Obama and Canada's Harper Talk Libya

A readout from the White House:

The President spoke with Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada today and underscored their common purpose in responding to the situation in Libya. They agreed on the need to deter additional acts of violence by the Qadhafi regime, protect those who might be the targets of such violence, establish accountability for human rights violations, and provide humanitarian assistance to those in need. The President expressed appreciation for Canada’s joining the United States in imposing tough unilateral sanctions against the Libyan government. The leaders agreed to coordinate closely in expanding the humanitarian effort in cooperation with the United Nations and other partners, and in consideration of other options should they become necessary. The Leaders also expressed a commitment to work together to help Egypt and Tunisia achieve successful, peaceful democratic transitions, and to work with other countries in the region to achieve meaningful reform.

Obama and Canada's Harper's Joint Press Conference

Obama's Schedule Feb. 4, 2011

All times are eastern:
9:30 AM
Obama and Biden receive the presidential daily briefing.

10:00 AM
Obama meets with senior advisers.

1:30 PM
Gibbs briefs the press; Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers Austan Goolsbee and Director of the National Economic Council Gene Sperling also attend to discuss the innovation report. LIVE STREAM

2:10 PM
Obama holds a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada.

2:30 PM
Obama holds an expanded bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Harper.

3:10 PM
Obama and Prime Minister Harper hold a joint press conference. LIVE STREAM

Canada's Harper to Visit Obama Feb. 4

Per the White House:

President Obama will welcome Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada to the White House on Friday, February 4. The two leaders will discuss our important bilateral relationship and key global issues.

Obama G8 Photos 2010

See Obama's G20 schedule tomorrow here.
Obama's arrival to G8

Obama, Medvedev, Harper

Obama, Zuma, Cameron

Obama and African Outreach Leaders family photo

Obama, Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal

Obama, Cameron, Merkel

Obama's G8 Schedule June 25 in Toronto

Obama fixes Dick Van Dyke's bowtie at the Ford's Theatre

Obama leaves the White House at 9:10 am eastern.
10:30 am, Obama arrives in Toronto.
11:20, Obama arrives in Muskoka, Canada.
12:15 pm, Obama attends G8 working lunch.
2 pm, Family photo time at the G8.
2:45, Obama meets up with African leaders.
4:45 pm, Obama has working session with African leaders and others.
7:30 pm Obama and G8 meet with My Summit 2010 Youth, which is the international conference for youth that happens at the same time as the G8 and G20.
7:45 pm, Obama has din din with G8 leaders.

Sometime during the day, Obama is expected to have a private meeting with David Cameron.
After the G8 on Friday, comes the G20 on June 26-27, which Obama is also attending.

Obama in Toronto for G20 Summit June 26-27

Obama leaves for the G8, also in Toronto, Friday. See Obama's schedule for tomorrow here. See Obama's schedule on Saturday here.
Obama is headed to Toronto this weekend for the G20 meetup, where world leaders will discuss global finance and economics. Timothy Geithner will also be there. See who all is going here.

Three Nation Deal on Mexico's Weapons Grade Uranium

Read the White House fact sheet on the Nuclear Security Summit here. You'll find factoids such as this: This is the first time since 1945 that a U.S. President has hosted so many world leaders, 47 nations in all; more than 2000 tons of plutonium and highly enriched uranium exist in dozens of countries; and there have been 18 documented cases of theft or loss of highly enriched uranium or plutonium. Obama will hold a press conference on the summit today at 4:30 pm eastern. It will be live streamed at WhiteHouse.gov.

At the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C., Mexico, the United States, and Canada reached agreement to work together, along with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), to convert the fuel in Mexico’s research reactor. President Calderon expressed "the strong commitment of Mexico to prevent and suppress nuclear terrorism; with this kind of cooperation with the IAEA and our North American partners, we definitely contribute to reducing the risks associated with illicit trafficking of nuclear materials."

The three countries acknowledged that this project also provides an important step towards the replacement of the research reactor with a new low-enriched uranium fuelled reactor in support of Mexico’s nuclear energy development.

The conversion of the reactor’s use of highly enriched uranium (HEU) to low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel will enable the elimination of all the remaining highly enriched uranium from Mexico. This effort, a specific outcome of Nuclear Security Summit, will be completed under the auspices of the IAEA. It will further strengthen nuclear security on the North American continent.

