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Subject IndexMonday, November 23, 2009
Address to U.S. and International Troops in Afghanistan
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 19): "I am delighted to have this chance to come by and thank you in person for what you’re all doing. I’m very grateful to the leadership that both General McChrystal and General Rodriguez are giving to NATO-ISAF and to our American team. But I know that the work that’s done every single day is done by all of you in every aspect of this mission. I know we’ve got some of our allied partners here, and I want to thank all of them for representing their countries and being part of this extraordinary international effort." -Full Text
State of Political and Religious Freedom in the Middle East
Assistant Secretary Posner (Nov. 19): "The Report’s [International Religious Freedom] Introduction articulates this Administration’s approach to international religious freedom. We seek a principled engagement with other nations on this issue—in a spirit of mutual interest and mutual respect. Religion is a global phenomenon and all nations, including the United States, wrestle with how best to accommodate their religious diversity. We are convinced that the freedom to profess, practice, and promote one’s religion is a basic human right, a social good, a source of stability, and a key component of international security." -Full Text
A New Era in U.S.-Indian Partnership
Under Secretary Burns (Nov. 18): "It is no coincidence that the first state visit in the Obama Presidency will come from India, and Prime Minister Singh will arrive in Washington next week at a moment of great opportunity. Few relationships will matter more to the course of human events in the 21st century than the partnership between India and the United States. India, as all of you know very well, is a rising global power, soon to be the world’s most populous country, with a trillion dollar-plus economy. The world’s largest democracy, India is a powerful model for other emerging democracies, a model of tolerance and of strength in diversity." -Full Text 

