Presidential News and Speeches

President Bush will host NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer at the White House on February 29, 2008. The President appreciates the Secretary General's strong leadership of the NATO Alliance and his commitment to the transatlantic partnership. The President looks forward to reviewing work underway to strengthen and enlarge the Alliance at the NATO Summit in Bucharest, Romania April 2-4, 2008. The President and the Secretary General will also discuss the Alliance's efforts to promote and safeguard democracy and freedom, including in Afghanistan, Iraq, and the Balkans.

On Wednesday, February 6, 2008, the President signed into law: S. 2110, which designates the facility of the United States Postal Service in Taft, California, as the Larry S. Pierce Post Office.

I congratulate President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania on his appointment as the new President of the African Union, as well as Foreign Minister Jean Ping of Gabon on his appointment as the new Chair of the Commission of the African Union. I am confident that the African Union -- and the people of Africa -- will be well-served by the leadership and vision President Kikwete and Minister Ping will bring to these important posts.

Throughout our country and around the world, men and women of Asian descent welcome the Lunar New Year with a spirit of giving and renewed hope. This holiday, filled with vibrant traditions, celebrates new beginnings and recognizes the enduring wisdom of ancestors. During this special time of year, millions of people reunite with family and friends, reflect on the past, and look forward to a future of prosperity and opportunity.

I hereby direct the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Secretary of Defense, to submit to the President an initial reform proposal not later than April 30, 2008, that includes, as necessary, proposed executive and legislative actions to achieve the goals of reform described above. This proposal should be followed promptly by any additional proposals this group believes necessary to fulfill its mission.

Nominations Sent to the Senate

Section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)) provides for the automatic termination of a national emergency unless, prior to the anniversary date of its declaration, the President publishes in the Federal Register and transmits to the Congress a notice stating that the emergency is to continue in effect beyond the anniversary date. In accordance with this provision, I have sent the enclosed notice to the Federal Register for publication, stating that the national emergency and related measures blocking the property of certain persons contributing to the conflict in Côte d'Ivoire are to continue in effect beyond February 7, 2008.

On February 7, 2006, by Executive Order 13396, I declared a national emergency and ordered related measures blocking the property of certain persons contributing to the conflict in Côte d'Ivoire, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706). I took this action to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in or in relation to Côte d'Ivoire, which has been addressed by the United Nations Security Council in Resolution 1572 of November 15, 2004, and subsequent resolutions, and has resulted in the massacre of large numbers of civilians, widespread human rights abuses, significant political violence and unrest, and attacks against international peacekeeping forces leading to fatalities. Because the situation in or in relation to Côte d'Ivoire continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, the national emergency declared on February 7, 2006, and the measures adopted on that date to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond February 7, 2008. Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13396.

President Bush on Tuesday said, "You know, one of the things I love about NASCAR is not only are these great athletes, but they're socially minded folks. ...And I want to thank you all very much for taking your fame and lending it to help somebody in need. It's really what makes America a great place. You're leaders on the track and leaders off the track."

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the United States Additional Protocol Implementation Act (the "Act")(Public Law 109-401) and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, and in order to facilitate implementation of the Act and the Protocol Additional to the Agreement between the United States and the International Atomic Energy Agency for the Application of Safeguards in the United States of America (the "Additional Protocol"), it is hereby ordered as follows:

The President has said that the United States would continue to review our policies and consider additional measures if Than Shwe's junta did not end its brutal oppression of the Burmese people. Therefore, today and pursuant to Executive Order 13448 signed by President Bush on October 18, 2007, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated additional individuals and entities for sanctions.

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Missouri and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe storms, tornadoes, and flooding during the period of January 7-10, 2008.

On Tuesday, February 5, 2008, the President signed into law: H.R. 3432, the "Commission on the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade Act," which establishes a commission to plan activities appropriate to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade.

President George W. Bush today announced his intention to nominate one individual and designate one individual to serve in his Administration.

MR. HADLEY: For nearly a century, fellows of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace have made contributions to our public debate on international affairs. In the 21st century, your work will continue to be vital. I appreciate your efforts to expand your presence in other parts of the world -- so that Carnegie can offer a truly global perspective on the choices in front of us. As you know, next week the President and Mrs. Bush will travel to Africa. It will be his second visit to the continent since 2001, and Mrs. Bush's fifth visit.

The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Dimona, Israel, today that killed one Israeli citizen and injured many others. We extend condolences to the family of the innocent victim killed in this brutal attack and wish those wounded a rapid recovery.

Consistent with the authorities relating to official immunity in the interdiction of aircraft engaged in illicit drug trafficking (Public Law 107-108, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2291-4), and in order to keep the Congress fully informed, I am providing a report prepared by my Administration. This report includes matters relating to the interdiction of aircraft engaged in illicit drug trafficking.

President Bush on Monday said, "I just met with my Cabinet, where we discussed a lot of issues. And one issue we discussed is the budget. I submitted the budget today to Congress -- it's on a laptop notebook, an e-budget. It saves paper, saves trees, saves money. I think it's the first budget submitted electronically. And it's a good budget. It's a budget that achieves some important objectives."

The President today declared a major disaster exists in the State of Kansas and ordered Federal aid to supplement State and local recovery efforts in the area struck by severe winter storms during the period of December 6-19, 2007.

During the weekly radio address, Mrs. Bush said, "February is American Heart Month -- a time to start heart-healthy habits, and to learn about the risk factors for heart disease. These risk factors include smoking, being overweight, lack of exercise, diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, family history, and age. Heart disease affects more than 80 million people in the United States and claims the life of one American every minute."