM-Sekretariat, das auf Initiative des Ministeriums Ende Januar in Bonn erfolgte, wurde dem BMZ zugesagt, dass während der Aussetzung der Zahlungen für die Dauer der Überprüfung die laufende Behandlung von Patienten sichergestellt sei.

In Swift, Decisive Action, Security Council Imposes Tough Measures on Libyan Regime, Adopting Resolution 1970 in Wake of Crackdown on Protesters

In Swift, Decisive Action, Security Council Imposes Tough Measures on Libyan Regime, Adopting Resolution 1970 in Wake of Crackdown on Protesters

Security Council SC/10187

Department of Public Information • News and Media Division • New York

Security Council

6491^st Meeting* (PM)

In Swift, Decisive Action, Security Council Imposes Tough Measures on Libyan

Regime, Adopting Resolution 1970 in Wake of Crackdown on Protesters

Situation Referred to International Criminal Court;

Secretary-General Expresses Hope Message ‘Heard and Heeded’ in Libya

Deploring what it called “the gross and systematic violation of human rights” in strife-torn Libya, the Security Council this evening demanded an end to the violence and decided to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court while imposing an arms embargo on the country and a travel ban and assets freeze on the family of Muammar Al-Qadhafi and certain Government officials.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1970 (2011) under Article 41 of the Charter’s Chapter VII, the Council authorized all Member States to seize and dispose of military-related materiel banned by the text and adopt “all measures necessary” to secure the prompt and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need.

Through the text, the Council also decided to establish a new committee to monitor sanctions, to liaison with Member States on compliance and to respond to violations and to designate the individuals subject to the targeted measures. Individuals and entities immediately subjected to the targeted sanctions were listed in an Annex to the resolution.

Regarding its referral of the situation in Libya since 15 February 2011 to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, the Council recognized that States not party to the Rome Statute that established the Court had no obligations to it, but urged all States and concerned organizations to cooperate fully with the Court’s Prosecutor.

The Council affirmed it would keep the actions of the Libyan authorities under continuous review and would be prepared to strengthen, modify, suspend or lift the prescribed measures in light of compliance or non-compliance with the resolution.

Following the adoption of the text, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the Council’s “decisive” action. “While it cannot, by itself, end the violence and the repression, it is a vital step — a clear expression of the will of a united community of nations,” he said.

He expressed hope that the message that “gross violations of basic human rights will not be tolerated and that those responsible for grave crimes will be held accountable” would be “heard and heeded” by the Libyan regime and that it would bring hope and relief to those still at risk. He looked for similar action from the General Assembly and the international community as a whole, and warned that even bolder steps might be necessary.

In their explanations of vote, Council members welcomed the unanimity of the action and expressed solidarity with the people of Libya, hoping that their “swift and decisive” intervention would help bring them relief. Many expressed hope that the resolution was a strong step in affirming the responsibility of States to protect their people as well as the legitimate role of the Council to step in when they failed to meet that responsibility.

With the referral of the situation to the International Criminal Court, France’s representative hoped the vote would open a new era in commitment to the protection of populations. Further to that goal, Brazil’s representative expressed strong reservations to the provision in the resolution allowing for exemptions from jurisdiction of nationals from non-States parties, saying those were not helpful to advance the cause of justice and accountability.

Noting that five Council members were not parties to the Rome Statute that set up the International Criminal Court, including India, that country’s representative said he would have preferred a “calibrated approach” to the issue. However, he was convinced that the referral would help to bring about the end of violence and he heeded the call of the Secretary-General on the issue, while stressing the importance of the provisions in the resolution regarding non-States parties to the Statute.

Some speakers, such as the representatives of Lebanon and the Russian Federation, stressed the importance of affirming the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Libya. The Chinese representative said he had supported the resolution taking into account the special circumstances in Libya.

Speaking last, Libya’s representative said that the Council’s action represented moral support for his people and was a signal that an end must be put to the fascist regime in Tripoli. He launched an appeal to all the officers of the Libyan armed forces to support their own people, and welcomed the referral to the International Criminal Court, as well as the decision not to impose sanctions on those who might abandon Mr. Al-Qadhafi in the end.

Also speaking this evening were the representatives of the United Kingdom, South Africa, Nigeria, United States, Colombia, Portugal, Germany, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and Gabon.

The meeting was opened at 8:10 p.m. and closed at 8:55 p.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1970 (2011) reads as follows:

“The Security Council,

“Expressing grave concern at the situation in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and condemning the violence and use of force against civilians,

“Deploring the gross and systematic violation of human rights, including the repression of peaceful demonstrators, expressing deep concern at the deaths of civilians, and rejecting unequivocally the incitement to hostility and violence against the civilian population made from the highest level of the Libyan government,

“Welcoming the condemnation by the Arab League, the African Union, and the Secretary General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference of the serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law that are being committed in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

“Taking note of the letter to the President of the Security Council from the Permanent Representative of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya dated 26 February 2011,

“Welcoming the Human Rights Council resolution A/HRC/S-15/2 of 25 February 2011, including the decision to urgently dispatch an independent international commission of inquiry to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, to establish the facts and circumstances of such violations and of the crimes perpetrated, and where possible identify those responsible,

“Considering that the widespread and systematic attacks currently taking place in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya against the civilian population may amount to crimes against humanity,

“Expressing concern at the plight of refugees forced to flee the violence in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

“Expressing concern also at the reports of shortages of medical supplies to treat the wounded,

“Recalling the Libyan authorities’ responsibility to protect its population,

“Underlining the need to respect the freedoms of peaceful assembly and of expression, including freedom of the media,

“Stressing the need to hold to account those responsible for attacks, including by forces under their control, on civilians,

“Recalling article 16 of the Rome Statute under which no investigation or prosecution may be commenced or proceeded with by the International Criminal Court for a period of 12 months after a Security Council request to that effect,

“Expressing concern for the safety of foreign nationals and their rights in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya,

“Reaffirming its strong commitment to the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.

“Mindful of its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security under the Charter of the United Nations,

“Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, and taking measures under its Article 41,

“1. Demands an immediate end to the violence and calls for steps to fulfil the legitimate demands of the population;

“2. Urges the Libyan authorities to:

(a) Act with the utmost restraint, respect human rights and international humanitarian law, and allow immediate access for international human rights monitors;

(b) Ensure the safety of all foreign nationals and their assets and facilitate the departure of those wishing to leave the country;

(c) Ensure the safe passage of humanitarian and medical supplies, and humanitarian agencies and workers, into the country; and

(d) Immediately lift restrictions on all forms of media;

“3. Requests all Member States, to the extent possible, to cooperate in the evacuation of those foreign nationals wishing to leave the country;

ICC referral

“4. Decides to refer the situation in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya since 15 February 2011 to the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court;

“5. Decides that the Libyan authorities shall cooperate fully with and provide any necessary assistance to the Court and the Prosecutor pursuant to this resolution and, while recognizing that States not party to the Rome Statute have no obligation under the Statute, urges all States and concerned regional and other international organizations to cooperate fully with the Court and the Prosecutor;

“6. Decides that nationals, current or former officials or personnel from a State outside the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya which is not a party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of that State for all alleged acts or omissions arising out of or related to operations in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya established or authorized by the Council, unless such exclusive jurisdiction has been expressly waived by the State;

“7. Invites the Prosecutor to address the Security Council within two months of the adoption of this resolution and every six months thereafter on actions taken pursuant to this resolution;

“8. Recognizes that none of the expenses incurred in connection with the referral, including expenses related to investigations or prosecutions in connection with that referral, shall be borne by the United Nations and that such costs shall be borne by the parties to the Rome Statute and those States that wish to contribute voluntarily;

Arms embargo

“9. Decides that all Member States shall immediately take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, from or through their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, and technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance, related to military activities or the provision, maintenance or use of any arms and related materiel, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel whether or not originating in their territories, and decides further that this measure shall not apply to:

(a) Supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, and related technical assistance or training, as approved in advance by the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 24 below;

(b) Protective clothing, including flak jackets and military helmets, temporarily exported to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya by United Nations personnel, representatives of the media and humanitarian and development works and associated personnel, for their personal use only; or

(c) Other sales or supply of arms and related materiel, or provision of assistance or personnel, as approved in advance by the Committee;

“10. Decides that the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya shall cease the export of all arms and related materiel and that all Member States shall prohibit the procurement of such items from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya by their nationals, or using their flagged vessels or aircraft, and whether or not originating in the territory of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;

