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U.S. Department of State   www.state.gov | Volume 2 |Issue 17| June 17, 2008 Other News from State.gov             2008 Report of the Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy         Diplomacy: The U.S. Department of State at Work (PDF)   Voice your opinion on world affairs. Visit the U.S. Department of State's blog. Jun. 27 -- Presidential Run-off Election in Zimbabwe Jul. 1 -- African Union Summit (Sharm-el-Sheik) (through 7/3) Jul. 7 -- G-8 Summit (Hokkaido) (through 7/9) Jul. 14 -- Signing Ceremony of MCC Compact with Burkina Faso (Washington) Jul. 15 -- AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) Forum (Washington)       G-8 Foreign Ministers Meeting   KYOTO, JAPAN, Jun. 25 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice attended the G-8 Ministerial to discuss G-8 commitments on health, disease prevention, and open markets, and to prepare for the G-8 summit to be held in Lake Toya, Japan in July 2008. While in Kyoto, Secretary Rice also participated with her Australian and Japanese counterparts in the Trilateral Strategic Dialogue, in which they discussed global issues and areas of cooperation in East Asia, South Asia, and the Middle East. Palestinian Civil Security and Rule of Law   “Security and the rule of law represent the foundations of any successful, responsible state, and such institutions will better enable the Palestinians to fight terrorism, maintain law and order, and provide opportunity for their people….We’re pleased that the PA’s leadership recognizes the importance of coupling a strong security apparatus with transparent and fair institutions of governance.” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Berlin, Germany, June 24, 2008   BERLIN, GERMANY, Jun. 24 -- Secretary Rice attended an international conference in Support of Palestinian Civil Security and Rule of Law.  She highlighted the commitment of the United States to support the Palestinian Authority’s efforts to strengthen the security sector citing that, to date, the United States has invested $86 billion to train and equip the national security forces and the Presidential Guard, and has requested $100 million more from Congress for fiscal years 2008 and 2009 to contribute to this program. Secretary Rice urged the international community to continue to support their efforts. Read More|More from Secretary Rice's Travel Other Trip Highlights:   Quartet Statement Condolences for Our Colleagues in Iraq Statement on Zimbabwe More on the Secretary’s Travel Diplomacy is Working in North Korea Six Party Talks: North Korea Gives Declaration   WHITE HOUSE, Jun. 26 -- President Bush discussed the recent developments in the six party talks. "North Korean officials submitted a declaration of their nuclear programs to the Chinese government as part of the six-party talks. The United States has no illusions about the regime in Pyongyang. We remain deeply concerned about North Korea's human rights abuses, uranium enrichment activities, nuclear testing and proliferation, ballistic missile programs, and the threat it continues to pose to South Korea and its neighbors. Yet we welcome today's development as one step in the multi-step process laid out by the six-party talks between North Korea, China, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and the United States," he said.   The six-party talks are based on a principle of "action for action." So in keeping with the existing six-party agreements, the United States is responding to North Korea's actions with two actions of our own:   President Bush issued a proclamation lifting the provisions of the Trading with the Enemy Act with respect to North Korea.   President Bush notified Congress of his intent to rescind North Korea's designation as a state sponsor of terror in 45 days. “The next 45 days will be an important period for North Korea to show its seriousness of its cooperation. We will work through the six-party talks to develop a comprehensive and rigorous verification protocol. And during this period, the United States will carefully observe North Korea's actions -- and act accordingly,” he said.   President Bush reiterated that the two actions America is taking will have little impact on North Korea's financial and diplomatic isolation. North Korea will remain one of the most heavily sanctioned nations in the world. The sanctions that North Korea faces for its human rights violations, its nuclear test in 2006, and its weapons proliferation will all stay in effect. All United Nations Security Council sanctions will stay in effect as well.  Read More |Secretary Rice Wall Street Journal Op-Ed |Assistant Secretary Chris Hill Travel/Statements |Executive Order   Crisis in Zimbabwe   "Yet another vicious assault on the opposition and its supporters for exercising their right to assemble and their right to free speech has reinforced that it is impossible for there to be a free, fair or peaceful election in Zimbabwe on June 27. Due to these and other events, and out of concern for the lives of his Movement for Democratic Change supporters, Morgan Tsvangirai announced he will no longer contest the run-off election." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Washington, DC, June 23, 2008   WASHINGTON, Jun. 23 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice released a statement condemning the Government of Zimbabwe's continuing campaign of violence against its own people.  She urged the Movement for Democratic Change and Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front to work together on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe and called upon the Southern African Development Community, African Union Peace and Security Council, and the United Nations Security Council to take up this issue immediately. Read More | James McGee, U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe: Conference Call on Recent Events in Zimbabwe |  Fact Sheet | Secretary Rice and  Burkina Faso FM Djibrill Bassole on Zimbabwe A New Strategy for Enhanced Partnership With Pakistan   “Looking ahead, for our commitment to Pakistan to be successful, it must be a long-term partnership and it must be based upon a bipartisan consensus. We hope that together, Congress and the Administration can establish a new framework for economic and security assistance that can support Pakistan’s democracy, counter its terrorism threats, and strengthen its development.”   