Serious and Open Exchanges With Russia
Secretary Clinton (May 7): "We exchanged views on a range of important issues, from Afghanistan, North Korea, the Middle East, Iran, so many other areas where we have common interests and common concerns, even on areas where our views may diverge. We both want to achieve stability and security in Georgia. We are both committed to the NATO-Russia Council to open up another important channel of dialogue. And we are very focused on making sure that the United States and Russia have a very vigorous ongoing dialogue among our two governments." -Full Text -View Video
Trilateral Consultations With Afghanistan and Pakistan
Secretary Clinton (May 6): "I am pleased to announce that Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached an important milestone in their efforts to generate foreign investment and stronger economic growth and trade opportunities. Before President Karzai and President Zardari meet with President Obama this morning, the two ministers, Minister Qureshi and Minister Spanta, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding committing their countries to achieving a trade transit agreement by the end of the year, which we believe will have great economic benefits for both peoples." 
-Full Text -Briefing by Secretary Clinton   
President's Global Health Initiative
Deputy Secretary Lew (May 5): "As the United States continues to lead on global health -- global HIV/AIDS, on tuberculosis, on malaria -- we now have the opportunity to take an extraordinary step to save the lives of more women, children and families in the developing world. We have the opportunity to cost-effectively contribute to political stability in a way that enhances our national security, while advancing our core humanitarian values."
-Full Text -Statement by Secretary Clinton -Statement by the President

In Other News

Cover of FY 2010 Summary and Highlights budget document. State Dept.
FY 2010 International Affairs Budget
The FY 2010 International Affairs budget request reflects the President's commitment to strengthen the tools of diplomacy and foreign assistance to address current and future challenges that impact the security of the United States. The request significantly increases the core programming, policy, and management capabilities of the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, and related agencies to fulfill their robust diplomatic and foreign assistance mission.
-Summary and Highlights -Budget in Brief
Date: 05/06/2009 Description: President Barack Obama with Afghan President Karzai and Pakistan President Zardari walk along the Colonnade following a US-Afghan-PakistanTrilateral meeting in Cabinet Room. © Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
A New Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan
President Obama (May 6): "We meet today as three sovereign nations joined by a common goal: to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and to prevent their ability to operate in either country in the future. And to achieve that goal, we must deny them the space to threaten the Pakistani, Afghan, or American people. And we must also advance security and opportunity, so that Pakistanis and Afghans can pursue the promise of a better life."  -Full Text
Date: 05/07/2009 Description: Comments by Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth in Beijing, China. State Dept Photo
Engaging North Korea
Ambassador Bosworth (May 7): "We had extensive discussion of where we are and talked about the way forward. The United States reiterates its desire to engage both multilaterally and bilaterally with North Korea and we believe very strongly that the solution to the tensions and problems of the area now lies best, lies in dialogue and negotiation." -Full Text -View Video
Date: 05/07/2009 Description: Remarks by Secretary Clinton and Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajcak before their meeting. State Dept Photo
Strong, Positive, Constructive Relationship With Slovakia
Secretary Clinton (May 7, 2009): "I am delighted to be meeting with the Foreign Minister of Slovakia, a country that I have visited and very much enjoyed. We have many important matters to discuss. We have a strong, positive, constructive relationship. And we will look for ways to strengthen and further that in the years to come. Welcome, Mr. Minister. "  -Full Text -View Video
Date: 11/26/2008 Description: People stand around a damaged vehicle at the site of an explosion in Mumbai, India, November 26, 2008. © AP Photo
Country Reports on Terrorism
Apr. 30, 2009: The Department of State released the annual Congressionally mandated Country Reports on Terrorism 2008 today. U.S. law requires the Secretary of State to provide Congress, by April 30 of each year, a full and complete report on terrorism with regard to those countries and groups meeting criteria set forth in the legislation. -Full Report  - Special Briefing
Description: Great Seal State Dept Photo
U.S. Cooperation With Afghanistan and Pakistan
Acting Spokesman Wood (May 6):  "[W]e have pledged our cooperation with Pakistan and Afghanistan to try to help them deal with extremist elements. And, you know, I’m not going to get into discussions that we’ve had with members of Congress with regard – and their staffs with regard to, you know, this money and what types of measurements we may use. "  - Full Text -View Video
Date: 05/05/2009 Description: Secretary Clinton meets with His Excellency Marat Tazhin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. State Dept Photo
U.S.-Kazakhstan Cooperation
Secretary Clinton (May 5): "We have a lot of good work going on between the United States and Kazakhstan. I will explore with the minister some additional ways that we can cooperate. And we’re very appreciative of the support that has been given to the United States in a number of areas. "  -Full Text  -View Video
Date: 05/05/2009 Description: Secretary Clinton meets with His Excellency Edward Nalbandian, Minster of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia. State Dept Photo
U.S.-Armenia Relationship
Secretary Clinton (May 5): "The relationship between the United States and Armenia is a very lasting and durable one. The Obama Administration is committed to broadening it, deepening it, working with Armenia to assist them in their continued development and aspirations."  -Full Text -View Video
Date: 05/01/2009 Description: Secretary Clinton speaking at annual Foreign Affairs Day at the Department of State. State Department still from video State Dept Photo
The Foreign Service: Working for a Better World
Secretary Clinton (May 1): "I see [the work of the State Department] as really based on principled and pragmatic partnerships.... We’ve engaged emerging nations and pivotal regional actors on issues of common concern, from climate change and energy, to democracy and good governance, and regional and global security.... Full Text
Date: 01/22/2009 Description: President Obama, Vice President Biden, and Secretary Clinton Named Senator George Mitchell to be Special Envoy for Middle East Peace and Ambassador Richard Holbrooke to be Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan © AP Photo
American "Smart Power": Diplomacy and Development Are the Vanguard
The Obama Administration recognizes that the United States and the world face great perils and urgent foreign policy challenges including ongoing wars and regional conflicts, the global economic crisis, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, climate change, worldwide poverty, food insecurity, and pandemic disease. Fact Sheet
Date: 01/22/2009 Location: Washington, DC Description: Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, surrounded by employees, greets Department of State employees on her first day at the Department. © AP Photo
The First 100 Days
(May 1): In the first 100 Days of the Obama Administration, Secretary Clinton and the State Department have made significant progress in advancing America’s national security goals and promoting America’s values around the world and in particular on Afghanistan/Pakistan policy, the Middle East, Iraq, Asia, Russia, North Korea, the Western Hemisphere, the climate crisis, engaging in public diplomacy, and other core issues.  - Report - Timeline 
Secretary Rice speaking at podium during ceremony in Emancipation Hall for the unveiling of a bust of Sojourner Truth. Department of State still from video
Tribute to Sojourner Truth
Secretary Clinton (Apr. 28): "She is a sojourner of truth, by truth, and for truth. And her words, her example, and her legacy will never perish from this earth, so long as men and women stand up and say loudly and clearly: We hear you echoing down through the years of history, we believe that your journey is not yet over, and we will make the rest of that journey with you. God bless the memory of Sojourner Truth." - Full Text