“11. Calls upon all States, in particular States neighbouring the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, to inspect, in accordance with their national authorities and legislation and consistent with international law, in particular the law of the sea and relevant international civil aviation agreements, all cargo to and from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, in their territory, including seaports and airports, if the State concerned has information that provides reasonable grounds to believe the cargo contains items the supply, sale, transfer, or export of which is prohibited by paragraphs 9 or 10 of this resolution for the purpose of ensuring strict implementation of those provisions;

“12. Decides to authorize all Member States to, and that all Member States shall, upon discovery of items prohibited by paragraph 9 or 10 of this resolution, seize and dispose (such as through destruction, rendering inoperable, storage or transferring to a State other than the originating or destination States for disposal) items the supply, sale, transfer or export of which is prohibited by paragraph 9 or 10 of this resolution and decides further that all Member States shall cooperate in such efforts;

“13. Requires any Member State when it undertakes an inspection pursuant to paragraph 11 above, to submit promptly an initial written report to the Committee containing, in particular, explanation of the grounds for the inspections, the results of such inspections, and whether or not cooperation was provided, and, if prohibited items for transfer are found, further requires such Member States to submit to the Committee, at a later stage, a subsequent written report containing relevant details on the inspection, seizure, and disposal, and relevant details of the transfer, including a description of the items, their origin and intended destination, if this information is not in the initial report;

“14. Encourages Member States to take steps to strongly discourage their nationals from travelling to the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to participate in activities on behalf of the Libyan authorities that could reasonably contribute to the violation of human rights;

Travel ban

“15. Decides that all Member States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of individuals listed in Annex I of this resolution or designated by the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 24 below, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall oblige a State to refuse its own nationals entry into its territory;

“16. Decides that the measures imposed by paragraph 15 above shall not apply:

(a) Where the Committee determines on a case-by-case basis that such travel is justified on the grounds of humanitarian need, including religious obligation;

(b) Where entry or transit is necessary for the fulfilment of a judicial process;

(c) Where the Committee determines on a case-by-case basis that an exemption would further the objectives of peace and national reconciliation in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and stability in the region; or

(d) Where a State determines on a case-by-case basis that such entry or transit is required to advance peace and stability in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya and the States subsequently notifies the Committee within forty-eight hours after making such a determination;

Asset freeze

“17. Decides that all Member States shall freeze without delay all funds, other financial assets and economic resources which are on their territories, which are owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the individuals or entities listed in Annex II of this resolution or designated by the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 24 below, or by individuals or entities acting on their behalf or at their direction, or by entities owned or controlled by them, and decides further that all Member States shall ensure that any funds, financial assets or economic resources are prevented from being made available by their nationals or by any individuals or entities within their territories, to or for the benefit of the individuals or entities listed in Annex II of this resolution or individuals designated by the Committee;

“18. Expresses its intention to ensure that assets frozen pursuant to paragraph 17 shall at a later stage be made available to and for the benefit of the people of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya;

“19. Decides that the measures imposed by paragraph 17 above do not apply to funds, other financial assets or economic resources that have been determined by relevant Member States:

(a) To be necessary for basic expenses, including payment for foodstuffs, rent or mortgage, medicines and medical treatment, taxes, insurance premiums, and public utility charges or exclusively for payment of reasonable professional fees and reimbursement of incurred expenses associated with the provision of legal services in accordance with national laws, or fees or service charges, in accordance with national laws, for routine holding or maintenance of frozen funds, other financial assets and economic resources, after notification by the relevant State to the Committee of the intention to authorize, where appropriate, access to such funds, other financial assets or economic resources and in the absence of a negative decision by the Committee within five working days of such notification;

(b) To be necessary for extraordinary expenses, provided that such determination has been notified by the relevant State or Member States to the Committee and has been approved by the Committee; or

(c) To be the subject of a judicial, administrative or arbitral lien or judgment, in which case the funds, other financial assets and economic resources may be used to satisfy that lien or judgment provided that the lien or judgment was entered into prior to the date of the present resolution, is not for the benefit of a person or entity designated pursuant to paragraph 17 above, and has been notified by the relevant State or Member States to the Committee;

“20. Decides that Member States may permit the addition to the accounts frozen pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 17 above of interests or other earnings due on those accounts or payments due under contracts, agreements or obligations that arose prior to the date on which those accounts became subject to the provisions of this resolution, provided that any such interest, other earnings and payments continue to be subject to these provisions and are frozen;

“21. Decides that the measures in paragraph 17 above shall not prevent a designated person or entity from making payment due under a contract entered into prior to the listing of such a person or entity, provided that the relevant States have determined that the payment is not directly or indirectly received by a person or entity designated pursuant to paragraph 17 above, and after notification by the relevant States to the Committee of the intention to make or receive such payments or to authorize, where appropriate, the unfreezing of funds, other financial assets or economic resources for this purpose, 10 working days prior to such authorization;

Designation criteria

“22. Decides that the measures contained in paragraphs 15 and 17 shall apply to the individuals and entities designated by the Committee, pursuant to paragraph 24 (b) and (c), respectively;

(a) Involved in or complicit in ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, the commission of serious human rights abuses against persons in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, including by being involved in or complicit in planning, commanding, ordering or conducting attacks, in violation of international law, including aerial bombardments, on civilian populations and facilities; or

(b) Acting for or on behalf of or at the direction of individuals or entities identified in subparagraph (a).

“23. Strongly encourages Member States to submit to the Committee names of individuals who meet the criteria set out in paragraph 22 above;

New Sanctions Committee

“24. Decides to establish, in accordance with rule 28 of its provisional rules of procedure, a Committee of the Security Council consisting of all the members of the Council (herein "the Committee"), to undertake to following tasks:

(a) To monitor implementation of the measures imposed in paragraphs 9, 10, 15, and 17;

(b) To designate those individuals subject to the measures imposed by paragraphs 15 and to consider requests for exemptions in accordance with paragraph 16 above;

(c) To designate those individuals subject to the measures imposed by paragraph 17 above and to consider requests for exemptions in accordance with paragraphs 19 and 20 above;

(d) To establish such guidelines as may be necessary to facilitate the implementation of the measures imposed above;

(e) To report within thirty days to the Security Council on its work for the first report and thereafter to report as deemed necessary by the Committee;

(f) To encourage a dialogue between the Committee and interested Member States, in particular those in the region, including by inviting representatives of such States to meet with the Committee to discuss implementation of the measures;

(g) To seek from all States whatever information it may consider useful regarding the actions taken by them to implement effectively the measures imposed above;

(h) To examine and take appropriate action on information regarding alleged violations or non-compliance with the measures contained in this resolution;

“25. Calls upon all Member States to report to the Committee within 120 days of the adoption of this resolution on the steps they have taken with a view to implementing effectively paragraphs 9, 10, 15 and 17 above;

Humanitarian assistance

“26. Calls upon all Member States, working together and acting in cooperation with the Secretary General, to facilitate and support the return of humanitarian agencies and make available humanitarian and related assistance in the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, and requests the States concerned to keep the Security Council regularly informed on the progress of actions undertaken pursuant to this paragraph, and expresses its readiness to consider taking additional appropriate measures, as necessary, to achieve this;

Commitment to review

“27. Affirms that it shall keep the Libyan authorities’ actions under continuous review and that it shall be prepared to review the appropriateness of the measures contained in this resolution, including the strengthening, modification, suspension or lifting of the measures, as may be needed at any time in light of the Libyan authorities’ compliance with relevant provisions of this resolution;

“28. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.”

Annex I

Travel ban

1. Al-Baghdadi, Dr Abdulqader Mohammed

Passport number: B010574. Date of birth: 01/07/1950.

Head of the Liaison Office of the Revolutionary Committees. Revolutionary Committees involved in violence against demonstrators.

2. Dibri, Abdulqader Yusef

Date of birth: 1946. Place of birth: Houn, Libya.

Head of Muammar Qadhafi’s personal security. Responsibility for regime security. History of directing violence against dissidents.

3. Dorda, Abu Zayd Umar

Director, External Security Organisation. Regime loyalist. Head of external intelligence agency.

4. Jabir, Major General Abu Bakr Yunis

Date of birth: 1952. Place of birth: Jalo, Libya.

Defence Minister. Overall responsibility for actions of armed forces.

5. Matuq, Matuq Mohammed

Date of birth: 1956. Place of birth: Khoms.

Secretary for Utilities. Senior member of regime. Involvement with Revolutionary Committees. Past history of involvement in suppression of dissent and violence.

6. Qadhaf Al-dam, Sayyid Mohammed

Date of birth: 1948. Place of birth: Sirte, Libya.

