President Obama: Proud of Achievements, Not Satisfied

Marking his first one hundred days in office, President Obama reflected upon what has already been achieved, but also on what is yet to come.

“I think we’re off to a good start. But it’s just a start. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, but I’m not content,” Obama said in an hourlong, nationally televised press conference from the East Room of the White House.

“We still confront threats ranging from terrorism to nuclear proliferation as well as pandemic flu. And all this means you can expect an unrelenting, unyielding effort from this administration to strengthen our prosperity and our security — in the second hundred days, and the third hundred days, and all the days after that,” the president said … (more)

Shared Values Bring Us Closer

An OpEd by Chargé d'Affaires Dave Keegan, as it appeared in the The Press of Wednesday April 29, 2009.

Around the world pundits are getting ready to pass judgement on the first 100 days of the Obama Administration, ending today.  US diplomat Dave Keegan gives a perspective on the US-New Zealand relationship.

With long experience as a U.S. diplomat, and from my front-row seat as Chargé d’Affaires at our Embassy in Wellington, I have noticed significant changes in U.S. foreign policy and in the way the U.S. is interacting with the world since January 20. There can be no doubt that the global challenges are grave. Obvious solutions are not always ready-to-hand but I would like to share with you some of the United States’ efforts to work with New Zealand and the wider international community to tackle, step-by-step, our shared challenges.  This snapshot covers just 14 days - much has happened before and even since … [more]

In Commemoration of ANZAC Day: Along with you, we remember

Statement by Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State
Washington, DC, April 23, 2009

On April 25, the American people join Australians and New Zealanders across the globe in remembering and honoring those who have served with distinction in the defense forces of their countries over many decades.

ANZAC Day is a day of respect and remembrance, a day to mark a defining event for Australia and New Zealand - Gallipoli - where courage and loyalty demonstrated the intrepid character of two young nations, whose heroes now rest in peace in the soil of a friendly country.

The United States recognizes the profound importance of the ANZAC tradition to the history and cultural identity of both countries. Along with you, we pay our respects and express gratitude to your dedicated troops. Most importantly, along with you, we remember. [full text]

U.S. Marines Support ANZAC Day

Marines from the U.S. Embassy's Marine Guard Detachment have joined New Zealand service personnel celebrating Poppy Day in Wellington.  The Marines helped to distribute ANZAC Day poppies at the Wellington railway station; evoking echoes of World War Two when the railway station was the gateway to Wellington for U.S. Marines stationed along the Kapiti Coast.

"The war gave rise to a camaraderie between Kiwis and those visiting Marines that we still feel," said Marine Detachment Commander SSgt Jarrod Birchler.

"New Zealanders have extended warm friendship to me and my Marines, and we especially feel a connection with NZDF personnel, all tracing back to those days.  Joining Kiwis in remembering and honoring their service seems like the most natural thing in the world for us to do."

Funds collected will be used by the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services Association (RNZRSA) for a variety of welfare activities, providing funds specifically for the assistance of returned servicemen and women and their dependants in need.

General Petraeus lays a wreath at the Anzac Day dawn service in Tampa, FL.

U.S. General Joins New Zealanders at ANZAC Service

General David Petraeus, of the United States Army, joined New Zealand and Australian Defence Force personnel as the senior guest at the Anzac Day dawn service at MacDill Air Force base in Tampa, Florida on 25 April.  General Petraeus is the Commander of US Central Command and served as the Commanding General of the Multi-National Force in Iraq from January 2007 to September 2008.

The service was attended by 150 people including New Zealand Senior National Representative to US Central Command Air Commodore Dick Newlands, and Australian, Turkish, British, French and Canadian military representatives.  The service was followed by a breakfast at the Officers’ Club.
 
Air Commodore Newlands said, “General Petraeus laid a wreath on behalf of the US military, which was well represented at the service by five General and Flag officers.  He was well versed in the significance of Anzac Day, having attended previous Anzac Services in Iraq and elsewhere.”

