Barack Obama

We reaffirm our long-term strategic partnership with Afghanistan.

Our overarching goal remains the same: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat Al Qaida in Afghanistan and Pakistan and to prevent its capacity to threaten America and our allies in the future.

We're sending additional civilian experts to Afghanistan.

America seeks an end to this era of war and suffering.

This is not an open-ended commitment.

We have no interest in occupying your country.

We will not be in this effort alone.

Our top development priority in Afghanistan will from here forward be agriculture.

Our goal is to defeat al-Qaida and to ensure stability in the region.

You volunteered for service during this time of danger.

We will begin to transfer our lead responsibility to Afghan counterparts.

If I did not think that the security of the United States and the safety of the American people were at stake in Afghanistan, I would gladly order every single one of our troops home tomorrow.

Veterans' health care will no longer be held hostage to annual budget battles in Washington.

Advance appropriations process promotes accountability, is fiscally responsible, and does not add a dime to the deficit.

As we work to strengthen our relationships in the global community and put our nation back on a path to prosperity, I am confident that these individuals will serve our nation well.

Willie Richardson has distinguished himself throughout a long career in public safety.

I am grateful for his service and pleased to nominate him to continue protecting his fellow Americans as a United States Marshal.

Most Americans would not understand or accept that Federal employees should receive an average pay increase of 18.9 percent while many of their fellow citizens are facing employment cutbacks or unemployment.

These fine attorneys have a extensive legal experience and a shared commitment to public service.

Time is running out for Iran to address the international community's growing concerns about its nuclear program.

This would be yet another serious violation of Iran's clear obligations under multiple UN security council resolutions.

The United States has strongly supported the Director General's positive proposal to provide Iran fuel for its Tehran Research Reactor.

Our patience and that of the international community is limited, and time is running out.

The United States has recognized Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy and remains willing to engage Iran to work toward a diplomatic solution to the concerns about its nuclear program.

It underscores broad consensus in calling upon Iran to live up to its international obligations and offer transparency in its nuclear program.