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In Other News

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Date: 03/24/2009 Description: Great Seal State Dept Photo
UN Calls on Iran to Address Serious Human Rights Violations
Deputy Spokesman Wood (Nov. 20): "The United States welcomes the resolution passed today by the United Nations calling upon the Government of Iran to respect its human rights obligations fully. In addition, to longstanding concerns about the human rights situation in Iran, the resolution expresses deep concern about the brutal response of Iranian authorities to peaceful demonstrations in the wake of the June 12 election. It calls on the Government of Iran to abolish torture and arbitrary imprisonment, as well as any executions, including stoning, carried out without due process of law." -Full Text -View Video
Date: 11/17/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson and Coordinator for Counterterrorism Daniel Benjamin testimony before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on counterterrorism in the Sahel Region of Africa. © State Dept Image
Counterterrorism in Africa
Assistant Secretary Carson (Nov. 17): "While the security challenges in the Sahel are not new, several attacks in recent months against African and western targets have drawn additional focus to the situation. Key countries in the area, including Algeria, Mali and Mauritania, have intensified efforts to coordinate their activities against AQIM and address the region’s short, medium, and long-term vulnerabilities. At the same time, we have consulted with African and European partners to identify areas where we can more effectively support regional efforts to improve the security environment in the Sahel over the long-term." -Full Text -View Video
Date: 11/18/2009 Description: Secretary Clinton with and U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry and Special Representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan: Richard C. Holbrooke at Meet and Greet at Embassy Kabul with Employees and Their Families. © State Dept Image by Daniel Wilkinson
Building a Strong Partnership With the Government and People of Afghanistan
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 18): "We want to be a strong partner with the government and the people of Afghanistan. And I always say both because it’s not either/or. It has to be both. And I will look forward to the conversations that I will be having with the president and others. We have engaged in a very careful and thoughtful review. When the President asked us to make this review, we wanted to question every assumption, we wanted to look at every possible decision. Because we know that this is a turning point that we all face together." -Full Text -View Video
Date: 11/18/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, Judith A. McHale delivers remarks at the Open Doors 2009 annual meeting held at the National Press Club. © State Dept Image
Open Doors 2009: Annual Report on International Education
Under Secretary McHale (Nov. 16): "We are delighted to release Open Doors today, because we have very good news to share with all of you.  Hosting foreign students and scholars not only enriches the educational experience of the exchange participants, it helps to build lasting ties among peoples and nations.  That is why we are happy to report that for the 2008-2009 academic year, we have witnessed an 8% increase in the number of international students choosing to study in the United States." -Full Text -View Video
Date: 11/17/2009 Description: Members of U.S. Southern Command's Joint Task Force Bravo distribute disaster relief assistance from the U.S. Agency for International Development to El Salvadoran communities afflicted by Tropical Storm Ida. © USAID Image
U.S. Responds to Natural Disaster in El Salvador
On November 7-8, heavy rainfall related to Tropical Storm Ida caused floods and landslides in much of the central and eastern areas of El Salvador, including the capital city of San Salvador, which has resulted in more than 190 deaths and severe infrastructural damage and agricultural losses. At least 14,000 people have been forced from their homes and are staying in temporary shelters. -Full Text
Date: 11/16/2009 Description: Secretary Clinton's remarks on USA Pavilian at the World Expo Shanghai 2010 during press availability in Shanghai, China. © AP Image from Video
World Expo Shanghai 2010
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 16): “We’re grateful for your generosity and your steadfast belief in the importance of the Expo, the American role here and what this USA pavilion here can do to strengthen cooperation and partnership between the American people and the people of China. We are building it and we believe that when the Expo opens in 166 days 70 million people will come. And with this rain today, maybe a hundred million people with even greater good fortune will come. Thank you all very much.” -AP Text  -Full Text -View Video
Date: 11/13/2009 Description: Secretary Clinton attends a forum with students at the University of Santo Tomas, the Philippines. © AP Image
The U.S. Role in World Affairs
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 13): "We have a lot of challenges at home that we need to address, particularly the economic ones. …If we are not involved, people want us involved; and if we’re involved, they say, oh, well, you shouldn’t be involved, except if we aren’t, then they want us back. There’s an expectation that we will be involved in political activities around the world, and…we’re going to do our best to try to be helpful." -Full Text
Date: 11/13/2009 Description: Secretary Clinton addressed an audience during a townterview with Maria Ressa, Ricky Carandang and Pinky Webb of ABS-CBN at the University of St. Tomas in Manila, Philippines. © AP Image
Townterview at University of St. Tomas in Manila
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 13): "It was very significant historically, when our presidential nominating campaign was between a woman and an African American. I mean, that was such a great symbol of our country. And I was very proud to see Barack Obama inaugurated as our President, and very honored to work with him in his Administration. But the Philippines is ahead of us. You've had two woman presidents. So I really should ask you what's the secret here, because it's quite a tribute to your society that you are choosing people on the merits in a democratic process. And I think that that will come to pass in our own country." -Full Text -View Video
Description: Afghan horsemen wind their way over a mountain path on the outskirts of Kabul, Afghanistan, June 5, 2005.
Future U.S.-Afghan Relations
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 15): "We agree that our goal here is to defeat al-Qaida. That has been a clear goal and a mission from the President ever since he made his commitment of additional troops back in the spring. And we understand that the Afghans themselves need help in order to defend themselves against the Taliban. Those are mutually reinforcing missions. But our highest obligation is the American people. It is to do everything we can to make sure that America is secure, that our allies, our interests around the world, are protected. And that is what we are focused on." -Full Text
Location: China, Guangzhou Description: Students from Guangzhou School State Dept Photo
President Hosts a Town Hall Meeting for Youth in Shanghai, China
On November 16, President Obama will have a town hall meeting with Chinese youth in Shanghai, China. At the meeting, the President will interact with young Chinese and discuss the relationship between our two countries in the years ahead. -White House Blog
Date: 11/12/2009 Location: Manila, Philippines Description: Secretary Clinton with students at the Malanday National High School. © AP Image
U.S. Donates New Relief Funds to the Philippines
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 12): "Today, I am pleased to announce that there will be more than $5 million in new relief funds for the Philippines. This new support will help rebuild schools like this one..." -Full Text
Date: 11/11/2009 Description: Secretary Clinton steps on stage to give remarks following APEC ministerial meeting. © AP Image
APEC Singapore Conference
Secretary Clinton (Nov. 11): "[W]e’ve had a productive day of discussion, covering the full range of regional and global issues confronting our nations. I have stressed the Obama Administration’s commitment to substantive cooperation." -Full Text

Highlights

Secretary Clinton traveled to Europe and Asia, November 8-19.

