David C. Jacobson
David Jacobson was nominated by President Barack Obama to become the United States Ambassador to Canada on June 5, 2009 and was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate on September 23, 2009. On September 25, 2009 he was sworn in at the Department of State as a U.S. Ambassador. [photos/biography] .

25 September 09
Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Cannon Express Concern over Continued Detention of U.S. and Canadian Nationals in Iran
Canada and the United States are deeply concerned about the continued detention of Canadian and American citizens, including dual nationals, inside Iran and once again urge Iran’s leadership to positively resolve these cases as a humanitarian gesture and in accordance with their obligations under international conventions. [more]

23 September 09
President Obama’s First Address to the United Nation's General Assembly: "Real Change is Possible."

23 September 09
President Obama’s Remarks at U.N. Climate Change Summit
Obama says “climate change is serious, it is urgent, and it is growing”: Remarks by the President at United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon's Climate Change Summit. [more]

22 September 09
Yes We Can Work Together on Climate Change: By Chargé d’Affaires-a.i. Terry Breese
Today, U.S. President Barack Obama will speak to world leaders on climate change during a special U.N. summit in New York on the eve of the 64th session of the U.N. General Assembly. The nations of the world are working hard right now to negotiate a new international agreement to combat climate change. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our world today. [more]

21 September 09
President Obama extends Eid-ul-Fitr greetings
"As Muslims in the United States and around the world complete the month of Ramadan and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, Michelle and I would like to extend our personal greetings on this joyous occasion. Eid is a time to celebrate the completion of 30 days and nights of devotion. But even on this festive occasion, Muslims remember those less fortunate, including those impacted by poverty, hunger, conflict, and disease. Throughout the month, Muslim communities collect and distribute zakat-ul-fitr so that all Muslims are able to participate in this day of celebration. As I said in Cairo, my Administration is working to ensure that Muslims are able to fulfill their charitable obligations not just during Ramadan, but throughout the year. On behalf of the American people, we congratulate Muslims in the United States and around the world on this blessed day. Eid Mubarak." [See also: Secretary Clinton's video message]

18 September 09
Warm Wishes For Rosh Hasanah
President Obama - As members of the Jewish faith here in America and around the world gather to celebrate the High Holidays, I want to extend my warmest wishes for this New Year. L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu – may you have a good year, and may you be inscribed for blessing in the Book of Life. [more] [watch video]

18 September 09
Sharon Squassoni Podcast - a senior associate in the Nonproliferation program
Sharon Squassoni visited Ottawa and Halifax under the sponsorship of the U.S. Embassy to meet with Canadians interested in NPT compliance/noncompliance.

Sharon Squassoni is a senior associate in the Nonproliferation program and has been analyzing nonproliferation, arms control and national security issues for two decades. Her research focuses on nuclear nonproliferation and national security. [more/biography]
[listen to podcast]

16 September 09
Remarks by President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Harper during joint press availability
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Hello, everybody. Prime Minister Harper and I have just had an excellent conversation, reiterating the extraordinary friendship and bond between the American and the Canadian people. We discussed both our bilateral relationship on issues of energy, our borders, issues of trade, and how we can continue to strengthen the already excellent relations that we have. [more].

Joint statement by President Obama and Prime Minister Harper on accelerating economic recovery and job creation
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper today discussed common approaches to accelerating economic recovery, in North America and globally. [more]

14 September 09

Launch of the Second Annual Democracy Video Challenge
The U.S. Department of State announces the launch of the Second Annual Democracy Video Challenge on the International Day of Democracy, September 15, 2009. The Democracy Video Challenge is a worldwide competition aimed at enhancing dialogue on democracy. It asks filmmakers, democracy advocates and the general public to create video shorts that complete the phrase, “Democracy is...." [learn more]
Join the Conversation On:

10 September 09
A Message from the U.S. Embassy Ottawa:
As we look back on September 11, 2001, we would like to extend our sympathy to the families of the Canadian victims of the attacks and extend our gratitude to all our Canadian friends who rushed to our assistance on that tragic day. It is remarkable to recall how Canadians provided shelter to the more than 33,000 displaced travelers aboard 224 flights that landed at your airports that day. Canadians and Americans stood together that day. We stand together on this solemn anniversary. We continue to work together to ensure the shared safety of our peoples.
Related:
Presidential Proclamation-Patriot Day and National Day of Remembrance and Service
Through the twisted steel of the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the scarred walls of the Pentagon, and the smoky wreckage in a field in southwest Pennsylvania, the patriotism and resiliency of the American people shone brightly on September 11, 2001. We stood as one people, united in our common humanity and shared sorrow. We grieved for those who perished and remembered what brought us together as Americans. [more].

H1N1 Influenza (Flu)
The United States, Canada and Mexico continue to work together with international organizations in actively monitoring the H1N1 flu outbreak. For additional and latest information, please visit: http://www.flu.gov/
Related: [travel alerts][President Obama's remarks September 1, 2009].

08 September 09
Statement by the President on G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Summit is an important opportunity to continue the hard work that we have done in confronting the global economic crisis, and renewing prosperity for our people. Together, we will review the progress we have made, assess what more needs to be done, and discuss what we can do together to lay the groundwork for balanced and sustainable economic growth. Pittsburgh stands as a bold example of how to create new jobs and industries while transitioning to a 21st century economy. [more].

01 September 09
Remarks by the President at Iftar Dinner
For well over a billion Muslims, Ramadan is a time of intense devotion and reflection. It's a time of service and support for those in need. And it is also a time for family and friends to come together in a celebration of their faith, their communities, and the common humanity that all of us share. It is in that spirit that I welcome each and every one of you to the White House. [more].

01 September 09
United States Actions To Counter Piracy Off the Horn of Africa
The United States Government, in concert with the American maritime industry and other concerned nations and international organizations, continues to work to prevent pirates operating in the waters off of the Horn of Africa from interfering with maritime commerce, endangering mariners, hindering the provision of humanitarian aid to East Africa, and further destabilizing this troubled region. [more].

August 2009

26 August 09
Senator Kennedy - A Statement from President Obama
Michelle and I were heartbroken to learn this morning of the death of our dear friend, Senator Ted Kennedy.

For five decades, virtually every major piece of legislation to advance the civil rights, health and economic well being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. [more] [A Proclamation, a Photo Gallery] [Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Remarks]

Share Your Memories and Sympathies
Follow the link to submit your memories of Senator Kennedy and your sympathies with his family. Selected messages will be added to the 'tributes' section of TedKennedy.org...[more] .

21 August 09
Ramadan Kareem
As the new crescent moon ushers in Ramadan, the President extends his best wishes to Muslim communities in the United States and around the world.

Each Ramadan, the ninth month on the lunar calendar, Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset for 29 or 30 days. Fasting is a tradition in many religious faiths and is meant to increase spirituality, discipline, thankfulness, and consciousness of God's mercy. Ramadan is also a time of giving and reaching out to those less fortunate, and this summer, American Muslims have joined their fellow citizens in serving communities across the country. Over the course of the month, we will highlight the perspectives of various faiths on fasting and profile faith-based organizations making real impacts in American cities and towns. [more/video].

Just in time for Ramadan, the “Islam Around the World” flickr group has been launched!
flickr.com - The group asks you to share your images or create new ones that complete the phrase, “Islam is…” Tell us what Islam means to you in your life, your city, your country. Please add your photographs to our group and describe in the caption box what your image is about. We’d like to share as many of these images as possible on our blog, our website and our Facebook page. If you’d like us to include your photos among those we share elsewhere, please remove any copyright restrictions and let us know how you’d like to be credited.

Join the group and upload your photos or simply send your photos in an email to: state61per@photos.flickr.com. Include in the email: the title in the subject line, the description in the body and the photo attached. Please Tag the photos #Islam. You can do that by putting “tags: #Islam” in the body of your email.

21 August 09
Remarks by the President on the recent elections in Afghanistan
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. I want to say a few words about this week's election in Afghanistan. This was an important step forward in the Afghan people's effort to take control of their future, even as violent extremists are trying to stand in their way. This election was run by the Afghan people. In fact, it was the first democratic election run by Afghans in over three decades. More than 30 presidential candidates and more than 3,000 provincial council candidates ran for office, including a record number of women. Some 6,000 polling stations were open around the country, and Afghan National Security Forces took the lead in providing security. [more].

August 09
Discovery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Parks Canada underwater archaeologists have found what they believe is the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force plane lost in 1942 off the coast near the village of Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Quebec. "The United States government was extremely interested to learn of the discovery of the wreckage, and we look forward to working with our Canadian friends to verify the identity of the aircraft," said David Fetter, Consul General of the United States in Quebec City. "This process has been an excellent example of the spirit of cooperation and friendship that has been the core of the U.S.-Canadian relationship in times of both war and peace." For more information on the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) “truthing” process visit www.jpac.pacom.mil. You can find information about the Parks Canada discovery at http://www.pc.gc.ca/.

18 August 09
Touring The Arctic - Nancy Sutley (the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality)
This week I have joined other Administration officials for an Arctic Observance tour to learn more about how climate change is affecting the Arctic region. We left Washington, DC early Monday morning with our team, which includes Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen, Deputy Assistant to the President on Energy and Climate Change Heather Zichal, and DOI Deputy Secretary David Hayes, and received a detailed briefing about the specifics of our trip to Alaska and what to expect in the coming days. [more].

17 August 09
Afghan Elections Essential Step in Defeating Taliban Insurgents
Washington — The Afghanistan national elections scheduled for August 20 are essential to give legitimacy to the government and are critical for defeating the Taliban, who are struggling to regain a foothold as millions of Afghans register to vote in advance of the elections, Ambassador Richard Holbrooke says.