Cousin of Muammar Qadhafi. In the 1980s, Sayyid was involved in the dissident assassination campaign and allegedly responsible for several deaths in Europe. He is also thought to have been involved in arms procurement.

7. Qadhafi, Aisha Muammar

Date of birth: 1978. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

Daughter of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime.

8. Qadhafi, Hannibal Muammar

Passport number: B/002210. Date of birth: 20/09/1975. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya. Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime.

9. Qadhafi, Khamis Muammar

Date of birth: 1978. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime. Command of military units involved in repression of demonstrations.

10. Qadhafi, Mohammed Muammar

Date of birth: 1970. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime.

11. Qadhafi, Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar

Date of birth: 1942. Place of birth: Sirte, Libya.

Leader of the Revolution, Supreme Commander of Armed Forces. Responsibility for ordering repression of demonstrations, human rights abuses.

12. Qadhafi, Mutassim

Date of birth: 1976. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

National Security Adviser. Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime.

13. Qadhafi, Saadi

Passport number: 014797. Date of birth: 25/05/1973. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

Commander Special Forces. Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime. Command of military units involved in repression of demonstrations.

14. Qadhafi, Saif al-Arab

Date of birth: 1982. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime.

15. Qadhafi, Saif al-Islam

Passport number: B014995. Date of birth: 25/06/1972. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

Director, Qadhafi Foundation. Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime. Inflammatory public statements encouraging violence against demonstrators.

16. Al-Senussi, Colonel Abdullah

Date of birth: 1949. Place of birth: Sudan.

Director Military Intelligence. Military Intelligence involvement in suppression of demonstrations. Past history includes suspicion of involvement in Abu Selim prison massacre. Convicted in absentia for bombing of UTA flight. Brother-in-law of Muammar Qadhafi.

Annex II

Asset freeze

1. Qadhafi, Aisha Muammar

Date of birth: 1978. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

Daughter of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime.

2. Qadhafi, Hannibal Muammar

Passport number: B/002210. Date of birth: 20/09/1975. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya. Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime.

3. Qadhafi, Khamis Muammar

Date of birth: 1978. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime. Command of military units involved in repression of demonstrations.

4. Qadhafi, Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar

Date of birth: 1942. Place of birth: Sirte, Libya.

Leader of the Revolution, Supreme Commander of Armed Forces. Responsibility for ordering repression of demonstrations, human rights abuses.

5. Qadhafi, Mutassim

Date of birth: 1976. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

National Security Adviser. Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime.

6. Qadhafi, Saif al-Islam

Passport number: B014995. Date of birth: 25/06/1972. Place of birth: Tripoli, Libya.

Director, Qadhafi Foundation. Son of Muammar Qadhafi. Closeness of association with regime. Inflammatory public statements encouraging violence against demonstrators.

Statements

MARK LYALL GRANT (United Kingdom) welcomed the adoption, noting that his country was gravely concerned over the violence and had condemned the actions of the Libyan leadership. The text, he said, was a powerful signal of the determination of the international community to stand with the Libyan people as they charted their future.

HARDEEP SINGH PURI ( India) hoped that calm and stability were restored without further violence and called for measures to ensure the safety of the Indian population in Libya, as well as those attempting to leave. Noting that five Council members were not parties to the Rome Statute, including India, he said he would have preferred a “calibrated approach” to the issue. However, he was convinced that the referral of the situation to the International Criminal Court would help to bring about the end of violence, and he heeded the call of the Secretary-General on the issue. He, therefore, had voted in favour of the resolution, while stressing the importance of its provisions regarding non-States parties to the Rome Statute.

BASO SANGQU (South Africa) said his country was deeply concerned about the situation in Libya. The resolution adopted by the Security Council sent a clear and unambiguous message to Libya to stop the indiscriminate use of force in that country, and the measures it contained could contribute to the long-term objective of bringing peace and stability to the nation.

U. JOY OGWU (Nigeria) said that she was deeply concerned about the inflammatory rhetoric and loss of life occurring in Libya. As many had been calling for swift action, it was fitting that the Council had taken decisive action today. Nigeria supported the resolution and its “comprehensive” targeted sanctions. It was convinced that the text would deter individuals from supporting the regime and would provide for the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian and human rights law. The delegation believed that the resolution would swiftly address the ongoing violence.

SUSAN RICE ( United States) welcomed the fact that the Council had spoken with one voice this evening, in a clear warning to the Libyan Government that it must stop the killing. Calling the text a strong resolution, she said that this was about people’s ability to shape their own future. Their rights were not negotiable and could not be denied.

NAWAF SALAM (Lebanon), noting the denunciation by the League of Arab States of the crimes committed against Libyan civilians, said he concurred with its opinion, as well as its support for the right of Libyan citizens to express their opinion. That was why he had voted in favour of the resolution. He stressed the importance of reaffirming the territorial unity of Libya and expressed deep sorrow over the lives lost.

VITALY CHURKIN ( Russian Federation) said he supported the resolution because of his country’s deep concern over the situation, its sorrow over the lives lost and its condemnation of the Libyan Government’s actions. He opposed counterproductive interventions, but he said that the purpose of the resolution was to end the violence and to preserve the united sovereign State of Libya with its territorial integrity. Security for foreign citizens, including Russian citizens, must be ensured.

LI BAODONG ( China) said that China was very much concerned about the situation in Libya. The greatest urgency was to cease the violence, to end the bloodshed and civilian casualties, and to resolve the crisis through peaceful means, such as dialogue. The safety and interest of the foreign nationals in Libya must be assured. Taking into account the special circumstances in Libya, the Chinese delegation had voted in favour of the resolution.

NÉSTOR OSORIO (Colombia) said the Colombian Government was pleased with the resolution, which had emerged as a result of a “timely process of consultation”, in tune with the sense of urgency demanded by the international community. The resolution sent the “direct and solid message” that the violence in Libya must cease and that those responsible for it must answer for their crimes. Moreover, the decision to refer the situation to the International Criminal Court was an appropriate one. Colombia clearly rejected the calls for violence from official sectors in Libya, and condemned the violation of basic rights and freedoms of that country’s citizens, including the right to life and to peaceful assembly. Colombia had co-sponsored yesterday’s Human Rights Council resolution on the situation. Libya must find a way to respond legitimately to its people’s demands, and the international community must remain united to bring an end to the violence there.

JOSÉ FILIPE MORAES CABRAL (Portugal) welcomed the unanimous adoption of the resolution, which he said sent a clear, united message against the crimes being committed against civilians in Libya. He expressed deep concern over the plight of refugees and other humanitarian issues, including the safety of foreigners. Impunity would not be tolerated and serious crimes would be prosecuted.

GÉRARD ARAUD (France) welcomed the fact that the Council had unanimously answered yesterday’s appeal by the Libyan representative. The referral of the matter to the International Criminal Court might ensure that those responsible for the crimes were brought to justice. The Court had once again showed the rationale for its existence. The resolution recalled the accountability of each State for the protection of its population and the role of the international community when that responsibility was not met. He hoped the vote would open a new era for the international community as a whole.

PETER WITTIG ( Germany) welcomed what he called the Council’s swift, decisive, united and strong message that the violation of the rights of the Libyan people would not be tolerated. The referral to the International Criminal Court demonstrated the determination not to allow impunity. It should be clear to all that the Council would continue to follow the situation closely.

IVAN BARBALIĆ (Bosnia and Herzegovina) said that in the current situation time was of the essence, and that the Security Council had to react “unanimously and urgently” to end the violence and prevent further escalation of the situation in Libya. His delegation had closely followed the popular movement in Libya, and was appalled at the “unacceptable level of violence” targeted at civilians there. Bosnia and Herzegovina condemned in the strongest possible terms the violence and loss of life, and therefore fully supported the decision to refer those responsible to the International Criminal Court. He called for an immediate stop to the violence. Worried about the outflow of refugees and the high number of internally displaced persons there, he called on international organizations to provide humanitarian aid and services to those affected by the violence.

ALFRED ALEXIS MOUNGARA MOUSSOTSI (Gabon) said that the situation existing in Libya over the last two weeks required an answer and a “strong, clear message” from the Security Council. Gabon had decided to add its voice to the resolution, not only to end the violence, but also to advise the Libyan regime of the consequences of its actions. Gabon was also ready to support other measures that the Council might adopt in support of the Libyan people and their right to life and free speech.

