Under Secretary Hughes: Travel to Morocco, Belgium and the Czech RepublicOffice of the Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Under Secretary Karen Hughes traveled to Morocco June 4-7, where she met with Moroccan officials to discuss the important social, political and economic reforms the kingdom has undertaken. In Casablanca and Rabat, she met with Moroccans who have benefited from cultural and educational exchanges with the United States, as well as a variety of Moroccan students involved in English study programs and sports exchange programs. The Under Secretary also visted several Moroccan NGOs involved in advancing the empowerment of women, some of which have benefited from Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) funding. She visited a humanitarian assistance project spearheaded by European Command (EUCOM). And in Marrakech, the Under Secretary opened the second American Corner to be established in Morocco. American Corners are partnerships between our embassies and local institutions and, like libraries, contain Internet access, a small reference collection and space for discussion forums. There are more than 300 American Corners throughout the world. From June 8-10, Under Secretary Hughes was in Brussels, Belgium, meeting with European Union officials and NATO Secretary General Jaap De Hoop Scheffer. She also met with Belgian Muslim community leaders and the German Marshall Fund Young Leaders program. In Prague, Czech Republic, from June 11-12, Under Secretary Hughes attended the monthly meeting of the Broadcasting Board of Governors and tour Voice of America's Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty facilities. Under Secretary Hughes' Remarks |