“Holding an election in a wartime situation is always difficult. Holding one when the enemy has said they’re going to try to disrupt it makes it even more difficult,” Holbrooke told a panel organized by the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based policy research center. Holbrooke is the U.S. special representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan at the State Department. [more]
August 17 - [Statement by Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton]
August 18 - [Security Forces Working to Assure Afghans of Election Safety].

North American Leaders Summit Guadalajara August 9-10, 2009
August 10 - Joint Statement by North American Leaders
We, the leaders of North America, have come together in Guadalajara to promote the global competitiveness of our region, foster the well-being of our citizens, and make our countries more secure. We build our collaboration on the understanding that our deepening ties are a source of strength and that challenges and opportunities in one North American country can and do affect us all. North American cooperation is rooted in shared values, complementary strengths, and the dynamism of our peoples. We are confident that working together we can help our societies thrive in the challenging, competitive, and promising century ahead.[more]

North American Leaders Discuss Trade, H1N1 Flu, Climate Change
Washington — Building on progress made at two recent international economic summits, President Obama said he and the leaders of Mexico and Canada pledged to take “aggressive, coordinated action” to restore economic growth across North America and create jobs for their workers.[more]
[more on the Summit/video of joint press conference]

07 August 09
Statement by the Press Secretary on the visit of Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada to the White House
President Obama will meet with Prime Minister Harper at the White House on Wednesday, September 16. Canada is a close ally and partner of the United States, and the President looks forward to discussing a broad range of bilateral, hemispheric, and global issues, including cooperation on economic recovery and trade, the upcoming G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh; climate change and energy, December’s UN Conference on Climate Change in Copenhagen; and security cooperation, including in Afghanistan. http://www.pc.gc.ca/.

06 August 09
Discovery in the Gulf of St. Lawrence
Parks Canada underwater archaeologists have found what they believe is the wreckage of a U.S. Air Force plane lost in 1942 off the coast near the village of Longue-Pointe-de-Mingan, Quebec. "The United States government was extremely interested to learn of the discovery of the wreckage, and we look forward to working with our Canadian friends to verify the identity of the aircraft," said David Fetter, Consul General of the United States in Quebec City. "This process has been an excellent example of the spirit of cooperation and friendship that has been the core of the U.S.-Canadian relationship in times of both war and peace." For more information on the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) “truthing” process visit www.jpac.pacom.mil. You can find information about the Parks Canada discovery at http://www.pc.gc.ca/.

U.S.-Canadian Cooperation in the Arctic: 2009 U.S.-Canada Arctic Continental Shelf Survey
The 2009 U.S.-Canada Arctic Continental Shelf Survey runs from August 7 through September 16. This is the latest mission in the Extended Continental Shelf Project.

We invite your comments on this mission in this discussion space! A blogger will be embedded with the mission and we look forward to sharing her insights here. [press release]
[more information] [Join a discussion on this joint mission]

Campus Connections. An eJournal from the Department of State, August 2009.
A globalized economy makes business and employment spill across national boundaries, so an education abroad is likely to make a young person better prepared for the world’s future. Almost double the numbers of students travel abroad for an education today as compared with 20 years ago. Campus Connections examines the international study experience and its influence on individual growth.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

July 2009

Anatomy of a Jury Trial. An eJournal from the Department of State, July 2009.
Juries — usually groups of 6 or 12 ordinary citizens — provide a crucial service for their fellow citizens: Just as in medieval England, where they got started, juries prevent government, even democratic government, from pursuing oppressive prosecutions.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

The 40th anniversary of Apollo 11’s Landing on the Moon: A Lasting Inspiration
By Linda Cheatham -- Today [July 20] marks the 40th anniversary of the first lunar landing by the crew of the U.S. Apollo 11 – truly a milestone achievement for humanity. It still has relevance and resonance for all of us – and especially for Americans and Canadians – as our compatriots, including the first two Canadian astronauts to meet in space, orbit the earth together...[more]

NASA Plays audio "Time Capsule" of historic Apollo 11 Mission - July 16-24
HOUSTON -- NASA will provide a unique audio "time capsule" in observance of the 40th anniversary of the first human landing on the moon. Audio from the entire Apollo 11 mission will be replayed and streamed on the Internet at exactly the same time and date it was broadcast in 1969.

The audio retrospective will begin at 6:32 a.m. CDT Thursday, July 16, two hours before the spacecraft launched. The audio will continue through splashdown of the mission at 11:51 a.m. CDT Friday, July 24, and recovery of the crew shortly afterward. The Web stream will feature the communications between the astronauts and ground teams, and commentary from Mission Control at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

To listen to the replay, visit:
http://www.nasa.gov/

For historical information about Apollo 11, visit:
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/

NASA's Apollo 40th anniversary Web site:
http://www.nasa.gov/apollo40th

Where were you on July 20, 1969? How did this momentous event impact your life? Record your comments and impressions here!

David Jacobson, Nominee for Ambassador to Canada
June 8 2009 - White House Announces President Obama's Nomination of David Jacobson as Ambassador to Canada [more].
June 4 2009 - President Obama Announces Intent to Nominate Key Administration Posts [more].

Upcoming Travel by the President
The White House - The President will travel to Guadalajara, Mexico, August 9-10 to attend the North American Leaders Summit with Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The summit meeting will provide an opportunity for the United States, Mexico, and Canada to engage on a broad range of issues, including economic recovery and competitiveness in North America, our shared interest in energy and the environment, and cooperation among our governments to promote the safety and welfare of our citizens, including continued close cooperation to counter the A/H1N1 influenza pandemic.

17 July, 09
Tragic Attacks in Indonesia
Statement by President Obama - I strongly condemn the attacks that occurred this morning in Jakarta, and extend my deepest condolences to all of the victims and their loved ones. The American people stand by the Indonesian people in this difficult time, and the U.S. government stands ready to help the Indonesian government respond to and recover from these outrageous attacks as a friend and partner. [more]
Statement by Hillary Clinton, Secretary of State - Our sympathies go out to the victims of these tragic attacks, their families, and the people and government of Indonesia. We condemn these senseless acts of violence and stand ready to provide assistance if the Indonesian government requests us to do so. The State Department is working to help American citizens injured in the blasts. [more]

16 July 09
Remarks With Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Patricia Espinosa Cantellano and Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon After the North American Trilateral Ministerial Meeting
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, good afternoon, and I’m delighted to be here alongside my counterparts and colleagues from our neighbors to the north and the south, Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon, Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa. Each of them have hosted me in their countries, and I am so pleased that they could be here today for this important trilateral consultation. [more]
Related: Remarks before the North American Trilateral Ministerial Meeting

.

15 July, 09
Foreign Policy Address at the Council on Foreign Relations
Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State - Thank you very much, Richard, and I am delighted to be here in these new headquarters. I have been often to, I guess, the mother ship in New York City, but it’s good to have an outpost of the Council right here down the street from the State Department. We get a lot of advice from the Council, so this will mean I won’t have as far to go to be told what we should be doing and how we should think about the future. [more]

13 July 09
50th Anniversary of the St. Lawrence Seaway
This month marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. The Seaway was created between 1954 and 1959 and stretches 265 miles from Montreal to Lake Ontario, much of that distance along the U.S.-Canadian border. Over the last half century, the St. Lawrence Seaway has served as a crucial thoroughfare from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, and serves as an important symbol of the breadth and depth of the bilateral relationship between the United States and Canada. [more].

11 July 09
Remarks by President Obama to the Ghanian Parliament, Accra International Conference Center, Accra, Ghana
And I've come here to Ghana for a simple reason: The 21st century will be shaped by what happens not just in Rome or Moscow or Washington, but by what happens in Accra, as well. (Applause.)

This is the simple truth of a time when the boundaries between people are overwhelmed by our connections. Your prosperity can expand America's prosperity. Your health and security can contribute to the world's health and security. And the strength of your democracy can help advance human rights for people everywhere.

So I do not see the countries and peoples of Africa as a world apart; I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world -- (applause) -- as partners with America on behalf of the future we want for all of our children. That partnership must be grounded in mutual responsibility and mutual respect. And that is what I want to speak with you about today.

We must start from the simple premise that Africa's future is up to Africans. [more].

Addressing the Nuclear Threat: Fulfilling the Promise of Prague at the L’Aquila G8 Summit July 2009
On April 5, 2009, in Prague, President Obama presented an ambitious three-part strategy to address the international nuclear threat: 1) proposing measures to reduce and eventually eliminate existing nuclear arsenals; 2) strengthening the Non-proliferation Treaty and halting proliferation of nuclear weapons to additional states; and 3) preventing terrorists from acquiring nuclear weapons or materials. Today, the G8 leaders endorsed that strategy and released a statement that... [more]

Related:
09 July 2009 - From the White House come the following statements and declarations (PDF's) from the Group of Eight meetings in L’Aquila, Italy:
- L'Aquila Statement on Non-Proliferation (PDF)
- G8 Economic Declaration (PDF)
- Political Declaration (PDF)
- G8 Declaration on Counter Terrorism (PDF)
- G8 Preliminary Accountability Report (PDF)
- G8 The Major Economies Forum On Energy And Climate (PDF) .

July 4, 2009 - US Embassy Ottawa party (The 200th Birthday of President Abraham Lincoln)
View photos of the July 4 party on FlickR...