MARIA LUIZA RIBEIRO VIOTTI ( Brazil) said that her delegation was deeply disturbed by the dramatic situation in Libya. The measures adopted today were meant to halt the violence, ensure the protection of civilians and promote respect for international law. The resolution was a “clear signal” of the Council’s readiness to respond to the situation in a manner consistent with its responsibilities. Brazil was a long-standing supporter of the integrity and universalization of the Rome Statute, and opposed the exemption from jurisdiction of nationals of those countries not parties to it. Brazil, therefore, expressed its strong reservation to the resolution’s operative paragraph 6, and reiterated its firm conviction that initiatives aimed at establishing those exemptions were not helpful to advance the cause of justice and accountability.

IBRAHIM DABBASHI ( Libya) expressed his condolences to the martyrs who had fallen under the repression of the Libyan regime, and thanked Council Members for their unanimous action, which represented moral support for his people, who were resisting the attacks. The resolution would be a signal that an end must be put to the fascist regime in Tripoli.

He launched an appeal to all the officers of the Libyan armed forces to support their own people and renounce their support for Muammar Al-Qadhafi, whom he called “criminal” and whom he said was prepared to go to extremes to keep up the repression. He appealed also to the Libyan people to keep up their struggle to restore the State to the people. He welcomed, in addition, the referral of the situation to the International Criminal Court and the fact that sanctions were not being imposed on those who might abandon Mr. Al-Qadhafi in the end.

BAN KI-MOON, United Nations Secretary-General, welcomed the resolution. “While it cannot, by itself, end the violence and the repression, it is a vital step — a clear expression of the will of a united community of nations,” he said. Calling the events in Libya “clear-cut violations of all norms governing international behaviour and serious transgressions of international human rights and humanitarian law”, he said it was of great importance that the Council was determined to reach consensus and uphold its responsibilities.

He hoped that the strong message that “gross violations of basic human rights will not be tolerated and that those responsible for grave crimes will be held accountable” would be heeded by the regime in Libya and that it would bring hope and relief to those still at risk. The sanctions were a necessary step to speed the transition to a new system of governance that had the people’s consent and participation.

He pledged to monitor the situation closely and remain in touch with world and regional leaders to support swift and concrete action. Expressing solidarity with the Libyan people in coping with the humanitarian impacts, he hoped that the new future for which they yearned would soon be theirs. Commending the Council for its decisive action, he looked for similar determination from the General Assembly and the Human Rights Council.

“Today’s measures are tough. In the coming days even bolder action may be necessary,” he said.

* *** *

__________

* The 6490^th Meeting was closed.

Al Jazeera English: Live Stream - Watch Now - Al Jazeera English

Al Jazeera English: Live Stream - Watch Now - Al Jazeera English

CESifo Group: ifo Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Center for Economic Studies CES, CESifo GmbH

CESifo Group: ifo Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung, Center for Economic Studies CES, CESifo GmbH

Text Weekly Address: "Investments in Education, Innovation, and Infrastructure are an Essential Down Payment on our Future" | The White House

Text with the Weekly Address from US-President Barack Obama: "Investments in Education, Innovation, and Infrastructure are an Essential Down Payment on our Future" | The White House

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

February 26, 2011

WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, US-President Obama said that he expects Democratic and Republican leaders in Congress to find common ground as Congress focuses on a short term budget next week. 
The President will consider any serious ideas to reduce the deficit, regardless of which party proposes them. 
In fact, the US-President has already proposed freezing domestic spending, which would cut the deficit by $400 billion and bring this kind of spending to the lowest level, as a percentage of our economy, since the Eisenhower administration. 
But, cutting investments in education and innovation would hinder our ability to out-compete the rest of the world. While the President recognizes that everyone needs to be willing to sacrifice, we cannot sacrifice our country’s ability to win the future.
The audio and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, Saturday, February 26, 2011.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
As Prepared for Delivery
February 26, 2011
Washington, DC

Over the last month, I’ve been traveling the country, talking to Americans about how we can out-educate, out-innovate, and out-build the rest of the world.
Doing that will require a government that lives within its means, and cuts whatever spending we can afford to do without.
But it will also require investing in our nation’s future – training and educating our workers; increasing our commitment to research and technology; building new roads and bridges, high-speed rail and high-speed internet.

In cities and towns throughout America, I’ve seen the benefits of these investments.
The schools and colleges of Oregon are providing Intel – the state’s largest private employer – with a steady stream of highly-educated workers and engineers.
At Parkville Middle School outside of Baltimore, engineering is the most popular subject, thanks to outstanding teachers who are inspiring students to focus on their math and science skills.

In Wisconsin, a company called Orion is putting hundreds of people to work manufacturing energy-efficient lights in a once-shuttered plant.
And in the small community of Marquette, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, widely accessible high-speed internet has allowed students and entrepreneurs to connect to the global economy.
One small business, a third-generation, family-owned clothing shop called Getz’s is now selling their products online, which has helped them double their workforce and make them one of America’s 5,000 fastest-growing companies in a recent listing.

Each of these places reminds us that investments in education, innovation, and infrastructure are an essential down payment on our future.
But they also remind us that the only way we can afford these investments is by getting our fiscal house in order.
Just like any family, we have to live within our means to make room for things we absolutely need.

That’s why I’ve called for a freeze on annual domestic spending over the next five years – a freeze that would cut the deficit by more than $400 billion over the next decade, bringing this kind of spending to its lowest share of our economy since Dwight Eisenhower was President.
Just to be clear, that’s lower than it was under the past three administrations, and lower than it was under Ronald Reagan.

Now, putting this budget freeze in place will require tough choices.
That’s why I’ve frozen salaries for hardworking civil servants for three years, and proposed cutting programs I care about deeply, like community action programs in low-income neighborhoods. I’m not taking these steps lightly – but I’m taking them because our economic future demands it.

Still, a freeze in annual domestic spending is just a start. If we’re serious about tackling our long-run fiscal challenges, we also need to cut excessive spending wherever we find it – in defense spending, spending in Medicare and Medicaid, and spending through tax breaks and loopholes.

I’m willing to consider any serious ideas to help us reduce the deficit – no matter what party is proposing them.
But instead of cutting the investments in education and innovation we need to out-compete the rest of the world, we need a balanced approach to deficit reduction. We all need to be willing to sacrifice, but we can’t sacrifice our future.

Next week, Congress will focus on a short-term budget. For the sake of our people and our economy, we cannot allow gridlock to prevail.
Both Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate have said they believe it’s important to keep the government running while we work together on a plan to reduce our long-term deficit.

Given that, I urge and expect them to find common ground so we can accelerate, not impede, economic growth. It won’t be easy. There will be plenty of debates and disagreements, and neither party will get everything it wants.
Both sides will have to compromise.

That’s what it will take to do what’s right for our country.
And I look forward to working with members of both parties to produce a responsible budget that cuts what we can’t afford, sharpens America’s competitive edge in the world, and helps us win the future.

Thanks everyone, and have a nice weekend.

2/25/11: White House Press Briefing

Weekly Address: Traveling the Country, Winning the Future

Despite Exemption From Anti-Union Bill, Wisconsin Firefighters Stand wit...

Deutsche Kanzlerin Merkel in Juni in Washington: Obama ehrt Merkel in Washington | RP ONLINE

Deutsche Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Angela Merkel in Juni in Washington: Obama ehrt Merkel in Washington mit Medal of Freedom | RP ONLINE

Thousands Feared Dead in Gaddafi's Crackdown on Libyan Uprising: Anjali ...

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney to Lybia and Mideast, 2/25/2011 | The White House

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney to Lybia and Mideast , 2/25/2011 | The White House

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary

For Immediate Release

February 25, 2011

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Jay Carney, 2/25/2011

James S. Brady Press Briefing Room

**Note addition to the transcript below.

2:33 P.M. EST

MR. CARNEY: Good afternoon, everybody. Scott, is this your first appearance? Okay. First of all, I want to apologize. I know it’s a late briefing and a delayed briefing, even after announced, but there are a couple of reasons for that. It’s obviously been a busy day -- a lot going on in the Middle East and a lot going on at the White House, and I wanted to hold the briefing so that I could gather as much information as I could and be in a situation -- rather, a position to give you as much information as I could at this briefing, which I am now in.

And so I have a few things I want to tell you about Libya before I take your questions.
The State Department has suspended embassy operations in Libya and will temporarily withdraw all embassy employees from Tripoli.
A ferry with approximately 200 U.S. citizens left this morning.
A charter plane recently took off for Istanbul, Turkey, with remaining embassy personnel and American citizens who had requested evacuation. Further to what I started with, that obviously was very recent and one of the reasons why I wanted to delay the briefing was to make sure that plane had taken off.

