Tag Archives: South Sudan

Chinese President Visits U.S. / More Applause for Sudan / A U.S.-Pakistan Exchange

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President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China are set to enter into wide-ranging talks this week. President Obama calls the peaceful voting in Sudan an “inspiration to the world.” The State Department has hopes for the new leadership in Tunisia. Applications are still being accepted for the TechWomen mentorship program. And learn about a U.S.-Pakistani cultural exchange.

President Obama and Chinese President Hu JintaoHu and Obama to Meet in State Visit
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President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China will discuss global and regional security concerns, economic and trade issues, human rights and related bilateral issues during a one-day state visit January 19 at the White House. This will be the eighth face-to-face meeting between Obama and Hu, a demonstration of the importance of the U.S.-China relationship, he added. At right, Obama, left, and Hu at a meeting in November. 

“Inspiring” Conduct in Sudan
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President Obama praises the peaceful and orderly conduct of southern Sudan’s referendum on self-determination and commends the voters. “The sight of so many Sudanese casting their votes in a peaceful and orderly fashion was an inspiration to the world and a tribute to the determination of the people and leaders of south Sudan to forge a better future,” says Obama.

Tunisia’s Interim Leadership
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The State Department says it hopes Tunisia’s interim leadership will chart a new, more democratic course in the wake of former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s departure after more than 20 years. “There is change under way” in Tunisia that needs to broaden and deepen, says State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley.

TechWomen
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Bringing the power of global business, technology and education together, the TechWomen Program will pair women in Silicon Valley with 38 of their counterparts in the Middle East and North Africa for a five-week professional mentorship program at leading technology companies beginning in the summer of 2011. Online applications must be submitted by February 1st. For more information, visit the TechWomen Fact Sheet.

A U.S.-Pakistan Exchange
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As part of the State Department’s Global Undergraduate Exchange Program-Pakistan, college students from Pakistan spend a semester at college campuses throughout the United States. In addition to taking coursework, the Pakistani exchange students complete a course in U.S. studies and participate in community service and cultural activities. Afza Asif, right, visited a school to teach American children about Pakistan.

U.S. Remains Committed to Haiti / Crisis in Lebanon / Green Jeans

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U.S. leaders look back, one year after a catastrophic earthquake devastated Haiti. Amid a political crisis in Lebanon, President Obama meets with and expresses support for Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri. Regardless of the outcome, the U.S. calls the Sudanese referendum a “win-win” for both north and south. Chinese President Hu Jintao’s upcoming visit to the United States comes during a significant transition for the global economy. Meet Nadereh Chamlou, an Iranian-American economist who studies gender issues. And finally, learn about Levi’s new green jeans.

U.S. Support for Haiti Endures One Year After Quake
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President Obama and other U.S. leaders mark one year since a catastrophic earthquake devastated Haiti, pledging continued partnership and support as the country rebuilds. “As they forge ahead with the hard work of rebuilding their proud country, the people of Haiti will continue to have an enduring partner in the United States,” he says.

Obama Backs Lebanon’s Hariri
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Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri’s visit to Washington coincided with the resignation of 11 Lebanese cabinet ministers who are allied with the militant group Hezbollah, which the United States has designated as a terrorist organization. Their resignations have forced the collapse of the government. President Obama met with Hariri at the White House and praised his efforts to “reach peace, stability, and consensus in Lebanon under difficult circumstance.”

U.S. Praises Sudanese Officials
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Regardless of the outcome, the referendum on southern Sudanese self-determination can present new opportunities for the people of both northern and southern Sudan, says Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson.

Economic Reform in China
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The state visit of China’s President Hu Jintao to the United States January 19 comes during a significant transition for the global economy, China’s economy and for the United States, says Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner.

The Cost of Gender Barriers
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Nadereh Chamlou is senior adviser to the World Bank’s chief economist for the Middle East and North Africa and an authority on the crucial difference women can play in the economic success of families, companies and countries. “Gender issues can no longer be seen as a political issue or an issue of culture. No, these are becoming now international issues,” says the Iranian-born Chamlou.

Levi's jeansWhen Jeans Turn Green
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Levi Strauss & Co. just rolled out a collection of pants that requires a fraction of the water normally used during production. The initiative is part of its broader campaign to shrink the overall environmental footprint of its global supply chain. “We know it’s vital to understand, and reduce, the impact our products have on the environment,” says Michael Kobori, Levi’s vice president of social and environmental sustainability.

