04 November 2009

U.S.-Sponsored Program Aims to Fight Emerging Pandemic Threats
USAID funds collaborative efforts to identify and block emerging diseases

By Bridget Hunter
Staff Writer

Washington — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will spend millions of dollars during the next three to five years to combat emerging pandemic threats (EPT) worldwide. Details of the program were announced by the agency November 3.

USAID said the program, which builds on USAID’s historical successes in disease surveillance, training and outbreak response, aims to pre-empt or combat, at their sources, newly emerging diseases of animal origin that could threaten human health. (full text...)

04 November 2009

First Lady Honors After-School Arts Projects That Inspire Youth
Youth programs in Mexico, China, Egypt are among award recipients

By Jeffrey Thomas
Staff Writer

First lady Michelle Obama presented awards to 19 outstanding after-school programs, including four from China, Egypt and Mexico.

Washington — In Campeche, Mexico, children with Down syndrome attend two dance workshops each week to learn traditional and contemporary dances at La Chácara Children’s Culture Center.

In China’s Sichuan province, children from low-income families train in opera, dance and the visual arts at Green Path of Art, which provides its students with academic and financial assistance.

In Muqqatum, a community on the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt, students at Alwan wa Awtar (Colors and Strings) can participate in a wide range of after-school and summer arts activities in the performing, visual and literary arts.(full text...)

03 November 2009

U.S. Honors Contributions of American Indians, Alaska Natives

National American Indian Heritage Month is celebrated every November

Rylan Baker, appearing at the National Museum of the American Indian, demonstrates the Men’s Fancy Dance.

Washington — Each November, National American Indian Heritage Month pays tribute to the legacy of the American Indians and Alaska Natives — the first Americans — and celebrates their enduring contributions to the history and culture of the United States.

Today, there are nearly 5 million American Indians and Alaska Natives in the United States, or 1.6 percent of the total population, and this is expected to jump to 8.6 million, or 2 percent of the population, by 2050. (full text...)

Honduras Agreement Important Example for Latin American Democracy

By Stephen Kaufman
Staff Writer

Assistant Secretary Shannon says the agreement is an opening for international support for the November 29 Honduran elections.

Washington — The agreement in Honduras between President Manuel Zelaya and the head of the de facto government, Roberto Micheletti, is a victory for negotiation and dialogue in resolving political conflicts and sets a historic example for the Latin American region, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said October 30.

In a statement released before she concluded her visit to Pakistan, Clinton congratulated both sides on the “breakthrough,” as well as Costa Rican President Oscar Arias for his role in the negotiation process.(Read more...)

Breakthrough in Honduras

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered the following remarks Friday morning, October 30, 2009, in Islamabad, Pakistan:

I'm very pleased to announce that we've had a breakthrough in negotiations in Honduras.

I want to congratulate the people of Honduras as well as President Zelaya and Mr. Micheletti for reaching an historic agreement.  I also congratulate Costa Rican President Oscar Arias for the important role he has played in fashioning the San Jose process and the OAS for its role in facilitating the successful round of talks. (full text...)

Clinton Sends U.S. Officials to Honduras to Urge End to Crisis

By Stephen Kaufman
Staff Writer

Washington — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is sending three U.S. officials to Honduras for talks with ousted President Manuel Zelaya and the interim head of the de facto Honduran government, Roberto Micheletti, to reflect the urgency in finding a resolution to the country’s political crisis before elections scheduled for November.

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly said October 27 that the U.S. delegation, consisting of Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas Shannon, (full text...)

Bolivia-U.S. Joint Press Statement

October 28, 2009

Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca and U.S. Under Secretary Maria Otero

Today, U.S. and Bolivian delegations concluded two days of productive discussions on a draft Framework Agreement aimed at improving bilateral relations.  The parties reiterated their commitment to establishing a more positive and collaborative relationship, as well as enhanced communication. 

The parties made significant progress on substantive points and established a roadmap aimed at finalizing an agreement in La Paz, by the end of November.  This meeting followed an initial round of dialogue held in La Paz, in May.  Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca led the Bolivian delegation.  Under Secretary Maria Otero led the U.S. delegation.

United States–Bolivia Bilateral Dialogue

The Department of State welcomes Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca and the Bolivian delegation in Washington for the second meeting of the U.S.-Bolivia Dialogue, which will take place on October 27, 2009.  The first meeting was held in La Paz, Bolivia in May. 

Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero will lead the U.S. delegation.  The dialogue reflects both countries’ commitment to review and improve relations on the basis of mutual respect and shared interests.  Key areas of discussion will include cooperation on development, social inclusion, and our shared responsibility to combat drug trafficking.

Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Thomas A. Shannon and Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca will address the press and answer questions at a joint walkout at the C Street Entrance of the State Department at 6:00 p.m., following the meeting. 

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