Belarus Neighbor
Department of State Washington File: Text: U.N. Must Not Shrink from Naming Human-Rights Abusers, U.S. Says
In neighboring North Korea, we remain deeply concerned about continued reports of torture and execution for political and religious reasons, severe punishment of some repatriated citizens, and extensive state use of starvation, prison camps, forced labor, pervasive surveillance and extreme repression. While recent talks with North Korea have focused on convincing it to abandon its nuclear ambitions, be assured that human rights remain an integral part of our comprehensive agenda with that country. Indeed, we will soon name a special envoy on human rights in North Korea, as mandated by the North Korean Human Rights Act, signed by President Bush in October (2004). ... [Read More]
Ukraine (02/05)
Ukraine considers Euro-Atlantic integration its primary foreign policy objective, but in practice balances its relationship with Europe and the United States with strong ties to Russia, including pursuing the Single Economic Space project with Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. The European Unions Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Ukraine went into force on March 1, 1998. After the 2004 round of EU expansion, the EU did not signal a willingness to consider Ukraine for an association agreement, as Ukraine had hoped for, but instead included it in a new "neighbor" policy, disappointing many Ukrainians. On January 31, 1992, Ukraine joined the then-Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (now the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe -- OSCE), and on March 10, 1992, it became a member of the North Atlantic Cooperation Council. Ukraine signed a Charter Agreement with NATO in 1997, sent troops to Kosovo in close cooperation with NATO countries, signed an ... [Read More]
Dr. Jeffrey Simon, "Partnership For Peace: Charting A Course For A New Era," 'The U.S. and NATO An Alliance of Purpose' - U.S. Foreign Policy Agenda - June 2004, Department of State, International Information Programs
Although faced with greater challenges in the requirements of a post-9/11 era, PfP must remain true to the enduring values that prompted the original partnership a decade ago — that is, to promote political democracy, economic free enterprise, the rule of law, equitable treatment of ethnic minorities, good neighbor relations, and democratic oversight and effective management of not just the armed forces, but all security sector institutions. ... [Read More]
USIS Washington File: TEXT: NANCY RUBIN REMARKS TO U.N. COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
History has shown that nations that violate their people's fundamental human rights often violate their neighbor's rights as well. The commission must be a sentinel, therefore, sensing the potential for large-scale crises. Indeed, developing this early warning function is critical if we are to heed the secretary general's call and make the next century an age of prevention instead of one of reaction and regret. ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Text: Pickering Oct. 27 at Beijing's Foreign Affairs College
As we look toward these new diplomatic challenges, the way Americans view their neighbors is a useful model for considering how they view other countries. Our tradition of individual freedom and responsibility, closely linked to the idea of neighbor-helping-neighbor correlates with an American foreign policy based on countries cooperating with each other. ... [Read More]
Department of State Washington File: Transcript: State Department Noon Briefing, April 14
MR. BOUCHER: Well, I'd say a couple things. First of all, the U.S. did not invite Iranian officials to Baghdad for those purposes, or did not invite Iranian officials to Baghdad. On the general question of the remarks that I saw, I would say that we have made clear to Iran, as we've made clear to others of Iraq's neighbors that they need to play a helpful role, they need to play a positive role and calm the situation, help Iraq achieve the goal of a stable transition on July 1 and help with the reconstruction of a stable democratic and peaceful neighbor. ... [Read More]
J) Europe and Central Asia
Heroin from the south (mostly Turkey, moving north via the Balkans) transits the Czech Republic en route to Northern and Western Europe. Czech authorities attribute most of this activity to Kosovar-Albanian drug mafias, some of which maintain warehouse operations in the Czech Republic. Some heroin is also sold in the Czech Republic. Cocaine and marijuana also reach the Czech Republic, mostly in transit to Northern and Western Europe, although some is sold to Czech residents and tourists visiting Prague. MDMA (ecstasy) use has increased in recent years, and police are concerned that PMA (an ecstasy-like "club drug") and GHB have begun to appear on the Czech market. Pervatine is produced in the Czech Republic, primarily for local consumption. Czech counternarcotics police believe Russian-speaking and Asian gangs now control about half of the pervatine market and that increasing amounts of the drug are now being exported to neighboring countries (e.g., Germany and Poland). ... [Read More]
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