Gates in China / Clinton in Yemen / An Indian Novelist

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Defense Secretary Robert Gates praises China for helping to ease tensions on the Korean Peninsula. Progress to rebuild Haiti is on track one year after the devastating earthquake. Speaking in Yemen, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the United States seeks “a broad relationship” with both Yemen’s leadership and the Yemeni people. The United States is pleased with the progress of the referendum on southern Sudan’s self-determination. Vice President Biden says the Taliban’s momentum has slowed in Afghanistan. And finally, meet the Indian novelist and blogger Chandrahas Choudhury.

Robert Gates with Chinese President HuChina Playing Key Role in Korean Peninsula
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Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Chinese leadership has played a vital role in the last several months to dampen tensions on the Korean Peninsula. “What I think we would like to see are some concrete actions by North Korea that show that they’re serious about moving to a negotiation and an engagement track,” Gates says in Beijing. Right, Gates meets with China’s President Hu Jintao.

One Year Later: Haiti on Track
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U.S. officials and leaders say progress to rebuild Haiti is on track one year after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated the country, with international efforts contributing significantly to sustainable development.

Clinton in Yemen
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said that the Obama administration is committed to providing Yemen with economic, social and political assistance as well as cooperation against violent extremists.

Good Progress in Sudan
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Senior State Department officials say they are pleased with the progress of the referendum on southern Sudan’s self-determination and praised leaders from both northern and southern Sudan for their cooperation in the process. “We could now be at the very cusp of seeing the end of one of Africa’s longest wars and longest tragedies,” says Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson.

Breaking the Taliban’s Momentum
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The United States, its allies and Afghan security forces are breaking the momentum of the Taliban insurgents working to regain control over portions of Afghanistan, Vice President Biden says. “It’s fair to say we have largely arrested the Taliban momentum here in some very important areas,” Biden says at a joint press conference in Kabul with Afghan President Hamid Karzai.

Chandrahas Choudhury at podiumMeet Indian Writer Choudhury
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Novelist, critic and blogger Chandrahas Choudhury, who lives in Mumbai, recently joined 37 other writers from 32 countries for International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. Along with exposure to the work of a diverse group of international poets and writers, the conference allowed Choudhury, right, to examine the contrasts and similarities between Indian and American literary culture.

Biden in Afghanistan / Voting in South Sudan / Business Conference in Algiers

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Vice President Biden travels to Afghanistan. President Obama praises the timely start of the referendum on self-determination for southern Sudan. The United States and China are working to improve military-to-military relations. A top U.S. official assesses progress in Haiti, one year after the devastating earthquake. President Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy meet ahead of economic summits. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says sanctions on Iran are working. In Algiers, entrepreneurs gather and share ideas.

Biden in Afghanistan
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Vice President Biden is in Afghanistan to assess current operations and Afghan army and police training programs and to hold talks with President Hamid Karzai on political and economic progress. Biden, center, met with U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry, right, and U.S. Army General David Petraeus, left, for an “update from them on the situation on the ground” before his planned meetings with senior Afghan officials, the administration says.

Obama Urges Free Vote in Sudan
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President Obama praised the timely start of the referendum on self-determination for southern Sudan and urged all sides to refrain from intimidation, coercion or violence and to allow voters to freely and peaceably express their will. “The world will be watching in the coming days,” says Obama. At right, South Sudanese men wait to cast their votes at a polling station in Juba.

U.S., China Defense Talks
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The United States and China are working to improve military relations to manage common security problems and promote communication and understanding, Defense Secretary Robert Gates says in Beijing.

Assessing Progress in Haiti
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In the year since a powerful earthquake struck Haiti, an unprecedented international effort has mobilized to bring relief to the country while confronting obstacles both pre-existing the quake and directly caused by it. Deputy Coordinator Kara McDonald outlines the U.S. government’s approach to reconstruction and assesses the progress of the last 12 months.

Obama, Sarkozy Discuss Summits
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President Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy agree to work closely in preparing for upcoming major economic summits that will address the continuing recovery from the recent recession.

Clinton: Iran Sanctions Working
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Secretary Clinton says economic sanctions are slowing down Iran’s ability to acquire nuclear weapons. “The most recent analysis is that sanctions have been working,” she tells university students in Abu Dhabi.

Amel ChouikhBusiness Conference in Algiers
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Dozens of American and North African entrepreneurs attended the U.S.-Maghreb Entrepreneurship Conference in Algiers in December. Amel Chouikh, right, one of the attendees, says that the conference caused her to see opportunities for cross-border partnerships and for expanding her business outside Algeria and into other Maghreb countries.