Burundi Picture

11 1 American students for "Peace Journey" in Arusha (Related Press Release July 4, 2003)1 1 111 111 1111 1American Ambassador Robert Royall whispers to Apex Adventure Alliance Programme Director Stan Hickory, during the "Thank You Ceremony" for American students who set up a computer lab at Arusha Secondary School. Apex Adventure Alliance Programme is sponsoring the kids.111 [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Text: Mixed Picture Emerges on Global Human Rights Practices

But there are some hopeful signs in the overall picture for human rights. Early this year, the Chinese government took steps to provide relief to those still serving sentences for political activities that have been removed from China's Criminal Code. For many years, China apparently interpreted its law to provide few if any opportunities for sentence reduction or parole to such security prisoners. In a significant systemic shift, China now is committed to applying the same criteria for sentence reduction and parole to such prisoners as apply to common criminals. In early February, China granted sentence reduction or parole for a total of 58 individuals, including Tibetans and Uighurs who had been jailed for these so-called security crimes, and other cases are under review. According to the Tibet Information Network, two Tibetan nuns---one of them still a teenager when she was jailed-were released in July 2004. Many more prisoners of conscience remain in detention and we will con ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Transcript: State Department Noon Briefing, October 14

This occurs at the very time when Iraq refuses to use the funds available to it in order to buy food under the Oil-for-Food program. We do have some photos showing the intercepted cargo, just a picture or two, that we can provide you after the briefing. ... [Read More]

President's FY 2006 Budget Request

I know that is your area of oversight and particular interest, but allow me first to give you a picture of the overall international affairs budget request, before highlighting the specifics regarding State Department operations. ... [Read More]

U.S.-Africa Relations at the Beginning of the 21st Century

During President Bush’s trip to Africa last year, he referred to Africa as the “last great emerging market of the world.” One of our top priorities has been fostering economic prosperity by encouraging trade with and investment in Africa. While most of the world has moved into the 21st century, Africa remains far behind. Recent statistics bring this picture into broad relief. Sub-Saharan Africa is the poorest region in the world – accounting for 11 percent of the world’s population but only one percent of global GDP. The region’s share of world trade has declined from 3.5 percent of world exports in 1960 to a mere 1.6 percent of world exports in 2001; imports suffered a similar decline. The statist economic development policies adopted by African governments in the 1960s and 1970s bear much of the blame. The belief that protectionism and socialism would foster growth proved a failure. Today, we must now work closely with those African governments that are liberalizing and opening their ... [Read More]

Foreign Entry Requirements

U.S. Department of State [Read More]

Foreign Entry Requirements

ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA - Passport or proof of U.S. citizenship or voter’s registration card, along with picture ID, required, return/onward ticket, and proof of funds needed for tourist stay of up to 6 months. Contact the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda, 3216 New Mexico Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016 (202/362-5122/5166/5211) for further information. ... [Read More]

Department of State Washington File: Transcript: Clinton Human Rights Day Observance Remarks

In my private office on the second floor of the White House residence, I have a picture of a very young John Lewis being beaten at the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, that I was given when we went back there on the 35th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. And he has worked now for more than 35 years. I can't help noting that he's still at it. He had a piece in the New York Times the other day making the simple, but apparently controversial point that the right to vote includes not only the right to cast the vote, but the right to have it counted. Thank you, John. (Applause.) ... [Read More]