Consistent with the President’s tasking to the government to prepare options to hold the Libyan government accountable for its violation of human rights, we have decided to move forward with unilateral sanctions, which we are in the process of finalizing; coordinated sanctions with our European allies; and multilateral efforts to hold the Libyan government accountable through the United Nations.

The President spoke today with Prime Minister Erdogan of Turkey to coordinate our efforts to respond to developments in Libya and to ensure appropriate accountability.

In his call with President Erdogan [sic], and his separate calls with President Sarkozy of France, President -- Prime Minister, rather, Cameron of the United Kingdom, and Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy yesterday, the President explained the unilateral measures that the United States is implementing, and noted his desire to coordinate on measures that our allies are considering. He will continue these consultations to build international consensus for strong measures in the days to come.

Earlier today the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network issued an advisory to U.S. financial institutions to take reasonable risk-based steps with respect to the potential increased movement of assets that may be related to the situation in Libya.

During this period of uncertainty, FinCEN is reminding U.S. financial institutions of their requirement to apply enhanced scrutiny for private banking accounts held by or on behalf of senior foreign political figures, and to monitor transactions that could potentially represent misappropriated or diverted state assets, proceeds of bribery or other illegal payments, or other public corruption proceeds.

Additionally the United States has suspended the very limited military cooperation it had with Libya.
The U.S. military began to cautiously re-engage with Libya, as you know, in 2009 following Libya’s decision to halt its weapons of mass destruction programs and compensate victims of terrorism.

Prior to the recent unrest and sales -- prior to the recent unrest, sales of spare military parts were pending. They have been frozen. Bilateral military events that were in the planning phases have also been frozen.

The United Nations Human Rights Council held an emergency session today in Geneva where it adopted by consensus a resolution that condemned the gross and systematic human rights abuses now being committed by the government of Libya; established an international commission of inquiry to investigate these abuses; and recommended accountable -- accountability measures for those responsible; and also recommended that the U.N. General Assembly suspend Libya’s membership on the Council.
The United States strongly supports these efforts, and is already closely working with our international partners to carry out this suspension, which will be acted on by the General Assembly early next week.

In addition, as the President announced earlier this week, Secretary Clinton will travel to Geneva on Monday to speak at the Human Rights Council and to discuss with her international counterparts further measures on Libya, as well as events in the broader Middle East.

On Monday, the President will meet with U.N. Security -- U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in Washington and will discuss the diplomatic, legal and other actions needed to put a stop to violence against civilians in Libya.
He will also discuss the range of activities that U.N. agencies and the international community can undertake to address the significant humanitarian needs created by this crisis.

The United States is involved in ongoing negotiations today at the UNSC -- the U.N. Security Council -- on a resolution that could include a weapons embargo, individual sanctions against key Libyan officials, and an asset freeze.

Finally, the United States is utilizing the full extent of its intelligence capabilities to monitor the Qaddafi regime’s actions, and we are particularly vigilant for evidence of further violence or atrocities committed against the Libyan people.

With that, I’d like to take your questions. Ben.

Q Thanks, Jay. Obviously a lot there. Let me go back to the -- what you said at the top about unilateral and multilateral sanctions. Could you just describe them a bit more? What are we talking about here when you -- when you mean sanctions?

MR. CARNEY: Ben, we’re finalizing the sanctions that we will pursue. Rather than enumerate them, I can tell you that they will be finalized soon and you will know specifically what we’re going to do. I think the universe effect of sanctions is pretty well known, the kinds of things that we’re considering. So a lot of that has been discussed. But I don’t want to specify which ones now because we’re still just finalizing those and we’ll get them to you soon.

Q Finalizing today or in the coming days?

MR. CARNEY: In the near future.

Q Can you explain what gives the United States confidence that sanctions work against someone like Qaddafi and his regime?

MR. CARNEY: We are initiating a series of steps at the unilateral level and the multilateral level to pressure the regime in Libya to stop killing its own people. This is a first step, and obviously we continue to review our options going forward, and the steps that we take in the near future are not the only steps we’re prepared to take if other steps are necessary.

Q Qaddafi today -- or in the last few hours was calling on his followers to continue fighting protesters. The militias that were loyal to him were still gunning down protesters. So I guess I’m wondering as these things unfold, how is it that sanctions as you see it directly can affect that kind of inciting of his people to continue to kill?

MR. CARNEY: Sanctions -- targeted sanctions that affect the senior political leadership of a regime like Libya have been shown to have an effect. We are also, as I mentioned, pursuing actions that will ensure that the perpetrators of violations of human rights are held accountable. And there is certainly a history of those kinds of perpetrators being held accountable in the international community. And, again, we will take these substantial actions and leave other potential actions on the table and evaluate as we go.

Q Jay, at the top you mentioned the U.S. embassy in Tripoli has been withdrawn. Is that right? Have you evacuated?

MR. CARNEY: It has been shuttered.

Q Okay. The pair of sanctions to stop violence immediately is pretty weak. What other steps, more forceful steps, could you take? How quickly could they come? Would more steps have to wait until Secretary Clinton goes to Geneva on Monday, for instance?

MR. CARNEY: Well, let me just say that there has never been a time when this much has been done this quickly. The United States has acted in concert with our international partners and with great deliberation and haste. I know that in the past few days it’s sometimes been frustrating when you’ve been able to question American officials about what we’re doing, and maybe haven’t gotten all the answers you want. I discussed this with the President just a few hours ago, or an hour ago.

The purpose -- the focus that he has is on our obligation to the security of American citizens and also getting the policy right. And I can assure you that has been the guide -- those have been the guiding principles as we’ve proceeded over the course of the last week.

Q Just to follow, there’s been reports that opponents of Qaddafi are taking control of some parts of Tripoli. What is your sense of events there today? And do you believe that Qaddafi is still in control of the capital?

MR. CARNEY: Well, I don’t want to be in a position of giving a play-by-play commentary on very dramatic events happening quite a long way away that we’re all watching on television. What I can say is that it’s clear that Colonel Qaddafi has lost the confidence of his people. He is overseeing the brutal treatment of his people; the fatal violence against his own people; and his legitimacy has been reduced to zero in the eyes of his people. So that’s what I’ll say about him.

Q Just one more thing. Does the President agree with French President Sarkozy that Qaddafi must leave?

MR. CARNEY: We have always said that that is a matter for the people of Libya to decide. But I would repeat what I just said. And because it is a matter for the people of Libya to decide, I think it is also clear that the people of Libya have expressed that his continued use of deadly violence, his clear violations of human rights, are totally unacceptable anywhere in the world. And the status quo is simply neither tenable nor acceptable. The Libyan people deserve a government now that protects the safety of its citizens, is responsive to their aspirations, and is broadly representative.

Yes, Jake.

Q Colonel Qaddafi does not seem all that tethered to reality, right now in particular. He’s been accusing -- and experts on Qaddafi say he actually believes that the protesters in the street are -- have been fed hallucinogens. How does the United States deal with a government -- this isn’t your typical dictator losing power. This is a man who by many accounts seems to be legitimately unstable and perhaps willing to burn the house down with him. How does that affect the policies that you go forward with?

MR. CARNEY: Well, Jake, we make our policy decisions based on some key principles, as you know, that I’ve enunciated, the President has enunciated, and others. And we evaluate the circumstances -- in this case, Libya. It’s not about personalities. It is about the expression of -- the peaceful expression of the dissatisfaction of the people of Libya with their leadership, and we support them in their aspirations.

But the actions we are taking I think in many ways answer your question. We are acting unilaterally and multilaterally in a way that we believe needs to be done to put pressure on the regime to cease this horrendous activity.

Q I understand that the decisions about the Libyan future and the Libyan government should be made by the Libyan people, but what’s the endgame here? How do you see this ending in the best-case scenario?

MR. CARNEY: The best-case scenario for any state in the region or the world is a government that is -- that treats its people well, that is responsive to the aspirations of its people, that includes its people in the political process in a democratic way, and that is a peaceful, responsible neighbor in its region of the world and in the international community. I mean that's --

Q Okay, but how about on -- how about in this actual situation?

MR. CARNEY: Well, I’m not going to plan out or predict for you the day-by-day progression towards that goal, which is -- which I believe is the goal that the Libyan people hold, as do we. This is obviously still a very, very fluid and dangerous situation in Libya, and a very fluid situation in the region. But the goal is very clear.

Q Last question. You mentioned that American intelligence was going to be working on this. Could you elaborate at all on that?

MR. CARNEY: No, I can’t elaborate, but what I can say is that the United States is committed to utilizing the full extent of its capabilities to monitor the Qaddafi regime’s behavior, to ensure that evidence is gathered of further violence or atrocities against -- committed against the Libyan people.

