Bangladesh Fashion

MR. BOUCHER: This gets to a level of detail that I don't think we can really address in this fashion at this time. If you're interested, I'll get you somebody to do this in more detail. ... [Read More]

Daily Press Briefing for July 26 -- Transcript

QUESTION: While we're talking about the outspoken Prime Minister, he, in outspoken fashion, has said that Iraq will have nothing to do with Israel until -- there are about three conditions, which basically mean an overall settlement and lots of other things. I know every country's decisions on who to have relations with is the country's, but as somebody you nurtured, as a government you're nurturing, is that something you have an opinion on? ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Transcript: State Department Noon Briefing, November 6, 2001

But his job is to implement a US policy. US policy, which is to encourage all the Afghan parties and factions to try to form a broad-based government, try to come together in some fashion and work out how to govern Afghanistan in the future. That role involves primarily the Afghan parties, but we all know that there are a variety of neighbors and other governments who have an interest in this. So we will talk to others about it as well. ... [Read More]

H) Southwest Asia

Law Enforcement Efforts. In the absence of an effective central government, a trained counternarcotics force, or an operational drug policy, there is virtually no counternarcotics law enforcement in Afghanistan at present. While the Taliban controlled most of Afghanistan, neither major faction—Taliban nor Northern Alliance—demonstrated the will to address continuing narcotics trafficking. Afghanistan does not yet have any effective arrangements to plan and coordinate drug control efforts. There is hope that the Interim Authority will address these shortcomings, with the assistance of the international community, as it strives to implement its ban on poppy cultivation in a more humane fashion than the Taliban. ... [Read More]

South Asia

Countries in South Asia face myriad human rights and democracy challenges. There are, however, several common themes to the problems of the region. Sectarian tensions, homegrown and imported terrorist groups, extremism, pervasive corruption and ineffective legal systems present major obstacles to development, peace and stability in South Asia. Terrorism and the many insurgencies that plague the region both reflect and contribute to a poor human rights climate. The unprecedented level of U.S. engagement with the countries of the region provides an opportunity and an obligation to press for greater democratic accountability and respect for individual rights.The United States is addressing the broader challenges in South Asia through counterterror, conflict resolution and reconciliation efforts, education and economic reform, and Muslim outreach activities. U.S. democracy programs combine legislative, judicial, and local gove ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Visitors from Five More Nations Subject to Registration Requirements

Registration for these nonimmigrant visitors will be reopened from January 27 to February 7. Those who report to their INS offices during this grace period for registration will be considered to have acted "in a timely fashion," according to the announcement. ... [Read More]

Emmy Simmons, "The role of microenterprise assistance in U.S. development Policy," Economic Perspectives, February 2004

In areas devastated by HIV/AIDS, such as in Zimbabwe, USAID missions are using microfinance to mitigate the economic impact on orphans and others affected by the disease. Currently, one in four people between the ages of 15 and 45 in Zimbabwe has HIV and some 624,000 children under the age of 15 have lost one or both parents to the disease. USAID funds programs to provide training, business skills, and financial services to affected communities. It also assists the national microfinance network, Zimbabwe Association of Micro Finance Institutes (ZAMFI), as well as local affiliates of international networks. This support to national and multi-country networks has been a key component of the USAID mission's strategy for addressing the multiple needs of Zimbabwe's economically active poor in an integrated fashion. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: China Expected to Become Dominant Textile, Apparel Supplier

Summary: Products -- Produces basic, rather than fashion apparel. Most manufacturers do not offer full-package services. Many firms have limited capacity to offer large volumes that may be required by U.S. firms looking to consolidate sourcing following quota removal. ...

Likely to continue as major suppliers of fabrics to global industry, including to China. However, U.S. firms are likely to move sourcing of apparel to lower-cost countries, particularly China; may continue to source certain garments from these suppliers (e.g., men's dress shirts, dresses, and other fashion apparel). ... [Read More]

Troubled Waters - Managing a Vital Resource -- Global Issues Electronic Journal, March 1999 - USIA

Avoiding International Conflicts.   An important part of any international water management strategy is to help countries that share river basins fashion workable policies to manage water resources more equitably. A water-short world is an inherently unstable world. Nearly 100 countries share just 13 major rivers and lakes. More than 200 river systems cross international borders. Conflicts can arise, especially where countries with rapidly growing populations and limited arable land collide over access to shared freshwater resources. ... [Read More]

Daily Press Briefing for December 9- Transcript

MR. BOUCHER: We'll give it to the President, I'm sure. Beyond that, I don't know. In terms of -- I'm sure we'll be consulting with other members of the Security Council. We'll be consulting with the weapons inspectors, both the IAEA and the UN inspectors. So, in that fashion, we'll be talking with others about it. Whether that means preparing a formal analysis and trying to present it, I don't know. ... [Read More]