SECRETARY TAKES PRESS QUESTIONS IN BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

Press Availability at NATO Headquarters

Press Availability

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Brussels, Belgium

June 25, 2014

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SECRETARY KERRY: Good afternoon, everybody. Excuse me. As you know, this is the last foreign ministers gathering before NATO’s next Heads of State Summit in September. Excuse me, let me just get a little water here. (Laughter.) I’ve got the travel whatever. So today, we had a chance to take stock of the strong measures that have been taken in order to provide reassurance to our eastern allies on the land, on sea, and air, and we’ve taken measures that demonstrate that our Article 5 commitment is absolutely rock solid. We also affirmed NATO’s open door policy as well as the vital importance of having strong, capable partners.
Today we spent a significant amount of time in our discussions focused on Ukraine and our allies’ sustained support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the right of its people to determine their own future. The Ukrainian Government has recently taken a series of important steps to forge a more inclusive society for all Ukrainians, no matter what language they speak or what region the country they live in or what their ethnic background may be. And after a free and fair election, the Ukrainian people celebrated a peaceful transfer of power earlier this month and are now implementing a ceasefire and a peace plan which offers constitutional reform, broad decentralization of power, and local autonomy to Ukraine’s regions and communities.
The United States commends the Ukrainian Government for reaching out to separatists and to the Russian Government. And now we believe it is critical for President Putin to prove by his actions, not just his words, that he is indeed fully committed to peace. It is critical for him to stop the flow of weapons and fighters across the border, to call publicly for the separatists to lay down their arms, to pull Russian forces and equipment back, and to help get OSCE hostages released.

Until Russia fully makes that kind of commitment to the peace process and to the stability of Ukraine, the United States and Europe are compelled to continue to prepare greater costs, including tough economic sanctions, with the hopes that they will not have to be used. But that is dependent on the choices that Russia and its president make in the next days and weeks.
As Secretary General Rasmussen has said, Russia’s recent moves in Ukraine served as a wakeup call. As our economies begin to grow again, a strong NATO requires defense spending by all, and President Obama is committed that the United States will do its part, and he has asked Congress for an additional $1 billion for defense spending in Europe.
As we head to the Wales summit, every ally spending less than 2 percent of their GDP needs to dig deeper and make a concrete commitment to do more. And all you have to do is look at a map in order to understand why – Ukraine, Iraq, Syria – all threats to peace and to security, and they surround the region.

On the minds of all of us today also is the situation in Iraq. Earlier this week, I traveled to Baghdad and Erbil at the request of President Obama, and while here I briefed my fellow foreign ministers on the conversations that I had with Iraq leaders. Iraq is obviously facing an extraordinary security challenge and a set of political challenges and choices. The United States is also working to support Iraq in its fight against ISIL. We need to remember that ISIL is a terrorist army that threatens not only Iraq, but threatens every country in the region which is opposed to it, and Europe and the United States.

Succeeding in this fight is going to require Iraqis to come together, finally, in order to form an inclusive government. And in every meeting with leaders of each of Iraq’s main communities, I stressed the importance, the urgency of them coming together to do just that.

President Obama has also asked me to travel to Saudi Arabia on Friday in order to meet with His Majesty King Abdullah and to discuss regional issues, including the situation in Iraq and how we can counter the shared threat that is posed by ISIL, as well to discuss our support for the moderate opposition in Syria. None of us need to be reminded that a faraway threat can have tragic consequences at home in the most unexpected way at the most unexpected moment.

Just a few months ago right here in Brussels, a man who had recently returned from fighting in Syria shot three people at a local museum. NATO allies in the entire international community must remain focused on combatting the growth of extremism. With the Wales summit in September, our alliance has the chance to become far more adaptable in how we meet emerging threats and far more capable in how we build the capacity of our countries to be able to not only respond to them but, more importantly, to preempt them.

One of the first tests of NATO’s ability to forge stronger, more capable partners will be resolute support – NATO’s post-2014 train, advise, and assist mission with the people of Afghanistan. And today we discussed our coordinated efforts to wind down our combat presence in Afghanistan while continuing our commitment to combatting terrorism and preserving the gains made by the people of Afghanistan. NATO, significantly, has succeeded as an alliance for more than six decades now because it has always recognized that security threats of the future will not always look like the security threats that you face today, and certainly not like those of the past.

Remarkably, this gathering that is now discussing Afghanistan – 50 nations – has come together and stayed together for 12 years. At a time when people doubt the ability of multilateral efforts to make a difference, the meeting here today stands in stark testimony to the contrary. It does make a difference. It has made a difference. And at the Wales conference – summit, I am confident that NATO will demonstrate strength at home in its unity and in meeting, in new ways, many of the 21st century challenges that we face today.

So I’d be happy to take some questions.

MS. PSAKI: The first question will be from Anne Gearan of The Washington Post.

QUESTION: Mr. Secretary, you said a moment ago that Russian President Putin will be judged by his actions, not his words, on Ukraine. He did call this week for the rescinding of the invasion powers for Ukraine, and that was acted on today. Is that enough, in your view, to at least start the conversation about what the West might do in response – specifically, not taking the sectoral sanctions step? Is there anything really practical that you want to see Putin do in the next couple of days before the EU meets on Friday to continue that conversation? The things you outlined are much more long term. What do you want to see him do in the next like 36 hours that would change that conversation on Friday?

SECRETARY KERRY: Well, first of all, we are not announcing a new round of sanctions today, but we are going to continue to take steps to prepare in the event that the circumstances on the ground warrant those sanctions. And so we’re coordinating with our European partners in order to prepare for that.

Now, we are delighted that President Putin put to the Duma the retraction of that law which empowered Russia to take action in Ukraine. That’s important. It’s a great step. But it could be reversed in 10 minutes, and everyone knows that. The greatest difference will be made by the president publicly calling for the separatists to lay down their arms, by President Putin engaging his diplomatic service actively in the effort to help empty buildings, helping to get people to disarm, helping to convene the meetings that need to take place in order to negotiate and to move forward.

There are concrete actions – moving forces out, not allowing tanks and rocket launchers to actually cross the border. There are many concrete things that would make a difference, and we intend to work as cooperatively as possible. These aren’t – what we’re trying to do is make a set of concrete suggestions that really make the difference to what is happening on the ground. Yesterday, a helicopter – a Ukrainian helicopter was shot down and nine Ukrainian soldiers were killed. And it was shot down with a Russian weapon, with a MANPAD RPG capacity that took that helicopter out. And so it is – there are concrete steps, and we are prepared to work very, very closely with Russia in an effort to implement those steps.

And likewise, Ukraine also can take steps in a mutual way, and they’re prepared to do that. President Poroshenko obviously has done so by unilaterally putting in place a ceasefire and by taking great political heat himself in doing so. Now’s the time for this moment to really come together, and that is why the allies are talking about preparing sanctions – not implementing them today, but preparing them in the event that this effort were to fail.

MS. PSAKI: The next question is from Erik Eenlo from Baltic News Service.

QUESTION: Yes. This readiness action plan that NATO is preparing – is that something that addresses the Russian arms buildup and increasing number of military provocations in the Baltic Sea region?

SECRETARY KERRY: Well, it certainly – that is part of it. But it’s also much broader than that. It’s an effort to recognize that we’re living in a different world. The type of threats that existed in the past are not what played out in Crimea, where you had soldiers who were hiding behind masks and without any identification on them, and a massive public relations campaign simultaneously denying the reality of what everybody was seeing on the ground; where you had this incredible capacity for deception, for denial, which was both a surrogate effort of a government and a linkage to activists, terrorists, and others.

That’s a new animal in a sense, and I think we’re seeing with ISIL crossing from Syria and moving rapidly into Iraq a similar kind of hybrid new form of effort, which is going to require people to think through strategically intelligence gathering, preparations, response, response times, nature of response. And that’s what the NATO alliance has always done effectively, and that’s what the – a lot of today’s discussion focused on, is how do you have not just permanent basing in certain places, but permanent vigilance and permanent capacity to be ahead of the curve. And that’s really the – that’s what readiness really means, and that will be a lot of the focus of the Wales summit.

MS. PSAKI: The final question is from James Rosen of Fox News.

