President Barack Obama will deliver the 2011 State of the Union Address tonight at 9:00 p.m. (EST). You can watch the event live on www.whitehouse.gov. more »
Posted under: Policy
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![Secretary Clinton, Spanish Foreign Minister Jimenez deliver remarks, DC, Jan 2011.[State Dept.]](https://web.archive.org/web/20110126025722im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0125_s_spanish_fm_dipnote_m.jpg)
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton held a bilateral meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Trinidad Jimenez at the Department of State on January 25, 2011. Their meeting is a follow-up to their talks at the NATO Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, in November 2010. The counterparts discussed a variety of issues, such as mutual security, including the situations in Lebanon and Afghanistan, as well as fulfilling economic and development goals around the world.
Secretary Clinton underscored the strength of the U.S.-Spain relationship. She said, "The enduring partnership between the United States and Spain is rooted in friendship and common values. We are not only bilateral partners, but regional and global as well, and united in a shared vision for a world that is peaceful, secure, and prosperous."
"We discussed the evolving situation in Lebanon where Spanish… more »
Posted under: Europe & Eurasia
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About the Author: Alberto Rodriguez serves as Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.
U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter honored the winners of the Pakistan Fast Growth 25 Contest and highlighted their role as job creators at a ceremony at his residence on Monday, January 24. The Pakistan Fast Growth 25, a ranking of fast growth entrepreneurial companies, was organized by AllWorld Network in partnership with Harvard Business School and launched in collaboration with JS Bank Limited.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Munter said, "Tonight we have come together to celebrate the 25 fastest growing companies in Pakistan. They represent areas as diverse as telecommunications, agriculture, and textiles. They represent high growth rates and the creation of 12,000 jobs. But most importantly, they represent innovation and entrepreneurship… more »
Posted under: South and Central Asia
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On Friday, January 28, 2011, Elisa Massimino, President and CEO of Human Rights First, will hold a conversation with Hannah Rosenthal, the Department of State's Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, on the recent trends in anti-Semitism around the world. The discussion will be moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Public Affairs. The event will be streamed live on DipNote, the Department of State's official blog, at 3:15 p.m. (EST). You will have the opportunity to participate through the submission of questions, some of which will be selected for response… more »
Posted under: Policy
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![Secretary Clinton and Secretary Espinosa at press conference, Guanajuato, Mexico Jan. 24, 2011. [AP]](https://web.archive.org/web/20110126025722im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0124_clinton_mexico_m.jpg)
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Alhondiga de Granaditas, Guanajuato, Mexico at the invitation of Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa on Monday, January 24, 2011. During a joint press availability, Secretary Clinton said:
"Before I begin, I want to express a very strong condemnation of today's terrorist attacks at the Moscow Airport. We stand with the people of Russia in this moment of sorrow and grief, and we offer both our condolences and our very strong solidarity as they continue the struggle that so many of us face in combating and eliminating this international terror threat.
"Closer to Mexico, and especially here, I just learned that Bishop Samuel Ruiz, a native son, has passed away. And I was told by my colleagues that he was a tireless mediator who sought reconciliation and justice through dialogue, and that is exactly the… more »
Posted under: Travel Diary
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![Screenshot of White House videoconference with Chinese bloggers, Jan. 20, 2011. [White House Image]](https://web.archive.org/web/20110126025722im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0124_beijing_webchat_m.jpg)
About the Author: Katie Dowd serves as New Media Director at the U.S. Department of State.
On the heels of the China State Visit to Washington, DC, Obama Administration officials created a high-tech bridge across the Pacific to discuss the recent trip and other important issues with Chinese bloggers. Connecting live via video from the Situation Room in the White House to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, China, Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communication Ben Rhodes and National Security Council Senior Director for Asian Affairs Jeff Bader engaged in an interactive, spirited web chat with a group of Chinese bloggers based in Beijing.
Ben and Jeff conducted the… more »
Posted under: East Asia and the Pacific
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![A wounded blast victim is moved on a stretcher at Domodevo Airport in Moscow, Jan. 24, 2011. [AP]](https://web.archive.org/web/20110126025722im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0124_moscow_airport_attack_m.jpg)
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton joined President Barack Obama in strongly condemning the terrorist attack at Moscow's Domodedovo Airport on January 24, 2011. Secretary Clinton said, "We stand with the people of Russia in this moment of sorrow and we offer our deepest sympathy to the families and loved ones of those injured and killed.
"The United States condemns terrorism and all forms of violence against the innocent, wherever it occurs. We stand with the victims of these crimes and we will continue to work with the international community to combat violent extremism that threatens peace-loving people everywhere.
"The United States remains ready to support the Russian government as it seeks to bring these perpetrators to justice."
You can read the Secretary's… more »
Posted under: Europe & Eurasia
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![The Albanian-American Enterprise Fund Returns $15 million to US Treasury, Jan 19, 2011. [State Dept]](https://web.archive.org/web/20110126025722im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0124_Albania_1_m.jpg)
About the Author: Daniel Rosenblum serves as Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia.
Last Wednesday, I had a counter-intuitive experience. As Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia, my job is to ensure that U.S. foreign aid to the region is supporting priority foreign policy goals. It is all about seeing that taxpayer funds are being spent in the most efficient way possible, trying to maximize the benefit to U.S. national interests. But on January 19, 2011, the Albanian-American Enterprise Fund (AAEF), recipient of a U.S. government grant, returned $15 million to the U.S. Treasury. This payback represented the successful completion of a program established by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 1995 to promote the growth… more »
Posted under: Europe & Eurasia
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![President Obama, First Lady Obama welcome President Hu to the White House, Jan. 19, 2011. [AP]](https://web.archive.org/web/20110126025722im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0123_obama_hu_visit_m.jpg)
About the Author: Aaron Bruce serves as DipNote's Editorial Assistant.
Last week marked the 25th anniversary of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Federal Holiday, a day U.S. citizens observe as a national day of service in honor of Dr. King -- an advocate for tolerance and equality among people of all backgrounds. In India, Ambassador Timothy Roemer remembered Dr. King by paying a visit to the Dalit community in New Delhi and honoring all those who fight for universal values. U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe Charles Ray reflected on how Dr. King's vision is still relevant today. Ambassador Ray wrote,… more »
Posted under: Behind the Scenes
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![A protestor holds the Tunisian flag in Tunis, Jan. 20. 2011. [AP Photo]](https://web.archive.org/web/20110126025722im_/http://blogs.state.gov/images/Dipnote/behind_the_scenes/2011_0123_tunisia_m.jpg)
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi yesterday, January 22, 2011, to express continued support for the people of Tunisia in their path to a more democratic society. Secretary Clinton conveyed that the United States is encouraged by indications that the Interim Government is trying to be inclusive and ensure that the many segments of Tunisian society will have a voice.
The United States supports this effort, and the Secretary noted the Prime Minister's call for open, free, and credible elections in six months. She also commended the Interim Government's first, but significant steps to begin to investigate corruption and past abuses, and to work toward political reform. Specifically, the Secretary noted the government's establishment of three investigatory working committees to deal with these issues. Finally, the… more »
Posted under: Near East and Asia
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Assistant Secretary Crowley (Jan. 24): "The purpose of these meetings is to confirm our shared commitment to work together with Pacific Island countries to enhance security and prosperity in the region." more »
Jan. 24: The United States seeks to be supportive of Tunisia's democratic transition, while recognizing that this is a Tunisian-initiated, Tunisian-led process. more »
You can send questions to @whitehouse using the hashtag #sotu during President Obama's State of the Union Address: http://go.usa.gov/YbB