Yes, Dan.

Q I know that the administration, the President in particular, has been hesitant to mention Qaddafi’s name. There was a lot of concern about Americans still on the ground potentially being held hostage. So now that it appears that most of the Americans who wanted to get out have gotten out, can we expect stronger language now from the President, perhaps calling him out by name?

MR. CARNEY: Well, I don’t want to put words in the President’s mouth for the next time he speaks, but I think you’ve heard me use some pretty strong language against Colonel Qaddafi and --

Q But we haven’t heard that from the President himself.

MR. CARNEY: Dan, I think I expressed when I came out here that there has been a clear reason for the way we have handled ourselves this week. The airplane that carried American citizens, the remaining American citizens that we wanted to get evacuated from Libya, was wheels up less than an hour ago.

So I would just say that your analysis of the situation is fairly accurate, and it’s been all of a half an hour or so since those American citizens were in flight towards Istanbul.

Q So much has been asked already about this leader who really is unpredictable in terms of what he’s going to do. Is there really a sense of uncertainty -- you can do all that you have just talked about in sanctions, freezing assets and so forth, but again, this isn’t Egypt, this isn’t any other dictator that the U.S. has been dealing with. Is it really just a crapshoot here?

MR. CARNEY: I’ve said and others have said that each country is different. Each situation that we have encountered in the region in the past number of weeks has been different. And Libya is fairly distinct in a number of ways.

What we can do, guided by the principles we’ve discussed, is pursue a policy that protects American citizens, reflects our fundamental belief that the people of Libya deserve a government that treats them well, doesn’t kill them indiscriminately, that is responsive to their needs and reflects their aspirations, and allows them to participate in a democratic process.

We can also take actions that -- some of which I’ve discussed from here and specifics -- some of the specifics of which you will hear later that we believe can put more pressure on the Libyan regime, can hold it accountable, can isolate it in order to get it to change its behavior.

Chip.

Q Jay, do we expect to hear from the President on this at some point?

MR. CARNEY: I don't have any announcements about the next time the President will address this.

Q What exactly is he doing? Is he making -- is he going to be making more calls? What is his role in the coming days as this -- it’s all implemented?

MR. CARNEY: Well, I think I read out to you the series of calls to foreign leaders specifically on this issue that he has made. I’m sure there will be more going forward. He’s obviously constantly being briefed by his national security team; Tom Donilon, the National Security Advisor. There was a principals committee meeting that lasted two hours or so in the Situation Room earlier today that ended not that long ago -- again, one of the reasons why I wanted to wait for that to end before I came out here. So his participation is robust.

Q Sanctions take a while not only to feel the effect but also to take effect. What is the timeline here for these sanctions to actually go into effect and then for them actually to be felt?

MR. CARNEY: The mechanics of the sanctions, which actually haven’t been finalized, I'll leave to others to describe once the -- they’ve been finalized. But understand that as we reviewed the options available to us, we had a great interest in pursuing those that could be implemented quickly. And again, without putting specific timelines on implementation, some of the things that we’re considering doing are the things that we can move most quickly on.

Q When you say quickly, and I know you can’t put a specific timeline, but are we talking days or are we talking weeks?

MR. CARNEY: Again, it’s a -- there are a range of things that we’re able to do; the specifics you’ll be hearing about in the near future. And the different -- there are timelines about -- in terms of how things are implemented that I can’t characterize.

Q Okay. I know I’m beating a dead horse here, but when you say “near future” do you mean next week sometime?

MR. CARNEY: Sooner than that, Chip.

Q Okay. Over the weekend, perhaps?

MR. CARNEY: I’m not going to get more specific. (Laughter.)

Q Can I ask you one last question?

MR. CARNEY: Sure.

Q -- wear him down. (Laughter.)

Q How about before Friday at 8:30 p.m.? (Laughter.)

Q When you were -- when there were discussions going on back there about being careful to say things while there were still Americans who wanted to get out on the ground, were there discussions of fears of what happened 30 years ago -- I think it was 30 years ago -- in Iran? Were there specific discussions about the Iranian hostage crisis in saying that’s exactly what we want to avoid?

MR. CARNEY: Not that I’m aware of at all, Chip. There weren’t historical references that I’m aware of. I just -- I want to be clear about this, that the President, in order to focus on his priorities of getting the policy right, protecting American citizens -- the obligation that we all have here and that he has ahead of all of us -- we’re certainly willing to take a few days of consternation in the press in order to get it right. And I’m not saying that -- I mean, this is still a fluid situation. Obviously the situation in Libya remains dangerous and unresolved, as it does in -- I mean, the situation in the whole region remains unresolved in different ways.

But all I would say is I would encourage everyone to remember as these events unfold and we deal with them, that the goals we have are peaceful reactions to peaceful demonstrations; respect for the universal rights of the peoples of these countries where there are demonstrations, and their aspirations; and reform -- responsiveness from the governments that will lead to greater stability and greater prosperity, we believe.

And that is, in the end, very good for the people in the region, for the peoples of these countries, and very good for the United States of America. And that's what we’re focused on. That's what the President is focused on.

Yes, Wendell.

Q Does the U.S. have any contact with members of the Libyan opposition?

MR. CARNEY: I’m not aware of the discussions that we may be having with different folks in Libya.

Q Earlier this week, P.J. Crowley at State said that we had tried for a couple of days to get the ferry into port before the weather had stuck it there for a while, and it was unclear whether we’d been unable to get it in because of chaos or whether the Libyan government actually opposed -- frustrated our attempts to get it in. Have we determined yet what the hold-up was?

MR. CARNEY: Wendell, on the operation that was designed to evacuate American citizens and embassy personnel, I would refer you to the State Department. I can say that the very important thing is that that ferry did depart, and as did the airplane that left a little later, not long ago.

Q The reason I asked is because other countries were able to get -- to evacuate citizens earlier, and I wondered whether the Libyans actually frustrated our attempts.

MR. CARNEY: I would refer you to the State Department on that operation.

Q On another matter, will the President, in light of his 2007 comments, walk a picket line in Wisconsin?

MR. CARNEY: What I said, Wendell, yesterday I think holds true today, which is the President has a variety of ways to communicate his views on various matters, including the rights of America’s working men and women. And I would just say that whatever shoes he’s wearing, he is always standing with America’s working men and women and America’s middle class.

Q On union rights, do public sector unions and private sector unions have different rights and responsibilities?

MR. CARNEY: I’m not sure what you’re asking exactly.

Q I’m asking if -- because private sector unions ultimately are competing with, if you will -- not competing but negotiating with board members, and because public sector unions are ultimately negotiating with taxpayers, do they have different responsibilities and rights?

MR. CARNEY: What we have said and what the President has said is that with regard to what’s happening in the states now, as the states address their fiscal situations, everybody needs to tighten their belts, everybody needs to sacrifice and work together to bring state budgets into balance, to bring stability to the fiscal situations in the states, much as we need to work together at the federal level. And that’s our position.

Josh.

Q Jay, first, anything that Congress has to pass on these sanctions? Have you guys figured that out yet? Do you need congressional --

MR. CARNEY: Not that I’m aware of.

Q All this can be done with executive orders?

MR. CARNEY: I believe that’s true, but if it’s not we will get back to you. [**FOLLOW-UP: The sanctions that President Obama will impose against Libya do not require Congressional approval.]

Q Have you done any consulting with Capitol Hill yet or not yet?

MR. CARNEY: I have to take that.

Q Second, given that the issue of American citizens being in Libya sort of tied the hands of what you could say today versus what you said yesterday and all of these things, have you learned some lessons from this? Are you dealing differently in places like Bahrain, in Yemen, in Jordan? Are any warnings to be given -- here’s Libya, in the middle of Egypt and Tunisia, and we waited until I believe February 20th is the first time even a suggestion was made for American citizens to start thinking about getting out.

MR. CARNEY: Well, Chuck, what I would say, again, is that every country is different, as I’ve said before. And the situations that we’ve seen in the countries where there has been unrest have been different. And we are always evaluating the actions we take and, if you will, doing after-action analyses of the actions we take. But this is obviously ongoing.

What I would say is that one of the lessons we have taken from this is that we need to focus on our core priorities, not on the understandable desire at different points along the way to express how we feel in a way that could sometimes be counterproductive to our long-term goals of the policies that we need to pursue, or to the safety of American citizens.

Q Is there a review going on right now?

MR. CARNEY: Not that I’m aware of, Chuck. This is --

Q No, I understand that --

MR. CARNEY: There's a great to deal --

Q -- but given what happened in Libya --

MR. CARNEY: Sure.

