EQUATORIAL GUINEA NATIONAL DAY

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Equatorial Guinea National Day
Press Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State

Washington, DC

October 12, 2012

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Equatorial Guinea as you celebrate your independence day this October 12.

The United States is committed to promoting peace and prosperity for the people of Equatorial Guinea. We support efforts to achieve economic growth in a manner that is consistent with the values of democracy and good governance. And we remain committed to working together to meet the challenges of the future.

I wish all people of Equatorial Guinea peace and prosperity in the years to come.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

U.S.-EQUATORIAL GUINEA RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Equatorial Guinea in 1968, following the country's independence from Spain. Equatorial Guinea's President has held office for more than three decades, and his party dominates the legislature. Three major U.S. foreign policy issues form the cornerstone of the bilateral relationship with Equatorial Guinea -- good governance and democracy; the protection of human rights; and U.S. national security, especially access to energy resources. The United States seeks to encourage improved human rights, the development of a working civil society, greater fiscal transparency, and increased government investment in Equatorial Guinea's people in areas such as health and education.

U.S. Assistance to Equatorial Guinea

U.S. assistance to Equatorial Guinea has focused on introducing the country’s military and police forces to the principles of human rights, good governance, and democracy, and on improving regional maritime security. The U.S. Agency for International Development has several small regional projects, but does not have a presence within the country. The Ambassador's Self-Help Fund annually finances a number of small grassroots projects. Equatoguineans visit the U.S. under programs sponsored by the U.S. Government, U.S. oil companies, and educational institutions.

Bilateral Economic Relations

Equatorial Guinea's hydrocarbon riches dwarf all other economic activity; the country's oil reserves are located mainly in the Gulf of Guinea. U.S. oil companies are one of Equatorial Guinea’s largest investors, and they have a lead role in oil and gas exploration and extraction. Equatorial Guinea's exports to the U.S. are dominated by petroleum products. In an effort to attract increased U.S. investment, U.S. passport-holders are entitled to visa-free entry for short visits. Imports from the United States include machinery, iron and steel products, optic and medical instruments, and inorganic chemical and rare earth minerals.

Equatorial Guinea's Membership in International Organizations

Equatorial Guinea has used its oil wealth to expand its foreign presence, establishing diplomatic missions in other countries. Equatorial Guinea and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank. The country also is an observer to the Organization of American States and World Trade Organization.

BURMA: BEYOND VIOLENCE

From:  CIA World Factbook.

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

Burma's Rohingya: Beyond the Communal Violence
Remarks
Anne C. Richard
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration
Open Society Foundation and Refugees International
Washington, DC
October 9, 2012





From:  CIA World Factbook

I was invited by my good friend Michel Gabaudin of Refugees International, and just now introduced by my good friend Mort Halpern of Open Society, to speak about this issue. And I said, "We can do better than that. I’ll come but we should have Kelly Clements speak." Because my Deputy Assistant Secretary Kelly Clements has just been out to the region on a very remarkable trip. In fact, the last two years have been quite remarkable. The trajectory of U.S.-Burma relations over the past two years, since Aung San Suu Kyi was released from house arrest in November 2010, has been an amazing time. Back then, our relationship with Burma was difficult and had many challenges. And while there are still tensions, no one would have thought possible all of the many developments of the past two years.
 
Highlights include Secretary Clinton’s visit to Nay Pyi Taw and Rangoon in early December of last year. In April 2012, the National League for Democracy, Aung San Suu Kyi’s party, won 43 of the 45 vacant seats in the lower house of Parliament, including a seat for The Lady, who now serves as Chair of the Rule of Law Committee. Ambassador Mitchell’s confirmation in June as our first Ambassador in two decades was another recent development, and most recently, Aung San Suu Kyi’s and President Thein Sein’s September visits to the United States. Perhaps the most important development has been indeed the partnership formed between the Burmese President and Aung San Suu Kyi.

Only a couple weeks ago, I was in a meeting at the State Department on the topic of rule of law with Aung San Suu Kyi. And the thought that she could come to the United States and discuss the situation in her country was unfathomable during her many years of imprisonment in her home.