Highlights

Flu Updates
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is actively investigating isolated human cases of influenza A (H1N1) in several states and is working closely with Canada and Mexico and with the World Health Organization. Updates are available through the links below.

Saluting Asian Pacific Heritage Month
 
Tu Dang is a Foreign Affairs Officer in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. She is responsible for international labor and corporate social responsibility issues primarily for continental Africa in the Office of International Labor and Corporate Social Responsibility.  -More
 
Secretary Clinton traveled to the Middle East April 25-26.

The round State Department seal follows Secretary Clinton's location. Clicking on the seal brings you to a larger interactive map, complete with video, photos, and the Secretary's remarks from the trip.

Date: 01/09/2009 Description: A gas pipeline worker, checks the valves at the Yapracik installations of Turkey's state-run BOTAS gas company on the outskirts of Ankara, Turkey. © AP PhotoSpecial Envoy for Eurasian Energy
The Secretary has appointed Ambassador Richard L. Morningstar as Special Envoy for Eurasian Energy. Ambassador Morningstar and his staff will support U.S. energy goals in the Eurasian region. He will work on key energy issues relating to Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Central Asia and the Caucasus.


Traveling?

Micronesia
The Federated States of Micronesia consists of 607 islands extending 1,800 miles across the archipelago of the Caroline Islands east of the Philippines. The four states are the island groups of Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Yap, and the island of Kosrae. The federal capital is Palikir, on Pohnpei. Following World War II, these islands became part of the United Nations Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, administered by the United States
- Full Text -Post of the Month 
Date: 07/16/1997 Location: Andorra. Description: Bikers ride past old church in the Envalira pass between Andorra and southern France. © AP Photo
Andorra
Andorra's national income in 2007 was approximately $3.66 billion, with tourism as its principal component. Attractive for shoppers from France and Spain because of low taxes, the country also has developed active summer and winter tourist resorts. With some 270 hotels and 400 restaurants, as well as many shops, the tourist trade employs a growing portion of the domestic labor force.
 - Full Text 

 

Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago is active in the Summit of the Americas process and hosted the fifth Summit April 17-19. Trinidad and Tobago is a democracy that maintains close relations with its Caribbean neighbors and major North American and European trading partners. U.S. interests include a focus on increasing investment and trade, and ensuring more stable supplies of energy. They also include enhancing Trinidad and Tobago's political and social stability and positive regional role through assistance in drug interdiction, health issues, and legal affairs.
- Full Text
Description: Tourists sunbathing near Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic, November 24, 2002. [© AP Images]Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic's economy boomed in the 1990s, expanding at an average rate of 7.7% per year from 1996 to 2000. Tourism (the leading foreign exchange earner), telecommunications, and free-trade-zone manufacturing are the most important sectors, although agriculture is still a major part of the economy.
 - Full Text 
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.
- Full Text 

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