Burma’s Women Give Hope for Country’s Future

Posted by Melanne Verveer / October 05, 2012

Melanne Verveer, left, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, gestures to Burma opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during a press conference after their meeting at her residence, May 6, 2012, in Burma. [AP File Photo]

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 »

Posted under: East Asia and the Pacific

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Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Recognizes Staff at Radio Free Asia and Voice of America

Posted by Andrew Leahy / September 21, 2012

Aung San Suu Kyi sits down with VOA Burmese service for tea, September 19, 2012. [Photo by M.B. Hishmeh, VOA/ Used by Permission]

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 »

Posted under: East Asia and the Pacific

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Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton at the APEC 2012 Summit in Vladivostok

Posted by DipNote Bloggers / September 09, 2012

Leaders from Pacific-rim nations pose for a group photo on the final day of the APEC summit in Vladivostok, Russia, Sept. 9, 2012. From left to right are South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Thailand's Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Chinese President Hu Jintao, Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, Australian Trade Minister Craig Emerson , New Zealand Prime Minister John Key, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Mexico President Felipe Calderon, Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O'Neill, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, Philippines President Benigno Aquino III, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, Taiwanese Special Envoy Lien Chan and Hong Kong Financial Secretary John Tsang. [AP Photo]

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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 »

Posted under: East Asia and the Pacific

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Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton Makes Historic First Visit to Brunei Darussalam

Posted by Deidra D. Avendasora / September 07, 2012

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Brunei's Foreign Minister Prince Mohamed Bolkiah participate in the inaugural launch of the Brunei-U.S. English Language Enrichment Project for ASEAN in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. September 7, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

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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 »

Posted under: East Asia and the Pacific

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An Update From APEC Leaders’ Week in Russia

Posted by Atul Keshap / September 06, 2012

Atul Keshap, U.S. Senior Official for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), shakes hands with delegates at the APEC Leaders' Week in Vladivostok, Russia, September 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

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 »

Posted under: East Asia and the Pacific

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Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton in Timor-Leste

Posted by DipNote Bloggers / September 06, 2012

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton smiles with workers from the USAID founded Cooperativa Cafe Timor in Dili, Timor-Leste, September 6, 2012. [UNMIT photo by Bernardino Soares]

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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 »

Posted under: East Asia and the Pacific

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Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton in China

Posted by DipNote Bloggers / September 05, 2012

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, right, and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shake hands after attending the press conference at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China Sept. 5, 2012. [AP Photo]

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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 »

Posted under: East Asia and the Pacific

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Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton in Indonesia

Posted by DipNote Bloggers / September 04, 2012

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton shakes hands with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono before their bilateral meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, September 4, 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

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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 »

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Basketball Envoys Make First-Ever Visit to Burma

Posted by Michael D. Quinlan / September 02, 2012

Allison Feaster and Rich Cho speak with female basketball athletes in Rangoon, Burma, August 2012. [State Department photo/ Public Domain]

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 »

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Travel Diary: Secretary Clinton Underscores U.S. Commitment to the Pacific

Posted by DipNote Bloggers / September 01, 2012

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivers remarks at Sustainable Development and Conservation event in Rarotonga, Cook Islands, August 31, 2012. [State Department photo by Ola Thorsen/ Public Domain]

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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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