Richard Boucher, Assistant Secretary Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Washington, DC, June 25, 2008   WASHINGTON, Jun. 25 -- Richard Boucher, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the United States’ strategy towards Pakistan. He highlighted strides that Pakistan has made toward democratic development, but stressed that difficult challenges remain for the new civilian government, from facing extremism to stimulating economic growth and dealing with energy and food shortages. He emphasized that the United States’ support in these efforts is critical to the success and stability of Pakistan as a nation. Read More U.S. Assistance to the Philippines   “We want to express our condolences to the government and the people of the Philippines, particularly the family members of those who have been affected by this tragedy. And I want to also confirm what the President said, which is that we have made a donation for the victims to the Philippine Red Cross and equally, or perhaps more important, the United States Navy is also sending a vessel to the scene of the accident, and we hope it should be there in a matter of hours."   Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte Washington, DC, June 23, 2008   WASHINGTON, Jun. 23 – Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte welcomed Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C. On behalf of the United States, Deputy Secretary Negroponte offered his condolences to the government and the people of the Philippines affected by the typhoon, and announced the giving of emergency aid and assistance to help in this hour of need.      The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing an initial $100,000 for the purchase of emergency relief supplies to families affected.  USAID is continuing to monitor the situation and stands prepared to provide additional assistance if needed.  Read More | View Video | USAID: Philippine Typhoon Assistance Secretary Rice Addresses Council on Foreign Relations   “The United States has got to be confident about the development of its own democracy. The United States has to be confident that its educational system is training its children and its people to be competitive in a globally competitive world, or we will turn inward and protectionist. America has to be confident that we can continue to welcome people of all backgrounds, of all faiths, of all colors, or we will turn inward. And if America turns inward, it will be less innovative, less creative, and it will not lead.  That, it seems to me, is perhaps the highest national security priority among many, is to establish firmly, once and for all, that the United States of America is confident in itself, confident in its capabilities, and, most importantly, confident in the extraordinary power of its values.”   Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Council of Foreign Relations New York, NY, June 19, 2008   NEW YORK, Jun.19 – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addressed the Council on Foreign Relations International Affairs Fellows Conference.  Secretary Rice, who was previously an International Affairs Fellow (IAF), congratulated the new class of IAFs and discussed the evolution of foreign policy over the last decade, citing the role of the U.S. and its relations with major powers such as the Russia, China, the Middle East, and the rise of terrorism on the global agenda.  She also highlighted the importance of developing initiatives that promote democracy and empower women.  Read More  |View Video Sanctions on Cuba   “The U.S. and the European Union share common objectives in Cuba: freedom, democracy, and universal human rights. We are dedicated to the unconditional freedom of all political prisoners in Cuba. We reconfirmed our shared commitment to these values in the June 10, 2008 U.S.-EU Summit Declaration, urging the Cuban Government to ratify the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights and demonstrate its commitment by unconditionally releasing all political prisoners.”   Sean McCormack, Spokesman Washington, DC, June 20, 2008   WASHINGTON, Jun. 20 -- State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack responded to press inquiries regarding the status of European Union sanctions on Cuba.  He discussed the European Union’s plans to set human rights benchmarks for its dialogue with the Cuban Government.  He explained that although the EU has chosen a different approach than the United States on Cuba Policy, we share the same objectives and will continue to work closely with the EU on this issue of shared concern. Read More: Jun. 20 Press Briefing   North American Forum   "Everyone here knows how vital this partnership is to Canada, Mexico, and the United States. It has given vast numbers of Canadians, Mexicans and Americans much better lives, and positioned our nations for lasting success in an evermore competitive world. We share -- we all share important goals for our common future. And these include increasing social and economic opportunity for our peoples, enhancing their safety, and building the most effective platform we can for competing in a dynamic and ever-integrating global economy."    