QUESTION: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I wanted to ask about two different facets of the Iraq crisis, if I may. First, I presume you saw the comments that Prime Minister al-Maliki made in his weekly address, in which he spoke of a “national salvation government,” quote unquote, as a coup against constitutional processes in Iraq and one in which he declared his refusal to participate. I wonder what you make of those comments, whether you regard them as helpful or not to the task of government formation in Iraq, and whether it is still the professed position of the United States Government that the Obama Administration is utterly disinterested in the question of whether al-Maliki stays or goes.

And the second facet of the crisis I’d like to ask you about is this: I wonder if the disclosure that Iran has been secretly flying drones over Iraq – from an airfield in Baghdad, no less – and has been secretly shipping literally tons of military equipment to the central government in Baghdad serves effectively to complicate the United States’ own evolving military operations and diplomatic mission in Iraq, and whether in fact it represents a widening of the war there.

SECRETARY KERRY: So let me take each question. With respect to the prime minister’s remarks about a so-called salvation government, that is not something that I discussed with him. That is not something that was on the table in the context of our meetings while we were there. In fact, there was no discussion that I had with any of the leaders there regarding a so-called salvation government. And I’ve heard reports about it, but I’m not sure exactly what it is that he rejected or spoke to.

What I do know is that in the prime minister’s remarks today he did follow through on the commitments that he made in our discussions. He clearly committed to completing the electoral process, he committed to meeting on the 1st of July and having the Council of Representatives come together, and he committed to moving forward with the constitutional processes of government formation. And that is precisely what the United States was encouraging. He also called on all Iraqis to put aside their differences to unite in their efforts against terrorism. That is also what we had discussions about.

So what he said today with respect to the things we talked about was entirely in line with the conversations that I had with him when I was there. And the constitutional process that we’ve urged all Iraqis to commit to at this time, we believe is critical to the ability to form a government.

Now, Iraqis will decide that. And the United States is not disinterested in what happens in a future leadership, but the United States is not going to engage in the process of suggesting to Iraqis who that ought to be. It’s up to Iraqis to make those decisions. And we have stated clearly that we have an interest in a government that can unite Iraqis that, like Grand Ayatollah Sistani said, will not repeat the mistakes of the past and go backwards but can actually bring people together. It’s up to Iraqis to decide who has the ability to do that and who represents that future.
With respect to Iran and its intentions and role in Iraq, frankly, you should best direct that question to Iran and to the Government of Iraq. But from our point of view, we’ve made it clear to everyone in the region that we don’t need anything to take place that might exacerbate the sectarian divisions that are already at a heightened level of tension. And so it’s very important that nothing take place that contributes to the extremism or could act as a flash point with respect to the sectarian divide. And --

QUESTION: Has the war been widened?

SECRETARY KERRY: Well, widened from what? Widened from five minutes ago, an hour ago, yesterday? It’s been widened, obviously, in the last days with the reports of IRGC personnel, of some people from Iran being engaged in Iraq, with perhaps even some Syrian activities therein. And that’s one of the reasons why government formation is so urgent so that the leaders of Iraq can begin to make decisions necessary to protect Iraq without outside forces moving to fill a vacuum.

And again, President Obama is very, very clear that our priority is that government formation, and we’re going to take every step we can over the next days. We had conversations about it here. There are people here who will be encouraging that to take place. I know William Hague, the foreign secretary of Great Britain, will be traveling there. He will be having conversations. This is a multiple allied interest in having a unity government that can move Iraq to the future and pull it back from this precipice. And all of us remain hopeful that in the next days that can happen.

Thank you all.

Curiosity Rover Report (6/24/2014): Curiosity Completes Its First Marti...

PROBING INSIDE THE FUKUSHIMA REACTORS

FROM:  LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY 

Christopher Morris, leader of Los Alamos National Laboratory's Muon Tomography Project, watches an image of two dense hemispheres of lead develop on a computer screen after just over a minute of exposure to muons -- naturally occurring particles generated with cosmic rays interact with Earth's atmosphere. Morris and colleagues have developed a method to use muons to peer inside closed containers, even very dense ones, to detect smuggled nuclear materials or to peer inside damaged nuclear reactor cores, like those at the Fukushima Daiichi complex in Japan. (Photo Credit: Los Alamos National Laboratory)
Probing Fukushima with Cosmic Rays Should Speed Cleanup
Los Alamos to partner with Toshiba to remotely and safely peer inside nuclear reactors

LOS ALAMOS, N.M., June 18, 2014—Los Alamos National Laboratory today announced an impending partnership with Toshiba Corporation to use a Los Alamos technique called muon tomography to safely peer inside the cores of the Fukushima Daiichi reactors and create high-resolution images of the damaged nuclear material inside without ever breaching the cores themselves. The initiative could reduce the time required to clean up the disabled complex by at least a decade and greatly reduce radiation exposure to personnel working at the plant.

“Our recent technical work has clearly shown that the muon scattering technique pioneered at Los Alamos provides a superior method for obtaining high-resolution images of nuclear materials inside structures, and this will allow plant operators to establish the condition of reactor-core material without the need to actually get inside,” said Duncan McBranch, Los Alamos’s Chief Technology Officer. “One of the most challenging, time-consuming and potentially dangerous tasks in cleaning up after a reactor accident is determining the condition and location of the core material, especially when the material itself may have melted and flowed to a different part of the building. Invasive techniques such as video endoscopy or introduction of robots run the risk of releasing radiation. Furthermore, those techniques at best offer a partial view of material location. Muon tomography will enable plant operators to see the location of the nuclear material inside, determine its condition, and provide crucial insight that can inform the design of a safer and faster cleanup. We are hopeful that our partnership with Toshiba will assist the Tokyo Electric Power Company and the Japanese government in their efforts to accelerate cleanup operations in the safest way possible.”

Muon radiography (also called cosmic-ray radiography) uses secondary particles generated when cosmic rays collide with upper regions of Earth’s atmosphere to create images of the objects that the particles, called muons, penetrate. The process is analogous to an X-ray image, except muons are produced naturally and do not damage the materials they contact. Muon radiography has been used before in imaginative applications such as mapping the interior of the Great Pyramid at Giza, but Los Alamos’s muon tomography technique represents a vast improvement over earlier technology.

In developing muon tomography, Los Alamos researchers found that by placing a pair of muon detectors in front of and behind an object, and measuring the degree of scatter the muons underwent as they interacted with the materials they penetrated, they could gather detailed images. The method works particularly well with highly interfering materials (so-called “high Z” materials) such as uranium.

Because the muon scattering angle increases with atomic number, core materials within a reactor show up more clearly than the surrounding containment building, plumbing and other objects. Consequently, the Los Alamos muon tomography method shows tremendous promise for pinpointing the exact location of materials within the Fukushima reactor buildings.

“Los Alamos researchers began working on an improved method for muon radiography within weeks of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that damaged the Fukushima reactor complex,” said Christopher Morris, chief scientist and leader of the Los Alamos Muon Tomography Team. “Within 18 months we had refined our technique and published a paper showing that the Los Alamos method was superior to traditional muon radiography techniques for remotely locating and identifying nuclear materials, and that it could be employed for field use.”

As part of the partnership, Los Alamos will assist Toshiba in developing a Muon Tracker for use at the Fukushima plant.

Los Alamos’s muon tomography technology also has the potential to be deployed in locations around the world to help detect smuggled nuclear materials. In fact, Los Alamos previously granted an exclusive license to Decision Sciences International Corporation for broad commercialization of the Los Alamos technology. The company has successfully deployed portal monitors that use muon tomography at a major seaport for cargo-container scanning as well as at other locations under their licensing agreement.

Muon tomography and development of its application at Fukushima was made possible in part through Los Alamos’ Laboratory-Directed Research and Development Program (LDRD), which uses a small percentage of the Laboratory’s overall budget to invest in new or cutting-edge research. The U.S. Department of Energy supported contacts of the Los Alamos team with other research groups, including several Japanese institutions and the University of Texas.

