Iran, North Korea cloud Obama, Lee interaction with press

October 18, 2011 · Posted in stock options trading · Comment 
Tejinder Singh – AHN News Correspondent

Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – President Barack Obama on Thursday shelved his policy of diplomatic negotiations as he noted his administration’s goal to make “sure that they (Iranians) pay a price,” while seeking to “isolate” Iran — not only over the alleged assassination plot, but over its nuclear program and ties to terrorism.

Addressing a joint press conference with visiting South Korean president Lee Myung Bak at the White House, Obama refused to say explicitly whether he believed Iran’s leaders knew about a plot to assassinate the Saudi Arabian ambassador in Washington, but the Iranians should be held accountable in any event, reiterated Obama.

“Even if at the highest levels there was not detailed operational knowledge, there has to be accountability with respect to anybody in the Iranian government engaging in this kind of activity,” Obama said.

President asserted himself when he replied to one conservative channel correspondent saying, “Well I did not know you were the spokesman for Romney.”

Smiling Obama answered when he was asked if he considered the alleged Iranian assassination plot to be “an act of war.”

The journalist framed his question citing Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney as saying earlier, “what specific steps will you take to hold Iran accountable? Especially when Mitt Romney charged last week, quote, ‘If you do not want America to be the strongest nation on Earth, I am not your President. You have that president today.’”

On the recent nod from U.S. Congress for the free trade agreement with Korea, President Lee said he is confident Korean parliament will ratify the deal soon.

“I am confident that the Korea National Assembly will soon ratify this very important agreement in the near future,” Lee said. “It is a win-win agreement that will benefit both of our economies in countless ways.”

Calling the FTA an “historic milestone,” Lee said the countries have set an example of job creation and economic growth through free trade.

Highlighting the ongoing concern in Europe, Lee noted the global economy’s present challenges, saying, “the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement will demonstrate to the world that we can create good quality jobs and stimulate growth through open and fair trade.”

Obama summed up the agreement effect as, “In short, this agreement will boost American exports by up to $11 billion and support some 70,000 American jobs.”

The occasion was also used by Obama to warn North Korea, saying, “If Pyongyang continues to ignore its international obligations, it will invite even more pressure and isolation.”

“If the North abandons its quest for nuclear weapons and moves toward denuclearization, it will enjoy greater security and opportunity for its people,” Obama offered as a choice for North Korea.

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State Department connects diplomacy abroad with domestic job creation

October 4, 2011 · Posted in stock options trading · Comment 
Tejinder Singh – AHN News Correspondent

Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The top U.S. diplomat on Tuesday urged American companies to get involved in the umpteen opportunities emerging across the world to boost jobs at home while cautioning the lawmakers that trimming budget of diplomacy would risk cutting domestic jobs.

Addressing a select audience of business leaders from around the nation at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition in Washington, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged American companies to “roll up their sleeves, get out there and engage with the economic opportunities that are emerging across the world.”

Citing her “two and a half years as your secretary of state, traveling nearly 600,000 miles,” Clinton said, “I have reached one over-arching conclusion. Simply put, we need to up our game.”

“We need to double-down on what we do well and add new tools and techniques to compete effectively in the 21st century, to be strong at home and to lead abroad,” Secretary Clinton said.

In a significant caution to Congress, Clinton said if there is a cut in the State Department budget due to the current deficit crisis, other countries are poised to take advantage.

“The 1% of our budget we spend on all diplomacy and development is not what is driving our deficit. Not only can we afford to maintain a strong civilian presence, we cannot afford not to,” noted Secretary Clinton.

Explaining further, Clinton said, “The simple truth is, if we don’t seize the opportunities available today, other countries will; other countries will fight for their companies while ours fend for themselves. Other countries will promote their own models and serve their own interests, instead of opening markets, reinforcing the rule of law and creating widespread inclusive growth,” adding, “Other countries will create the jobs that should be created here, and even claim the mantle of global leadership.”

On the untiring work being performed by the American diplomats abroad, the top diplomat cited Open Skies agreements with countries as one of the showpieces saying that $120 million impact is felt on Tennessee’s economy with a direct flight from Memphis to Amsterdam with a support for over 2,200 local jobs.

“These agreements may not create headlines, but they do create jobs,” Clinton added,

At a briefing later at the State Department, Robert D. Hormats, Under Secretary for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs told journalists that the State Department is pursing a policy abroad that results in job creations back home in the United States.

Enlarging upon the Secretary Clinton’s speech, Hormats said, “We are very cognizant of the fact that, in this country, a number of people are struggling. We understand the particular importance of the State Department not only conducting a vigorous international economic policy but also connecting with the concerns and the aspirations and the interests of working people in America.”

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