Q -- and the situation where basically you guys couldn’t announce these things today until you knew that airplane was wheels up. Is that why this --

MR. CARNEY: But, Chuck --

Q -- that's why you waited --

MR. CARNEY: Let me point -- well, again, I’m not -- there are a variety of reasons why things have unfolded the way they have. I would also remind you of what I said before, that this has been a very rapid effort to work with our international partners, to analyze and select the options that we want to take. And I know we live in a world where a great deal is happening all at once and where much of it is being witnessed live on television, and that that creates an understandable demand for urgency.

But I can say, again, if you look at the history of how these things are handled, there has been great haste in moving to the point where we are today.

Q Going to this intelligence, the intelligence assets that you were saying, and I know -- this is beyond CIA, so it’s every part of the American intelligence community, whether it’s the Defense, parts of the Air Force intelligence, Army intelligence, Defense Department -- I mean, not just -- I mean, can you at least elaborate on what parts of the intelligence community?

MR. CARNEY: The full extent.

Q The full extent.

MR. CARNEY: The full extent.

Q And is it just observational?

MR. CARNEY: That's all I’m going to say about it. The point is, is that we intend to participate with our international partners in an effort to hold accountable those who have committed atrocities and human rights abuses.

Helene, how are you?

Q I’m good. How are you, Jay? Since sanctions by their very nature take so long to go into effect, whether they’re multilateral or bilateral, what sort of steps are you taking that are immediate right now beyond shuttering the embassy that could influence Colonel Qaddafi? Are there messages that we’re relaying to him? Are there --

MR. CARNEY: Well, again, I think without getting ahead of the specific -- the announcement of the specific sanctions, the things that we are pursuing, timelines are different depending on the action that's being taken.

In terms of communicating to the regime, I think that the expression of what we are doing, both as one country and collectively with our international partners, is very clear and loud. We are talking about the isolation of this regime and the -- and isolating of this regime and the taking of measures that put, we hope, the kind of pressure on it that needs to be put on it in order to get it to stop behaving the way it’s been behaving, which has de-legitimized it in the eyes of the Libyan people and the world. So I think -- that message is, I think, being delivered and heard.

Scott.

Q To follow, so is the intention of the sanctions to punish this government for what it’s already done, or to help push it from power?

MR. CARNEY: The intent of the sanctions -- actually, the answer is neither. The intent of the sanctions is to make it clear that the regime has to stop its abuses. It has to stop the bloodshed. The determination about who should govern Libya has to be made and will be made by the Libyan people. As I have made clear from here, it is clear to us and we believe to the Libyan people and to the world at large, that the Qaddafi regime and Colonel Qaddafi himself has lost the confidence of his people, and it is for them to decide who should leave.

Q I’m sorry, just quickly. It sounds like they have decided, right? I mean, in your eyes said that -- legitimacy of Qaddafi’s government is zero, in their eyes. Given that they’re facing a well-armed government with little conscience, isn’t there more that the United States can do to support those aspirations? They want the government to change.

MR. CARNEY: Again, Scott, I think I’ve made clear that the options -- the actions we will be taking, we have taken already, and we will take in the near future are not the endpoint for us. We will be constantly reviewing the options that we have, that are available to us, and certainly leave open the possibility of taking further action as necessary.

Yes.

Q Jay, I was wondering, just to clarify, do we know that all Americans are now out with that last chartered flight? Are there any of them left that you know of?

MR. CARNEY: I would refer you to the State Department on that. I don’t want to state with any sort of certitude something I don’t have a specific answer for. I know that we spent a great deal of time ensuring that American personnel and Americans who wanted to be evacuated were evacuated.

Q And you mentioned the Situation Room meeting a few hours ago with principals and such. Is there any contemplation of a military, U.S. military role, at some point?

MR. CARNEY: I think I would just refer you to what I’ve said, which is we are not -- the action we are taking, which I elaborated on in my reading time at the beginning of this briefing, are pretty detailed and those are the things we’re going to be doing in the near term, but we are not removing options off the table at this point.

Mr. Nicholas.

Q Thank you. Has there been an evolution in this administration’s foreign policy posture over the last few years from one of valuing stability in the Middle East, maybe moving in a more pro-democratic direction, favoring aspirations -- meeting aspirations and human rights? When we look at what the President said at the U.N. General Assembly last fall and what Secretary of State Clinton said at Doha talking about regimes falling into the sand, slipping into the sand -- has there been sort of a pro-democratic tilt or shift in the President’s policy since he took office?

MR. CARNEY: Peter, I would point you to the speech the President made in Cairo, which spoke very clearly about his view on the universal rights of the people of the world, including the peoples in that region, and the need for the countries in that region to listen to the aspirations of their people and to act accordingly in terms of bringing reforms about, precisely because stability is important -- not precisely because, but because the aspirations of the people need to be heard and listened to and respected. But these are not conflicting goals, in his view.

And so I think there’s been great consistency, in his view. One thing we’ve also made clear, that he has made clear, is that these movements that we’ve seen have been true grassroots movements where the voices of the people of these countries have been heard. And it’s important that that be seen to be the case for their success, because it’s important that the people of the countries own the process. And that is one of the goals we have as we negotiate, navigate our way through these very historic times that we’re in.

Q Follow?

MR. CARNEY: Let me get somebody I haven’t -- yes.

Q Me?

MR. CARNEY: No, I’m sorry.

Q Me?

MR. CARNEY: Not you, sorry.

Q Thank you. Just going to follow up on Scott’s question. You talk about isolation. Why would the regime, who’s fighting a battle of survival, would care about any measures that you’re going to take, whether it’s going to take weeks or even days, because many people don't expect the Qaddafi regime to survive even by next week. So for him, any behavior is not going to -- any measure is not going to moderate his behavior because it’s a matter of life or death for him.

MR. CARNEY: Well, again, I’m not going to -- well, I’m not going to speak for what -- how the -- or predict how the regime will behave. I know that we are taking the kinds of actions that we can both unilaterally and with our international partners to influence his behavior -- the regime’s behavior, to isolate the regime, and to hold it accountable.

Yes.

Q Thank you, Jay. We noticed there was a call to the Bahraini Crown Prince, and there was a statement, as well, applauding the Algerians who are lifting the emergency law. What is the President trying to say to these leaders? Is he trying to salvage their chances of staying in power, or tell them to get their act together because they’re going to be next?

MR. CARNEY: The President’s message in these conversations and the message that has been carried by other American officials in conversations, similar ones, has been the same, and it goes back to the principles we’ve enunciated, which is, reform is necessary. Responsiveness to the aspirations of the people is necessary. And so when steps are taken that are in that direction, we have acknowledged that as positive. But it is not in any case about picking leaders or deciding who should be in power. That is up to the people of the region and the countries.

Q And one more on Libya. You said you were gathering information and evidence about crimes against humanity in Libya. Would the United States support the British proposal asking the International Criminal Court of issuing an indictment against Libyan officials for crimes against humanity?

MR. CARNEY: I think what -- let me find it here, that I mentioned at the top. We obviously are interested in holding accountable the -- those who perpetrated human rights violations and atrocities in Libya. And we -- I’m sorry, I’m getting a little -- I want to make sure I have the right name for this process -- in any case -- getting lost in paper here. But the answer is, without getting into specifics about the procedures, the steps we are taking, the steps we support are clearly designed to work with the international community to make sure there is accountability.

Yes -- I’m sorry -- yes, you.

Q Oh, thank you, Jay. Mike.

MR. CARNEY: Mike, right.

Q So you’ve made it clear that you don't believe it’s appropriate for the U.S. government to dictate the outcome and to actually call for Muammar Qaddafi’s removal from office. But let’s say somehow he is able to hold on and the protests fade. Is he somebody the government could think about doing business with in the future? Would you be willing to normalize relationships? Would you be willing to staff that embassy again?

MR. CARNEY: Mike, I want to make sure you heard what I said. It is very clear that Colonel Qaddafi has lost the confidence of the Libyan people, and we have always said that it is up to the Libyan people to decide who their leader should be. His continued use of deadly violence against his own people in clear violations of human rights are totally unacceptable anywhere in the world. The status quo is neither tenable nor acceptable, and the Libyan people deserve a government now that protects their safety, is responsive to their aspirations, and is broadly representative.

Again, it’s not about personalities for us. It is about principles. And in the end, it is about respecting the desires and aspirations of the people of Libya and of the other countries that have been affected by this unrest.

Yes, I’m sorry -- with the glasses, sir.