DEFENSE SECRETARY HAGEL RECEIVES UPDATES FROM ISRAELI DEFENSE MINISTER YAALON

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

Israeli Defense Minister Updates Hagel on Recent Developments

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2014 – Israeli Defense Minister Moshe “Boogie” Yaalon yesterday updated Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on recent developments, including the kidnapping of Israeli teenagers in the West Bank and a June 22 cross-border incident that killed an Israeli teenager and wounded two other Israelis, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.
In a statement summarizing the phone call between the two defense leaders, Kirby said Hagel offered his sympathies for those affected by the violence in the Golan Heights, pledged continued U.S. support, and expressed his shared concern over the violence in Syria and Iraq.

The secretary also updated Yaalon on U.S. views on the events unfolding in the Middle East, the press secretary added.

“The two leaders agreed to continue working closely with one another on the broad range of security issues facing the United States and Israel,” Kirby said.

U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR JUNE 24, 2014

FROM: U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

CONTRACTS

AIR FORCE

Lockheed Martin Space Systems Co., Sunnyvale, California, has been awarded a $1,863,474,312 modification (P00001) to previously awarded contract (FA8810-13-C-0001) for Space-Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) 5 and 6 satellites, including performance incentives and options for acoustic testing and launch operations. This contract modification will complete the production of the SBIRS GEO 5/6 satellites, which was started with the procurement of long lead parts, and also complete the associated ground operations and processing updates. The contract modification also includes adding options for acoustic testing, launch vehicle integration, launch and early on-orbit testing, and contractor operations support. Work will be performed at Sunnyvale, California, and is expected to be completed by Sept. 30, 2022. Fiscal 2013 missile procurement funds in the amount of $266,000,000 and fiscal 2014 missile procurement funds in the amount of $389,000,000 will be obligated at time of award. This contract is not multi-year. Space and Missile System Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base/El Segundo, California is the contracting activity.

ARMY

LOC Performance Products Inc.*, Plymouth, Michigan, was awarded a $161,623,918 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity contract for the acquisition of “engineering change proposal vehicle” modifications through installation of track kits, shock absorber kits, vehicle suspension support system kits, heavy weight torsion bar kits and logistics support to the Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Performance location and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 29, 2018. Bids were solicited via the Internet with four received. Funding will be determined with each order. Army Contracting Command – Tank and Automotive, Warren, Michigan is the contracting activity (W56HZV-14-D-0074).

Valiant Construction LLC*, Louisville, Kentucky (W91278-14-D-0049); Royce Construction Services, LLC*, Reston, Virginia (W91278-14-D-0050); and Patriot Construction, LLC*, Dunkirk, Maryland (W91278-D-14-0052), will share an awarded $49,000,000 firm-fixed-price, multi-year, indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity, multiple-award, task order contract for healthcare facility repair and construction in support of the U.S. Army Medical Command’s northern region. Performance location and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of June 22, 2017. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 17 received. Funding will be determined with each order. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – Mobile District, Mobile, Alabama is the contracting activity.
HGL Construction Inc*, Midwest City, Oklahoma (W9126G-14-D-0023); McGoldrick Construction Services Corporation*, San Antonio, Texas (W9126G-14-D-0024); MK Joint Venture*, Colorado Springs, Colorado (W9126G-14-D-0025); RWT, LLC*, Provo, Utah (W9216G-14-D-0026); Terra Construction, LLC*, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (W9126G-14-D-0027); The Trevino Group, Inc*, Houston, Texas (W0126G-14-D-0028); and Zieson Construction Co. LLC*, Riverside, Missouri (W9126G-14-D-0034), will share a maximum $32,100,000 firm-fixed-price, multiple-award, multi-year contract for construction services supporting the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Southwestern Division. Funding and location will be determined with each order, with a completion date of June 24, 2019. Bids were solicited via the Internet with 36 received. Army Corps of Engineers – Fort Worth District, Fort Worth, Texas is the contracting activity.

NAVY

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $75,980,553 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-0004) for the procurement of 252 helmet mounted display systems in support of the F-35 Lightning II aircraft for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and the governments of Japan and Israel. This modification combines purchases for the U.S. Navy ($33,541,274; 44 percent); the U.S. Air Force ($28,938,439; 38 percent); international partners ($10,103,656; 13 percent); and the governments of Japan ($2,264,917; 3 percent) and Israel ($1,132,267; 2 percent). Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in July 2017. Fiscal 2012 and 2014 aircraft procurement (Navy and Air Force), international partner and foreign military sales funding in the amount of $75,980,553 is being obligated on this award, $30,806,571 of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Missile Systems, Tucson, Arizona, is being awarded a $73,442,290 firm-fixed-price contract for fiscal 2014 rolling airframe missile (RAM) guided-missile round pack requirements for the U.S. and allied navies, as well as spares for the Federal Republic of Germany, and testing equipment upgrade and replacement requirements. RAM is a missile system designed to provide anti-ship missile defense for multiple ship platforms. The RAM Guided Missile Weapon System is co-developed and co-produced under an International Cooperative Program between the United States and the Federal Republic of Germany. This contract involves foreign military sales to Japan (23 percent). Work will be performed in Tucson, Arizona (49.7 percent); Ottobrunn, Germany (42.7 percent); Rocket Center, West Virginia (4.5 percent), and Andover, Massachusetts (3.1 percent); it is expected to be completed by November 2016. Fiscal 2014 weapons procurement (Navy), FMS and German funding in the amount of $73,442,290 will be obligated at time of award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was not competitively procured pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). The Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, District of Columbia, is the contracting activity (N00024-14-C-5417).

DynCorp International LLC, Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $37,859,396 modification under a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N62742-12-C-3525) to exercise the second option to provide services for Philippines Operations Support in the Republic of the Philippines for the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines. The work to be performed provides for all labor, supervision, management, tools, materials, equipment, facilities, transportation, incidental engineering, and other items necessary to provide support services. Work will be performed in the Republic of the Philippines, and work for this option period is expected to be completed June 2015. Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $13,770,971 are being obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Pacific, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is the contracting activity.

MECTS Services, JV,* Fairfax, Virginia, is being awarded a $16,283,732 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N68335-13-C-0292) to exercise an option for logistic services and spare/repair parts in support of the Persistent Ground Surveillance System. Work will be performed in Fairfax, Virginia (59 percent); Afghanistan (24 percent); Yuma, Arizona (7 percent); China Lake, California (5 percent), and Point Mugu, California (5 percent); and work is expected to be completed in March 2015. Fiscal 2013 Department of Homeland Security funds in the amount of $816,775 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, Lakehurst, New Jersey, is the contracting activity.
Maune, Belangia, Faulkenberry Architects, PA*, New Bern, North Carolina, is being awarded a maximum amount $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering services contract for architectural design and engineering services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Mid-Atlantic area of responsibility (AOR). Task order 0001 is being awarded at $114,088 for the design of a communications and electronics maintenance facility at Marine Corps Base, Camp Pendleton, California. Work for this task order is expected to be completed by October 2017. Most work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities located in the NAVFAC Mid-Atlantic AOR, primarily in Coastal North Carolina and the Hampton Roads region of Virginia; however, projects may be included throughout the NAVFAC Atlantic AOR. The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of June 2019. Fiscal 2014 military construction - planning and design contract funds in the amount of $114,088 are being obligated on this award and will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website with 18 proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Mid-Atlantic, Norfolk, Virginia, is the contracting activity (N40085-14-D-8406).

KTU&A*, San Diego, California, is being awarded a maximum amount $15,000,000 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity architect-engineering contract for facility planning services in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Southwest area of responsibility (AOR). The work to be performed provides for sustainable master planning, project planning documents, geospatial information and service, global positioning system services and other services. No task orders are being issued at this time. Work will be performed at various Navy and Marine Corps facilities and other government facilities within the NAVFAC Southwest AOR including, but not limited to California (87 percent), Arizona (5 percent), Nevada (5 percent), Colorado (1 percent), New Mexico (1 percent) and Utah (1 percent). The term of the contract is not to exceed 60 months with an expected completion date of June 2019. Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $5,000 are being obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was competitively procured via the Federal Business Opportunities website, with six proposals received. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southwest, San Diego, California, is the contracting activity (N62473-14-D-0049).