President Obama indicated, "I welcome this critical step forward, which is a signal of our strong trilateral partnership, and our shared commitment to nuclear security in North America." Prime Minister Harper added that "this nuclear security project demonstrates that collective action can deliver concrete results".

This decision to eliminate the remaining highly enriched uranium reaffirms Mexico’s leadership in nuclear security and nonproliferation and serves as an example for other nations to follow.

Obama Speaks to GM Workers in Ohio Sept. 15

Update: See Video of the speech here.

Update: Obama will speak at 11:10 eastern. It will be live streamed at cnn.com or msnbc.com. Obama will then fly to Pittsburgh to speak to AFL-CIO at 1:40 pm.

Obama will talk to workers at GM's Lordstown Assembly plant where they make the Chevy Cobalt and will soon be making the Chevy Cruze:

On Tuesday, Obama addresses General Motors workers in Lordstown, Ohio. Later that day he’ll address the national convention of the AFL-CIO in Pittsburgh.

Obama traveled to Cincinnati last Monday to speak to the AFL-CIO's Labor Day picnic. The labor group has been a strong advocate for a public government-run healthcare option.

After addressing the AFL-CIO convention, the president will travel across the commonwealth of Pennsylvania to raise money for new Democratic Sen. Arlen Specter (Pa.).

After meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper at the White House on Wednesday, Obama will address the Congressional Hispanic Caucus that evening. The Hill

Obama in Mexico: Swine Flu, Trade and Drugs

I've been trying to find coverage of this Mexico trip. But the media has its head wrapped around birthers and the health care town hall mobs. Of course, those are the two most important things to most Americans. That's sarcasm, just in case it didn't come through.

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Apparently, swine flu plans a wallop for the fall:

John Brennan, Obama's chief homeland security aide, said the talks are timely — and crucial, given the long borders the U.S. shares with Mexico and Canada. As important as it is to further link up health officials and ready vaccine and antiviral supplies, the three leaders also must together and publicly reinforce a determination not to panic when cases arise, he said.
"There are people who are going to be getting sick in the fall and die," Brennan said. Keeping the severity and reach of the illnesses to a minimum is a priority, but officials also "want to make sure that we do everything possible to ensure the continuation of commerce, transportation and trade between the three countries."
America's first- and third-largest trade relationships are with Canada and Mexico. All three are partners in the North American Free Trade Agreement, the largest free-trade zone in the world. Closing borders or restricting travel would be very costly for families and businesses on all sides of the borders, an important consideration given the limping economy and the fact that health experts see such actions as pointless in containing the flu's spread. AP

Obama Leaves for 2 Day North American Summit

Mexico will host the North American Leaders’ Summit in Guadalajara on August 9 and 10, 2009. President Obama will join his counterparts—Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper—for this fifth annual summit.

The North American Leaders’ Summit provides a unique opportunity for our three neighboring nations to identify ways to collaborate on shared opportunities and collectively address our common challenges. The leaders will discuss improving North American competitiveness as we recover from the economic downturn, promoting clean energy to combat climate change, and protecting the safety of our citizens. Read more at SSP

Obama Attends North American Leaders Summit in Mexico in August

Obama in Canada

Via Politico, via Robert Gibbs:

"The President will travel to Guadalajara, Mexico, August 9-10 to attend the North American Leaders Summit with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The summit meeting will provide an opportunity for the United States, Mexico, and Canada to engage on a broad range of issues, including economic recovery and competitiveness in North America, our shared interest in energy and the environment, and cooperation among our governments to promote the safety and welfare of our citizens, including continued close cooperation to counter the A/H1N1 influenza pandemic."

Roundup of Obama's Six Hours In Canada

Canadian welcome mat

From a Toronto Star blogger:

Obama waved to the crowd again as he was leaving Parliament Hill. When everyone realized the motorcade was heading east, hundreds of people ran in that direction to see if they could see him again. The snow is ankle deep and rough terrain from thousands of footprints, so everyone was stumbling and giggling as they ran. Then when the motorcade disappeard around the corner, there was another stampede to Wellington St. People were cheering and waving as it crossed onto Elgin St. To head back to the airport. Then when the frenzy was over, all you could see were people checking their cameras to see if they had the shot they had been hoping for, still gasping for breath from the run through the snow and cold air.