Click on any trip marker to go to a larger interactive map, complete with video, photos, and the Secretary's remarks from the trip.
Doors to Diplomacy 2010 Web Project Competition
Date: 2008-11-06 00:00:00.0 Description: Doors to Diplomacy website contest. State Dept PhotoThe Department of State and the Global SchoolNet Foundation announce the 2010 "Doors to Diplomacy" award competition, recognizing the student-created Global SchoolNet Web projects that best teach others about the importance of international affairs and diplomacy. -More

Flu Updates
Since the June 11, 2009, World Health Organization (WHO) declaration of a pandemic, the new H1N1 virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. Updates about H1N1 are available through the links below.

United We Serve
Date: 06/17/2009 Description: United We Serve. Serve.gov. © Serve.gov imageServe.gov is a new portal for you and all Americans to find ways to serve in your communities. Americans are putting their own country back on the right track: Be a part of it! Visit Serve.gov, choose your keyword -- "education," "environment," or whatever interests you -- type in your ZIP Code, and see what opportunities our partner organizations have in your area.
Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) Internships
Date: 05/12/2009 Description: Virtual Student Foreign Service logo: Outline of world map in square surrounded by the words Virtual Student Foreign Service. State Dept PhotoVirtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) Internships, announced by Secretary Clinton at the 2009 New York University commencement speech, are part of a growing effort by the State Department to harness technology and a commitment to global service among young people to facilitate new forms of diplomatic engagement. The VSFS Internships will be developed over the next year and will seek to harness the energy of a rising generation of citizen diplomats.
-Register/More Information

Traveling?

Date: 2009-05-11 00:00:00.0 Location: Singapore Description: The Fullerton Hotel, flanked by the financial center. Singapore, May 2009. [U.S. Embassy Singapore photo.]
Singapore
Singapore has a varied linguistic, cultural, and religious heritage. Malay is the national language, but Chinese, English, and Tamil also are official languages. English is the language of administration and also is widely used in the professions, businesses, and schools.
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Date: 05/24/2007 Location: Vienna, Austria Description: Concert by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra held on grounds of Schoenbrunn Palace. © AP Photo
Austria
Austrian history as such dates back to 976, when Leopold von Babenberg became the ruler of much of present-day Austria. In 1276 Rudolf I became the first Habsburg to ascend to the throne. Although never unchallenged, the Habsburgs ruled Austria for nearly 750 years.
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Date: 03/09/2009 Location: Meknes, Morocco Description: Crowds of buyers pack the markets in the old town of Meknes, Morocco, during the Mawlud an-Nabi public holiday when Muslims celebrate the birthday of Islam's Prophet Muhammad. Vineyards around Meknes produce most of the 35 million bottles of wine bottled each year in Morocco. © AP Image
Morocco
Moroccans are predominantly Sunni Muslims of Arab, Berber, or mixed Arab-Berber ancestry. Morocco is home to 14 public universities. Mohammed V University in Rabat is one of the country’s most famous schools. Founded over 1,000 years ago, Karaouine University is the oldest center for Islamic studies in the Maghreb. Morocco’s most prestigious private English-language university, Al-Akhawayn, was founded in 1993. Its curriculum is based on an American model. - Full Text
A yacht sails past the Sydney Opera House on Sydney Harbour, Australia, July 13, 2006. [© AP Images]Australia
Much of Australia's culture is derived from European roots, but distinctive Australian features have evolved from the environment, aboriginal culture, and the influence of Australia's neighbors. The vigor and originality of the arts in Australia--film, opera, music, painting, theater, dance, and crafts--have achieved international recognition.
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Colombia
In 1822, the U.S. became one of the first countries to recognize the new republic and to establish a resident diplomatic mission. The U.S. Government estimates that there are 61,000 U.S. citizens living in Colombia and anywhere from 15,000-40,000 visiting Colombia in any given month. Currently, there are approximately 250 American businesses conducting operations in Colombia.
-Full Text -Read about Colombia's capital, Bogota, in State Magazine (PDF)

 

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