The president and his partners in government have taken many reformist steps over the past year. However, mutual mistrust between the government and ethnic minority groups runs deep and a long road lies ahead. The June 2012 ethnic and sectarian violence in Rakhine State demonstrates the divisiveness in Burma cultivated over many decades, if not centuries. This will need to be overcome if the Burmese are to achieve lasting peace and genuine national reconciliation.

We, in the U.S. Government, are seeking an end to the violence and want the Burmese to establish a serious dialogue on fundamental political issues. Part of our role in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration is to provide aid to refugees and displaced people. And in fiscal year 2012, we provided almost $24 million to our international organization and non-governmental organization partners to support protection and humanitarian assistance programs for Burmese refugees and asylum seekers residing in neighboring countries and conflict-affected populations inside Burma. And we are looking at future opportunities to support humanitarian efforts inside.

My Bureau has also benefited from increased openness and unprecedented access, with our staff members being able to travel to places that previously had been off limits. I would specifically like to commend office director Dorothy Shea and program officer Hoa Tran for continuing to advance our engagement in Burma and the neighboring countries. In fact, they traveled to Rakhine state last May. And that trip was filled with great hope for progress, which subsequently was tempered by the June violence.

Most recently, as I said, Kelly Clements traveled to the region with three other senior officials; they were all Deputy Assistant Secretaries. So there was one from our Bureau, one from Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, one from the East Asia Pacific Bureau and one from the Bureau that covers Central Asia and South Asia. So it was called the 4 DAS’s trip, for ‘Deputy Assistant Secretary’. And they were joined in the respective countries by the U.S. Ambassador and the USAID Mission director. So this was really an unusual thing for the State Department to be so organized as to get these folks out there and traveling at the same time and talking to the host governments. Kelly is a PRM superstar. She’s super-smart, she’s super-active, whether she’s slicing and dicing refugee aid numbers or wrestling with foreign governments about flows of refugees. And so it was clearly the smart thing to do to get her to talk of her trip firsthand, things that she witnessed and saw, and so without further ado, let me introduce Kelly Clements.

FIJI'S INDEPENDENCE DAY

Fiji Location.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

Republic of Fiji's Independence DayPress Statement

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
October 9, 2012

On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Fiji as you celebrate the 42nd anniversary of your nation’s independence this October 10.

Fiji Map.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

The United States values its relationship with Fiji. Our citizens share a mutual commitment to democracy, freedom, and rule of law. We will continue to build our partnership as we work together to strengthen democratic institutions, promote peace and security through democratic governance, and enhance economic development in the Pacific.


As you celebrate this special day, know that you have the support of the American people. We will continue to stand by you as you continue to build a freer and more democratic society. Best wishes for a prosperous year filled with peace, progress and prosperity.

　

MORE INFORMATION ON FIJI

FROM: CIA WORLD FACTBOOK
Fiji became independent in 1970 after nearly a century as a British colony. Democratic rule was interrupted by two military coups in 1987 caused by concern over a government perceived as dominated by the Indian community (descendants of contract laborers brought to the islands by the British in the 19th century). The coups and a 1990 constitution that cemented native Melanesian control of Fiji led to heavy Indian emigration; the population loss resulted in economic difficulties, but ensured that Melanesians became the majority. A new constitution enacted in 1997 was more equitable. Free and peaceful elections in 1999 resulted in a government led by an Indo-Fijian, but a civilian-led coup in May 2000 ushered in a prolonged period of political turmoil. Parliamentary elections held in August 2001 provided Fiji with a democratically elected government led by Prime Minister Laisenia QARASE. Re-elected in May 2006, QARASE was ousted in a December 2006 military coup led by Commodore Voreqe BAINIMARAMA, who initially appointed himself acting president but in January 2007 became interim prime minister. Since taking power BAINIMARAMA has neutralized his opponents, crippled Fiji's democratic institutions, and refused to hold elections.

