Issue 14 -- November 19, 2010
In this issue
- Secretary Clinton Releases Annual Report on International Religious Freedom
- President Obama’s Historic Trip to India
- Secretary Clinton Gives Remarks at the United Nations Security Council Ministerial Meeting on Sudan
- Secretary Clinton Meets with U.K. Foreign Secretary
- Assistant Secretary Philip Gordon speaks at the Atlantic Council on Administration’s European Agenda
- Secretary Clinton Announces Transfer of Budget Assistance Funds to the Palestinian Authority
- Secretary Clinton Gives Remarks on the New START Treaty on Capitol Hill
Feature
Secretary Clinton Releases Annual Report on International Religious Freedom
WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 17 -- Secretary Clinton released the 2010 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom in the Press Briefing Room at the U.S. Department of State. The Annual Report on International Religious Freedom covers the legal status of religious freedom, as well as societal attitudes towards it, in almost 200 countries and territories around the world. “Every year, the State Department prepares a comprehensive review of the status of religious freedom in countries and territories around the world,” the Secretary said. “We do this because we believe that religious freedom is both a fundamental human right and an essential element to any stable, peaceful, thriving society.” Full Text l Video l More on Religious Freedom l 2010 Report on International Religious Freedom
International
President Obama’s Historic Trip to India
NEW DELHI, India, Nov. 8 -- President Obama’s historic three-day visit to India was the President’s longest trip in a foreign country since taking office. President Obama and Prime Minister Singh took substantive and significant steps to expand and strengthen the U.S.-India strategic partnership. The two leaders affirmed that the U.S.-India relationship is indeed an indispensable partnership for the 21st century took substantive and significant steps to expand and strengthen the U.S.-India strategic partnership. “As the world’s two largest democracies, as large and growing free market economies, as diverse, multiethnic societies with strong traditions of pluralism and tolerance, we have not only an opportunity but also a responsibility to lead,” President Obama stated. The trip was a part of the President’s ten day trip to Asia, beginning in India, with the President moving on to Indonesia, South Korea and Japan. Full Text l Video l India and the U.S. l President’s Trip to Asia
Secretary Clinton Gives Remarks on Sudan at the United Nations Security Council Ministerial Meeting
NEW YORK, NY, Nov. 16 -- Secretary Clinton gave remarks at the United Nations Security Council Ministerial Meeting on Sudan regarding the upcoming referendum on self-determination for Southern Sudan, set to take place in January. On November 16, 2010, voters from Southern Sudan began lining up to register for the referendum. The U.S. supports the CPA parties as they make preparations to conduct a peaceful referendum that reflects the will of the Sudanese people. Full Text l Video l Sudan: Steps to the Referendum
Secretary Clinton Meets with U.K. Foreign Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 17 – Secretary Clinton met with her counterpart from the United Kingdom, Foreign Secretary William Hague, to discuss shared priorities, noting, "There are so many important issues that we are working together on, and I cannot imagine having to face all of these issues without the close collaboration with the foreign secretary and the partnership between our two countries." Full Text l Video l U.S.-U.K. Relationship
Secretary Clinton Engages Australian Civil Society at Townterview
MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 7 -- Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton engaged with members of Australian civil society at a townterview (town hall and TV interview). She highlighted the strong partnership and common goals of the United States and Australia, saying ‘both Australia and the United States work to advance not only our own interests as we see them, but also to protect friends and allies to work toward the causes of peace, prosperity and justice for people everywhere.’ Full Text l Video l Summary on DipNote Blog
Inside the Beltway
Assistant Secretary Philip Gordon speaks at the Atlantic Council on Administration’s European Agenda
WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 17 – Philip Gordon, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, spoke at the Atlantic Council regarding the Obama Administration’s European agenda. He noted, "Global problems today are so complex and interrelated that they are beyond the scope of any one country to dictate solutions. To meet these new global challenges, the U.S. can have no closer friend than Europe. Together – and only by working together – we can build a world with more freedom, more opportunity, and more security for all our citizens." Assistant Secretary Gordon also outlined Secretary Clinton’s upcoming travel to Lisbon, Portugal with President Obama to participate in several international summits: the NATO Summit, the NATO-Russia Council Summit, a Summit of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troop-contributing nations and other major economic development donors, and the U.S.-European Union Summit. Full Text l More l Briefing l Travel to European Summits l More about U.S.-European Relations
Secretary Clinton Announces Transfer of Budget Assistance Funds to the Palestinian Authority
WASHINGTON DC, Nov. 10 -- At a meeting at the Department of State with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad in attendance via satellite, Secretary Clinton announced the transfer of an additional $150 million in direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority by the United States. This transfer brings the total direct budget assistance from the U.S. to a total of $225 million for the year and to nearly $600 million this year in overall support and investment. “This new funding will help the Palestinian Authority pay down its debt, continue to deliver services and security to its people, and keep the progress going. It will support our work together to expand Palestinians’ access to schools, clinics, and clean drinking water in both the West Bank and Gaza. And it will allow Prime Minister Fayyad’s government to build and modernize courthouses and police stations, train judges and prosecutors, and launch new economic development initiatives,” the Secretary said. Full Text l Video l Official Travel to the Region
Global Issues Affecting the Nation
Secretary Clinton Gives Remarks on the New START on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, DC, Nov. 17 -- Secretary Clinton, along with Senator John Kerry, and Senator Richard Lugar, spoke about the advantages of ratifying the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) at the U.S. Capitol building. The three also answered questions about the treaty, signed by President Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in April. “This is also a treaty that is critical to our bilateral relationship with Russia,” the Secretary said. “We have enhanced our cooperation to the benefit of our country on Iran, on Afghanistan, on nuclear nonproliferation, on counterterrorism, and on counternarcotics. That’s why our entire military leadership, as well as six former secretaries of state, five former secretaries of defense, three former national security advisors, and seven former commanders of U.S. Strategic Command support this treaty and support it now. Now, we look forward to the Senate quickly completing its advice and consent process.” Full Text l Video l More on New START l Op-ed on New START by Secretary Clinton and Secretary Gates