Dec. 24 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 made available by the Office of the Press Sec- Office of the Press Secretary also released a retary on December 24, but was embargoed Spanish language transcript of this address. for release until 6 p.m. on December 24. The

Statement on the Death of Percy Sutton December 27, 2009

Percy Sutton was a true hero to African the effort to revitalize the world renowned Americans in City and around the . His life-long dedication to the country. We will remember him for his service fight for civil rights and his career as an entre- to the country as a Tuskegee airman, to New preneur and public servant made the rise of York State as a State assemblyman, to New countless young possible. York City as borough president, Michelle and I extend our deepest condo- and to the community of in leading lences to his family on this sad day.

Remarks in Kaneohe, Hawaii December 28, 2009

Attempted Terrorist Act on Northwest Airlines rorism, and we will not rest until we find all Flight 253 who were involved and hold them account- able. Hey, guys. Good morning, everybody. I Now, this was a serious reminder of the want to take just a few minutes to update the dangers that we face and the nature of those American people on the attempted terrorist who threaten our homeland. Had the suspect attack that occurred on Christmas Day and the succeeded in bringing down that plane, it steps we’re taking to ensure the safety and se- could have killed nearly 300 passengers and curity of the country. crew, innocent civilians preparing to celebrate The investigation’s ongoing, and I spoke the holidays with their families and friends. again this morning with Attorney General Eric The American people should be assured Holder, the Secretary of Homeland Security that we are doing everything in our power to Janet Napolitano, and my Counterterrorism keep you and your families safe and secure and Homeland Security Adviser, John Bren- during this busy holiday season. Since I was nan. I asked them to keep—continue monitor- first notified of this incident, I’ve ordered the ing the situation, to keep the American people following actions to be taken to protect the and Members of Congress informed. American people and to secure air travel. Here’s what we know so far. On Christmas First, I directed that we take immediate Day, Northwest Airlines Flight 253 was en steps to ensure the safety of the traveling pub- route from Amsterdam, Netherlands, to De- lic. We made sure that all flights still in the air troit. As the plane made its final approach to were secure and could land safely. We imme- Detroit Metropolitan Airport, a passenger al- diately enhanced screening and security pro- legedly tried to ignite an explosive device on cedures for all flights, domestic and interna- his body, setting off a fire. tional. We added Federal air marshals to Thanks to the quick and heroic actions of flights entering and leaving the United States. passengers and crew, the suspect was immedi- And we’re working closely in this coun- ately subdued, the fire was put out, and the try—Federal, State, and local law enforce- plane landed safely. The suspect is now in cus- ment—with our international partners. tody and has been charged with attempting to Second, I’ve ordered two important re- destroy an aircraft. And a full investigation has views, because it’s absolutely critical that we been launched into this attempted act of ter- learn from this incident and take the necessary