July 9, 2009 - U.S. Commitment to Development
“ To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds.” -President Barack Obama, Inaugural Address, January 20th, 2009 [Development Assistance - fact sheet]

President Obama's 4th of July Message
Today, we are called upon to remember not only the day our country was born, but also the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known - a government of, by, and for the people. [more]

Secretary Clinton's 4th of July Video Message to Posts Worldwide
A video of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivering a 4th of July message, which was given to U.S. Missions worldwide to play at their 4th of July celebrations, is available for viewing on the State Department YouTube site: http://www.youtube.com/user/statevideo. [more]

H1N1 Influenza (Flu)
The United States, Canada and Mexico continue to work together with international organizations in actively monitoring the H1N1 flu outbreak. For additional and latest information, please see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov [travel alerts][President Obama's remarks] [Flu Prevention PSA Contest: HHS Needs You] .

01 July 09
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wishes all Canadians a Happy Canada Day
On behalf of the United States and the American people, I would like to extend my warm congratulations to the people of Canada as they celebrate their 142nd anniversary of confederation. Canada and the United States are the closest of allies and friends. Our two peoples are joined by fundamental values that define our societies. Our two nations are joined in common cause to address the great opportunities and challenges of our time. [more].

June 2009

30 June 09
Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues Melanne Verveer on Her Recent Visit to Afghanistan and the U.S. Commitment to Afghan Women
MR. WOOD: Good afternoon, actually. Good afternoon, all. We’re very fortunate to have with us this afternoon the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues Melanne Verveer. And she’s going to talk to you about her recent trip to Afghanistan and talk about how the U.S. is supporting Afghan women. So without further ado, I’ll turn it over to the ambassador.
AMBASSADOR VERVEER: Hello, everybody. I’d like to make a few points before taking your questions. The women in Afghanistan are critical to progress and stability in their war-torn country. It is in Afghanistan’s interest that human development and the unity of action take place. Only by men and women working together can Afghanistan move forward. The Secretary of State and Ambassador Holbrooke asked me to go to Afghanistan to reaffirm the United States’s commitment to Afghan women and to underscore the President and Secretary’s personal commitment to women’s rights. [more] [video].

29 June 09
Secretary Chu Opens U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue
Public-private meeting brings together industry and government leaders to expand bilateral clean energy cooperation.
Washington, DC – U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today made opening remarks at the first U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue Roundtable at the Department of Energy Headquarters in Washington, DC. The public-private meeting, which will be held June 29-30, is bringing together leaders from private industry to meet with U.S. and Canadian energy leaders to solicit industry input on the goals and activities of the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue. [more].

25 June 09
Meet the Artist: Thomas Nozkowski
Discussion recorded at the National Gallery of Canada on June 24th, 2009 (42 min 35 sec) [listen].

25 June 09
Statement of President Obama on NED 2009 Democracy Award Recipients
I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and commend the National Endowment for Democracy's 2009 Democracy Award recipients Jorge Luis Garcia Perez, Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia, Librado Linares, Ivan Hernandez Carrillo, and Iris Tamara Perez Aguilera and all the brave men and women who are standing up for the right of the Cuban people to freely determine their country's future. Like too many of their fellow citizens, four of these individuals have been unjustly jailed for defending the basic freedoms we all hold dear in the Americas. It is my sincere hope that all political prisoners who remain jailed, including three of today’s award recipients, will be unconditionally released and allowed to fully participate in a democratic future in Cuba.

24 June 09
Trade Ministers Call for Greater Cooperation on Making Trade and Environmental Protection Mutually Supportive
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk joined his NAFTA counterparts in writing to the environment ministers from the United States, Canada and Mexico to encourage greater cooperation between the NAFTA Free Trade Commission (FTC) and the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) on working to ensure that the trade and environmental policies of each of the three countries are mutually supportive. In commenting on the letters, Ambassador Kirk noted that "improving cooperation between the FTC and the CEC is the type of action that will help us to meet President Obama's priority of seeking to improve how NAFTA works for the environment." The letters note the important contributions that the CEC has made toward achieving the environmental goals of the NAFTA. The CEC is led by Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson and her ministerial counterparts from Mexico and Canada. [more]

16 June 09
Trafficking in Persons Report 2009
"The ninth annual Trafficking in Persons Report sheds light on the faces of modern-day slavery and on new facets of this global problem. The human trafficking phenomenon affects virtually every country, including the United States. In acknowledging America’s own struggle with modern-day slavery and slavery-related practices, we offer partnership. We call on every government to join us in working to build consensus and leverage resources to eliminate all forms of human trafficking."
[Full Report] [Canada Section]
[Press Release: Canadian Benjamin Perrin Named a Hero in the U.S. State Department 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report] .

13 June 09
Remarks at the 100th Anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty - Hillary Rodham Clinton Secretary of State
Good morning. What a glorious day, and it’s an absolute delight for me to be here on this occasion. I take any excuse I can to get back to come back to New York, and to celebrate this commemoration with all of you and to have an opportunity to spend time with my Canadian counterpart, Minister Cannon, is indeed a privilege. I just want to recognize the significance of this extraordinary moment in time. The friendship between the people of the United States and Canada is the strongest in the world. There is no border that is longer and more peaceful; there is no greater trade between two nations. There are so many values that we share in common, and today we celebrate a treaty that helped to make this friendship possible 100 years ago. [more] [FlickR Photos].
Related: Press Conference - Remarks With Canadian Foreign Minister Cannon.

12 June 09
Secretary Clinton Travel to Canada
Boundary Waters Treaty Centennial Celebration Fact Sheet
On June 13, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will join Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon on the Rainbow Bridge connecting Niagara Falls, New York to Ontario, Canada to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty.

The Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 created the independent International Joint Commission (IJC) to prevent and resolve boundary waters disputes between Canada and the United States. The IJC makes decisions on applications for projects such as dams in boundary waters and regulates the operations of many of those projects. The IJC also has a permanent reference under the 1972 Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to help the two national governments restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of those waters. [more]

11 June 09
Secretary Clinton Travel to Canada
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, on Saturday, June 13, 2009, to participate in the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Canada-U.S. Boundary Waters Treaty. Secretary Clinton will meet with Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon following the centennial celebration. Secretary Clinton and Foreign Minister Cannon will then hold a joint press availability. [more]

04 June 09
A New Beginning - Engaging the Muslim World President Obama's June 4 Speech in Cairo, Egypt
I am honored to be in the timeless city of Cairo, and to be hosted by two remarkable institutions. For over a thousand years, Al-Azhar has stood as a beacon of Islamic learning, and for over a century, Cairo University has been a source of Egypt’s advancement. Together, you represent the harmony between tradition and progress. I am grateful for your hospitality, and the hospitality of the people of Egypt. I am also proud to carry with me the goodwill of the American people, and a greeting of peace from Muslim communities in my country: assalaamu alaykum. [more/video] [fact sheet]

01 June 09
Obama Administration Auto Restructuring Initiative - General Motors Restructuring
On March 30, 2009, President Obama laid out a framework for General Motors to achieve viability that required the Company to rework its business plan, accelerate its operational restructuring and make far greater reductions in its outstanding liabilities.After two months of significant management engagement, General Motors has developed such a plan and has already begun to make progress toward its achievement. The Company has also secured commitments of meaningful sacrifice from all of its major stakeholder groups , sacrifices sufficient for this plan to proceed forward. As a result, the President has deemed GM’s plan viable and will be making available about $30 billion of additional federal assistance to support GM’s restructuring plan . To effectuate its plan, General Motors will use Section 363 of the bankruptcy code to clear away the remaining impediments to its successful re-launch. [more] [President's remarks]

May 2009

The Global Financial System: Six Experts Look at the Crisis. An eJournal from the Department of State, May 2009.
Experts describe the mechanics of the global financial system presenting their views concerning the cyclical nature of markets, the interdependence of global trade relationships, and the role of regulation.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

27 May 09
Joint Statement by Secretary Napolitano and Canadian Public Safety Minister Peter Van Loan on the U.S.-Canada Border
Ottawa—The Honorable Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Honorable Peter Van Loan, Canadian Minister of Public Safety, recognize the unique nature of the U.S.-Canada border and share a determination to tackle common threats that we face, including terrorism and organized crime.
“We are working in partnership to ensure we manage the border in a way that contributes to the well-being of our two countries and recognize that we can enhance our security without compromising trade. [more]
Related:
- Readout of Secretary Napolitano’s Meeting with Canadian Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney
- Statement by Secretary Napolitano on the Appointment of Jeff Neal as Chief Human Capital Officer

26 May 09
United States and Canada Act Jointly to Combat Cross-Border Crime
Detroit—The Honorable Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Honorable Peter Van Loan, Canadian Minister of Public Safety, toured port operations today on both sides of the shared United States/Canada border and signed an agreement to make Shiprider—joint law enforcement teams stationed along the international maritime border—permanent. [more]

22 May 09
Prayer For Peace, Memorial Day, 2009
A Proclamation By The President: For over two centuries, Americans have defended our Nation's security and protected our founding principles of democracy and equal justice under law. On Memorial Day, we honor those who have paid the ultimate price in defense of these freedoms.
Members of the United States Armed Forces have placed our Nation's safety before their own for generations. From the first shots fired at Lexington and Concord to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, these brave patriots have taken on great risks to keep us safe, and they have served with honor and distinction. All Americans who have enjoyed the blessings of peace and liberty remain in their debt. [more]

22 May 09
Comments by Terry A. Breese, U.S. Embassy Canada, Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Regarding U.S. - Canada border issues
The border which lies between Canada and the United States is a priority to both countries, the intersection of billions of dollars of trade between the two countries. A recent survey conducted by Angus Reid shows that 77 per cent of Canadians were satisfied with the amount of time they had to wait to go through immigration and/or customs at the border. However, our work is not done and there are efforts underway to improve infrastructure and services at the border. U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affairs, a.i. Terry Breese offers comments on the priorities facing both countries at the border and Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) changes, which take effect June 1, 2009. [more] [more on WHTI].

