Accommodation Australia

As you know, in reaction to gathering economic momentum and an apparent stabilization in inflation, the FOMC at its May 4 meeting characterized the risks to both sustainable growth and inflation as being roughly in balance. The Committee's statement ended with the following sentence: "At this juncture, with inflation low and resource use slack, the Committee believes that policy accommodation can be removed at a pace that is likely to be measured." ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Byliner: Secretary of State Albright on Middle East Peace

Despite the events of recent days, Israelis and Palestinians know they have no alternative but to coexist as neighbors. Sooner or later they know they must find a way back to cooperation and accommodation. The same forces of history and geography that compelled Israelis and Palestinians into an uneasy partnership, and the same hopes and fears that led the two sides from Madrid to Oslo and then to Camp David have not changed. The United States has approached the current crisis with these facts in mind. Three goals have guided our policy since the crisis began. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: Security Council Tightens Iraqi Disarmament Regime

Iraq will provide security for all UNMOVIC and IAEA personnel. Secure and suitable accommodations will be designated at normal rates by Iraq for these personnel. For their part, UNMOVIC and the IAEA will require that their staff not stay at any accommodation other than those identified in consultation with Iraq. ...

Regional UNMOVIC/IAEA offices may be established, for example, in Basra and Mosul, for the use of their inspectors. For this purpose, Iraq will provide, without cost, adequate office buildings, staff accommodation, and appropriate escort personnel. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: Bush Administration Clamping Down on Tax Shelters, Snow Says

These arrangements are entered into with tax-indifferent parties, such as foreign governments, domestic municipalities, and tax-exempt organizations. They purport to be leasing transactions but, in substance, provide no financing to the tax-indifferent party aside from a fee. These arrangements have no meaningful financial or economic utility other than the transfer of tax benefits to a U.S. taxpayer (by means of a purported "sale" of property) in exchange for the payment of an accommodation fee to the tax-indifferent party. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: U.S. Central Bank Likely to Maintain Low Rates, Official Says

The Federal Reserve enters 2004 with monetary policy that is unusually accommodative in historical terms, relative to the stage of the business cycle. That accommodation is justified, I believe, by the current very low level of inflation, and by the productivity gains and the weakness in the labor market, both of which suggest that inflation is likely to remain subdued. In my view, weighing the relative costs of the upside and downside risks also favors accommodation; in particular, it is important that we ensure, as best we can, that the current expansion will become self-sustaining and that the inflation rate does not fall further. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: U.S. Central Bank Pushes Key Interest Rate Up

The Committee perceives the upside and downside risks to the attainment of both sustainable growth and price stability for the next few quarters are roughly equal. With underlying inflation still expected to be relatively low, the Committee believes that policy accommodation can be removed at a pace that is likely to be measured. Nonetheless, the Committee will respond to changes in economic prospects as needed to fulfill its obligation to maintain price stability. ... [Read More]

USIS Washington File: TEXT: SPECIAL COORDINATOR FOR TIBETAN ISSUES 3/11 TESTIMONY

"Examples of ethnic strife throughout the world demonstrate that mutual accommodation and protection of minority rights is the best course of action over the long-term, and China is no exception to this rule. As President Clinton has stated, 'China cannot purchase stability at the expense of freedom,'" she said. ...

However, it is clear that potential for unrest is greater when a majority ethnic/cultural group is denied fundamental rights by political authority. Examples of ethnic strife throughout the world demonstrate that mutual accommodation and protection of minority rights is the best course of action over the long-term, and China is no exception to this rule. As President Clinton has stated, "China cannot purchase stability at the expense of freedom." It is in the Chinese self-interest to defuse tensions in Tibet by engaging in a fruitful discussion with the Dalai Lama. There exists a real opportunity to overcome the longstanding differences between the Chinese and the Tibetans. China has incentive to be responsive to international interest in Tibet within a China which promotes rather than represses social, political and economic freedoms for the Tibetan citizens. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Excerpt: U.N. Briefing on Food Deliveries in Afghanistan, Nov. 3

--WFP has already hired an arctic/harsh environment specialist who is drawing up plans for WFP to set up a logistics base camp at the tip of the Anjuman pass. This is a 6000-meter high pass that leads into the Panjsheer valley. This camp will help to continue the food convoys and to supply them with fuel, accommodation for drivers, trucks and snow ploughs. This is the first time this will be done in Afghanistan. The aim is to keep the Anjuman Pass -- the only link in the Pansheer Valley from the north -- open as long as possible. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: Federal Reserve Group Keeps Key U.S. Interest Rate Low

Previously, the FOMC expressed belief that its policy of low interest rates could be maintained for a "considerable period," the phrase it has repeated since August 2003. Now, it says the "committee believes that it can be patient in removing its policy accommodation." ...

The Committee perceives that the upside and downside risks to the attainment of sustainable growth for the next few quarters are roughly equal. The probability of an unwelcome fall in inflation has diminished in recent months and now appears almost equal to that of a rise in inflation. With inflation quite low and resource use slack, the Committee believes that it can be patient in removing its policy accommodation. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: U.S. Central Bank Keeps Interest Rates Steady

"Output is continuing to expand at a solid rate and hiring appears to have picked up," the FOMC said. "At this juncture, with inflation low and resource use slack, the committee believes that policy accommodation can be removed at a pace that is likely to be measured." ...

The Committee perceives the upside and downside risks to the attainment of sustainable growth for the next few quarters are roughly equal. Similarly, the risks to the goal of price stability have moved into balance. At this juncture, with inflation low and resource use slack, the Committee believes that policy accommodation can be removed at a pace that is likely to be measured. ... [Read More]