Q Hi. Thank you, Jay. The President’s determination earlier in the week that sex orientation classifications lead to heightened scrutiny led him to determine that section three of DOMA was unconstitutional. In that letter that the attorney general sent to Speaker Boehner, he said that pursuant to the President’s instructions, this would be applied in other cases, which yesterday was applied to two cases in the Second Circuit. My question is, did the President give any instructions to the Justice Department regarding his view of the constitutionality of the status of “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the appeal of which, in Log Cabin versus -- Log Cabin Republicans is due today?

MR. CARNEY: As you mentioned, the appeal is due today. I don’t have -- we don’t have -- we have to wait for that final brief.

Q But did the President give any instructions?

MR. CARNEY: Not that I’m aware of. As you know, we are very supportive of and glad that Congress repealed “don’t ask, don’t tell” and we are monitoring and glad that the process is proceeding smoothly and efficiently, the process of repeal. But on the brief and the President’s instructions, I don’t have anything for you.

Q But what you had said regarding the DOMA briefs was that the President -- that the deadline had forced the administration’s hand. Did the -- has the administration in any way reacted to today’s deadline?

MR. CARNEY: Well, I think, as you’ve said, the Department of Justice is going to file a final brief. And we will see what that says. But we expect the brief to say the following: reiterate -- number one, reiterating that the courts should not decide the case or the constitutional question, due to the pending repeal, which should be effective in a matter of months. As I said, the repeal is proceeding smoothly and efficiently. Our goal was to have it repealed. It has been repealed. And that process of the repeal is now proceeding efficiently and smoothly, which is a good thing.

Q So the President has not said that he believes that --

MR. CARNEY: Again, I think I said --

Q -- “don’t ask, don’t tell” is unconstitutional?

MR. CARNEY: Not that I know of. No.

Yes, ma’am.

Q Yes. Victoria.

MR. CARNEY: Yes, Victoria.

Q Jay, there are now violent spreading demonstrations in Iraq. How is the U.S. government coordinating with the Iraqi government to respond to those demonstrations? And what is the level of concern that if these demonstrations are ongoing, that could affect U.S. troop levels?

MR. CARNEY: The approach we’ve taken with regard to Iraq is the same that we’ve taken with regard to the region, which is that the governments in the region need to be responsive to the -- and listen to the voices of their people and to respond to demonstrations in a peaceful manner. We remain very much on track as regards our policy of drawing down our forces. And certainly I see no reason with regard to your question for that policy to be in any way affected.

Q They’ll all be involved in any way in the response to the demonstrations in Iraq.

MR. CARNEY: In what way? I mean, we are -- we obviously have an embassy there that works with and consults with the government and we have military presence there that now serves in an assist posture, advise-and-assist posture, but nothing exceptional that I’m aware of.

Q Jay, it’s sort of two questions, but it’s the same question, really. Prior to the decision of this administration to propose sanctions, did the administration reach out to other governments in the region like Saudi Arabia or Jordan before that? And what reactions did they give you?

MR. CARNEY: I don’t have anything for you on conversations like that. I think we’ve read out the President’s calls. But -- yes.

Q A follow-up on my own question. Sorry. The President --

MR. CARNEY: Was that somebody else’s? (Laughter.)

Q The President spoke with allies -- obviously, the Prime Minister and -- Berlusconi, et cetera, Sarkozy. Was there any discussions of a unified multilateral approach to these emerging governments that are coming out almost week by week in terms of an overall --

MR. CARNEY: Emerging governments --

Q Well, Libya and Egypt and Bahrain. These -- there’s changes in terms of how they would approach these new entities, basically.

MR. CARNEY: Not that I know of in that regard. I mean, the discussion has been focused on --

Q Just Libya right now?

MR. CARNEY: Principally, yes. The phone calls that I have mentioned at the top have been focused on Libya.

Jonathan.

Q Thank you. The British sent a warship, the HMS Cumberland, to help with the evacuation of British citizens from Libya. The United States has a Marine amphibious ship, the Kearsarge, in the Red Sea. Is there any thought right now of moving U.S. naval assets to the coast of Libya? And if not, why not show the flag in that way?

MR. CARNEY: I would refer you to the Defense Department for how we deploy our forces. And I think when you talked about -- when you talked the British ship, I believe you said to evacuate its people -- well, we have evacuated Americans. So I’m not sure what the question is getting at.

Q Well, the question is why has the United States not used military assets to show the flag and to show its possible support for the rebellion in Libya?

MR. CARNEY: Well, Jonathan, I would just point you to the steps we are taking and to the fact that we are not taking any options off the table in the future. And I’ll leave it at that.

Q Thanks, Jay.

Q And wait -- one more. The NAC -- did the United States call the NAC meeting, the North American Counsel meeting, today?

MR. CARNEY: I don't know. I’m sorry. Thanks, guys.

Q On the CR? There -- the CR is being written --

MR. CARNEY: I’ll take one question on it, yes.

Q Yes, you need to.

Q The CR is being written both by the Republicans in the House and the Democrats in the Senate, which would be two to four weeks, which include cuts that the President proposed for his FY2011 budget. Would he accept either of those CRs? They’d be short -- so it would be about $4 billion in cuts.

MR. CARNEY: We are glad that the leaders of Congress are working on this issue. We have said that the process is on Capitol Hill. The House has passed something. The Senate needs to pass something. We continue to believe that -- all of us agree that a government shutdown would be bad for the economy. It would create a great deal of uncertainty and potential instability and might have a negative impact on the economy, as well as specific impacts that wouldn’t be good. And we believe that a compromise can be reached. But I’m not going to speculate on a position -- what position we may or may not hold down the road.

Q Jay, Boehner’s office --

Q But the idea of a two to four week --

MR. CARNEY: I’m not going to -- Ann, again, I’m not going to comment on specific proposals that are ideas that are being thrown out there. We’ll let the --

Q But the concept for --

MR. CARNEY: I’m not going to comment on concepts, either. Thanks very much.

Q Week ahead?

MR. CARNEY: You brought me back. Should we -- do you want me to read the week ahead or should I --

Q Come back to the mic.

MR. CARNEY: I’m sorry, do you want me to read the week ahead? I can or we can just --

Q Yes.

MR. CARNEY: -- just send it, we can e-mail it. But I am -- for the sake of everyone, we will do this quickly if I can find it.

Yes -- okay, the week ahead.

On Sunday the President and First Lady will welcome the National Governors Association to the White House for the 2011 Governors Dinner. The Vice President and Dr. Biden will also attend. The evening will feature performances by the Marine Corps Band and music legend Gladys Knight.

On Monday, the President and the Vice President --

Q No Pips?

Q Are the Pips going? (Laughter.)

MR. CARNEY: We’ll find out. I will ask about the Pips. (Laughter.)

On Monday, the President and the Vice President will host a meeting with a bipartisan group of governors at the White House. The First Lady and Dr. Biden will also speak at this meeting.

Later on Monday, the President will meet with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon at the White House and will discuss the humanitarian diplomatic legal and other actions needed to put a stop to violence against civilians and to ensure that U.N. agencies and U.N. members mobilize to provide humanitarian assistance to Libya’s people.

Q Do you have a list of governors that he’s meeting --

MR. CARNEY: This is the NGA.

Q Do we know which governors are participating in that meeting?

MR. CARNEY: I'll have to -- we’ll have to see if we can get that. I don't know that we have that.

On Tuesday, the President will attend meetings at the White House.

On Wednesday, the President will award the 2010 National Medal of Arts and National Humanities in a ceremony at the White House. The First Lady will also attend.

On Thursday the President will meet with his national security team for his monthly meeting on Afghanistan and Pakistan. Later the President will welcome President Calderón of Mexico to the White House to discuss our important bilateral relationship and key global issues.

On Friday, the President will travel to Miami, Florida, to discuss his plan for winning the future. While in Miami the President will also attend a DSCC fundraiser.

And that is the week ahead. Thanks, guys.

END

3:23 P.M. EST

• Dax Ausblick 2011, Gratis Haben Sie ein Vermögen über 250T€? Für Sie wichtige Studie anfordern! Gruener-Fisher.de/DAX-Prognose

• Liebe ab 30 Finden Sie Ihre neue Liebe fürs Leben www.heartbooker.de

• Großer Online Katzenshop Über 3.000 Artikel im Katzenshop 10% für Neukunden, portofrei ab 19€ www.zooplus.de/katzen/katzenshop

• 4,2% Tagesgeld-Zinsen Tagesgeld-Konten mit Top-Zinsen im aktuellsten Online-Vergleich! Tagesgeld.Vergleich.de