21 May 09
Remarks by the President on National Security
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. Please be seated. Thank you all for being here. Let me just acknowledge the presence of some of my outstanding Cabinet members and advisors. We've got our Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton. We have our CIA Director Leon Panetta. We have our Secretary of Defense William Gates; Secretary Napolitano of Department of Homeland Security; Attorney General Eric Holder; my National Security Advisor Jim Jones. And I want to especially thank our Acting Archivist of the United States, Adrienne Thomas. [more]

15 May 09

Democracy Video Challenge Finalists Announced: Public Voting Begins
he Department of State and its partners announced the eighteen finalists for the Democracy Video Challenge, an online video competition that asked participants to complete the phrase, “Democracy is...” Also today, public voting to select the six winners opened (youtube.com/democracychallenge) and will continue until midnight June 15th (EST).

The finalists, chosen from among a pool of more than 900 entries from 95 countries, represent Brazil (2), Cote d’Ivoire, Germany, India, Iran (2), Japan, Nepal, Philippines, Poland, Serbia, Singapore, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, the United States, Uzbekistan, and Zambia. These videos provide an array of voices and visions about democracy from around the world. The finalists were selected by an independent jury, co-chaired by Michael Apted (President of the Directors Guild of America) and Hernando de Soto (President of the Institute for Liberty and Democracy). [more] [view videos]

H1N1 Influenza (Flu)
The United States, Canada and Mexico continue to work together with international organizations in actively monitoring the H1N1 flu outbreak. For additional and latest information, please see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov [travel alerts][President Obama's remarks] .

7 May 09
Statement by Trade Ministers of the United States, Canada and Mexico
Canadian Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway, Stockwell Day, United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk, and Mexican Secretary of the Economy Gerardo Ruiz Mateos today issued the following statement calling for an end to unscientific bans on pork imports from their respective countries due to the fears of the H1N1 flu virus, noting the large and negative economic impact of such bans. [more]

5 May 09
Secretary Vilsack and Minister Ritz re-affirm Support for Pork Industry
WASHINGTON, May 5, 2009 - Canada's Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz and United States Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today re-affirmed that all appropriate steps are being taken to protect public health and strengthen the pork industry in both countries.

Additional analysis conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency of the H1N1 Influenza A has re-affirmed that the virus found in swine at a farm in Alberta, Canada, is the human strain. The CFIA has fully isolated and contained the situation on the Alberta farm. [more]

4 May 09
Phillip Mclean speaks to the U.S. Embassy on Cooperation in the Western Hemisphere
Phillip Mclean - A senior associate at CSIS and adjunct professor in the Elliott School at George Washington University, Phillip McLean served more than three decades in the U.S. Foreign Service with overseas assignments in Latin America and Europe. After retirement from government service in 1994, he was appointed assistant secretary for management at the Organization of American States (OAS) and served as an adviser to OAS secretary Cesar Gaviria until 1997. McLean's early Foreign Service postings were to the new capital Brasilia and the old capital Edinburgh. For a time, he specialized in Panama Canal negotiations and served in the U.S. embassy in Panama. Subsequently, he was involved in U.S. economic relations with Europe (coordinating approaches to trade, agriculture, and poorer countries)... [more/listen]

4 May 09
Canadian military COMFORT mission
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominica Republic — Major Collin Duffy, dentist, is one of 15 members of Canadian Forces Health Services currently on board Military Sealift Command Hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-Ah 20) during Continuing Promise 09 (CP09). Assisting Duffy with translation is Capt. Carol Lindsey of the U.S. Public Health Service. CP09 is a U.S. Navy-led humanitarian and civic assistance mission to areas of the Caribbean and Latin America. The mission has brought together over 300 NGO and civilian volunteers as well as approximately 400 military reservists, 120 partner nation and host nation personnel. CP09 also enables CF Health Services to maintain professional ties and interoperability with the caregivers of military allies and their civilian counterparts, ensuring that the ill and injured will benefit from the exchanges of healthcare knowledge from all parts of the world. [more/photo]

April 2009

30 April 09
Joint Statement - President Obama and Prime Minister Harper United States-Canada Support for Chrysler LLC
The Governments of the United States and Canada have reviewed and approved the restructuring plans of Chrysler LLC and its subsidiaries, including Chrysler Canada Inc.
As a result, thanks to the considerable contributions and sacrifices of company management, the United Auto Workers and Canadian Auto Workers, and major lenders, and a successful partnership agreement with Fiat SpA, our Governments are in a position to extend support to help Chrysler restructure itself and re-emerge as a globally competitive automaker. [more]

30 April 09
USTR 2009 Special 301 Report
Significant developments in this year’s Special 301 Report include the following:
Canada is being elevated to the Priority Watch List for the first time, reflecting increasing concern about the continuing need for copyright reform, as well as continuing concern about weak border enforcement. Full Report

30 April 09
Country Reports on Terrorism for 2008
April 30, 2009
U.S. law requires the Secretary of State to provide Congress, by April 30 of each year, a full and complete report on terrorism with regard to those countries and groups meeting criteria set forth in the legislation. This annual report is entitled Country Reports on Terrorism. Beginning with the report for 2004, it replaced the previously published Patterns of Global Terrorism.
Full Report
Western Hemisphere Section

Energy Efficiency: The First Fuel. An eJournal from the Department of State, April 2009.
Increasing the efficient use of existing energy supplies is widely acknowledged as the fastest, cheapest, and cleanest way to meet future energy needs. Energy Efficiency: The First Fuel examines the strong U.S. record of tapping efficiency as a resource, and the accelerated efforts by individuals, organizations, and governments to squeeze greater productivity from all energy sources.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

30 April 09
Remarks by the President on the Auto Industry
THE PRESIDENT:...One month ago, I spoke about some of the problems that have led to the crisis in the auto industry, and about what would be required to ensure that General Motors and Chrysler emerged from their current troubles stronger and more competitive. My team will continue working with General Motors as they strengthen their business plan and move towards restructuring that's consistent with the principles that I've laid out. [more]
Related:Obama Administration Auto Restructuring Initiative - Chrysler-Fiat Alliance.

April 22 2009 - Podcast with Roberta Jacobson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs
Roberta Jacobson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, speaks with Public Affairs Officier Indran Amirthanayagam. [more]

22 April 09
Earth Day 2009
President Obama Proclamation
A Busy Earth Day: Van Jones Video, All-Day Live-Blog
Today is the first Earth Day of the Obama presidency, and that carries a special significance for the White House in light of the President’s goal to create a clean energy economy that can serve as a pillar of our recovery....[W]e also asked Van Jones, Special Advisor for Green Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation at the Council on Environmental Quality, to walk us through a local player in the emerging clean energy economy, as just one example out of thousands of what the future holds:
Green Jobs for a Green Future from White House on Vimeo.

20 April 09
Earth Day - 22nd April
Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day is a time to unite around new actions. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet.
Earthday.gov is a cooperative effort across the entire U.S. government. [earthday.gov].

17-19 April 09
The Fifth Summit of the Americas was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19, 2009.
The theme of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, "Securing Our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability" was developed in close consultation with member countries and partner institutions of the Summit Process.

Remarks by Secretary Clinton at Digital Town Hall of the Americas - View Video / Read Transcript

Obama Praises Constructive Talks at Summit of the Americas
Washington — President Obama said the United States entered the fifth Summit of the Americas in equal partnership with the nations of the Western Hemisphere based on mutual respect, common interests and shared values, and leaves after three days of constructive talks with what he called a good first step. [more]

[5th Summit website]
[townhall.america.gov]
[photo slideshow]

14 April 09
The 5th Summit Of Americas Digital Town Hall
The 5th Summit of the Americas is a regional meeting of all 34 democratically elected leaders of the nations of the Western Hemisphere from April 17-19 in Trinidad and Tobago. Learn, share and discuss how we all can work together throughout the Americas. For more information, and how to ask Secretart Clinton a question at the Summit, visit http://townhall.america.gov/.
[more] [more on the Summit].

14 April 09
EXCERPTS FROM THE PRESIDENT’S REMARKS - A New Foundation
Today, I want to step back for a moment and explain our strategy as clearly as I can. I want to talk about what we’ve done, why we’ve done it, and what we have left to do. I want to update you on the progress we’ve made, and be honest about the pitfalls that may lie ahead. And most of all, I want every American to know that each action we take and each policy we pursue is driven by a larger vision of America’s future – a future where sustained economic growth creates good jobs and rising incomes; a future where prosperity is fueled not by excessive debt, reckless speculation, and fleeing profit, but is instead built by skilled, productive workers; by sound investments that will spread opportunity at home and allow this nation to lead the world in the technologies, innovations, and discoveries that will shape the 21st century. That is the America I see. That is the future I know we can have. [more].

9 April 09
Deputy Secretary Lute to Travel to New York and Canada
U.S. Department of Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Jane Holl Lute will travel to Buffalo, N.Y., and Ottawa, Canada on April 15-16 to meet with Canadian officials to discuss a variety of issues including the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative. This marks Deputy Secretary Lute’s first official trip since she was confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Deputy Secretary Lute will be joined by Counselor to the Secretary of Homeland Security Rand Beers. Details of the trip will be released once they are finalized.” [more].

7 April 09
Historic Antarctic Treaty, Arctic Council joint session launches meeting
Washington — At a critical time for the Antarctic Peninsula, which scientists say is one of the fastest-warming places on Earth, and the increasing loss of summer ice in the Arctic Ocean, the first joint session of officials representing the Antarctic Treaty and the Arctic Council convened April 6 in Baltimore. The historic meeting marks the start of the 32nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, hosted by the United States in Baltimore April 6–17. Nearly 400 diplomats, Antarctic program managers and logistics experts, along with polar scientists from 47 countries, will discuss environmental protection, polar science and tourism. [more].

