Washington, D.C., United States (AHN) – The Obama Administration top officials along with President Barack Obama himself looking concentrated were pictured all over the world as the U.S. special forces were taking out Osama bin Laden from his hideout. The room in that picture is called The Situation Room in the White House and it is 50 years old on Friday.

The Situation Room, the scene of that tense drama was again in spotlight as Obama observed the 50th Anniversary of the room, taking time to speak to the staff of the Situation Room staff “to thank them for their around-the-clock work to keep the President informed and the country safe.”

“We could not meet the national security challenges that we face without the capabilities of this room and the people who work here,” the President said in a statement released to the press,

Stressing the importance of the Situation Room, Obama said, “It’s the President’s eyes and ears. Providing the latest information and alerts, it’s the nerve center for the U.S. government, the place where we come together to make policy and respond to crises from wars abroad to floods at home.”

The White House disclosed in a communique that the President also presided over a ceremony to name a secure conference room after the father of the Situation Room, President John F. Kennedy.

JFK’s daughter Caroline Kennedy and a slew of former and current national security officials were in attendance as Obama, the 44th president dedicated a secure conference room to the 35th president.

Earlier at a “off-camera” but on-record briefing called “gaggle” in Washington parlance, Jay Carney, the White House spokesman tried to wave away the journalists’ requests for a coverage of the Situation Room on the day of the anniversary.

“It’s kind of a secret room.” said Carney, adding amid laughter, “We’d have to get you all sorts of security clearances.”

Citing the fact that the Bush Administration had allowed journalists a peek when they were redoing it, journalists noted that the Obama Administration prides itself as “the most transparent administration.”

Carney replied, “We are. We are indeed, adding amid another round of laughter, “I’ll see what we can get you about the event surrounding the 50th anniversary of the Situation Room, which is today.”

View full post on All Stories