PRESIDENT OBAMA AT NUCLEAR SECURITY SUMMIT

The following except is from an American Forces Press Service e-mail:  

President Cites Progress at Nuclear Security Summit

By Elaine Sanchez
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 27, 2012 - While progress has been made toward security and peace, it's "undeniable" that a nuclear terror threat remains, President Barack Obama said in Seoul, South Korea, today.

"There are still too many bad actors in search of these dangerous materials, and these dangerous materials are still vulnerable in too many places," Obama said at the opening session of the Nuclear Security Summit in South Korea's capital city, where leaders from more than 50 nations have gathered.

"It would not take much -- just a handful or so of these materials -- to kill hundreds of thousands of innocent people," he added. "And that's not an exaggeration; that's the reality that we face."

Obama recalled hosting the first Nuclear Security Summit two years ago in Washington. "There were those who questioned whether our nations could summon the will to confront one of the gravest dangers of our time," he said. "In part because it involves a lot of technical issues, in part because the world was still grappling with a whole host of other issues like the economy and the global recession, there was some skepticism that we would be able to sustain an effort around this topic. But that's exactly what we've done."

Leaders agreed that nuclear terrorism is one of the most urgent and serious threats to global security, Obama said, and they agreed to the goal of securing the world's nuclear materials in four years. They knew this goal would require sustained and effective international cooperation, the president said, and an architecture in which they could share best practices, sustain commitments and ensure ongoing progress.

Over the past two years, they've backed their words up with deeds, Obama said.

"We are improving security at our nuclear facilities. We are forging new partnerships. We are removing nuclear materials, and in some cases, getting rid of these materials entirely," he said. "And as a result, more of the world's nuclear materials will never fall into the hands of terrorists who would gladly use them against us."

However, one nation can't tackle this challenge alone, the president said. It will require working together as an international community.

"What we did in Washington, what we're now doing in Korea, becomes part of a larger global architecture designed to reduce the dangers of nuclear weapons and nuclear terrorism, but also allows us then to more safely and effectively pursue peaceful uses of nuclear energy," he said.

Once again, nations have gathered to make commitments, and to take "more real, tangible steps," the president noted. And, as a consequence, more people will be safeguarded from the danger posed by nuclear terrorism.

"We've come a long way in a very short time, and that should encourage us," Obama said. "And that should not lead us to complacency, however; it should fortify our will as we continue to deal with these issues.

"I believe we can maintain that will and that focus," he continued. "I believe we must, because the security of the world depends on the actions that we take."

PRESIDENT OBAMA VISITS U.S. TROOPS IN SOUTH KOREA

The following excerpt is from the Department of Defense American Forces Press Service:

Obama Praises U.S. Troops' Legacy in South Korea

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2012 - Visiting with U.S. troops stationed in South Korea near the demilitarized zone yesterday, President Barack Obama lauded their historic security role that assisted South Korea as it transformed itself into a democratic and prosperous nation in the years following the Korean War.

"When you think about the transformation that has taken place in South Korea during my lifetime, it is directly attributable to this long line of soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines [and] coast guardsmen who were willing to create the space and the opportunity for freedom and prosperity," said Obama, who's in South Korea to attend a Nuclear Security Summit in the capital city of Seoul.

At Camp Bonifas, located near the demilitarized zone that has divided North and South Korea since the Korean War armistice was signed in 1953, Obama told the troops they're serving on "freedom's frontier." About 28,000 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea today.

"And the contrast between South Korea and North Korea could not be clearer, could not be starker, both in terms of freedom, but also in terms of prosperity," Obama said.

The president attributed South Korea's success to the "incredible" resilience, talents and hard work of their people.

"But it also has to do with you guys," Obama told troops. "And so my main message is the same, obviously, to every base that I go to ... all around the world, which is, I could not be prouder of what you're doing. Everybody back home could not be prouder of what you guys do each and every day -- the dedication, the professionalism that you show.

"But there's something about this spot in particular," he continued, "where there's such a clear line and there's such an obvious impact that you have for the good each and every day that should make all of you proud."

The president shared an anecdote of a conversation he'd had with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak.

"Last time I was here, I was having lunch with the president of South Korea, President Lee," Obama said. "And he talked about how he was a small child when the Korean War was taking place, and its aftermath, and the brutal poverty, the fact that they had nothing.

"And he went on to be an auto executive, and ultimately, the president of his country, and watch it grow," Obama continued. "And he specifically said to me -- and this was a private moment; he didn't say this in front of the press, ... he said, 'The only reason that was able to happen -- and I still think back to all those American soldiers and the sacrifices that they made.'"

Obama expressed his pride in the job U.S. troops have done in South Korea and said he is grateful for the legacy they are carrying on.

"We're proud of you," Obama told the U.S. service members, "and I hope that all your family back home knows how proud your commander-in-chief is of you."