Lockheed Martin Corp., Mission Systems and Training, Manassas, Virginia, is being awarded a not-to-exceed $10,607,674 delivery order (1155) under previously awarded Basic Ordering Agreement (N00104-10-G-A109) for the repair of the AN/UYQ-70 advanced display system used for processor systems for tactical and command, control, communication, computer intelligence (C4I) applications for target acquisition and tracking, weapons control, theater air defense, anti-submarine warfare, battle group communication, and airborne surveillance and control. Work will be performed at various Lockheed Martin repair units location throughout the United States (90 percent) and Virginia Beach, Virginia (10 percent), and work is expected to be completed by April 2015. Fiscal 2014 working capital funds (Navy) in the amount of $5,197,760 will be obligated at the time of award and these funds will not expire before the end of the current fiscal year. One company was solicited for the non-competitive requirement and one offer was received in response to this solicitation in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1). The NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an $8,942,741 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to the previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-11-C-0083) for the procurement of 14 repeatable release holdback bars and common sustainment support of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Low Rate Initial Production 6 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (35 percent); El Segundo, California (25 percent); Warton, United Kingdom (20 percent); Orlando, Florida (10 percent); Nashua, New Hampshire (5 percent); and Baltimore, Maryland (5 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2017. Fiscal 2012 aircraft procurement (Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force) and international partner funds in the amount of $8,942,742 will be obligated at time of award, $7,180,826 of which expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This modification combines purchases for the U.S. Air Force ($3,087,673; 34.5 percent); the U.S. Navy ($2,549,316; 28.5 percent); the U.S. Marine Corps ($1,543,837; 17.3 percent); and the international partners ($1,761,915; 19.7 percent). The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

Novartis Vaccines & Diagnostics Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, has been awarded a maximum $22,200,000 firm-fixed-price contract for supply of Japanese encephalitis vaccine. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and one offer was received. This is a one-year base contract, with one one-year option period. Locations of performance are Massachusetts and United Kingdom with a June 24, 2015, performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (SPE2DP-14-D-0006).

American Apparel, Inc., Selma, Alabama, has been awarded a maximum $16,186,860 modification (P00104), exercising the second option period on a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-12-D-1039), with four one-year option periods. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for various types of combat utility uniform trousers. Locations of performance are Alabama, Mississippi and North Carolina, with a June 27, 2015 performance completion date. Using military service is Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

American Apparel, Inc., Selma, Alabama, has been awarded a maximum $15,314,832 modification (P00094), exercising the second option period on a one-year base contract (SPM1C1-12-D-1038), with four one-year option periods. This is a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-quantity contract for various types of combat utility uniform blouses. Locations of performance are Alabama and Mississippi, with a June 27, 2015 performance completion date. Using military service is Marine Corps. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES

Systems Research & Applications Corp., Fairfax, Va., was awarded a $7,512,136 modification (0018) to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (HQ0034-14-F-0142) to provide assistance with case preparation for the Office of Military Commissions hearings for enemy combatants detained as a result of overseas contingency operations. Work will be performed in Arlington, Va., with an expected completion date of November 10, 2015. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance funds in the amount of $7,512,136 are being obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. This contract was a limited source procurement, with one proposal received. Washington Headquarters Services, Arlington, Va., is the contracting activity. (Awarded June 10, 2014)

*Small Business

U.S. CONGRATULATES SLOVENIA ON THEIR STATEHOOD DAY

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

On the Occasion of Slovenia's Statehood Day

Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 24, 2014

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On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate all Slovenians as you celebrate Statehood Day on June 25.

As NATO Allies, we’ve worked together to guarantee European collective security and bring peace and stability from Afghanistan to the Balkans. Our economic partnership has expanded trade and investment, creating greater economic opportunities for all our citizens. Our investment in educational cooperation and academic exchanges will continue to unite Americans and Slovenians in the future.

The United States stands with you as you celebrate the 23rd anniversary of your independence. We remain committed to our enduring friendship and alliance.

U.S. CONGRATULATES PEOPLE OF CROATIA ON THEIR STATEHOOD DAY

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

On the Occasion of Croatia's Statehood Day

Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 24, 2014

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On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I congratulate the people of Croatia as they celebrate the anniversary of their declaration of independence this June 25th.
As the first Statehood Day since Croatia’s accession to the European Union, this year’s celebration is particularly significant. Last July’s accession was an event that underscored the historic transformation Croatia has successfully undertaken in the two decades since securing its independence. Croatia’s integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions advances the vision of a Europe that is whole, free, and at peace. Croatia provides a model for other countries striving to join NATO and the EU.

Croatia and the United States enjoy a close and enduring friendship. We look forward to deepening our partnership in the years ahead. Croatia has been a valuable NATO partner and contributor to the reconciliation efforts in South Central Europe. The close cooperation between our two countries represents our shared commitment to promoting peace and prosperity throughout the world.

We wish all the people of Croatia the very best on this important occasion, and remain committed to further expanding our bilateral relationship.

SECRETARY KERRY'S REMARKS TO BAGHDAD EMBASSY STAFF

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Meeting With Embassy Baghdad Staff

Remarks

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Embassy Baghdad

Baghdad, Iraq

June 23, 2014

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SECRETARY KERRY: Maybe I was (inaudible) this was for? (Laughter.) Anyway. Well, I want you to know I just came in from Amman, and I can report to you that they are not lounging by the pool and relaxing. They’re working hard because they’ve got a lot of spillover from Syria and now from Iraq. So everybody’s feeling the pressure that you are continually.

And I’ll say a word about that in a minute, but first I want to thank this fellow. He is one of the most outstanding ambassadors we have in the entire diplomatic service. This is his third year out here; pretty extraordinary. He’s been in Amman. He’s been in Damascus. He’s been elsewhere, but his service here has been absolutely exemplary, and I hope you will join me in saying a special thank you to (inaudible). (Applause.)

SECRETARY KERRY: I can’t tell you how many times I see him and it’s six o’clock at night in the White House (inaudible) SVTC, and obviously therefore here. It’s one in the morning, two in the morning, whatever it is depending on when we get around to doing it. And he is gracious in sitting there in good spirits, and most importantly (inaudible). So we’re continually grateful for that.

I want to thank John (inaudible). Where is John? Somewhere over here. Anyway – but John, thank you for your (inaudible). (Applause.)

And I want to – absolutely, President Obama asked me to say this to you: A profound thank you to every single one of you for your service to your country, and I bring you the greetings of everybody. I wish they all knew how hard you’re working and what you’re doing and the difficulties. We know that the air team up here and Embassy (inaudible) has done an amazing job of helping a couple thousand people to be able to move to other locations because of what’s going on, in order to lighten the load here. And you did an extraordinary job of that. And I know our security folks, our local RSO, and so forth, have done an amazing job of guaranteeing that you know what’s happening and security is taken care of. And I can guarantee you that every single morning meeting that I have at 8:30 in the morning, the first report comes from Pat Kennedy, the Under Secretary for Management – and he tells us what’s happening at our embassies and what the status is, and how well equipped we are to deal with whatever it is we might have to deal with. Your safety and security comes first. I can guarantee you that. And we’re, I think, way ahead of the game, and I thank you for taking on more responsibility as we’ve had to lighten the presence here in Baghdad for the time being.

This is a critical moment. We’ve been at this for quite a while here, since 2003 in a full-fledged war, and a lot of servicemen gave their lives and a lot more were grievously wounded. And we came here to give the people of Iraq an opportunity to be able, ultimately – well, yeah, it’s not why we came originally, but we turned it into an effort to provide a new start, a new democracy. And they’ve seized that. Fourteen million people voted on April 30th. That’s a great percentage of the eligible voters in this country. It matches ours, or a lot of other countries, if not more. And they decided that they wanted to move forward and they made a statement about democracy.
Along comes ISIL crossing the border from Syria. Marauding, pillaging, destroying, killing, executing, massacring, in order that they could order people to live the way they tell them to and conduct jihad against their targets of opportunity. They’ve already talked about moving that to the West, the United States and elsewhere.

There isn’t one country in this region that supports what ISIL is doing. And what we need to do is to make certain that the people of Iraq have an opportunity now, notwithstanding the difficulties that were faced in the first days here, to be able to push back. And what I made clear to the leaders here today is it’s not just a military operation. It requires political decision making. It requires courage on the part of the leaders to get over their sectarian differences, put the country above their personal choices, and make things work for everybody. They need a government that represents all of the people of Iraq regardless of background or sectarian – family, whatever the old grudge is. And we need to fight to try to help make that happen. But in the end, they are the ones who have to decide whether it happens or not.

