THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Vice President ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release
June 12, 2010


READOUT OF VICE PRESIDENT BIDEN'S MEETING WITH FIFA PRESIDENT BLATTER

Vice President Biden met with FIFA President Blatter this morning in Johannesburg. They discussed the excitement surrounding the 2010 World Cup and its host country South Africa. They talked about the importance of soccer globally; the passion and growing fan base in the United States for the sport; and the game's power to bring communities and nations together.


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Thursday, June 10th - Nairobi, Kenya and Johannesburg, South Africa

The Bidens will depart Kenya en route South Africa. Their departure will be OPEN PRESS.

The Bidens arrival in South Africa, will also be OPEN PRESS.

The Vice President:

At 4:00 PM LOCAL TIME/10:00 AM ET, the Vice President will meet with former South African President Thabo Mbeki to discuss implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Sudan and the situation in Darfur. This meeting will be closed press.

In the evening, the Vice President and Dr. Biden will attend the FIFA Kick-off Celebration Concert at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. This event will be OPEN PRESS.

Dr. Jill Biden:

In the afternoon, Dr. Biden will visit and tour Mapetla Daycare in Soweto. For more information, please contact Todd Haskell at 079 111 6224.

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Friday, June 11th - Johannesburg, South Africa

In the morning, the Vice President will attend a reception with South African leaders. The Vice President will deliver remarks at this event. The reception will be OPEN PRESS.

In the afternoon, the Vice President and Dr. Biden will arrive at the Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg. They will represent the United States at the opening ceremonies of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and attend the first game. This event will be OPEN PRESS.

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Biden Schedule

Saturday, June 12th - Pretoria and Rustenburg, South Africa

The Vice President:

In the morning, the Vice President will attend a meeting with Deputy President Kgalema Petrus Motlanthe and Minister of International Relations Maite Nkoana-Mashabane in Pretoria. Additional details will be released closer to the date.

In the evening, the Vice President and Dr. Biden will attend the U.S. Men's National Team's first game - USA v. England - at the FIFA World Cup in Rustenburg. This game will be OPEN PRESS.

Dr. Jill Biden:

In the morning, Dr. Biden will visit the Hector Pieterson Museum in Orlando West, Soweto.