U.S. Embassy Reschedules Diversity Visa Interviews September 8-10

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka has rescheduled interviews for Diversity Visa (DV) applicants with interview dates on September 8, 9, and 10.  Individuals with interviews scheduled for one of those dates should have received a letter with the new interview date.  If an individual fails to appear on his/her new interview date, it will not be possible to reschedule the interview for an alternate day.  Individuals may email DhakaDV@state.gov with any questions regarding their DV interview or application.  Please include the full name and case number in all email correspondence.  The Consular Section regrets any inconvenience this may cause.

• See list of rescheduled Diversity Visa interviews

Ramadan Schedule for Archer K. Blood American Center Library, Student Advising Center, and the American Citizen Services Unit

Dhaka, August 19: These are the temporary changes in hours during Ramadan: the Archer K. Blood American Center Library and the Student Advising Center of the U.S. Mission in Bangladesh will be open from 9:00am to 3:00pm (Sunday through Wednesday). And, the American Citizen Services unit of the U.S. Embassy will be open from 12:00pm to 3:00pm. Regular hours will resume after Ramadan.

• Press Release: Ramadan Schedule for Archer K. Blood American Center Library, Student Advising Center, and the American Citizen Services Unit | In Bangla (PDF)

Dr. Yunus Receives Presidential Medal of Freedom 2009

President Barack Obama awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Dr. Muhammad Yunus on August 12. Yunus received the U.S. highest civilian honor in recognition of his contribution as a global leader in anti-poverty efforts, and for his work as a pioneer in the use of "micro-loans" to provide credit to poor individuals without collateral.

• Remarks by the U.S. President Barack Obama at the Medal of Freedom Ceremony 
• Read the Blog on WhiteHouse.gov: "Thank You to Some of the Finest Citizens" 
• Press Release: Ambassador Moriarty Congratulates Dr. Muhammad Yunus for Winning the Presidential Medal of Freedom | In Bangla (PDF)
• Read the announcement from The Briefing Room on WhiteHouse.gov:
  President Obama Names Medal of Freedom Recipients

Dr. Burdett Loomis Visits Dhaka

The Embassy hosted Dr. Burdett Loomis, a professor of political science at the University of Kansas, August 9-13. Dr. Loomis discussed “American Politics and the Obama Administration” at numerous venues throughout Dhaka.
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Ambassador Moriarty Visits Humanitarian Assistance Exercises in Kurigram

U.S. Ambassador James F. Moriarty visited Kurigram on August 11 on the closing of two joint United States-Bangladesh military humanitarian assistance exercises.  A team of engineers, pediatricians, dentists and an ophthalmologist from the United States along with their Bangladeshi counterparts provided free basic health and dental care to more than 9,000 people at clinics in the Ulipur and Chilmari upazilas. Among the other activites, two schools were built for more than five hundred children in the Chilmari Upazilla:  the Char Shakhahti School and the Char Radha Ballab School.

• Remarks by Ambassador James F. Moriarty at the Closing Ceremony of U.S.-Bangladesh Joint Military Humanitarian Assistance Exercises in Kurigram
• Press Release: U.S. Ambassador Moriarty Visits Humanitarian Assistance Exercises in Kurigram | In Bangla (PDF)

Ambassador Moriarty Highlights Community-Based Development Initiatives in Three-Day Visit to Sylhet

Ambassador James F. Moriarty traveled to Sylhet, Sreemongal and Habiganj August 3-5 to review development activities in the region. During visits to various U.S. Government-funded projects, the Ambassador reaffirmed America’s long-term commitment to the development of Bangladesh.  Highlights of his visit included the inauguration of a U.S. Government-supported health clinic and a dialog on conservation and co-management for the Lawachara National Park, part of a $12.7 million forest and wetland protection program funded by the U.S. Government.

• Press Release: Ambassador Moriarty highlights community-based development initiatives in three-day visit to Sylhet | In Bangla (PDF)
• Remarks by Ambassador Moriarty to the Press Following the Consultative Meeting on Conservation and Co-Management of the Lawachara National Park in Srimangal
• Ambassador Moriarty at the Launch of New Smiling Sun Clinic
• Press Release: Ambassador Moriarty announces new U.S. Government-sponsored $13.5 million health initiative “MAMONI” (Ma) | In Bangla (PDF)
• Ambassador Moriarty’s Remarks at the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce And Industry | In Bangla

Ambassador Moriarty Launches Ethics and Standards in Journalism Training at JATRI

On August 10, 2009, U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh James F. Moriarty launched an in-house training program on Ethics and Standards in Journalism at the U.S. Government-funded Journalism Training and Research Initiative (JATRI).  The U.S. Government, through USAID, supports JATRI as part of the US$18 million “Promoting Governance, Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (PROGATI)” project.  Approximately 20 journalists from leading print and electronic news outlets will participate in this training program from August 10 through 12, 2009.

• Ambassador Moriarty's Remarks at the Launch of the First In-house Training Program on “Ethics and Standards in Journalism”
• Press Release: Ambassador Moriarty Launches “Ethics And Standards In Journalism” Training Program At Jatri | In Bangla (PDF)

Ambassador Moriarty Announces New U.S. Government-Sponsored $13.5 Million Health Initiative “MAMONI” (Ma)

Ambassador James F. Moriarty announced today (August 4, 2009) a new U.S. Government-sponsored $13.5 million health initiative called “MAMONI” (Ma) that will promote maternal and child health care in Sylhet.  The project aims to address the high death rates among women and infants in Sylhet through improved outreach by field workers, increased education for safe pregnancy and delivery, and improved family planning and child spacing.

• Press Release: Ambassador Moriarty announces new U.S. Government-sponsored $13.5 million health initiative “MAMONI” (Ma) | In Bangla (PDF)

U.S. Embassy Brings Speakers on Civil-Military Relations, Media and Democracy to Bangladesh

The week of August 1-6, U.S. Embassy Dhaka brought two experts to Bangladesh for a series of speaking engagements. Col. (ret.) Daniel E. Curfiss, Professor of Strategic Studies at the Near East South Asia Center at the National Defense University, addressed civil-military relations in the United States. Marguerite H. Sullivan, director of the Center for International Media Assistance at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), discussed freedom of the press and strategic communications.
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