　

U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON COMMENTS ON PHILIPPINE FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT REGARDING MILF

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Finalization of the Philippines - Moro Islamic Liberation Front Framework Agreement
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
October 7, 2012

The United States welcomes the announcement of the framework agreement between the Government of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. This agreement is a testament to the commitment of all sides for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in the southern Philippines. The next steps will be to ensure that the framework agreement is fully implemented. We encourage all parties to work together to build peace, prosperity and greater opportunities for all the people of the Philippines.

MORE INFORMATION FROM U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

U.S.-PHILIPPINES RELATIONS
The United States recognized the Philippines as an independent state and established diplomatic relations with it in 1946. Except for the 1942-45 Japanese occupation during World War II, the Philippines had been under U.S. sovereignty since the end of the Spanish-American War in 1898.

U.S.-Philippine relations are based on strong historical and cultural links and a commitment to democracy and human rights. The United States has designated the Philippines as a Major Non-NATO Ally, and there are close and abiding security ties between the two nations. The Manila Declaration signed in 2011 reaffirmed the 1951 U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty as the foundation for a robust, balanced, and responsive security partnership. There is also a focus on economic, commercial, and people-to-people ties. There are an estimated four million Americans of Philippine ancestry in the United States, and more than 300,000 U.S. citizens in the Philippines. An estimated 600,000 Americans visit the Philippines each year. Many people-to-people programs exist between the United States and the Philippines, including Fulbright, International Visitors, and Aquino Fellowship exchange programs.

FROM: CIA WORLD FACTBOOK

The Philippine Government faces threats from several groups, some of which are on the US Government's Foreign Terrorist Organization list. Manila has waged a decades-long struggle against ethnic Moro insurgencies in the southern Philippines, which has led to a peace accord with the Moro National Liberation Front and on-again/off-again peace talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front. The decades-long Maoist-inspired New People's Army insurgency also operates through much of the country. The Philippines faces increased tension with China over disputed territorial claims in the South China Sea.

ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Map Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
　
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
September 27, 2012
On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of China as you celebrate your National Day this October 1. The United States and China share close ties between our students, business leaders, scientists and scholars, and their ideas, talent, and energy strengthen our cooperation in ways large and small.

As we continue to expand our work on the consequential issues of our time, we must continue to build on this historic opportunity to deepen our relationship, because a thriving China is good for America and a thriving America is good for China. As you celebrate this day with family, friends and loved ones, I wish the people of China continued prosperity and a joyous National Day.



The Mao Zedong Mausoleum (or Chairman Mao Memorial Hall) was constructed in 1977 on Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Mao's body lies in a crystal casket for public viewing.  Credit:  CIA World Factbook.

From: CIA World Factbook.
For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life. After 1978, MAO's successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight. China since the early 1990s has increased its global outreach and participation in international organizations.
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A crenellated walkway on top of the Great Wall. The Wall stretched for many thousands of miles linking fortresses. Signal towers were used for communication. Credit: CIA World Factbook

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SECRETARY OF STATE CLINTON ANNOUNCES OVER ONE BILLION DOLLARS WILL BE SPENT ON FOOD SECUREITY

FROM: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT

Secretary Clinton Announces Pledge From Civil Society Partners to Invest Over One Billion Dollars in Food Security
Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
September 27, 2012
On the margins of the United Nations General Assembly, Secretary Clinton announced that members from InterAction have committed to spend over a billion dollars over the next three years to support food security and nutrition worldwide.

"Civil society organizations are crucial to our success, both in the public and private sector; they have long standing relationships in communities and valuable technical expertise, and they work every single day on their commitment to try to make this world a better place for all of us" remarked Secretary Clinton during an event focused on highlighting progress under Feed the Future, and the importance of civil society organizations as key partners in achieving common food security and nutrition goals in support of country-led priorities.

InterAction, an alliance of 198 U.S.-based civil society organizations, committed its members to spend over a billion dollars of private, non-government funds to improve food security and nutrition worldwide over the next three years. Of that, five U.S.-based organizations, World Vision, Heifer International, Catholic Relief Services, Save the Children and ChildFund International together committed to investing 900 million dollars to advance these goals. They will report progress annually at the time of the UN General Assembly meetings each September.