6 April 09
Upcoming Summit of the Americas Ambassador Jeffrey S. Davidow special briefing on the upcoming Summit of the Americas.

6 April 09
50th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty
Opening remarks by Secretary Clinton at the Joint Session of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the Arctic Council, 50th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty held at the State Department.

3 April 09
NATO Summit Website
.

2 April 09
G20 official website
.

2 April 09
Webcast – America's New Energy Economy
Date & Time: April 17 at 2 p.m. EDT (18:00 GMT).
Canada and the United States share many of the same environmental concerns related to climate change and global warming. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom will speak to Canadians interested in the topic and curious to hear about the environmental and economic initiatives he has put forth for his city. To view this webcast, go to www.cpcwebcast.com/state/. No registration is needed. [more].

1 April 09
United States to Host Joint Session of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and Arctic Council
32nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting Convenes in Baltimore, April 6-17
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will host the first-ever joint session of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the Arctic Council on April 6, 2009, bringing together the two most important bodies involved with diplomacy at the Poles. This event will mark the beginning of the 32nd Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting, which is being hosted by the United States, in Baltimore, Maryland, April 6-17, 2009. [more].

1 April 2009

Nunavut - April lst, 2009, the 10th anniversary of the Territory's founding
On behalf of the United States Government and Mission Canada, I would like to congratulate you and the people of Nunavut today, April lst, 2009, on the 10th anniversary of the Territory's founding. The Arctic Territory of Nunavut proudly emerged after many years of tireless work with many dreams and hopes for generations ahead. The people of Nunavut can be very proud of their many achievements thus far.. [more].

1 April 2009
Podcast - John Cassara - Author of 'Hide and Seek – Intelligence, Law Enforcement and the Stalled War on Terrorist Finance' talks with U.S. Embassy Ottawa
April 1, 2009 - John Cassara is visiting Canada under the auspices of the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and the U.S. Consulate in Toronto. Mr. Cassara will meet with business leaders, academics and government officials during his one-week stay, March 30 to April 3.

John Cassara retired on March 1, 2005 after a 26 year career in the federal government intelligence and law enforcement communities. He is considered an expert in anti-money laundering and terrorist financing, with particular expertise in the areas of money laundering in the Middle East and the growing threat of alternative remittance systems and forms of trade-based money laundering and value transfer. A large part of his career was spent overseas. He is one of the very few to have been both a clandestine operations officer in the U.S. intelligence community and a Special Agent for the Department of Treasury. [more - biography] [podcast].

March 2009

Nonviolent Paths to Social Change. An eJournal from the Department of State, March 2009.
The past 30 years have seen a surge of nonviolent, “people power” movements around the world advancing human rights and toppling repressive rulers. This edition of eJournal USA demonstrates that nonviolent actions can be more powerful than armed insurrections in bringing about social change.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

31 March 2009
2009 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers
The 2009 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (NTE) is the twenty-first in an annual series that surveys significant foreign barriers to U.S. exports. The report provides, where feasible, quantitative estimates of the impact of these foreign practices on the value of U.S. exports. Information is also included on actions taken to eliminate barriers. [Full Report] [Canada Chapter].

31 March 2009
Remarks by Secretary Clinton at the International Conference on Afghanistan in The Hague, Netherlands.

31 March 2009
United States to Host Climate Change Forum in April
Representatives from 16 nations asked to join forum.
Washington — The United States has invited 16 major economies to a forum in April to discuss climate change and clean energy ventures, the White House said. The April 27–28 meeting in Washington is designed to culminate in a leaders’ meeting on the sidelines of the G8 Summit in July in La Maddalena, Italy. Ultimately, it aims to help negotiators reach an accord later in the year. [more].

30 March 2009
Obama Heads to Europe with Extensive Schedule
President to attend G20, NATO, EU summits, and visit Turkey.
Washington — President Obama heads to Europe to address issues that range from the global economy and financial regulation to security, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan, nuclear nonproliferation and the Middle East. [more].

30 March 2009
Remarks By President Obama On The American Automotive Industry
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody.
One of the challenges we've confronted from the beginning of this administration is what to do with the state of the struggling auto industry. In recent months, my Auto Task Force has been reviewing requests by General Motors and Chrysler for additional government assistance, as well as plans developed by each of these companies to restructure, to modernize, and to make themselves more competitive. Our evaluation is now complete. But before I lay out what needs to be done going forward, I want to say a few words about where we are and what led us to this point. [more].

27 March 2009
A New Strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan
"Good morning. Today, I am announcing a comprehensive, new strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan," began the President today. "This marks the conclusion of a careful policy review that I ordered as soon as I took office." The President stressed the perilous position we find ourselves in there, and the threat that would arise should safe havens on Pakistan go unchallenged or should the government in Afghanistan fall to the Taliban again. He also noted that 2008 was the deadliest year to date in that war.[more] [full remarks].

27 March 2009
Summit of the Americas
Jeffrey Davidow, White House Advisor on the Summit of the Americas, was formerly U.S. Ambassador to Venezuela and Mexico. He discusses the U.S. agenda for the Fifth Summit of the Americas, to take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, April 17-19. [more].

26 March 2009
U.S. Embassy Participates in Earth Hour
Earth Hour - 8:30PM - 9:30PM, 28th March 2009
As countries across the globe prepare to participate in this year's Earth Hour, we at the U.S. Embassy are likewise ready to join in this symbolic demonstration, and more importantly, are working daily to lessen our environmental "footprint."
Over the past year and a half, we have implemented many energy saving technologies. We've installed timers and night set-back controls to reduce our electrical use. We've also reduced our usage of water, heating and air conditioning. And we won't stop there. We're going to bring on some local talent -- a student intern who specializes in energy alternatives and office energy waste management -- to identify other ways to lower our consumption of natural resources. [more].

26 March 2009
NATO’s 60th Anniversary with National Defense University’s Dr. Kenneth Moss
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, celebrates the 60th anniversary of its founding on April 4, 2009. In 1949, NATO’s mission was clear. Today, NATO faces a different world in which the Cold War has ended and a range of new challenges are combining to produce a never-before-seen security environment. To help us understand these challenges and the role of NATO, we talked with Dr. Kenneth Moss, Chairman of the National Security Studies Department at the National Defense University in Washington DC. [transcript].

23 March 2009
Remarks by President Obama on Investments in Clean Energy and New technology
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, Paul, for talking about the work that you're doing at Serious Materials. And thank you, Susan, for describing the research that's taking place under your leadership at MIT. I have to say that Susan made sure to tell me not to touch anything on the table. (Laughter.) I was going to do some experiments for you today -- (laughter) -- but we decided not to. [more].

12 March 09
Webchat March 12 at 1 p.m. EDT (17:00 GMT)- United States and Canada in the Polar Regions
The International Polar Year (IPY) aims to exploit the intellectual resources and science assets of nations worldwide to make major advances in polar knowledge and understanding, while leaving a legacy of new or enhanced observational systems, facilities and infrastructure. Join us for the webcast of a discussion with Dr. Karl Erb, an expert on activities surrounding the IPY.
Karl Erb is the director of the Office of Polar Programs at the National Science Foundation.
If you would like to view this webcast, please go to http://www.cpcwebcast.com/state/. No registration is needed. [more].

08 March 2009
International Women's Day
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton - On the occasion of International Women’s Day 2009, I am proud to honor women around the world who are blazing trails and surmounting obstacles in pursuit of equality and opportunity. Although you may not know their names or recognize their faces, these women advocates are hard at work in every country and on every continent, seeking to fulfill their right to participate fully in the political, economic and cultural lives of their societies. Often working against great odds and at great personal sacrifice, they are a key to global progress in this new century and deserve our admiration and support. [more].

05 March 2009
U.S. Firmly Committed to NATO

05 March 2009
NATO Agrees to Resume High-Level Ties with Russia
Enhancing Afghanistan security mission continues to challenge NATO.
Washington — NATO must find ways to manage differences with Russia and work constructively in areas of common interest, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says.
“It’s time to explore a fresh start. We can and must find ways to work constructively with Russia where we share areas of common interest, including helping the people of Afghanistan, arms control and nonproliferation, counterpiracy and counternarcotics and addressing threats posed by Iran and North Korea,” Clinton said March 5 at an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. [more] [Press Availability after NATO Meeting].

03 March 2009
Women's History Month 2009
A PROCLAMATION BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
With passion and courage, women have taught us that when we band together to advocate for our highest ideals, we can advance our common well-being and strengthen the fabric of our Nation. Each year during Women's History Month, we remember and celebrate women from all walks of life who have shaped this great Nation. This year, in accordance with the theme, "Women Taking the Lead to Save our Planet," we pay particular tribute to the efforts of women in preserving and protecting the environment for present and future generations. [more].

March 2009
2009 Trade Policy Agenda and 2008 Annual Report
The 2009 Trade Policy Agenda and 2008 Annual Report of the President of the United States on the Trade Agreements Program are submitted to the Congress pursuant to Section 163 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2213). Chapter II and Annex II of this document meet the requirements on the World Trade Organization in accordance with Sections 122 and 124 of the Uruguay Round Agreements Act. In addition, the report also includes an annex listing trade agreements entered into by the United States since 1984. Full Report.

March 2009
2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report
The 2009 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) is an annual report by the Department of State to Congress prepared in accordance with the Foreign Assistance Act. It describes the efforts of key countries to attack all aspects of the international drug trade in Calendar Year 2008. Volume I covers drug and chemical control activities. Volume II covers money laundering and financial crimes. [Full Report] [Canada Chapter].

