United Kingdom History

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USIA - Portrait of the USA, Ch. 3

The Civil War was the most traumatic episode in American history.But it resolved two vexingmatters... It put an end to slavery, and it decided that thecountry was not a collection ofsemi-independent states but an indivisible whole. ...

A brief history of the United States ...

Two years later, after a long campaign involving forcescommanded by Lee and Grant, the Confederates surrendered. TheCivil War was the most traumatic episode in American history. Butit resolved two matters that had vexed Americans since 1776. Itput an end to slavery, and it decided that the country was not acollection of semi-independent states but an indivisible whole. ... [Read More]

Morocco (07/05)

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Statement of the Atlantic Summit: A Vision for Iraq and the Iraqi People

Iraq's talented people, rich culture, and tremendous potential have been hijacked by Saddam Hussein. His brutal regime has reduced a country with a long and proud history to an international pariah that oppresses its citizens, started two wars of aggression against its neighbors, and still poses a grave threat to the security of its region and the world. ... [Read More]

Embassy of the United States in Manila

“We know from history that nations governed by the rule of law are nations that are just. We know that they share the blessings of liberty and opportunity and security with their people. In stark contrast, we know that nations that are lawless or where laws serve might, not right, tend to be places cursed by chaos and corruption and conflict and poor living conditions for their people. …A major thrust of our diplomatic efforts today is to work with governments and representatives of civil society all around the world to expand the rule of law both in domestic affairs of states and in their relations with each other.” ... [Read More]

United Kingdom

Criminal penalties for rape, including spousal rape, sexual assault, and domestic violence, are substantial, and these laws were enforced strictly; however, conviction rates for rape tended to be lower than for other crimes. The law provides for injunctive relief, personal protection orders, and protective exclusion orders (similar to restraining orders) for women who are victims of violence. The Government provided shelters, counseling, and other assistance for battery or rape and offered free legal aid to battered women who were economically reliant on their abusers. The law prohibits defendants themselves from conducting cross-examinations of complainants in rape and sexual offence trials. The Youth Justice and Criminal Evidence Act includes a provision that restricts the admissibility into evidence of a complainant's previous sexual history. ... [Read More]

Background Notes

These publications include facts about the land, people, history, government, political conditions, economy, and foreign relations of independent states, some dependencies, and areas of special sovereignty.  The Notes are updated/revised by the Office of Electronic Information and Publications of the Bureau of Public Affairs as they are received from the Department's regional bureaus and are added to the database of the Department of State website you are now using. ... [Read More]

History of the Consular Flag

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Lesotho (06/05)
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