Feed the Future is the U.S. government’s global hunger and food security initiative. With a focus on smallholder farmers—women and men, and their children—Feed the Future supports partner countries in developing their agriculture sectors to spur broad-based economic growth and improve nutrition.

REMARKS BY U.S. SEC. OF STATE CLINTON AND ASEAN SECRETARY GENERAL SURIN

FROM:  U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Meeting with ASEAN Secretary General SurinRemarks

Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
ASEAN Secretariat
Jakarta, Indonesia, Indonesia
September 4, 2012
ASEAN SECRETARY GENERAL SURIN: Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton, chair of ASEAN program representative, Excellencies, members of the CPR, it is a great privilege for us to welcome the Secretary here for the second time in her term. And I remember very well on the 18th of February you were here. Your first trip to the world you came to Asia. You came to the ASEAN Secretariat. You became the highest ranking ever official of the United States Government to visit us. And ever since, this place has been a routine destination for visiting dignitaries to ASEAN, to the Republic of Indonesia.

At that time you promised many things. You promised full engagement with ASEAN, with Southeast Asia. You promised to accede to our Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. You have promised the highest presidential engagement. You have promised to come to attend our post-ministerial (inaudible) conference, ARF. And I am glad to say that you have delivered it all. Thank you very, very much. Along the way we were a bit skeptical and we asked you -- we challenged you we would believe in the change when you delivered everything that you had promised us. And you did. And we certainly feel very much honored to welcome you here.

Now, let me just say that most of the diplomats we work with, they are counterparts. And you have turned your counterparts here in Southeast Asia, in ASEAN, into your friends. And friendship is extremely important for the region and for the region's diplomacy. We count you not as counterpart, but as a true friend. That is why today is very special. And we hope that we will accomplish many more things together into the future with the United States and ASEAN.

Madam, warmly welcome, please.

SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you so much, my friend. And let me express what a pleasure it is to be back in Jakarta and to have this second opportunity to visit the ASEAN Secretariat.

As Dr. Surin has said, I came here in February of 2009 with the intention of deepening and broadening and elevating the relationship between the United States and ASEAN. And we have worked to do just that. I believe our relationship is stronger and more effective. And that is all to the good, because the United States views ASEAN as central to regional stability and economic progress in the Asia-Pacific.

We did sign the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, as I said we would, and I visited back in February of 2009. We were the first dialogue partner to open a mission to ASEAN. And I am pleased that others are also doing that. We appointed our first resident U.S. Ambassador, and Ambassador Carden holds regular meetings with his counterparts in the ASEAN Committee of Permanent Representatives, whom we soon will welcome on their first official visit to the United States. We have engaged with ASEAN at the highest levels, with President Obama attending three U.S.-ASEAN leaders meetings, as well as the East Asia Summit, here in Indonesia last year.

Later this month, I will host my ASEAN counterparts in a meeting on the margins of the UN General Assembly. We have devoted resources to supporting ASEAN's goal of economic and political integration through the Advance program to narrow the development gap among ASEAN nations, and to promote and protect human rights. We are increasing our People-to-People ties through the ASEAN Youth Volunteers program and the U.S.-ASEAN Fulbright program, which we are now launching.

In short, we are making a sustained, all-out effort to build an enduring, multi-faceted relationship between ASEAN and the United States. We want to do all we can to advance ASEAN's goal of integration, because we have an interest in strengthening ASEAN's ability to address regional challenges in an effective, comprehensive way.

And we really invite and need ASEAN to lead in crafting strong, regional responses to challenges like climate change and trans-national crime, which require collective actions. And we need ASEAN to lead in upholding a system of rules and responsibilities that will protect regional stability and guide the region to greater political and economic progress.

So, Dr. Surin, it is a great honor for me now to have returned for a second visit to conduct, if you will, a progress report among partners and friends, and to state once again what I have said in other contexts. The United States believes in ASEAN centrality, and ASEAN centrality is essential to ASEAN unity. So I am looking forward to our exchange today and the dialogue among us, looking forward to continuing to work on behalf of the U.S.-ASEAN relationship.

ASEAN SECRETARY GENERAL SURIN: Thank you very much. (Applause.)