Geography Of Angola
Sao Tome and Principe (04/05)
In 1990, Sao Tome became one of the first African countries to embrace democratic reform, and changes to the constitution--the legalization of opposition political parties--led to elections in 1991 that were nonviolent, free, and transparent. Miguel Trovoada, a former Prime Minister who had been in exile since 1986, returned as an independent candidate and was elected President. Trovoada was re-elected in Sao Tome's second multiparty presidential election in 1996. The Party of Democratic Convergence (PCD) toppled the MLSTP to take a majority of seats in the National Assembly, with the MLSTP becoming an important and vocal minority party. Municipal elections followed in late 1992, in which the MLSTP came back to win a majority of seats on five of seven regional councils. In early legislative elections in October 1994, the MLSTP won a plurality of seats in the Assembly. It regained an outright majority of seats in the November 1998 elections. The Government of Sao Tome fully functions un ... [Read More]
United States Libraries in South Africa: Topics--Economic Affairs
On June 1, former Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz became the head of the World Bank. His mission is ending global poverty. FOREIGN POLICY asked five of the world's leading development experts to offer Wolfowitz some advice on getting the job done. Their suggestions include:Stimulating economic growth rather than providing direct aid.Focusing on knowledge and providing information that will assist governments in establishing economic policies that promote development.Microfinancing of the poor in order support entrepreneurship by offering small loansLinking the overall volume of lending to the funding of critical institutions, such as basic education, basic health, and nondiscriminatory legal frameworks. In this way, the bank would fund the very things that drive growth, be it infrastructure or higher education. Developing a clear, integrated, viable, and sustainable mission for the Bank as well as exploring innovative financ ... [Read More]
Cuba (08/04)
While the Cuban constitution recognizes the right of citizens to freedom of religion, the government de facto restricts that freedom. Twenty-two denominations, including Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Methodists, are members of the Cuban Council of Churches (CCC). Most CCC members are officially recognized by the State, though several, including the Evangelical Lutheran Church, are not registered and are recognized only through their membership in the CCC. Another 31 officially recognized denominations, including Jehovah's Witnesses and the small Jewish community, do not belong to the CCC. The Government does not favor any one particular religion or church; however, the Government appears to be most tolerant of those churches that maintain close ... [Read More]
Alan Larson, "GEOPOLITICS OF OIL AND NATURAL GAS," Economic Perspectives, May 2004
Promoting transparency and good governance is a key part of the U.S. strategy of encouraging diversification. Oil and gas projects are controversial in many developing countries because revenue flows are hidden, or diverted, and average citizens feel they receive no benefit from their country's natural wealth. The United States wants oil-producing countries to invest energy revenue in solid and sustainable economic development for their populations, not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because it builds political support for the further development of energy projects. Democratic processes and the development of responsive governing institutions promote political and economic stability, the use of mineral wealth for poverty reduction and economic development, and the reduction of oil-related conflicts in energy-producing countries around the world. ... [Read More]
Namibia (07/05)
In May 1988, a U.S. mediation team, headed by Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Chester A. Crocker, brought negotiators from Angola, Cuba, and South Africa, and observers from the Soviet Union together in London. Intense diplomatic maneuvering characterized the next 7 months, as the parties worked out agreements to bring peace to the region and make implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 435 possible. On December 13, Cuba, South Africa, and the People's Republic of Angola agreed to a total Cuban troop withdrawal from Angola. The protocol also established a Joint Commission, consisting of the parties with the United States and the Soviet Union as observers, to oversee implementation of the accords. A bilateral agreement between Cuba and the People's Republic of Angola was signed in New York on December 22, 1988. On the same day a tripartite agreement, in which the parties recommended initiation of the UN Plan on April 1 and the Republic of South Africa agreed to ... [Read More]
Congo (Kinshasa) (06/05)
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements. Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas that pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Free copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system: 202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Int ... [Read More]
Zambia (07/05)
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements. Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas that pose significant risks to the security of American travelers. Free copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system: 202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings also are available on the Consular Affairs Int ... [Read More]
U.S. Department of State FOIA Electronic Reading Room--Post Reports
1 Quick Jump AfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAngolaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbados [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The Embassy has two boats with outboard motors available for rental. The Mussulo Peninsula has nice beaches off the main coast, just a short boat ride from the city. Several pristine and uncrowded beaches further south are accessible by road. Sport fishing is also popular, and the waters just off the coast have an abundant supply of many types of game fish. Anthropology and natural history museums are found downtown. There is a historic fort overlooking the bay. Other attractions outside of Luanda, but within the 20-km security limit, include the Slave Museum and the arts and crafts market. EntertainmentLast Updated: 11/14/2003 12:18 AM Entertainment in Luanda is limited. The CLO office has a small video and book library. The recreation trailer on the Miramar Compound has a combina ... [Read More]
Angola (06/05)
At the same time, the energy-based U.S. trading relationship continues to expand and spark other ties. One offshoot has been the development of a Sister City relationship between Lafayette, Louisiana and Cabinda and between Houston, Texas and Luanda. The Catholic University of Luanda has close links with a number of American institutions and has received support from the Angola Educational Assistance Fund, a U.S. non-profit organization organized by Citizens Energy of Boston. Sonangol has a longstanding program of educating its professionals in U.S. universities, complementing ChevronTexaco's policy of U.S. training for its own growing pool of Angolan professionals. Long before oil was discovered, American missionary efforts from the early 19th century established several Protestant churches in the interior, which also provided much of the schooling that was available in rural colonial Angola; those historical links now are being revived with exchanges in both directions. ... [Read More]
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