February 2009

27 February 09
Responsibly Ending the War in Iraq
"Let me say this as plainly as I can: by August 31, 2010, our combat mission in Iraq will end," the President said today at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
"I want to be very clear," the President said. "We sent our troops to Iraq to do away with Saddam Hussein’s regime – and you got the job done. We kept our troops in Iraq to help establish a sovereign government – and you got the job done. And we will leave the Iraqi people with a hard-earned opportunity to live a better life – that is your achievement; that is the prospect that you have made possible." [more].

25 February 09
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2008
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2008 - Released by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor February 25, 2009
The year just ended was characterized by three trends: a growing worldwide demand for greater personal and political freedom, governmental efforts to push back on those freedoms, and further confirmation that human rights flourish best in participatory democracies with vibrant civil societies. These congressionally mandated reports describe the performance in 2008 of governments across the globe in putting into practice their international commitments on human rights. We hope that they will help focus attention on human rights abuses and bring action to end them. At the same time, we hope that the hard-won advances for human freedom chronicled in the reports will hearten those still pressing for their rights, often against daunting odds. [Canada Chapter]
[Full Report] [Secretary of State Clinton's Remarks].

20 February 09
President Obama in Canada, February 19, 2009
On Thursday, February 19, 2009, President Obama made his first foreign trip -- to Canada, the United States top trading partner. President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper agreed the United States and Canada will pursue economic recovery measures and efforts to strengthen the international financial system to counter the global economic recession. [more on the visit] [photo slideshow].

19 February 09
President Obama and Prime Minister Harper vow joint effort on North American economic recovery
President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Stephen Harper today agreed the United States and Canada will pursue economic recovery measures and efforts to strengthen the international financial system to counter the global economic recession. [more].

19 February 09
Press Availability By President Obama and Prime Minister Harper - Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Canada.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Once again, it is a great pleasure to welcome President Obama to Canada. We are deeply honored that he has chosen Canada for his first foreign visit since taking office. His election to the presidency launches a new chapter in the rich history of Canada-U.S. relations. It is a relationship between allies, partners, neighbors, and the closest of friends; a relationship built on our shared values -- freedom, democracy, and equality of opportunity epitomized by the President himself. [more].

19 February 09
President Obama's Visit to Canada
Main points from Press Conference - Live Whitehouse Blog.
[more] [news, resources].

19 February 09
Obama’s First Foreign Visit Is to Canada
Economics, energy and the environment top agenda in Ottawa.
Washington — Economics, energy and the environment will top the agenda when President Obama makes his first official trip to northern neighbor Canada.
“There is enormous kinship between the United States and Canada, and the ties that bind our two countries together are things that are very important to us,” Obama said in a February 17 interview with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC). “I think that Canada is one of the most impressive countries in the world.” [more] [news, resources, links].

17 February 09
The President recently signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be carried out with full transparency and accountability -- and Recovery.gov is the centerpiece of that effort. In a short video, President Obama describes the site and talks about how you'll be able to track the Recovery Act's progress every step of the way. [visit Recovery.gov] .

12 February 09
Analysis: Afghanistan Needs the World’s Help
Obama urges intensified global effort to rebuild shattered nation.
Washington — The world cannot afford to abandon the people of Afghanistan, says President Obama, who is calling for an intensified global effort to help its people eliminate terrorist safe havens and rebuild their shattered nation after decades of conflict. [more].

09 February 09
Webchat February 17, 9am (EST): What Obama's Election Says About America
The election of President Obama signified a historic shift as Americans selected an African-American for the highest position in the U.S. government. Join noted journalist and political analyst Juan Williams on February 17 for an online discussion of the significance of the election and what it says about America today. [more].

January 2009

The 2009 U.S. Presidential Inauguration. An eJournal from the Department of State, January 2009.
The citizens of the United States enthusiastically celebrated the inauguration of their 44th president in January 2009. The peaceful transfer of power always renews faith in the strength of democracy, but in 2009 the rise of an African-American to the nation’s highest office also gave reason for pride at the nation’s repudiation of the segregation and slavery in its past. President Barack Obama called it a day when Americans chose “hope over fear.”
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

20 January 09
Celebrating the Inauguration across Canada
21 January -- The Embassy of the United States of America in Ottawa and U.S. Consulates around the country joined with Canadians in celebrating the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America, Barack Obama. [more] .

U.S. Presidential Transitions. An eJournal from the Department of State, January 2009.
We often read or hear about turmoil before, during, or after elections around the world. An important characteristic of democracy in the United States, however, is the regularly recurring peaceful transfer of power from one president to the next. Americans know when the next presidential election will take place – the Tuesday after the first Monday in November every four years. And power will be transferred to the newly elected (or re-elected) president on January 20 of the following year.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

The New Whitehouse.gov Website
.

20 January 09
President Obama’s Inaugural Address
My fellow citizens: I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you’ve bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition. [more].

20 January 09
President Barack Obama's first proclamation
A National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation
THE PRESIDENT: As I take the sacred oath of the highest office in the land, I am humbled by the responsibility placed upon my shoulders, renewed by the courage and decency of the American people, and fortified by my faith in an awesome God.. [more].

16 January 09
Washington Readies for Any Inaugural Situation - Practice makes perfect as military supports civilian agencies
Washington — For more than 200 years, the U.S. armed forces have coordinated all of the military’s ceremonial support for presidents-elect. The military plays a supporting role to the federal government during presidential inaugurations, mostly in the areas of transportation and communications. It also provides security, marching bands and medical backup. [more] [Inauguration Day Resources] .

16 January 09
President Bush Makes Farewell Address to the Nation
THE PRESIDENT: Fellow citizens: For eight years, it has been my honor to serve as your President. The first decade of this new century has been a period of consequence -- a time set apart. Tonight, with a thankful heart, I have asked for a final opportunity to share some thoughts on the journey that we have traveled together, and the future of our nation. [more].

16 January 09
Americans Celebrate Achievements of Martin Luther King Jr. - Civil rights giant fought for principles with universal applicability
Washington — Americans on each third Monday of January honor the life and achievements of the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. (1929-1968), the 1964 Nobel Peace laureate and the individual most associated with the triumphs of the African-American civil rights movement during the 1950s and 1960s. As a political organizer, supremely skilled orator and advocate of nonviolent protest, King was pivotal in persuading his fellow Americans to end the legal segregation that prevailed throughout the South and parts of other regions, and in sparking support for the civil rights legislation that established the legal framework for racial equality in the United States. [more] .

14 January 09
National Security Presidential Directive and Homeland Security Presidential Directive
Background:
The United States is an Arctic nation, with varied and compelling interests in that region. This directive takes into account several developments, including, among others:
- Altered national policies on homeland security and defense;
- The effects of climate change and increasing human activity in the Arctic region;
- The establishment and ongoing work of the Arctic Council; and
- A growing awareness that the Arctic region is both fragile and rich in resources.
[more].

13 January 09
President Bush Holds Last Cabinet Meeting
THE PRESIDENT: I want to thank an extraordinary group of American citizens who have served our country as members of my Cabinet. Everybody around this table here could have taken the easy road and stayed home and worried about their own comforts, but instead they answered the call to service. And the country is lucky to have folks like this step up and serve. [more].

13 January 09
Statement of Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton Nominee For Secretary of State Senate Foreign Relations Committee, January 13, 2009.

13 January 09
Celebrating Life: Fifth Annual Report to Congress on PEPFAR (2009)
SECRETARY RICE: Good morning. I am pleased this morning to release the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief 2009, the Annual Report to Congress. This report highlights the achievements of the first five years of PEPFAR, the largest commitment by any nation to combat a single disease in human history. In 2003, when President George W. Bush announced PEPFAR, many still doubted whether HIV prevention, care, and treatment services could ever be provided in a resource-limited setting where HIV/AIDS death -- was a death sentence. But just five years later, thanks to strong partnerships between the American people and the people of host nations around the world, we’ve seen what was once thought to be impossible become truly possible. [report].

12 January 09
2008 Common Values and Shared Interests - The United States and its Promise in the Western Hemisphere
It is a great fortune of the United States to share a hemisphere with so many nations that have adopted a common vision for its peoples, a vision which allows citizens the freedom to shape their political destiny and pursue unbounded economic opportunity. The United States shares more than geography and values with these nations; it shares challenges that cross borders and the responsibility to address those challenges with its partners in the hemisphere. [more] .

09 January 09
100th Anniversary of the U.S.-Canada Boundary Waters Treaty
January 11 marks the 100th anniversary of the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909. We note with pride the century of cooperation with Canada in managing water quality, quantity, and environmental health along our 5,525-mile border. The Treaty also established the International Joint Commission, which has played a vital role as an independent steward of these shared resources. Comprised of Commissioners from both countries, the Commission has been an outstanding example of collaborative governance and stewardship, facilitating cooperation, preventing and resolving water-related disputes, and approving and overseeing operation of several major dams and hydropower stations along the border. [more]

08 January 09
Confirmation Hearings Begin on Obama’s Top Advisers
President-elect’s Cabinet picks are subject to Senate review, confirmation – Washington — Even though Barack Obama does not become president until January 20, a U.S. Senate committee held the first of many confirmation hearings on the president-elect’s Cabinet choices January 8. [more].

07 January 09
Road to the White House
Transition to the Obama administration.
Although Barack Obama does not take office until January 20, the president-elect is busy preparing for his presidency by meeting with former and current government officials and appointing advisers who will play key roles in his administration. [more].

