Burma’s Women Give Hope for Country’s Future
Posted by Melanne Verveer / October 05, 2012
2012 has been a remarkable year for Burma. Under President Thein Sein's leadership, we have seen electoral reforms, the release of hundreds of political prisoners, the formalizing of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and Aung San Suu Kyi's historic visit to the United States, all of which have brought immense hope and a sense of possibility to the people of Burma and all of us who care deeply about their future. Earlier this year, with colleagues from the State Department and private sector foundation leaders, we visited Burma to shine a spotlight on issues relating to women and girls at this crucial moment in history.
We have no illusions about the future. From a dearth of basic infrastructure, to the many political prisoners still languishing in jail, to the ongoing ethnic violence and continuing human rights violations against women, the road toward… more »
Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Recognizes Staff at Radio Free Asia and Voice of America
Posted by Andrew Leahy / September 21, 2012
On Wednesday, September 19, I had the opportunity to accompany Aung San Suu Kyi to the Washington offices of Radio Free Asia (RFA) and Voice of America (VOA), two news organizations whose broadcasts have penetrated closed and war-torn countries, such as Burma, for decades.
I was delighted to be a part of this visit, because I was recently assigned as a Public Diplomacy Officer to Embassy Rangoon for my first tour in the Foreign Service. I'll soon leave for post, but it was exciting and interesting to be a part of Suu Kyi's first visit to the United States in 40 years.
Suu Kyi's visit is historic -- after 17 years of house arrest and detention, she is now free -- free to visit family and friends, free to travel abroad (and receive her 1991 Nobel Peace Prize and 2008 U.S. Congressional… more »
Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton at the APEC 2012 Summit in Vladivostok
Posted by DipNote Bloggers / September 09, 2012
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Vladivostok, Russia, where she led the U.S. delegation to the 20th Annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' meeting, September 8-9. APEC is the premier forum for U.S. economic engagement with the Asia-Pacific region. Secretary Clinton discussed trade liberalization, food security, and green growth, including initiatives to fight wildlife trafficking, with heads of state and other regional leaders, including business representatives.
On the… more »
Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton Makes Historic First Visit to Brunei Darussalam
Posted by Deidra D. Avendasora / September 07, 2012
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About the Author: Deidra D. Avendasora serves as Public Affairs Officer at U.S. Embassy Brunei.
Brunei Darussalam is known as the Abode of Peace, so it was particularly fitting that U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton's historical first visit to the country promoted U.S.-ASEAN cooperation in general, as well as specifically through the launch of the U.S.-Brunei English Language Enrichment Project for ASEAN.
Located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia and… more »
An Update From APEC Leaders’ Week in Russia
Posted by Atul Keshap / September 06, 2012
This week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will join leaders from 20 other economies in Vladivostok, Russia, to advance efforts to liberalize trade and investment across the vibrant Asia Pacific region and demonstrate robust and sustained U.S. commitment to broad economic engagement across the Asia Pacific region. Our engagement at APEC reinforces our message that the United States is a resident Pacific power committed to strengthening regional institutions to confront 21st century challenges.
As the U.S. Senior Official for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), it's my responsibility to work with my counterparts in APEC and with a U.S. team from the State Department, U.S. Trade Representative, Commerce,… more »
Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton in Timor-Leste
Posted by DipNote Bloggers / September 06, 2012
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On September 6, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton became the first Secretary of State to visit Dili, where she helped celebrate the 10th anniversary of Timor-Leste as an independent, democratic state. In her meetings with senior officials, Secretary Clinton emphasized U.S. support for the young democracy of Timor-Leste.
In a joint press conference with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, Secretary Clinton offered a message to the Timorese people. She said, "The United States was proud to stand with you during your struggle for independence, and we are standing with you as you work to build a strong democracy with robust institutions,… more »
Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton in China
Posted by DipNote Bloggers / September 05, 2012
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In Beijing September 4-5, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with senior Chinese leaders. During remarks with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Secretary Clinton said:
"...I am pleased to return to China for my fifth visit, I think, although I've lost track, as U.S. Secretary of State. I came on my very first trip in early 2009, and this has been part of our overarching engagement in Asia. And as Minister Yang just said, we have institutionalized a number of mechanisms for ongoing dialogue. Our Strategic and Economic Dialogue, our consultation on People-to-People Exchange, our Strategic Security Dialogue, our Asia Pacific Consultation,… more »
Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton in Indonesia
Posted by DipNote Bloggers / September 04, 2012
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with senior Indonesian officials, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Foreign Minister Raden Mohammad Marty Muliana Natalegawa, to discuss the U.S.-Indonesia Comprehensive Partnership, September 3-4. Secretary Clinton also held a bilateral meeting with ASEAN Secretary General Surin to emphasize the United States' commitment to building an enduring, multi-faceted relationship between ASEAN and the United States.
In her meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Natalegawa,… more »
Basketball Envoys Make First-Ever Visit to Burma
Posted by Michael D. Quinlan / September 02, 2012
On a rain-soaked Sunday afternoon in Rangoon, a crowd of eager basketball fans braved the weather to come out and welcome a quartet of NBA and WNBA stars at the kickoff event of the State Department's first-ever Sports Envoy program in Burma.
Newly arrived Ambassador Derek Mitchell introduced the four visiting Sports Envoys to the throng of excited onlookers. Charlotte Bobcats General Manager Rich Cho, former WNBA player Allison Feaster, former NBA player Marty Conlon, and Los Angeles Lakers Assistant Coach Darvin Ham took the court and captured everyone's attention. For Rich Cho, who was born in Burma, immigrated to the United States as a young child, and later went on to become the first Asian-American general manager in American major league sports, the trip to Rangoon was an… more »
Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton Underscores U.S. Commitment to the Pacific
Posted by DipNote Bloggers / September 01, 2012
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton attended the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Post Forum Dialogue in the Cook Islands on August 31, 2012, as part of our intensive engagement and ongoing collaboration with the Pacific Islands. Secretary Clinton led the highest-level U.S. interagency delegation in the 41-year history of the Forum with senior officials from the Departments of State, Defense, and Interior.
In remarks at the Dialogue,… more »
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