U.S. CONGRATULATES PEOPLE OF UGANDA ON THEIR INDEPENDENCE DAY

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 
Uganda National Day Message
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
October 9, 2013

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Uganda as you celebrate the 51st anniversary of your independence on October 9.

On this day, we recognize and applaud the progress Uganda has achieved since its independence. Uganda and the United States enjoy a strong partnership, rooted in our shared commitment to achieving a prosperous, healthy, and democratic Uganda at the heart of a peaceful and secure region.

Uganda’s efforts, with U.S. support, have improved security and stability in Somalia and made progress in defeating the Lord’s Resistance Army in Central Africa. For decades, the LRA has terrorized the region. Thanks to Uganda’s leadership, the LRA has been significantly weakened and its threat reduced.

I am committed to continuing our support to help Uganda and its regional partners end the LRA threat and bring the remaining top LRA leaders to justice, including through the expanded State Department’s War Crimes Rewards Program. We will continue to help these governments hold war criminals accountable and bring a measure of justice to LRA-affected communities.

The United States remains committed to supporting democracy, human rights, health, food security, and economic growth in Uganda. We look forward to deepening our partnership as we take on these challenges and seize the common possibilities that lie before us.

As you gather with family and friends from Kampala to Kitgum, the United States wishes you a joyous Independence Day and a prosperous future.

PRESIDENT OBAMA SUBMITS DEPLOYMENT REPORT TO CONGRESS

FROM:  AMERICAN FORCES PRESS SERVICE

Submits Deployment Report to Congress

WASHINGTON, June 15, 2012 - As part of executive branch efforts to keep the U.S. Congress and the American people informed about the activities of the U.S. military, and consistent with the War Powers Resolution, President Barack Obama submitted a report to Congress today about deployments of the U.S. armed forces, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

"This report contains information about U.S. military deployments to Afghanistan, Central Africa, and Kosovo," Little said in a statement issued today. The report also makes clear that the U.S. military is engaged in a robust range of operations to target al-Qaida and associated forces, including those in Somalia and Yemen.

In Somalia, the U.S. military has taken direct action against members of al-Qaida, and al-Qaida associated elements of al-Shabaab, Little said. In Yemen, he said the U.S. military has engaged with the Yemeni government in joint efforts to dismantle and defeat Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, an active and dangerous al-Qaida affiliate.

"In all cases we are focused on those al-Qaida members and affiliates who pose a direct threat to the United States and to our national interests," Little said, adding that the report contains information about these operations and their growing significance in the overall U.S. counterterrorism effort.

"Going forward, the American people should know that we will do what is necessary to defend our country against those who would threaten us," Little said.