December 2008

Choosing a Career. An eJournal from the Department of State, December 2008.
This edition of eJournal USA rambles down the many varied paths that Americans take on their way to find their life's work. Professionals in various fields explain how they got there, and some wrong turns they made along the way. Experts describe how young people can weigh and explore the options before them.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

22 December 08
Statement on AbitibiBowater
We are aware of media reports that the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador has taken action, including passing legislation, to take control of assets relating to AbitibiBowater’s operations in the province. We are currently in the process of collecting more information regarding the matter, and have been in contact with federal, provincial, and company officials. We are always concerned whenever U.S. companies operating overseas encounter difficulties, whether commercial or legal, and we are following closely the action that the provincial government appears to have taken in this case. [more] .

18 December 08
Ambassador Kelly Discusses Pathways to Progress in the Americas
Ask America webchat transcript, December 18
Ambassador Craig Kelly, principal deputy assistant secretary of state for Western Hemisphere affairs, answered questions in a December 18 webchat on the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas initiative and steps being taken to strengthen trade partnerships in the Americas.
Follow the link for the transcript: [more] .

18 December 08
Department of Homeland Security Expands Collection of Biometrics for Visitors
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that it is expanding the categories of non-U.S. citizens required to provide digital fingerprints and a photograph upon entry to the United States through the US VISIT program. US VISIT records biographic and biometric information to conduct security checks and verify the identities of international visitors to the United States. Expanding enrollment in US VISIT is a positive step forward in a process designed to further improve public safety and national security while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system. Linking a person’s biometric information to his or her travel documents reduces the risk that a traveler’s identity or documents could be intentionally misused by someone attempting to gain entry into the United States. [more] .

11 December 08
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative Deadline Approaches
The Department of State recommends that travelers apply now for travel documents that will be required at all land or sea border entry points as of June 1, 2009. On that date, under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) U.S. citizens will be required to present a government-approved document that denotes both citizenship and identity when entering the United States. [more] .

10 December 08
Brigadier General (Ret.) Howard on the History of Terrorism
Brigadier General (Ret.) Howard was in Toronto to speak on the history of terrorism. Brigadier General Howard is a Faculty Associate at the University of Montana’s Defense Critical Language/Culture Program and a Joint Special Operations University (JSOU) senior fellow. Previously he was the director of the Jebsen Center for Counter Terrorism Studies at the Fletcher School at Tufts University. Other past positions include Head of the Department of Social Sciences and director of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point. [podcast] [biography] .

10 December 08
Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas Initiative
On September 24, 2008, leaders from Canada and other countries in the Western Hemisphere that have signed free trade agreements with the U.S. met in New York to announce the launch of the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas initiative. Pathways will deepen existing partnerships and cooperation to ensure that the benefits of free trade and open investment are broadly shared throughout our societies. Ministers from the Pathways countries held a follow-up meeting on December 10, 2008, hosted by the Government of Panama. [more] .

WHA Ambassador's Live Forum on December 05, 2008

Assistant Secretary for Western Hemishpere Affairs Thomas A. Shannon, Department of State and the U.S. Ambassadors to the nations of the Western Hemisphere.
Please join us live at 9am on Friday, December 5th for a presentation webcast from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in Washington D.C. on "U.S. Diplomacy in the Americas: A Conversation with the Diplomatic Corps" featuring Assistant Secretary for Western Hemishpere Affairs Thomas A. Shannon, Department of State and the U.S. Ambassadors to the nations of the Western Hemisphere who will convene to discuss the administration's accomplishments and progress in the region as well as the challenges ahead. Following the event, selected Ambassadors will be participating via webchat with listeners from around the region. [more] [webchat signup]

Request For Quotations
Quotations are due by 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9, 2008.
The U.S. Consulate General, Vancouver, BC, has issued a Request for Quotations for the supply and installation of Shatter-Resistant Window Film at office premises located in downtown Vancouver, BC. [more information].

3-5 December 08


Alliance of Youth Movements Summit
Facebook, Google, YouTube, MTV, Howcast, Columbia Law School and the U.S. Department of State Convene the Alliance of Youth Movements Summit; Dec. 3-5 Summit in New York to Bring Together Global Youth Groups, Tech Experts to Counter Violence and Extremism. [more] [webchat] [website - live stream].

November 2008

Sixty Years: Celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. An eJournal from the Department of State, November 2008.
This issue of eJournal USA celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It explores the document’s origins, sites it within humanity’s common intellectual heritage, and explains how it has bettered the lives of individuals in every corner of the globe.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

30 November 08
Statement by the Press Secretary
President Bush has asked Secretary Rice to travel to India this week in the wake of the terror attacks that killed nearly 200 people, including 6 American citizens. Secretary Rice will depart tonight on already scheduled travel to London. She will attend the NATO meeting on Tuesday, and then proceed to India, arriving in New Dehli on Wednesday.

Secretary Rice's visit to India is a further demonstration of the United States' commitment to stand in solidarity with the people of India as we all work together to hold these extremists accountable.

28 November 08
Statement by the President on Horrific Attacks in Mumbai
President Bush - Laura and I are deeply saddened that at least two Americans were killed and others injured in Wednesday's horrific attack in Mumbai. We also mourn the great loss of life suffered by so many people from several other countries, and we have the wounded in our thoughts and prayers.

My Administration has been working with the Indian government and the international community as Indian authorities work to ensure the safety of those still under threat. We will continue to cooperate against these extremists who offer nothing but violence and hopelessness. Related:
U.S. condemns terrorist attack, stands ready to assist India.

26 November 08
White House statement on Mumbai terrorist attacks
President Bush offers his condolences to the Indian people and the families of the innocent civilians killed and injured in the attacks in Mumbai, India. The United States condemns this terrorist attack and we will continue to stand with the people of India in this time of tragedy.

This afternoon, the White House National Security Council convened officials from counterterrorism and intelligence agencies as well as the State and Defense Departments. The U.S. government continues to monitor the situation, including the safety and security of our citizens, and stands ready to assist and support the Indian government.

26 November 08
President-elect Barack Obama’s statement on the terrorist attacks in Mumbai
"President-elect Obama strongly condemns today's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and his thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the people of India. These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism. The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks. We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks," said Brooke Anderson, Chief National Security Spokesperson.

25 November 08
President-elect Obama Selects Federal Budget Director.
President-elect says budget review essential to funding economic recovery.
Washington — President-elect Barack Obama announced his choices to run the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), selecting Peter Orszag as director and Robert Nabors as deputy director, and said his administration would be closely reviewing the federal budget to make it “more efficient and more effective at serving the American people.” [more].

24 November 08
President-elect Obama Announces Top Economic Advisers
Washington — Responding to what he describes as “an economic crisis of historic proportions,” President-elect Barack Obama announced key members of his economic team, including Timothy Geithner as secretary of the treasury, his first official Cabinet nomination. [more].

24 November 08
President Bush Meets with Prime Minister Harper of Canada at APEC
PRESIDENT BUSH: I'm pleased to be with a good friend and a strong leader, Prime Minister Stephen Harper. It's been a joy to work with you. And we've accomplished a lot together, relations between the United States and Canada are strong -- sometimes complicated, but nevertheless based on common values. [more] [In Focus: APEC 2008] .

Sixty Years: Celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. An eJournal from the Department of State, November 2008.
This issue of eJournal USA celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It explores the document’s origins, sites it within humanity’s common intellectual heritage, and explains how it has bettered the lives of individuals in every corner of the globe.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

21 November 08
Alliance of Youth Movements Summit
Facebook, Google, YouTube, MTV, Howcast, Columbia Law School and the U.S. Department of State Convene the Alliance of Youth Movements Summit; Dec. 3-5 Summit in New York to Bring Together Global Youth Groups, Tech Experts to Counter Violence and Extremism. [more].

19 November 08
Status of Four Domestic Terrorism Fugitives
Washington Foreign Press Center Briefing with Arthur M. Commings II, Executive Director, National Security Branch, Federal Bureu of Investigation (FBI); and William G. McMahon, Deputy Assistant Direct (West), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) on the 'Status of Four Domestic Terrorism Fugitives Who Are Believed to Have Fled the United States and Are Hiding Internationally; The Four Are Wanted in Connection with 'Operation Backfire''. [Listen to briefing - 15mb] [Transcript] [Video].

17 November 08
Obama Will Appoint Thousands to Government Positions
Washington — President-elect Barack Obama will appoint thousands of people to important government positions in his administration, but more than 2.6 million employees of the federal government will continue in the jobs they now hold. [more].

15 November 08
Large World Economies Agree to Boost Growth, Tackle Crisis
Leaders vow to cooperate, call for revival of Doha trade negotiations.
Washington - Leaders of 20 of the world’s largest economies vowed to reform the global financial system and take action against the economic slowdown. [more].

13 November 08
Publication - Barack Obama: 44th President of the United States
Barack Obama, elected the 44th President of the United States, has lived a truly American life, and has opened a new chapter in American politics. This publication tells the story of Obama’s life, describes how he captured the presidency, and portrays his vision for the future. It also introduces readers to the Obama family and to the new Vice President, Joseph Biden. [more].

13 November 08
Washington Prepares for Global Economic Summit
Washington — Leaders of the Group of 20 countries will dine at the White House and meet at Washington’s National Building Museum November 14–15 to discuss reforms of the global financial system. All of the “Group of 20” heads of state are expected. The G20 was established in 1999, during the last financial crisis with worldwide effects, and includes developed and emerging market economies, whose finance ministers and central bank governors already regularly meet. Members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States, plus the European Union. [more].

