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The Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, headed by Assistant Secretary Kurt M. Campbell, deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. relations with the countries in the Asia-Pacific region. |
Return to the Process of Denuclearization of North Korea AMBASSADOR GOLDBERG (Aug 24): "That our efforts and the efforts to implement this resolution, the efforts to overall is to bring about a return to denuclearization, an end to those missile programmes that are violations not just of the UN Resolutions, but also of the previous commitments made by North Korea within the six-party-talks." Full Soundbite | View Video |
Happenings in U.S.-China Relations AMBASSADOR HUNTSMAN (Aug. 22): "There is much happening this year in US-China relations, we're all very mindful of that. We have the 30th anniversary of the US-China relationship, we have of course the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, we have President Obama who is going to be visiting in the middle of November and so I am here to tell you that by the end of the year, we should be in better shape than ever before between the United States and China to be able to anticipate a positive tomorrow." View Video |
U.S and China Sign Conditions of Construction Agreement Under Secretary of State for Management Patrick F. Kennedy with Li Jinzhang, Vice Foreign Minister of Foreign Affairs for the People’s Republic of China, sign a Conditions of Construction Agreement (COCA) and give brief remarks. Video | Media Note |
Release of Two Journalists From North Korea Secretary Clinton (Aug. 5): "We have been working hard on the release of the two journalists. We have always considered that a totally separate issue from our efforts to reengage the North Koreans and have them return to the Six-Party Talks and work toward a commitment for the full, verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. I was very pleased to get the news that my husband's plane had taken off from Pyongyang with the two young women on board. They are on their way to California where they will be reunited with their families." Full Text | Video |
Ushering in Change: A New Era for U.S. Regional Policy in the Pacific Director Frelick (July 29): "The United States engages with the Pacific Island countries in both a bilateral and multilateral manner to address issues of pressing concern to the United States, the region, and the world. Our multifaceted engagement with the Pacific covers the gamut from addressing climate change to maintaining a robust missile defense infrastructure. Most importantly, we seek to work with the governments and peoples of the Pacific to foster stable, democratic, and prosperous countries." Full Statement |
U.S. and China Create Platform for Climate Policy Cooperation Secretary Clinton (July 28): "This memorandum builds on past efforts, including the Ten Year Framework for Energy Environment Cooperation, and highlights the importance of climate change in our bilateral relationship by creating a platform for climate policy dialogue and cooperation. It also provides our countries with direction as we work together to support international climate negotiations and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy." Full Text | Fact Sheet | Closing Remarks | U.S.-China Business Council Dinner |
North and South Korea and the Six-Party Talks
Department Spokesman Kelly (Aug 24): "We’ve seen some helpful steps in thawing the relationship between North Korea and South Korea, in a bilateral basis.... But I would not say that we’ve seen really any progress toward our oft-stated goal and our clear position that we want to engage with North Korea to discuss this denuclearization issue in the Six-Party context" Full Text
Condolences for Former Korean President
On August 21, Deputy Secretary Jacob Lew signed the Condolence Book for Former Korean President Kim Dae-jung at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Washington, DC. View Video
Improved Relations between the U.S. and North Korea
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Aug. 20): "[W]e are certainly in favor of improved relations between the United States and North Korea and between North Korea and others in the region. We haven’t received a debrief from Governor Richardson at this point. But to the extent that it would appear that they expressed an interest in bilateral talks, we are perfectly willing to have bilateral talks with North Korea, as we’ve said many times, within the larger framework of the Six-Party process." Full Text
U.S. Policy Review on Burma
Assistant Secretary Crowley (Aug. 17): "[W]e remain very concerned about the continued detainment of Aung Sun Suu Kyi and more than 2,100 prisoners that are in detention. We continue to look for signs that the Burmese Government is prepared to embark on a meaningful dialogue with Aung Sun Suu Kyi, along with the rest of the democratic opposition. And obviously, Burma needs to have a dialogue with a full range of ethnic minority leaders in Burma, and move towards a peaceful transition to genuine democracy and national reconciliation." Full Text
Statement on Aung San Suu Kyi
Secretary Clinton: "With respect to Aung San Suu Kyi, she should not have been tried and she should not have been convicted. We continue to call for her release from continuing house arrest. We also call for the release of more than 2,000 political prisoners, including the American John Yettaw. We are concerned about the harsh sentence imposed upon him especially in light of his medical condition." Full Statement
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