President Obama has made it clear he is prepared to provide help to push back against ISIL, because ISIL represents a threat to our interests – the national security of the region, our allies, our partners. And if they’re moving with no borders left in certain places, that’s a threat to any country in the region, and believe me, they’ve made clear their willingness to make it so.
So we’re going to try to do this. We’re not (inaudible) where we were. The President’s made it clear we’re not putting combat troops here and into combat. We’re not going backwards. We’re going to try to help them rescue their own country from this moment through diplomacy and through some military assistance in order to give them the ability to push back.

You all are going to be central to helping keep the wheels of the machinery in this operation moving so we can be effective, so the ambassador and the others who are out there working with the leadership of the Iraqi Government can do what they need to do in order to try to make our efforts as effective as possible.

I’ll tell you, the – the building back in Washington where I’m privileged to have my office as Secretary is (inaudible) Harry Truman – HST building, it’s the Harry Truman building. And Harry Truman once said that America was not built on fear, America was built on courage, on imagination, and on the extraordinary willingness to see the job through, to get the job done. That’s what you’re doing here. You’re showing courage by being here, many of you without family – obviously without family unless you happen to be married – spouses here – separated; enormous effort. You’re obviously showing imagination to believe in the possibilities of what Iraq can be and the opportunities they have. And you’re clearly showing the grit and determination needed to try to get the job done.

I cannot tell you how grateful I am for everyone in our country that we have people like you. And you’re privileged in a sense to get up every morning and go out there and try to make a difference in the lives of other people. There are a lot of folks who never get that kind of a shot. It’s a very special job. And to all of you who are local employees – can the local employees raise their hands? Do we have them over here? We thank you because we know we can’t do this without you. And we know sometimes probably someone says, “What the heck are you doing working for them?” And they probably challenge you, but you’re here, you’re part of this effort, you’re part of the family, and we’re here to help you to have the country that you believe in and you want.

So thank you, everybody. God bless. Keep the faith. This is not the last you’ll see of me or us from the State Department. I promise you we’ll be out here and we’re going to keep working together to get the job done. Take care and God speed. Thank you. (Applause.)

MDA TESTS THE EXOATMOSPHERIC KILL VEHICLE (EKV)

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

Right:  The Missile Defense Agency's Flight Test 06b Ground-Based Interceptor launches from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., June 22, 2014. Missile Defense Agency photo.

Syring: Missile Test Important Step for Missile Defense System

By Cheryl Pellerin

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 23, 2014 – The Missile Defense Agency and its joint partners completed the first intercept using the second-generation exoatmospheric kill vehicle, or EKV, during a test over the Pacific Ocean yesterday afternoon.
All components seemed to perform as designed, MDA officials said in a statement, and program officials will spend the next several months assessing and evaluating system performance based on telemetry and other test data.
The test, called flight test ground-based interceptor-06b, or FTG-06b, will provide the data needed for the assessment and to assess the performance of many Ballistic Missile Defense System elements for homeland defense, officials said.
The MDA, the Air Force’s 30th Space Wing, Joint Functional Component Command, Integrated Missile Defense, U.S. Northern Command and the Navy were involved in the integrated exercise.

"This is a very important step in our continuing efforts to improve and increase the reliability of our homeland ballistic missile defense system,” Missile Defense Agency Director Navy Vice Adm. James D. Syring said in a statement.
“We'll continue efforts to ensure our deployed ground-based interceptors and our overall homeland defensive architecture continue to provide the warfighter an effective and dependable system to defend the country,” he added, after congratulating the government and industry team that conducted the test.
“Their professionalism and dedication made this test a success,” Syring said.
The BMDS is designed to counter ballistic missile threats of all ranges -- short, medium, intermediate and long. The system has many integrated elements and a layered architecture that offers several ways to destroy incoming missiles and warheads before they reach their targets.

The architecture includes networked sensors and ground- and sea-based radars to detect and track targets, and ground- and sea-based interceptor missiles like the EKV to destroy a ballistic missile using the kinetic energy from a direct hit. This is called “hit-to-kill” technology. An explosive blast fragmentation warhead also can destroy a ballistic missile.

Yesterday’s successful test used the second-generation capability enhancement II, or CE-II, EKV. The architecture also includes a command-and-control, battle-management and communications network that gives operational commanders links between sensors and interceptor missiles.

Earlier this month, Syring testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee’s defense subcommittee on the agency’s budget request for fiscal year 2015. “My highest priority remains the successful intercept flight test of the CE-II [variant] exoatmospheric kill vehicle,” he told the senators.

In December 2010, two intercept tests of the EKV failed, but in January 2013 the agency conducted a successful nonintercept flight test of the EKV and confirmed it was on the right path to return the ground-based midcourse defense element of the system to sustained flight testing.

During yesterday’s test, an intermediate-range ballistic missile target representing a threat to the U.S. homeland was launched from the Reagan Test Site on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. The Navy destroyer USS Hopper, with its Aegis weapon system, detected and tracked the target using onboard AN/SPY-1 radar that sent data to the ground-based midcourse defense fire-control system via the command, control, battle management and communication system. The sea-based X-band radar also tracked the target and relayed information to the GMD fire control system to help with target engagement and to collect test data.
About six minutes after target launch, the ground-based interceptor launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base, California. Then an operational crew of soldiers from the Army’s 100th Missile Defense Brigade at Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado remotely launched the interceptor, and a three-stage booster rocket system propelled the interceptor's EKV into the target missile's projected trajectory in space.

The kill vehicle maneuvered to the target, performed discrimination -- or determined the difference between the warhead and a decoy -- and intercepted the threat warhead using only the force of the direct collision to destroy it.
This was the first intercept using the second-generation EKV.

The test was the 65th successful hit-to-kill intercept of 81 attempts since 2001 for the Ballistic Missile Defense System, officials said. The system’s ground-based midcourse defense element has completed four intercepts since 2006 using the operationally configured interceptor.

Operational ground-based interceptors are deployed at Fort Greely in Alaska and at Vandenberg, MDA officials said in a statement, to protect the United States and its allies and friends against a limited long-range ballistic missile attack.

PRESIDNET OBAMA NOTIFIES CONGRESS ON NATIONAL EMERGENCY REGARDING WESTERN BALKANS

FROM:  THE WHITE HOUSE NATIONAL 

Notice to Congress -- Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to the Western Balkans

NOTICE

- - - - - - - 

CONTINUATION OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY WITH RESPECT TO THE WESTERN BALKANS

On June 26, 2001, by Executive Order (E.O.) 13219, the President declared a national emergency with respect to the Western Balkans, pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701-1706), to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States constituted by the actions of persons engaged in, or assisting, sponsoring, or supporting (i) extremist violence in the Republic of Macedonia and elsewhere in the Western Balkans region, or (ii) acts obstructing implementation of the Dayton Accords in Bosnia or United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 of June 10, 1999, relating to Kosovo.  The President subsequently amended that order in E.O. 13304 of May 28, 2003, to take additional steps with respect to acts obstructing implementation of the Ohrid Framework Agreement relating to Macedonia.

The actions of persons threatening the peace and international stabilization efforts in the Western Balkans continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.  For this reason, the national emergency declared on June 26, 2001, and the measures adopted on that date and thereafter to deal with that emergency, must continue in effect beyond June 26, 2014.  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 with respect to the Western Balkans declared in E.O. 13219.

This notice shall be published in the Federal Register and transmitted to the Congress.

BARACK OBAMA

Orion Spacecraft Is Taking Shape on This Week @NASA

PRESS AVAILABILITY IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ BY SECRETARY KERRY

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

Press Availability on Syria and Iraq

Remarks

John Kerry

Secretary of State

U.S. Embassy Baghdad

Baghdad, Iraq

June 23, 2014

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SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good afternoon. I have a quick comment I want to make on a topic other than the visit here to Iraq, and then I’ll proceed to make some comments about the visit here. And then I look forward to taking some questions. Today, the International Maritime Task Force completed the extraordinary mission of removing the final 8 percent of declared chemical weapon precursors from Syria. So I want to congratulate the UN-OPCW Joint Mission and the entire international coalition, which operated under very dangerous conditions to remove more than 1,000 tons of declared chemical weapon materials from Syria. This effort emerged from an agreement reached last year between the United States and Russia. And many of our allies and partners played a very essential role in the removal effort. I want to thank all of those partners for their diligent efforts.