John D. Negroponte, Deputy Secretary of State Washington, DC, June 17, 2008   WASHINGTON, Jun. 17 -- Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte delivered remarks at the Fourth North American Forum at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He highlighted the benefits of the relationship between Canada, Mexico, and the United States, and discussed how the flourishing trilateral relationship can be beneficial in facing the challenges of the 21st century. Read More   U.S. Policy toward Asia Secretary Rice Delivers Remarks to The Heritage Foundation   "[T]he U.S. alliances with Japan and South Korea are now strategic platforms to tackle the global challenges of our time, from failed states and terrorism, to weapons proliferation and climate change, and to advance our common values, both in Asia and beyond, and to places like Iraq and Afghanistan. At the same time, we have worked on and, in fact, recast our relations with China and Russia. We have built constructive partnerships and, though to be sure, they are not resting on common values, they do often rest on common interests."   Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Washington, DC, June 18, 2008   WASHINGTON, Jun. 18 -- Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice delivered remarks to members of the Heritage Foundation on U.S. policy toward Asia. She discussed the rise of Asia as a profound geopolitical trend in the world today and highlighted the priority of the U.S. to deepen the prospects for peace and security in Northeast Asia.  She also outlined the goals of the Six Party Talks and the role of diplomacy in the region.  Notice to the Press|Read More | Video U.S. Russian Nuclear Cooperation Agreement "The Administration believes it is important to have a "123 Agreement" with Russia both to build a closer relationship as well as to improve our ability to address major challenges we face in the 21st century, such as growing energy needs, nuclear nonproliferation, and combating nuclear terrorism..."   John C. Rood, Acting Under Secretary of State Bureau of Arms Control and International Security Washington, DC, June 12, 2008   WASHINGTON, Jun. 12 -- John C. Rood, Acting Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee in support of the U.S.-Russia Agreement for Peaceful Nuclear Cooperation, also called the "123 Agreement."  He discussed the need to have a nuclear cooperation agreement with Russia and outlined the benefits of such an agreement. Under Secretary Rood also enumerated many areas where the United States and Russia are working together to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Read More   Central African Republic Global Peace Agreement “The United States congratulates President of the Central African Republic François Bozizé, Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations François Fall, and the signatory parties to the Inter-Central African Global Peace Agreement signed on June 21 in Libreville, Gabon, under the auspices of President of Gabon El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba. This important step paves the way for an inclusive political dialogue toward peace and stability in the region. We call on all non-signatory parties to end the violence, lay down their weapons, and sign the Global Peace Agreement as soon as possible. This would contribute to the stability of the Central African Republic as well as the region.”   Tom Casey, Deputy Spokesman Washington, DC, June 23, 2008 Press Statement P5+1 Updated Incentives Package WASHINGTON, Jun. 17 -- The P5+1 Partners (United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russian Federation, China, the United States and European Union) presented an incentives package to Iran that outlines possible areas of cooperation between the countries.  In particular, the P5+1 High Representatives state their readiness to recognize Iran’s right to develop research, production and use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in conformity with its NPT obligations. The P5+1 High Representatives also state their readiness to recognize and to treat Iran’s nuclear program in the same manner as that of any Non-nuclear Weapon State Party to the NPT once international confidence in Iran’s nuclear program is restored.  Read More   Human Rights in Qatar and the Middle East     “We believe that, wherever they may live, people want to be free to follow their conscience and practice their culture and religion, to speak their minds without fear, to select their government, to hold their leaders accountable and to obtain equal justice under the law… The U.S. support for human rights and political reform here in Qatar and the Middle East in general is integral to our global efforts to do the same. At the center of these efforts is our conviction that every human being has intrinsic and equal value and that it is the birthright of every person to live in freedom”   Erica Barks-Ruggles, Deputy Assistant Secretary Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor Doha, Qatar, June 11, 2008   DOHA, QATAR, Jun. 11 -- Erica Barks-Ruggles, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, addressed members of the Brookings Institution regarding the U.S. government’s view on human rights and reform in Qatar and the Middle East.  Deputy Assistant Secretary Barks-Ruggles outlined three essential and mutually reinforcing elements of a truly free country: free and fair electoral processes and contested elections at all levels of government, accountable institutions under the rule of law, and a robust civil society, which includes non-governmental organizations and independent media. Read More Egyptian Deportation of Eritrean Refugees WASHINGTON, Jun. 20 -- “The United States notes the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (UNHCR) statement on the forcible repatriation of hundreds of Eritrean asylum seekers over the last week. Given the increasingly repressive nature of the Eritrean government, Eritrean citizens are in grave danger of persecution, including torture, upon their return. We understand that the Egyptian government has agreed to grant the UNHCR access to Eritreans in custody. We ask that the government of Egypt continue to cooperate with the UNHCR and maintain its generous asylum policy, including respect for its obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention, and that it immediately halt deportations to Eritrea.”   Sean McCormack, Spokesman Washington, DC, June 20, 2008 Read More: Press Statement     Service to America 2008 Medal Finalists Announced   WASHINGTON, Jun. 18 -- Director General Harry K. Thomas, Jr. announced that two Department of State employees have been named as finalists for the 2008 Service to America Medals, a national awards program honoring the achievements of federal employees.    