Burkina Director Faso In
Burkina Faso (03/05)
U.S. relations with Burkina Faso are good but subject to strains in the past because of the Compaore government's past involvement in arms trading and other sanctions-breaking activity. In addition to regional peace and stability, U.S. interests in Burkina are to promote continued democratization and greater respect for human rights and to encourage sustainable economic development. Although the Agency for International Development (USAID) closed its office in Ouagadougou in 1995, about $18 million annually of USAID funding goes to Burkina's development through non-governmental and regional organizations. The largest is a Food for Peace school lunch program administered by Catholic Relief Services. Burkina has been the site of several development success stories. U.S. leadership in building food security in the Sahel after the 1968-74 drought has been successful in virtually eliminating famine, despite recurrent drought years. River blindness has been eliminated from the region. In bot ... [Read More]
Burkina Faso
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A Straw Shelter Used as a Classroom in Burkina Faso
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Burkina Faso
Religious groups enjoy freedom of expression in their publications and broadcasts unless the judicial system determines that they are harming public order or committing slander; this has never occurred. The Ministry of Security grants publishing licenses, and the Superior Council of Information (CSI) grants broadcasting licenses. The Government never has denied a publishing or broadcasting license to any religious group that has requested one. The procedures for applying for publishing and broadcasting licenses are the same for both religious groups and commercial entities. Applications first are sent for review to the Ministry of Information and then forwarded to the Ministry of Security. If the Government does not respond to the application for a publishing license within the required timeframe, the applicant can begin publishing automatically. For radio licenses, before beginning broadcasts the applicant must wait until the Authority for the Regulation of Telecommunications (ARTEL) ... [Read More]
Burkina Faso
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U.S. Embassy English Teaching Programs – Office of English Language Programs
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Burkina Faso 2000 Post Report
Direct-hire U.S. Government employees assigned to BurkinaFaso are authorized to use the diplomatic pouch for personal mail and packages subject tothe following restrictions. Personal letter mail, less than 2 pounds, including letters,tapes, and processed film, can be sent to post via airpouch. Medical items, such asprescription medicines and eyeglasses may be sent via airpouch, but they must be labeled:"Prescription Medicine— Airpouch." U.S. Government employees may receivepackages, magazines, and newspapers from the U.S. by pouch. Packages cannot weigh morethan 40 pounds nor exceed 24 inches in length, and 62 inches in length and girth combined.Perishables, liquids, glass and other fragile items cannot be shipped in the pouch. Pouchprivileges for receiving packages are authorized only for U.S. Government direct-hireemployees. Contract personnel may use the pouch for letter mail only and must useinternational mail to receive or send packages ... [Read More]
Country Commercial Guide
Telecommunications equipment: The telecommunicationsfield remains perhaps the best trade prospect for U.S. firms. Since the late 1980s, U.S.firms have supplied Burkina Faso’s national telephone company (ONATEL) withtelecommunications equipment. ONATEL manages projects aimed at increasing Burkina’stelephone network. The U.S. ranked as Burkina’s first telecommunications equipmentsupplier in 1996 and 1997. In 1997, the U.S. supplied 48% (representing 1.1 million USD)of the total telecommunication imports, while France supplied 39%. France, however, usedto rank first because of its historic ties to the region and the flexibility and diversityof French financing sources, notably their concessionary credits to ONATEL through theBurkinabe government. Other principal competitors include Canada, Japan, Finland, Germany,Malaysia, and Taiwan. U.S. firms interested in entering this market should considerpossible credit financing arrangements and appoi ... [Read More]
Holmes, J. Anthony
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Ambassador's Biography
He was Director of the Africa Bureau's Economic Policy Office from 1999 to 2002, where heworked on a wide array of economic and global issues, including helping the U.S.Government and Africa come to grips with the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic; implementingthe Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA); tailoring U.S. assistance efforts to takeadvantage of changing circumstances in both Washington and in Africa; and working onAfrica debt policy. He spent almost half of his career on African issues, also serving asthe Economic/Commercial Section Chief in Harare (1991-1995) and in the economic section inNairobi (1984-1988). Ambassador Holmes has spent the other half of his career as anEconomic and, occasionally, Commercial Officer in Egypt (1980-1982) and in Syria(1982-1984); he headed the economic sections in Singapore (1988-1991) and in Sweden(1996-1999); and was Deputy Director of the Office of Sanctions Policy in the Bureau ofEconomic and Business Affairs (1995-1996). ... [Read More]
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