The world will really never forget the loss of more than 1,000 innocent Syrians who were senselessly killed with chemical weapons on the early morning of August 21st, 2013. It’s very important, however, even as we mark this moment of removing 100 percent of the declared weapons, that we understand that our work is not finished to ensure the complete elimination of Syria’s CW program. There are still some serious issues that remain to be addressed, and we are not going to stop until those have been addressed.

We remain deeply concerned about the reports of systematic use of chlorine gas in opposition areas. I want to emphasize: Chlorine gas – chlorine is not among the required declared chemical precursors, but when mixed in a certain way and when used in warfare, it becomes one of those prohibited entities under the chemical weapons treaty. So while all of the chemical weapons as declared weapons are removed, we still need to deal with this issue. And the Syrian regime, in addition to that, has dragged its feet on the destruction of some of the production facilities, which are required.

The international community has questions with regard to some of Syria’s declaration, and those still have to be adequately answered. So we are always going to remain truly appalled at the level of death and destruction that continues to consume Syria, notwithstanding the removal of these weapons. And that is something that is presenting the world with a continued grave humanitarian crisis, and we will continue to remain focused on that.

But I want to underscore and take stock of what has been achieved: the removal of all declared chemical weapons; the verification of the destruction of declared production, mixing, and filling equipment; the verification of the destruction of all declared chemical weapons delivery vehicles, including missile warheads and aerial bombs; and the diminishing of the strategic threat posed by Syrian chemical weapons program to our allies and our partners in the region.
Just yesterday in a conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, he brought up the degree to which this removal is vital to the state of Israel and vital to the region. And he congratulated all those involved on this accomplishment. For 100 years, the international community has deemed the use of these weapons to be beyond the bounds of acceptable conduct. And in the coming weeks, the United States stands ready to begin the destruction, which will be our responsibility, of a larger amount of Syria’s chemical weapons precursors. This is an unprecedented mission, and it will ensure that the weapons removed will never again be used against the Syrian people or against us, our allies, or our partners in the region or beyond. So while there is still some work to do, we signal this as a major accomplishment on a strategic level.

Now, President Obama asked me to visit Baghdad today to demonstrate America’s support for Iraq and its people during this time of crisis. This is clearly a moment when the stakes for Iraq’s future could not be clearer. ISIL’s campaign of terror, their grotesque acts of violence and repressive ideology pose a grave danger to Iraq’s future. ISIL is not, as it claims, fighting on behalf of Sunnis. ISIL is not fighting for a stronger Iraq; quite the contrary. ISIL is fighting to divide Iraq and to destroy Iraq.

So this is a critical moment for Iraq’s future. It is a moment of decision for Iraq’s leaders, and it’s a moment of great urgency. Iraq faces an existential threat, and Iraq’s leaders have to meet that threat with the incredible urgency that it demands. The very future of Iraq depends on choices that will be made in the next days and weeks. And the future of Iraq depends primarily on the ability of Iraq’s leaders to come together and take a stand united against ISIL – not next week, not next month, but now.

In each of my meetings today, I stressed that urgency and I stressed the responsibility of Iraq’s leaders to act, whether the meeting with Prime Minister Maliki, with speaker Nujaifi, with ISCI leader Hakim, or Foreign Minister Zebari, I emphasize that defending Iraq against ISIL depends largely on their ability – all of them – to form a new government and to do it quickly. It is essential that Iraq’s leaders form a genuinely inclusive government as rapidly as possible within their own constitutional framework.

It’s also crystal-clear that ISIL’s rise puts more than one country at risk. ISIL threatens the stability of the entire region and it is a threat also to the United States and to the West – self-declared. Iraq’s neighbors can bolster Iraq’s security, as well as their own, by supporting the formation of an Iraqi government that represents all Iraqis and also respects Iraq’s territorial integrity.

Now, President Obama has stated repeatedly that he will do what is necessary and what is in our national interest to confront ISIL and the threat that it poses to the security of the region and to our security in the long run. None of us should have to be reminded that a threat left unattended far beyond our shores can have grave, tragic consequences.

The President understands very clearly that supporting Iraq in the struggle at this time is part of meeting our most important responsibility: The security of the American people, fighting terrorism, and standing by our allies. Iraq is a strategic partner of the United States, with shared interests in countering the scourge of terrorism, maintaining stability of the global energy markets, and easing the sectarian polarization that plagues this region. That’s how we have to understand the stakes here in Iraq, and that’s why we have to understand the serious threat that ISIL poses to Iraq and the urgent need for Iraq’s security forces to therefore be well-supplied, well-equipped, and well-trained. That is why President Obama has prepared a range of options for Iraq, including enhanced intelligence, joint operation centers, steady supplies of munitions, and advisors to work with and support some of Iraq’s best units.

With this support, we are living up to our Strategic Framework Agreement. The support will be intense, sustained, and if Iraq’s leaders take the necessary steps to bring the country together, it will be effective. It will allow Iraqi security forces to confront ISIL more effectively and in a way that respects Iraq’s sovereignty while also respecting America’s and the region’s vital interests. The Strategic Framework Agreement also commits the United States to support Iraq’s constitutional process. That is specifically stated, and that is part of why I stressed in today’s meetings the importance of keeping the constitutional timeline and of forming a new government as soon as possible, because forming a new government is critical to the ability of Iraq to be able to make progress and be successful.

It is incumbent on Iraq’s leaders to convene parliament on time, and I might say to you that every single leader today committed that they are dedicated to meeting the July 1st deadline for the meeting of the representatives, the parliament. It is also incumbent on them to choose a speaker immediately, then to choose a president, and finally a prime minister and a cabinet. And to do so, they must effect a unity that rises above the traditional divisions that have torn the government apart.

So I encouraged the leaders today to start this process and to move along a path that is outlined by Iraq’s constitution itself. Nothing that the United States through President Obama sending me here today – nothing that we asked them to do or offered is outside of the constitutional process or without complete respect for the choices of the leaders of Iraq. The United States is not choosing any leader; we are not making any preconditions with respect to who can or can’t take part. That is up to Iraq. It’s up to the people of Iraq to make that decision. And what we asked for today is also very much in line with the message that Grand Ayatollah Sistani offered just a few days ago. As I told Iraqi leaders today, and as I’ve made clear to my counterparts in the region, neither the United States nor any other country has the right to pick who leads Iraq. That is up to the people of Iraq. So it is when all of Iraq’s people can shape Iraq’s future, when the legitimate concerns and aspirations of all of Iraq’s communities – Sunni, Shia, Kurd – are all respected, that is when Iraq is strongest. And that is when Iraq will be the most secure.

We are here today to demonstrate our support for those aspirations and to show our commitment to a stable and sovereign Iraq, which is what so many soldiers and others invested – many of them with their lives – to achieve in the interests of the people of Iraq and of this region. We stand with the people of Iraq as they meet this moment of great challenge in their effort to build a stronger, more viable, more prosperous, more representative Iraq in the days to come. So I’d be delighted to take any questions.

MS. PSAKI: The first question is from Michael Gordon of The New York Times.

QUESTION: Sir, you mentioned your meetings today with Prime Minister Maliki, and you’re meeting Shiite and Sunni politicians and Iraq’s foreign minister. Do you think Prime Minister Maliki has an effective strategy for dealing with Iraq’s security and political crisis, and what is that strategy? You mentioned the importance of forming a government in an expedited manner. Did you make any headway today on the process of government formation? Was any progress made, and what was that progress?

And lastly, ISIS, as you – has been noted, has been erasing the border between Iraq and Syria. They’ve taken the town of Rutba, which sits astride the highway to Jordan. American officials said that ISIS would like to attack the Shia shrine in Samarra, which could lead to an explosion of violence in Iraq. Given these security developments, can the United States really afford to wait until the government formation process in Iraq is complete before taking some form of action, potentially air strikes? Thank you.