White House live blogging.

Obama's press conference with Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper. Obama said he didn't press Canada for more troops in Afghanistan:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Obama needs a warmer coat:

Just like our pundits, Canada has theirs:
Obama makes Americans of all of us.
Enough with the Obamamania already.
See photos.

More photos
U.S. Canada Clean Air dialogue.
Story from CBC News Canada.

NYT story.

Washington Post story.

Obama signs the guest book

Obama Warned About Canada's Tar Sands Oil

USA Today Ad

Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper wants the oil that is extracted from its tar sands, the process of which is said to be more polluting than regular oil drilling, to be exempted from proposed climate protection rules. Harper apparently will be lobbying Obama on this issue while Obama is in Canada on Thursday.
This from ForestEthics, trying to catch Obama's ear as well:

Environmental group ForestEthics, the Mikisew Cree and the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nations indigenous communities have placed a full-page advertisement in USA Today highlighting the environmental damage wrought by oil from Canada’s Tar Sands.

The advertisement comes two days before President Obama's first official trip abroad, where he is widely expected to discuss climate and energy issues with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The Government of Canada, whose flawed climate policy has been designed to allow Tar Sands expansion, has proposed a joint US-Canada climate pact to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but is likely to seek special treatment for Canada’s fastest-growing source of emissions: the Tar Sands.

“As if conventional oil doesn’t cause enough problems around the world, the Tar Sands are a Frankenstein of local and global environmental hazards,” said Todd Paglia, executive director of ForestEthics. “They have no part to play in the plan for a clean energy future.”
Facts about Canada’s Tar Sands:
· Local communities downstream of the Tar Sands are experiencing rare forms of cancer;
· The production of Tar Sands oil generates three times the greenhouse gas emissions per barrel than conventional oil;
· Toxic ponds--so big they can be seen from space--are bleeding dangerous chemicals into the water;
· President Obama has pledged to spend $15 billion per year to catalyze investment in new jobs in the clean energy sector. The Tar Sands undercut these investments;
· the Canadian province of Alberta is spending $25 million to convince Americans that the Tar Sands are a solution to our energy needs.

Tar Sands oil is excessively dirty and toxic because it is not produced in the manner of conventional oil. Instead, the oil is squeezed out of the sandy dirt that lies below forested land, requiring vast amounts of fresh water and energy. If the development of the Tar Sands continues as planned, the scar on the earth could measure the size of Florida.

ForestEthics is urging Canada and the United States to act quickly to invest in a clean energy economy. While this transition is occurring, the Government of Canada needs to clean up the Tar Sands and ensure that Aboriginal rights are upheld.

Here's a good summation problem.

Obama's Trip To Canada Set for Feb. 19

Swamp: The president's first international trip - it was previously announced that Obama will be Canada-bound, like many new presidents before him - will come Feb. 19.

The White House, which announced the date today, released no other details. While the capital, Ottawa, is a natural stop, others are being considered, according to an administration official who spoke with the A.P. under the cloak of anonymity.

"This is a testament, not just to the size of our trading relationship and the closeness of our alliance, but also the strength of our friendship," Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the House of Commons today.

Parliament will not be in session the week of Obama's visit, making an address to Parliament unlikely.

From the Toronto Star:

Confirmation of the visit comes after Obama and Harper spoke by telephone on Friday to discuss dates and the early outline of an agenda for the meeting.

Harper said that the economy would likely top the agenda although he expected that the environment, climate change and energy security would also be discussed during the visit.

In an interview with the Star last week, Harper predicted that Obama's administration would mark a "fresh start" for relations between the two countries.

"I think that we now have a new administration that Canadians are clearly very comfortable with, at least out of the gate," Harper told the Star.

Harper said Obama's presidency is a "real opportunity" to move forward. "I think everybody acknowledges that Canada-U.S. relations improved after our government came to office. But I actually think they probably could have improved more," he said.

He said the chance of even better relations was hindered by the focus of the administration of former president George W. Bush on domestic U.S. problems.

Obama's predecessor, George W. Bush, made his first foreign visit to Mexico.

