Azerbaijan Picture
Daily Briefing for August 4
QUESTION: Is there concern, once President Taylor is out of the picture, is there a viable alternative to Taylor that the U.S. sees? Is there concern about a power vacuum? ... [Read More]
IV. Country Narratives: Europe and Eurasia
The Government of Azerbaijan does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking; however, it is making significant efforts to do so. A more complete picture of trafficking in Azerbaijan warrants its inclusion in this report for the first time. In the absence of government identification, local and international experts catalogued a significant number of victims trafficked from or through Azerbaijan during the reporting period. The government merits the designation of Tier 2 Watch List because its efforts are in initial stages and progress is expected in the near future. Law enforcement officers were neither trained nor instructed on victim identification and did not adequately investigate trafficking, nor the extent to which government corruption facilitates it. The government should promptly adopt and fully implement its national action plan and undertake and implement necessary legal reform. ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Transcript: State Department Noon Briefing, October 3
You know, whether -- he also said everybody ought to read the full report, base your judgments on David Kay's report, not on a headline that might have appeared two weeks ago or yesterday. But read the whole report, and one can see the developing picture. ... [Read More]
Daily Press Briefing for July 26 -- Transcript
Moving on to the -- but I think the bigger picture is -- and in that sense, there's not a lot of change -- is that the MEK members remain as before limited to Camp Ashraf under multinational force control. The multinational force continues to ensure that the -- that the members of these groups cannot post a threat to individuals inside or outside Iraq. We are working with the international -- with the government of Iraq and international organizations to look at eventual repatriation of these individuals. ... [Read More]
US Department Of State Post Report
The city’s National Art Gallery has more than 16,000 works that date back to the middle ages. It houses paintings by many European masters. The Modern Art Museum, The Children’s Picture Gallery, and the Saryan Museum are only a few of the other noteworthy collections of fine art on display in Yerevan. Moreover, many private galleries are in operation, with many more opening each year. They feature rotating exhibitions and sales. ... The following services are available and adequate (sometimes excellent, and almost always very affordable): haircutting, shoe repair, taxi, tailoring, dress making, upholstery & draperies, auto repair, lock smithy, picture framing etc. In short, most average needs can be met. In addition, the GSO provides many services. ... [Read More]
For the Record Newsletter – European Programs Branch
The students take a moment for a picture with Rowena Cross-Najafi and Bela Tsipuria (pictured in the center). ... [Read More]
U.S. Foreign Assistance Programs
Mr. Chairman and other distinguished Committee members, I am pleased to participate in your examination of U.S. foreign assistance programs. U.S. assistance is key to achieving our foreign policy goals in Europe and Eurasia, and we greatly appreciate your current and past support in providing us with this important diplomatic tool. I am pleased to have with me today Dr. Kent Hill, my counterpart from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Also, sitting behind me is Ambassador Carlos Pascual, the Coordinator of Assistance to Europe and Eurasia. We are fortunate to have in our Bureau a Coordinator with statutory authority over assistance in our region; we think this helps maintain a strong link between foreign policy objectives and assistance programs. A ... [Read More]
U.S. Engagement in Central Asia and the Caucasus: Staying Our Course Along the Silk Road
Human Rights: There are serious human rights problems throughout the countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus. For example, in Turkmenistan, we have witnessed a sharp crackdown on the political opposition and society in general since the attack on President Niyazov's motorcade in November. The Government of Turkmenistan arrested a number of political opponents of President Niyazov, all of whom he alleges were involved in the plot. The Turkmen Government did not allow an independent observer from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to visit Turkmenistan to investigate claims of human rights violations, including torture, associated with this crackdown. Despite this bleak picture, we firmly believe that change will come in Turkmenistan. We will not abandon the Turkmen people. ... [Read More]
"For the Record" Alumni Newsletter – Office of Academic Exchange Programs, European Programs Branch
Session presenters included Raffi Gregorian, Deputy Director for Bosnia at the Office of South Central European Affairs; Ambassador William Taylor, Coordinator of US Assistance to Europe and Eurasia; and Kurt Basseuner from the Democratization Policy Institute. BUDP participant Damir Mezet said, "In learning about the way US society functions, I learned more about my own country… I think I have a better picture about the position of Bosnia and Bosnians in the world… I intend to use all my abilities in my country, because I believe… that there is the possibility of good life back home." ... [Read More]
|