ANZAC Day Service Attended by Embassy

Dr David Keegan, Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in New Zealand, attended the National ANZAC Day service at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington.  As part of the service, Dr Keegan laid a wreath on behalf of the United States, in tribute to the Kiwi service men and women commemorated on ANZAC Day.

"To honor all New Zealanders who gave their lives so that we may live in freedom. With enduring friendship, David Keegan, Charge d’ Affairs, Embassy of the United States of America," read the message on the wreath.

Earth Day: A New Foundation for Economic Growth

Speaking at a wind tower production facility, President obama laid out his vision for a new clean energy economy, energy independance, keeping pollution out of the air and water, and finally addressing the climate change problem that has been neglected for decades in Washington.

The President explained that that the economy must shift to a sustainable, environmentally sound basis to generate future prosperity, declaring that "on this Earth Day, it is time for us to lay a new foundation for economic growth."

He went on to explain that the days of treating environmental concerns as obstacles to economic growth are over, and that instead environmental challenges must be considered opportunities for innovation. "the choice we face is not between saving our environment and saving our economy.  The choice we face is between prosperity and decline," he said.
 

Good Samaritan Honoured

Minister McCully and Secretary Clinton sign agreement to further collaborate on nuclear non-proliferation.

US-NZ Relationship Moves from Strength to Strength

Meeting New Zealand’s Foreign Minister McCully in Washington D.C. the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton remarked that "the US-New Zealand relationship is the best it has been in 25 years and we look forward to building on the progress we have already made".

Minister McCully agreed saying, “It was an excellent meeting. I came away confident that the impetus and commitment the New Zealand government intends to bring to this important relationship will be reciprocated,” Mr McCully said. “Discussions covered a range of issues, including Asia, the Pacific, Afghanistan, nuclear non-proliferation issues relating to North Korea and Iran, and cooperation in Antarctica."

Mr. McCully also welcomed President Obama’s recent leadership on the elimination of nuclear weapons.  At the conclusion of today’s meeting, he and Secretary Clinton signed an agreement for New Zealand’s fourth contribution to the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction … (more)

Secretary Clinton Opens Antarctic Treaty Meeting

Calling the Antarctic “one of the planet’s most remote, beautiful and dangerous places,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton opened the joint session of the 2009 Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting on April 6.

The historic meeting, hosted by the United States in Baltimore April 6–17, marks the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty.  Secretary Clinton described Antarctic Treaty as being written to meet the challenges of a previous time, but that its genius lies in its relevance for today.

"The treaty is a blueprint for the kind of international cooperation that will be needed more and more to address the challenges of the 21st century, and it is an example of smart power at its best. Governments coming together around a common interest and citizens, scientists, and institutions from different countries joined in scientific collaboration to advance peace and understanding," she said.

This year's meeting also marks the conclusion of the International Polar year, and brings together nearly 400 diplomats, Antarctic program managers and logistics experts, along with polar scientists from 47 countries, to discuss environmental protection, polar science and tourism.  [full text]

Seeking a world without nuclear weapons

Speaking in Prague on April 5, President Obama has declared the U.S. commitment to work toward a world free from nuclear weapons.  Calling upon all nuclear weapon states to join the U.S. in this goal, the President nonetheless recognised that "as the only nuclear power to have used a nuclear weapon, the United States has a moral responsibility to act. We cannot succeed in this endeavour alone, but we can lead it".

He has vowed that the U.S. will begin a sequence of concrete steps towards this goal, including:

 •  reducing the role of nuclear weapons in U.S. security strategy;
 •  vigorous negotiation with other nuclear states on strategic arms reduction, a new treaty with Russia this year as just a first step;
 •  aggressive pursuit of U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty;
 •  seeking a new treaty to cease the production of fissile materials intended for use in state nuclear weapons;
 •  working with the international community to strengthen the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty;
 •  and announcing a new international effort to secure all vulnerable nuclear material around the world within four years.

The President acknowledged that a nuclear weapon free world is a long term goal, but one that must be pursued immediately and with full conviction.  "This goal will not be reached quickly - perhaps not in my lifetime. It would take patience and persistence. But now we, too, must ignore the voices who tell us that the world cannot change," he said.  [full text]