Obama Talks Economy With Saudi King

AFP: US President Barack Obama on Friday spoke by telephone with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Canada's leader Stephen Harper as well as Saudi King Abdullah, the White House said.
Press spokesman Robert Gibbs gave no details of the conversations which were Obama's first with the three key US allies since he took office on Tuesday.
But a spokesman for the British prime minister's office told AFP: "They spoke about the economy, the Middle East and other international issues. The tone of the conversation was friendly and substantive."

Why that call may have happened so soon:

Reuters: The call to Abdullah coincided with the publication of an article by Prince Turki al-Faisal, a former Saudi intelligence chief and ambassador to the United States, warning Obama the United States was putting Saudi ties at risk with its stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
In an article on the Financial Times website, Turki said former President George W. Bush had left a "sickening legacy" in the Middle East.
"If the U.S. wants to continue playing a leadership role in the Middle East and keep its strategic alliances intact -- especially its 'special relationship' with Saudi Arabia -- it will have to drastically revise its policies vis-a-vis Israel and Palestine," Turki said.

Obama also talked to Abdullah about preventing weapons smuggling into Gaza

O Canada

Obama is heading to Canada, his first many international trips. Likely topics: trade, climate change and Afghanistan.

CTV: U.S. president-elect Barack Obama will visit Canada for his first foreign visit after his inauguration later this month.

"We're honoured and thrilled he has chosen Canada," Peter Kent, Canada's minister of state for foreign affairs of the Americas, said.

The planned trip will continue a longstanding tradition of new American presidents choosing Canada for their first official state visit.

The tradition was broken by President George Bush after his election when he visited Mexico instead.

The fact that Obama has revived the tradition of earlier presidents bodes well for Canada, CTV's Ottawa Bureau Chief Robert Fife said.

"This has got to please the government and please Canadians, in general," he told Newsnet.

This "clearly shows that Barack Obama understands that Canada is an important player," he said.

Details of the trip are still emerging, but Fife said Canada and the U.S. have a variety of bilateral issues to discuss.

"There was a concern that with the American economy in such dire straits -- and the fact that there are so many global problems facing the Americans -- that he (would) not come to Canada right away," Fife said.

"(But) clearly, if the economy is going to be a major issue for (Canadian and U.S. leaders) they will probably want to work as closely as possible."

Obama could ask Canada to keep troops in Afghanistan:

Canada.com: The meeting between Harper and Obama is certain to focus heavily on several key topics - the war in Afghanistan, climate change and the impact the global recession is having on the North American auto industry and Canada-U.S. bilateral trade.
Since the U.S. presidential election, Obama has made clear his immediate foreign policy priority is to beef up the U.S. military presence in Afghanistan.
It's expected between 20,000 to 30,000 additional U.S. troops will be deployed to Afghanistan over the next year.
During the presidential campaign, Obama said he would not ask America's NATO allies to send more troops to Afghanistan until the U.S. first increased the size of its force.
But since the election, U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates - who will remain in that post under Obama - hinted the new administration would like to see Canada keep troops in Afghanistan past the current 2011 withdrawal deadline.
"The longer we can have Canadian soldiers as our partners, the better it is," Gates said during a trip to Kandahar Airfield in Afghanistan last November.
Ottawa insists the Afghanistan deadline is firm.
Canadian officials say one of Ottawa's first priorities in bilateral relations with Obama is to forge close co-operation on climate change initiatives, part of a broader plan to ward off any potential threat to Canada's energy exports to the U.S.

Strained relationship? Remember Nafta-gate?

There's been concern in Ottawa, however, over the new U.S. administration's policy toward oil from Alberta - an Obama aide referred during the presidential campaign to opposing "dirty oil" from Canada.
The Conservative government has signalled a potential Canada-U.S. climate-change pact would protect oilsands exports and include a carbon emissions trading system.
The Obama-Harper meeting, more than anything, will be a precious opportunity to put relations between the two men on solid footing after a strained beginning.
Obama's campaign was furious last March over the leak of a confidential Canadian diplomatic memo which claimed the Democratic candidate's tough primary campaign talk about unilaterally withdrawing from the North American Free Trade Agreement was little more than political rhetoric.