1838 Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 / Dec. 28 measures to prevent future acts of terrorism. thing that we can to keep America safe in the The first review involves our watch list system, new year and beyond. which our Government has had in place for many years to identify known and suspected Situation in Iran terrorists so that we can prevent their entry into the United States. Before I leave, let me also briefly address the Apparently, the suspect in the Christmas in- events that have taken place over the last few cident was in this system, but not on a watch list days in the Islamic Republic of Iran. such as the so-called no-fly list. So I’ve ordered The United States joins with the internation- a thorough review not only of how information al community in strongly condemning the vio- related to the subject was handled but of the lent and unjust suppression of innocent Iranian overall watch list system and how it can be citizens, which has apparently resulted in de- strengthened. tentions, injuries, and even death. The second review will examine all screening For months, the Iranian people have sought policies, technologies, and procedures related nothing more than to exercise their universal to air travel. We need to determine just how the rights. Each time they have done so, they have suspect was able to bring dangerous explosives been met with the iron fist of brutality, even on aboard an aircraft and what additional steps we solemn occasions and holy days. And each time that has happened the world has watched with can take to thwart future attacks. deep admiration for the courage and the con- Third, I’ve directed my national security viction of the Iranian people, who are part of team to keep up the pressure on those who Iran’s great and enduring civilization. would attack our country. We do not yet have What’s taking place within Iran is not about all the answers about this latest attempt, but the United States or any other country; it’s those who would slaughter innocent men, wom- about the Iranian people and their aspirations en, and children must know that the United for justice and a better life for themselves. And States will more—do more than simply the decision of Iran’s leaders to govern through strengthen our defenses; we will continue to fear and tyranny will not succeed in making use every element of our national power to dis- those aspirations go away. As I said in Oslo, it’s rupt, to dismantle, and defeat the violent ex- telling when governments fear the aspirations tremists who threaten us, whether they are of their own people more than the power of any from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Soma- other nation. lia, or anywhere where they are plotting attacks Along with all free nations, the United States against the U.S. homeland. stands with those who seek their universal Finally, the American people should remain rights. We call upon the Iranian Government to vigilant, but also be confident. Those plotting abide by the international obligations that it has against us seek not only to undermine our secu- to respect the rights of its own people. We call rity but also the open society and the values that for the immediate release of all who have been we cherish as Americans. This incident, like unjustly detained within Iran. We will continue several that have preceded it, demonstrates that to bear witness to the extraordinary events that an alert and courageous citizenry are far more are taking place there. And I’m confident that resilient than an isolated extremist. As a nation, history will be on the side of those who seek jus- we will do everything in our power to protect tice. our country. As Americans, we will never give in Thank you very much, everybody, and happy to fear or division; we will be guided by our New Year. hopes, our unity, and our deeply held values. That’s who we are as Americans. That’s what NOTE: The President spoke at 10:01 a.m. at our brave men and women in uniform are Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay. In standing up for as they spend the holidays in his remarks, he referred to Umar Farouk Ab- harm’s way. And we will continue to do every- dulmutallab, suspect in the December 25

1839 Dec. 28 / Administration of Barack Obama, 2009 explosive device incident on Northwest Air- tary also released a Spanish language tran- lines Flight 253. The Office of the Press Secre- script of these remarks.

Statement on the Observance of Kwanzaa December 28, 2009

Michelle and I send warm wishes to all creativity, and faith—express the values that those celebrating Kwanzaa this holiday season. have inspired us as individuals and families, This is a joyous time of year when African communities and country. These same princi- Americans and all Americans come together to ples have sustained us as a nation during our celebrate our blessings and the richness of our darkest hours and provided hope for better cultural traditions. This is also a time of reflec- days to come. Michelle and I know the chal- tion and renewal as we come to the end of one lenges facing many African American families year and the beginning of another. The Kwan- zaa message tells us that we should recall the and families in all communities at this time, lessons of the past even as we seize the prom- but we also know the spirit of perseverance ise of tomorrow. and hope that is ever present in the communi- The seven principles of Kwanzaa—unity, ty. It is in this spirit that our family extends our self determination, collective work and re- prayers and best wishes during this season and sponsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, for the new year to come.

Remarks in Kaneohe December 29, 2009

Good morning. Yesterday I updated the land security communities to take all necessary American people on the immediate steps we steps to protect the country. took, the increased screening and security of I wanted to speak to the American people air travel, to keep our country safe in the wake again today because some of this preliminary of the attempted terrorist attack on Christmas information that has surfaced in the last 24 Day. And I announced two reviews, a review hours raises some serious concerns. It’s been of our terrorist watch list system and a review widely reported that the father of the suspect of our air travel screening, so we can find out in the Christmas incident warned U.S. officials what went wrong, fix it, and prevent future at- in Africa about his son’s extremist views. It tacks. now appears that weeks ago, this information was passed to a component of our intelligence Those reviews began on Sunday and are community, but was not effectively distributed now underway. Earlier today I issued the for- * so as to get the suspect’s name on a no-fly list. mer [formal] guidelines for those reviews and There appears to be other deficiencies as directed that preliminary findings be provided well. Even without this one report, there were to the White House by this Thursday. It’s es- bits of information available within the intelli- sential that we diagnose the problems quickly gence community that could have and should and deal with them immediately. have been pieced together. We’ve achieved Now, the more comprehensive, formal re- much since 9/11 in terms of collecting infor- views and recommendations for improvement mation that relates to terrorists and potential will be completed in the coming weeks, and terrorist attacks, but it’s becoming clear that I’m committed to working with Congress and the system that has been in place for years now our intelligence, law enforcement, and home- is not sufficiently up to date to take full

* White House correction.

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