SECRETARY KERRY: Well, let me answer the last part of that question first. President Obama has not declared that he will wait. He has made it very clear in his most recent statement that he is preparing with the increased intelligence and the work that the military is doing at this point in time, and the President is prepared to take action when and if the President decides that is important. Clearly, everyone understands that Samarra is an important line. Historically, an assault on Samarra created enormous problems in Iraq. That is something that we all do not want to see happen again. And so the President and the team, the entire security team, are watching this movement and these events very, very closely.
The key today was to get from each of the government leaders a clarity with respect to the road forward in terms of government formation. And indeed, Prime Minister Maliki firmly, on multiple occasions because it was a great part of the conversation, affirmed his commitment to July 1^st as the date when the representatives will convene and when they must choose a speaker and then a president and then a prime minister. And he committed to try to move that process as expeditiously as possible. And that was emphasized again and again.

With respect to the strategy for going forward, we agreed today that we will work very, very closely with the joint command. The joint command is now being set up. The additional advisors are coming in and dispersing through their various posts and brigades, and they will be making assessments, and that will help define the strategy on the security front. But make no mistake, the President has moved the assets into place and has been gaining each day the assurances he needs with respect to potential targeting, and he has reserved the right to himself, as he should, to make a decision at any point in time if he deems it necessary strategically.

MS. PSAKI: The next question is from Abbas Qassim from Iraqiya TV.

QUESTION: (In Arabic.)

SECRETARY KERRY: Well, if you have proof of the last statement, we obviously would welcome your giving it to us. We are implementing a strategy now; we’re not waiting. The President has taken steps under the Strategic Framework Agreement – and let me emphasize, the President has taken these steps way back into the last year. There is additional training, there is additional material, there’s been additional support, and it has been building up as the crisis in Iraq has been looming. So this has been an ongoing process. It is not sudden to this moment that ISIL moved across the border. The fact is now it has accelerated because much of the Iraqi army didn’t fight, moved away and allowed the wholesale movement of ISIL into Iraqi territory. Now, that’s something that is being investigated, it’s being looked at. The leadership understands the problem it has created, but the result is that’s why the President wants to make an assessment in order to make a hard determination about the capacity of the military, to understand exactly what the stakes are and what the implications are of any decision he might make.

Now, that’s a very important evaluation. But in the meantime, the President is providing additional material and he has taken the measures to provide the United States with the ability, should he deem it necessary, to make the decision to be able to have a direct impact on ISIL. And today’s meetings were a very important part of the President’s decision-making process. He sent me here to evaluate in my discussions with the leadership what choices they are prepared to make and what will happen in terms of government formation. But clearly, if there is evidence that requires some kind of action prior to that process being completed, the President maintains the prerogative of making that decision.

MS. PSAKI: The final question is from Andrea Mitchell of NBC News.

QUESTION: To follow up on that and on what Michael asked you, Mr. Secretary, did the other leaders with whom you met today indicate that they have the confidence that Prime Minister Maliki can change, and not only be inclusive, but stop taking direct action against his Sunni rivals, and that he could engender the support of the military? The military fled and took of their uniforms partly because there was no loyalty to a central government because of his own actions. Do you believe that he can lead a fight against this existential threat that ISIS is now posing, wiping out borders?

And to get back to Syria, for all of the success of the chemical weapon declared process, there is still the chlorine, as you mentioned. We don’t know what else is out there. ISIS and Al-Nusrah and other groups now control more and more of the territory. There is still a threat there. To what extent does the creation of ISIS also lay at the feet of the United States and other allies who did not take action sooner on Syria in supporting more moderate rebels?
And if I could also ask you, you were in Cairo yesterday meeting with President al-Sisi. You even suggested that the Apaches might be delivered, that they may have met the standard. Today, the Al-Jazeera journalists were sentenced to seven years in prison. Do we have real assurances that that process can be reversed, that this new leader – newly elected president really is going to stand up against the judicial system with these mass verdicts – mass death sentences, and now the sentencing of journalists?

SECRETARY KERRY: Well Andrea, that’s very, very fair question, and it’s an appropriate one today. When I heard about that verdict today, I was so concerned about it and, frankly, disappointed in it that I immediately picked up the telephone and I talked to the foreign minister of Egypt and I registered our serious displeasure at this kind of verdict under the circumstances of where we find ourselves today. Now, today’s conviction is obviously – it’s a chilling and draconian sentence. And it’s deeply disturbing to see in the midst of Egypt’s transition. It simply cannot stand if Egypt is going to be able to move forward in the way that Egypt needs to move forward, in order to respond to the extraordinary aspirations of those young people who twice came in to Tahrir Square in order to demand a responsive government.

So the success of Egypt going forward will depend on the protection of universal human rights, and it will depend on a real commitment to embracing the hopes of the people there that they’re going to see a judicial system that is responsive and modern and not one trapped in ideology or in this kind of extreme decision.

So today’s verdict flies in the face of the essential ingredients of a civil society and a free press and rule of law. And the president – President al-Sisi and I discussed this yesterday. We discussed these very cases, and I think it is going to be critical in terms of the objectives of his presidency for him to move quickly to try to address the international concerns that exist with respect to this kind of a decision.

Now with respect to Iraq and Prime Minister Maliki, I’m not going to comment on – it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the private conversations that I had with other leaders about their judgments or where they’re heading. But I will say this: All of the leaders that I talked with today, including Prime Minister Maliki, profess their commitment to meeting the date and their understanding that they need to move rapidly to form a government and that only by forming a government quickly will they be able to open up Iraq to the kind of embrace and support from the international community that it will need in order to fight ISIL going forward.
Now, you ask about ISIL and its movement across the border in Syria. ISIL was in Syria because of Assad, not for any other reason – one of many international groups and foreign fighters groups that have assembled in Syria in order to get rid of Bashar al-Assad. And the fact is, they have been funded by individuals and people from various parts of the world who are jihadists; they are more extreme than al-Qaida. Al-Qaida itself expelled them after they had a brief unity moment, and al-Qaida found them too troubling, but they are essentially al-Qaida in Iraq.

And the fact is that they do pose a threat. They cannot be given safe haven anywhere. Because given safe haven, they will continue to plot against governments locally, regionally, and abroad. And that is clear from their own communications and from our knowledge of them. So that’s why they pose a serious threat. They are destabilizing. There isn’t one country – not Iran, not Iraq, not Jordan, not Israel, not Turkey, not anybody in the region – who believes that ISIL is something that can be tolerated in this region. That’s why it is important to focus now on ISIL, and that’s why again I reiterate the President will not be hampered if he deems it necessary if the formation is not complete.

One thing I want to emphasize: If the President of the United States makes a decision that he has to do something with respect to ISIL because of the urgency, it has nothing to do with support for a specific government, or for – let me rephrase that. It’s not specifically support for the existing prime minister or for one sect or another. It will be against ISIL, because ISIL is a terrorist organization, and I think everybody today that we talked to understood the urgency and the ability to separate what the United States might do from their government formation process itself.

MS. PSAKI: Thanks, everyone.

SECRETARY KERRY: Thank you all very much.

U.S. STATEMENT ON SUDAN'S COURT DECISION TO FREE MERIAM YAHYA IBRAHIM ISHAG

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT 

U.S. Welcomes Court Ruling to Free Meriam Yahya Ibrahim Ishag

Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 23, 2014

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We obviously welcome the decision by the Sudanese Appeals Court to order the release of Ms. Meriam Yahya Ibrahim Ishag. Her case has rightly drawn the attention of the world and has been of deep concern to the United States Government and many of our citizens and their representatives in Congress.

Nothing can bring the lost moments back to a mother and her children, but today we celebrate the reunification of this family. From this step, we would hope that the Government of Sudan could take further strides toward a different and more hopeful future for the people of Sudan.
We continue to urge Sudan to repeal its laws that are inconsistent with its 2005 Interim Constitution, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These actions would help demonstrate to the Sudanese people that their government intends to respect their fundamental freedoms and universal human rights.

U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT CONTRACTS FOR JUNE 23, 2014

FROM:  U.S. DEFENSE DEPARTMENT 

CONTRACTS

ARMY

SENTEL Corp., Alexandria, Virginia, was awarded a $53,514,853 modification (P00009) to contract W52P1J-12-C-0077 to exercise an option year for integrated logistics support services for property accountability in the 401st Army Field Support Brigade in Afghanistan. Fiscal 2014 operations and maintenance (Army) funds in the amount of $13,000,000 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Dec. 23, 2014. Work will be performed in Afghanistan. Army Contracting Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, is the contracting activity.

