Apartment In Cyprus

I think that, obviously, what we are very much interested in is engaging as many countries as possible in supporting the future security and stability in Iraq. It's a topic of discussion, as we've noted earlier, with a number of Coalition partners, with a number of potential Coalition partner -- all the Coalition partners, a number of potential Coalition partners. It will be a subject, I think, in the UN. It's a subject of discussion with NATO, so this is a, obviously, an issue that we're all looking at, but I can't speak to the reported comments by the Spanish Foreign Minister. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

Turkey’s economy grew on average about 5% per year over the past 10 years, but growth has been volatile over this period, characterized by a series of sharp upward and downward swings.   Average annual inflation of over 70% exacerbated income disparities and accentuated the uncertainties that hung over Turkish markets.  Increasing pressure on Turkey’s pegged lira exchange rate led to two crises of investor confidence in November 2000 and February 2001, resulting in large capital outflows from Turkish markets.  In reaction to these crises, the Government of Turkey renegotiated its loan program with the IMF, which substantially increased its level of support for Turkey in exchange for a strengthened reform program.  One of the key reforms undertaken by Turkey was to move to a free-floating exchange rate regime.  This in turn caused a nearly 50% depreciation of the lira over several months in early 2001 (though the lira eventually stabilized and appreciated i ... [Read More]

Europe and Central Asia

Corruption. Corruption has been the most significant problem within Georgia's law enforcement agencies. Georgia's anti- corruption efforts continue to be hampered by the widespread tolerance of corruption within Georgian society. During 2001 the Government of Georgia formed a commission to reform the law enforcement agencies (so-called "power ministries"). The commission developed a strategy for reorganization that was forwarded to the Georgian National Security Council; however, no significant changes were made. In any case, none of these proposed measures can truly ameliorate the situation given the low wages of officials and poor standard of behavior from those in charge that nourish wide-scale, low level corruption. The new hope of eradicating corruption within the system emerged with the appointment of a new Minister of Internal Affairs, who has publicly and repeatedly announced his commitment to combating corruption and the trafficking ... [Read More]

USIS Washington File: TRANSCRIPT: PENTAGON SPOKESMAN'S REGULAR BRIEFING MARCH 24, 1998

A: No, he has not spoken with General Sergeyev, as far as I know. He's been tied up in meetings since he spoke to you about that. We have seen press reports quoting Kremlin officials and others in Russia saying that they anticipate that Marshall Sergeyev will remain as the Minister of Defense, and that Mr. Primakov will remain as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and that Andre Kokoshin will remain in his previous post. In fact, I believe many of these people may still be in their jobs doing their work, sort of awaiting final resolution of this personnel change in Russia. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

Lebanon has a small agricultural sector that produces wheat, fruit, olives, bananas, and subsidized tobacco. Good wines, some now comparable in quality to the best Californian and European products, and beer also are produced locally. There is a small light industrial sector. Services, including banking, insurance, and tourism, are the most important elements of Lebanon’s economy.  There is flourishing restaurant trade, with many American franchises opened since the late 1990s. Lebanon’s once-famed hotel sector has begun reconstruction, and several luxury hotels have opened. Transportation AutomobilesLast Updated:  9/29/2003 9:41 AM Driving in Beirut ... [Read More]

M) Money Laundering and Financial Crimes

The following are summaries of the most significant priority issues:Refocus Efforts of High Intensity Financial Crime Areas (HIFCAs). HIFCAs are special, high-risk areas or sectors where law enforcement will concentrate its resources and energy to combat money laundering. The 2001 Strategy mandated that the HIFCA task forces become operational and conduct investigations designed to result in indictments, convictions, and seizures, rather than focus primarily on intelligence gathering. Each of the six HIFCA Task Forces is now actively working cases. HIFCA Task Forces are composed of, and draw upon, all relevant federal, state, and local agencies. The Departments of Treasury and Justice jointly supervise the HIFCA Task Forces, and the 2001 Strategy primarily tasks the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) and Justice’s Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section to develop an advanced money laundering training program to enhance the HIFCA Task Forces’ abili ... [Read More]

USIS Washington File: TRANSCRIPT: STATE DEPARTMENT NOON BRIEFING, JUNE 22 -- CORRECTED

With respect to Khobar, we are going to continue to pursue the investigation. The fact that the Secretary and the President would like to see a time when Iran and the United States can have a better relationship is not going to change at all the position of the United States with respect to Khobar Towers. That bombing remains under investigation. The FBI is continuing its work. As you know, in criminal investigations, it is not possible to comment on it. I think the fact that we were working on a plea arrangement and the testimony of a certain individual shows that we were working; we're trying to get it done. Obviously, that didn't happen. The difficulties in that investigation go back some time. ... [Read More]

US Department Of State Post Report

The Kyrgyz Republic is positioned near the middle of the Eurasian landmass, and there is no body of water large enough to influence weather patterns.  Those factors create a distinctly continental climate that has significant local variations.  Although the mountains tend to collect clouds and block sunlight (reducing some narrow valleys at certain times of year to no more than three or four hours of sunlight per day), the country is generally sunny, receiving as much as 2,900 hours of sunlight per year in some areas.  The same conditions also affect temperatures, which can vary significantly from place to place.  In January the warmest average temperature (24.8°F, -4 [Read More]

U.S. Government Assistance

CoursesAfghanistanN/AN/AN/AN/AAlbaniaN/A1 Boarding OfficerN/A1 Boarding Officer [Read More]