About the Finalists Crystal Kaplan, Refugee Coordinator in Jerusalem, planned and led efforts by the U.S. and other countries to resettle more than 100,000 Bhutanese refugees from refugee camps in Nepal where they have been living in for nearly two decades.    Mary Kate Friedrich, Special Advisor to the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs manages the U.S.-Afghan Women’s Council, a public-private partnership designed to mobilize public and private sector resources to help enhance the economic, social and political status of Afghan women.   The Partnership for Public Service will name the 2008 Federal Employee of the Year and recipients of the Service to America Medal at a Washington, D.C. gala on September 16. Visit www.ourpublicservice.org for more information. Read More Secretary Rice Meets with a Congressional Award Gold Medal Recipient   U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Jun. 18 – Secretary Rice met with Thais Ridgeway, 17, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to congratulate her on receiving a Congressional Award Gold Medal for her volunteer service. Harrisonburg Mayor Stephen R. Reed proclaimed June 19, 2008, as "Thais Ridgeway Day" in Pennsylvania in honor of the accomplishments of Thais and other winners of the Congressional Award Gold Medal. Ms. Ridgeway has been deemed an outstanding student and role model; many Pennsylvanian leaders have compared her to Secretary Rice.       World Refugee Day   “Our commitment to protecting and assisting refugees is deep and abiding, part of our nation’s history, and it goes to the very core of our values. We remain committed to protecting and developing durable solutions for refugees worldwide…The United States government is proud to be the leading donor of refugee assistance, contributing more than $1 billion dollars a year to support multilateral efforts to help alleviate the suffering of more than 36 million people worldwide including refugees, internally displaced people, and other victims of conflict.”    Spokesman Sean McCormack Washington, D.C. June 19, 2008   WASHINGTON, Jun. 19 – The United States joined the international community in observing World Refugee Day, taking time to acknowledge the persecution and suffering experienced by those driven from their homes.   The United States has resettled more refugees than all other countries in the world combined, historically and in the present. More than 2.7 million refugees have been welcomed into the United States since 1975, making tremendous contributions throughout our country through their talents, hard work, and creativity.  Read More: Press Statement   Women, Peace, and Security "[O]ne of the most important ways that we must measure the value of our international community is by how effective we are in protecting and providing justice for the most vulnerable of our members. When women and girls are preyed upon and raped, the international community cannot be silent or inactive. It is our responsibility to be their advocates and their defenders."    Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice New York City, NY, June 19, 2008   NEW YORK, Jun. 19 – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice addressed the Security Council of the United Nations Headquarters to discuss themes of women, peace, and security.  She commended the United Nations for acknowledging rape and sexual violence in conflict zones as a security threat, and affirmed that sexual violence profoundly affects not only the health and safety of women, but the economic and social stability of their nations.  She called on the international community to be committed and active in addressing violence against women. Read More       WASHINGTON, Jun. 19 – The Bureau of Public Affairs released a fact sheet highlighting the role of the U.S. Department of State in sharing the upcoming U.S. elections with the rest of the world.   More than 83 U.S. embassies and consulates conducted 320 election-related programs by June 2008.  On November 4, 2008, U.S. embassies and consulates will host thousands of guests and journalists to watch the election results on live television feeds from America. The U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Press Centers in Washington, D.C. and New York will hold similar gatherings for resident foreign media in the United States. These election night galas will cap months of intensive effort by the State Department’s Office of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs to provide foreign journalists and audiences worldwide with an understanding of the complexity and significance of the 2008 American Elections.  Read More | Fact Sheet 2008 World Food Prize Winners Announced U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Jun. 13 -- Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte announced the 2008 World Food Prize Laureates.  Former U.S. Senators Robert Dole and George McGovern received the 2008 World Food Prize for their inspired, collaborative leadership that has encouraged a global commitment to school feeding and enhanced school attendance and nutrition for millions of the world’s poorest children, especially girls. The McGovern-Dole international school-feeding program was established by the United States in 2000. The success of the McGovern-Dole program has led to dramatically increased international support for expansion of school-feeding operations in developing countries around the world. The World Food Prize recognizes the achievements of individuals who have advanced human development by improving the quality, quantity or availability of food in the world.  Read More | Notice to the Press   This email has been sent to you from the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Public Liaison. For more information about us CLICK HERE. To UNSUBSCRIBE please REPLY and write UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.