NIITEK, Dulles, Virginia, was awarded a $26,122,231 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract with options in support of the Husky Mounted Detection System which will provide ground penetrating radar, deep buried detection, and marking capabilities, installed on the Husky, thereby enabling the detection of underbelly-attack explosive hazards during route clearance missions. The contract includes a 21 -month engineering and manufacturing development base period with a 15-month low rate initial production option. Work will be performed in Dulles, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of June 22, 2017. One bid was solicited and one received. Fiscal 2014 research, development, testing and evaluation funds in the amount of $18,900,000 are being obligated at the time of the award. Army Contracting Command, Alexandria, Virginia, is the contracting activity (W909MY-14-C-0025).

Goodfellow Bros., Inc., Wenatchee, Washing
ton, was awarded a $27,345,000 firm-fixed-price contract for an infantry platoon battle course. Work will be performed in the Pohakuloa Training Area on the island of Hawaii, Hawaii, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2016. Bids were solicited via the internet with five received. Military construction funds in the amount of $25,345,000 (fiscal 2013); $682,000 (fiscal 2013); and $1,318,000 (fiscal 2010) are being obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, is the contracting activity (W9128A-14-C-0005).

NAVY

Fluor Federal Solutions, LLC, Greenville, South Carolina, is being awarded a $45,100,173 modification under a previously awarded firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to exercise option two for regional base operations support services at Naval Air Station, Jacksonville; Naval Station Mayport; Bureau of Medicine and Surgery; and Blount Island Command. The work to be performed provides for regional base operating support services including, but not limited to, the following functions: port operations, facilities support services, facility investment, base support vehicles and equipment, and environmental. The total contract amount after exercise of this option will be $132,140,027. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, and is expected to be completed June 2015. Fiscal 2014 operation and maintenance (Navy and Marine Corps); fiscal 2014 working capital funds (Navy); fiscal 2014 defense health program funds; and fiscal 2014 family housing operation and maintenance (Navy) contract funds in the amount of $15,934,916 are being obligated on this award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, is the contracting activity (N69450-12-D-7582).

Lockheed Martin, Moorestown, New Jersey, is being awarded a $12,171,921 cost-plus-fixed-fee modification to a previously awarded contract (N00024-11-C-2300 CLIN 0012) to provide procurement and engineering efforts in support of the TRS-3D Radar installation for the Port Hueneme Test Ship. Work will be performed in San Diego, California (68 percent); Clearwater, Florida (12 percent); Moorestown, New Jersey (10 percent); Washington, District of Columbia (10 percent), and is expected to be completed by December 2018. Fiscal 2014 research, development, test and evaluation funding in the amount of $12,171,921 will be obligated at time of award. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion, and Repair, Bath, Maine, is the contracting activity.

Raytheon Co., El Segundo, California, is being awarded $14,899,999 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 0054 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-10-G-0006) to complete an engineering change proposal to retrofit an infrared marker into the existing Advanced Targeting Forward Looking Infrared pods for the F/A-18 E/F aircraft. Work will be performed in El Segundo, California (80 percent), and McKinney, Texas (20 percent), and is expected to be completed in January 2016. Fiscal 2014 aircraft procurement (Navy) funds in the amount of $14,899,999 are being obligated on this award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

TK&K Services, LLC,** Alpharetta, Georgia, has been awarded a maximum $18,915,900 firm-fixed-price contract for fuel management services to include personnel, equipment, vehicles, tools, materials, supplies, and supervision to manage all aspects of petroleum and cryogenic products. This contract was a competitive acquisition, and eight offers were received. This is a five-year base contract with one five-year option period. Locations of performance are Georgia and Oklahoma, with a Sept. 30, 2019, performance completion date. Using military service is Air Force. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Fort Belvoir, Virginia (SP0600-14-C-5415).

Lord Corporation, doing business as Aerospace Division, Erie, Pennsylvania, has been awarded a maximum $12,404,463 fixed-price with economic-price-adjustment, indefinite-quantity contract for unique weapon system components and/or components for specific uses on multiple aircraft. This contract was a sole-source acquisition. This is a one-year base contract with four one-year option periods. Locations of performance are Pennsylvania and Illinois with a June 10, 2015 performance completion date. Using military services are Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and federal civilian agencies. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting activity is the Defense Logistics Agency Aviation, Richmond, Virginia (SPE4A2-14-D-0004). (Awarded June 11, 2014).

**Service-Disabled, Veteran-Owned Small Business

SECRETARY KERRY'S STATEMENT ON REMOVAL OF CHEMICAL MATERIALS FROM SYRIA

FROM:  THE STATE DEPARTMENT 

Removal of Declared Chemical Materials from Syria

Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 23, 2014

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Today, the international maritime task force completed the critical mission of removing the last 8 percent of declared chemical weapons precursors from Syria. With this step, 100 percent of the declared chemicals are out of war-torn Syria. We congratulate the OPCW-UN Joint Mission and the entire international coalition, which operated under dangerous conditions to remove more than 1,000 tons of declared chemical weapons materials, a daunting undertaking that grew out of the agreement we reached last year between the United States and Russia. Many of our allies and partners, particularly Denmark, Norway, Finland, Italy, and the United Kingdom, are playing an essential role in the removal and destruction effort. In the coming weeks, the United States stands ready to begin destruction of a large amount of Syria’s chemical weapons precursors. This unprecedented mission, deploying unique American capabilities, will ensure that they will not be used against the Syrian people or against us, our allies, or our partners, in the region or beyond.

However, it should not be lost on anyone that our work is not finished. Very serious issues remain and must be resolved. We remain deeply concerned by the reports of systematic use of chlorine gas in opposition areas; the Syrian regime has dragged their feet on destroying production facilities; the international community has questions with regard to Syria’s declaration that must be adequately answered; and we are appalled at the death toll from the regime's continued attacks on its own people, as well the grave humanitarian crisis.
But, this is also an important moment to take stock of what has been achieved: the removal of all declared chemicals; verification of the destruction of declared production, mixing, and filling equipment; verification of the destruction of all declared chemical weapon delivery vehicles, including missile warheads and aerial bombs; and diminishing the strategic threat posed by the Syrian chemical weapons program to our allies and partners in the region.

The world will never forget the loss of the more than 1,400 innocent Syrians senselessly killed with chemical weapons on August 21, 2013. For 100 years, the international community has deemed the use of these weapons far beyond the bounds of acceptable conduct. The worst of the weapons are gone, but the despicable regime and the crisis it has created remain and require our collective focus.

SECRETARY KERRY SAYS CONVICTION OF AL JAZERRA JOURNALISTS IN EGYPT IS DISTURBING

FROM:  THE STATE DEPARTMENT 

Conviction of Al Jazeera Journalists

Press Statement

John Kerry

Secretary of State

Washington, DC

June 23, 2014

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Today's conviction and chilling, draconian sentences by the Cairo Criminal Court of three Al Jazeera journalists and fifteen others in a trial that lacked many fundamental norms of due process, is a deeply disturbing set-back to Egypt's transition. Injustices like these simply cannot stand if Egypt is to move forward in the way that President al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Shoukry told me just yesterday that they aspire to see their country advance.

As I shared with President al-Sisi during my visit to Cairo, the long term success of Egypt and its people depends on the protection of universal human rights, and a real commitment to embracing the aspirations of the Egyptians for a responsive government. Egyptian society is stronger and sustainable when all of its citizens have a say and a stake in its success. Today's verdicts fly in the face of the essential role of civil society, a free press, and the real rule of law. I spoke with Foreign Minister Shoukry again today to make very clear our deep concerns about these convictions and sentences.

Yesterday, President al-Sisi and I frankly discussed these issues and his objectives at the start of his term as President. I call on him to make clear, publicly, his government’s intention to observe Egypt’s commitment to the essential role of civil society, a free press, and the rule of law. The Egyptian government should review all of the political sentences and verdicts pronounced during the last few years and consider all available remedies, including pardons.