10 November 08
United States Sends Rescue, Engineering Teams to Haiti: Teams work to search for survivors of school collapse. For more details, visit http://www.america.gov/st/peacesec-english/.

07 November 08
The official website of the U.S. Presidential Transition Change.Gov, is now available.

07 November 08
Crowds Electrified by Obama Win
Crowds spontaneously wept, cheered and danced in the streets of Washington, D.C. as they embraced news of Barack Obama's historic victory as the next president of the United States (watch video below).

05 November 08
Barack Obama Elected 44th President of United States
Barack Obama, unknown to most Americans just four years ago, will become the 44th president and the first African-American president of the United States. Obama, a senator from Illinois, and his running mate Joe Biden will take the oath of office on January 20, 2009. [more] [america.gov blog].

05 November 08
The Victory and Concession Speeches
To read President Elect - Barack Obama's Victory Speech -
Click Here.
To read Senator John McCain's Concession Speech -
Click Here.

05 November 08
President Bush Discusses Presidential Election
THE PRESIDENT: Good morning. Last night, I had a warm conversation with President-elect Barack Obama. I congratulated him and Senator Biden on their impressive victory. I told the President-elect he can count on complete cooperation from my administration as he makes the transition to the White House. [more].

October 2008

The Candidates. An eJournal from the Department of State, October 2008.
Every presidential campaign is dramatic and historic, but as the fervor surrounding the 2008 election continues to build, U.S. voters and the rest of the world will want to consider the candidates’ personal histories more closely. What sort of people rise to the top in the U.S. political system, what are their attributes, their sensibilities, and their strengths?
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

30 October 08
Arctic Trip - North Warning System
From October 7 to 10, Terry Breese, the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) of the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa, traveled to the Arctic region of Canada to view first-hand the "North Warning System" (NWS) that Canada and the United States operate as part of their joint defense of North America. This was the first Arctic visit for a DCM, and Breese covered over 5400 miles during the four-day trip. [more]

27 October 08
US Embassy Ottawa is now on Twitter
The U.S. Embassy Ottawa now uses Twitter to provide you with short, concise updates from the Embassy. Our screen name is usembassyottawa and you can find us on Twitter at... [twitter homepage] [more] .

21 October 08
Interview with Consul General, Phillip Chicola
Consul General Phillip Chicola discusses US/Canada relations, the economy, elections, Latin America. He is interviewed by Public Affairs Officer Indran Amirthanayagam. [Listen to Podcast].

17 October 08
Building Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas
Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and the United States expressed a clear commitment to go beyond our trade accords and to ensure that the benefits of free trade are more broadly shared throughout our societies. This is an opportunity to begin a broader dialogue about our social and economic development agenda, our larger social justice agenda, built around trading relationships. [Full text]

16 October 08
Today is World Food Day
World Food Day was proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It marks the date of the founding of FAO in 1945. The aim of the Day is to heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. In 1980, the General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a fundamental human necessity."
[eJournal] [USAID].

15 October 08
G8 Leaders Statement on the Global Economy
We, the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the President of the European Commission, are united in our commitment to fulfill our shared responsibility to resolve the current crisis, strengthen our financial institutions, restore confidence in the financial system, and provide a sound economic footing for our citizens and businesses. [more]

02-03 October 08
Amin Tarzi Speaks About Afghanistan
Afghan analyst Amin Tarzi directs Middle East Studies at the Marine Corps University. During an October 2-3 visit to Vancouver, he gave a passionate defense for staying the course in Afghanistan in an intense day and a half of meetings with journalists, students, Afghan immigrants and researchers in South Asia. His audiences heard at first hand about Tarzi’s recent trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan. Tarzi commented that assuaging Pakistan about the disputed border with Afghanistan—by working to eliminate Afghan claims to Pakistani territory-- would be key to future regional stability. He suggested that talk of « winning » the war in Afghanistan is misguided. Rather, we should talk of enabling the Afghan government, army and police to establish order in the country. Tarzi’s visit enabled the Consulate General to make contact with key future opinionmakers, namely the graduate journalism students at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and the University of British Columbia (UBC). It also allowed us to continue conversations with Canadian immigrants, in this case members of Vancouver’s Afghan community. [Slideshow] [Podcast].

03 October 08
President Bush Signs Great Lakes Compact
The Great Lakes Governors today applauded President George W. Bush for signing a joint resolution of Congress providing consent to the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact. The President’s action marks the final step in the Compact’s approval process thus enabling these historic protections to become law. [more].

September 2008

30 September 08
Presidential Message: Eid al-Fitr I send greetings to Muslims everywhere celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the Festival of Breaking the Fast.

During the three-day festival of Eid al-Fitr, Muslims celebrate the completion of their fast and the blessings of a renewed faith. On this special occasion, families and friends around the globe gather to share traditional foods and congratulate each other on meeting the test of Ramadan.

Our Nation has millions of citizens who practice Islam, and our country benefits from their many contributions. This holiday is also an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on Islam's vibrant culture, which has enriched civilization for centuries.

Laura and I send our best wishes. Eid Mubarak. GEORGE W. BUSH

26 September 08
Dr. Stephen Blank on North American Integration
Stephen Blank recently spoke on North American Integration at the U.S. Consulate General in Vancouver.

Stephen Blank is Co-Chair of the North American Transportation Competitiveness Research Council. He recently retired as a professor of international business and management at Pace University's Lubin School of Business. Previously, he served as director of the Lubin Center for International Business Development and founded the Pan American Partnership for Business Education, an alliance of four North American business schools. Dr. Blank is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the North American Forum on Integration. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. [Podcast] | [Biography].

24 September 08
Pathways to Prosperty in the Americas: President Bush Discusses Free Trade with Western Hemsiphere President George W. Bush met this morning with leaders and representatives from eleven countries in the Western Hemisphere with which the U.S has negotiated free trade agreements to launch the Pathways to Prosperity in the Americas initiative. Pathways will deepen existing partnerships and cooperation to ensure that the benefits of free trade and open investment are broadly shared throughout our societies. The leaders recognized the progress that has been made in the hemisphere to reduce poverty, open economies, and strengthen democracies. President's statement.

16 September 08
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Launches WHTI Advertising Campaign in Canada
Washington — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection is launching a television and print advertising campaign in Canada today to remind the Canadian public about travel document requirements for entry into the U.S. that go into effect on June 1, 2009. [more].

11 September 08
Kearsarge Continues to Support Relief Operations in Haiti
USS KEARSARGE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) continued her support of disaster relief efforts in Haiti Sept. 10, providing logistical support to remote areas hit hardest by this season's tropical storms and hurricanes. On the second day of operations, Sept. 9, pilots from Marine Heavy Helicopter (HMH) Squadron 464 flew relief missions to Jeremie and Les Cayes, delivering approximately 45 metric tons of pre-packaged food such as flour, beans, rice and high-energy biscuits from the World Food Program. [more].

09 September
Western Hemisphere Nations Consider Disaster Response
Washington — With the hurricane season in full swing in the Western Hemisphere, it seemed appropriate that the 34 countries that came together for the eighth Conference of the Defence Ministers of the Americas (CDMA) called for better planning and coordination in dealing with natural disasters. That call was one of several issues outlined in the final communiqué for the September 2-6 conference. [More]

09 September
Major Scott Taylor of Westpoint Military Academy
Major James Scott Taylor, Jr.,Deputy Director of the Combating Terrorism Center United States Military Academy (Westpoint), is being hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa and the U.S. Consulate General in Halifax the week of September 8 through 12, 2008. He is meeting with academic, government and military groups to discuss the history of terrorism and the work of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point Military Academy.

Major Taylor was commissioned into the United States Army in January 1996 as a Field Artillery officer. He has served as a Fire Support Officer at every level from tank company to division headquarters. He commanded Battery E, 7th Field Artillery, 10th Mountain Division from August 2002 until June 2004. He twice deployed to Afghanistan as part of the Global War on Terror. . [More - Biography] [Podcast]

09 September 08
United States Withdrawing 8,000 Troops from Iraq by February
Washington — Improving security across Iraq, coupled with a sustained reduction in the levels of violence, is making it possible for the United States to reduce its forces by nearly 8,000 personnel by February 2009. "While the enemy in Iraq is still dangerous, we have seized the offensive, and Iraqi forces are becoming increasingly capable of leading and winning the fight," President Bush said. [more].

August 2008

18 August 08
NATO Ministers Weigh Response to Georgia Crisis
Alliance meets in Brussels to reconsider relationship with Moscow.
Washington -- NATO’s 26 foreign ministers will meet in an emergency session to underline the alliance’s commitment to Georgia's future and weigh future relations with Russia in the wake of its air and ground attack on the emerging South Caucasus democracy.
“Right now, we're focused very heavily on getting Russian forces out of Georgia, getting the cease-fire to hold, helping the Georgian people,” Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in an August 17 interview on NBC Television’s Meet the Press. “Georgia will rebuild. Russia's reputation may not be rebuilt.” [more] [related].

Freedom of Faith. An eJournal from the Department of State, August 2008.
The principle of religious freedom is a cherished right in the United States, one that has historical roots older than the formation of the nation itself. In the 21st century, the United States pulses with a unique cultural chemistry brought on by a wave of immigration which has brought followers of more diverse faiths to many communities. This edition of eJournal USA examines how the nation adjusts to these demographic changes to remain true to the principles of freedom of faith.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

11 August 08
Two Scientific Cruises to Map Arctic Seafloor
The U.S. Extended Continental Shelf Task Force, chaired by the Department of State, plans two Arctic cruises by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy this summer, one of which will be conducted in collaboration with the Government of Canada. The cruises are part of an interagency effort to collect scientific data about the continental shelf and oceanic basins in the Arctic.
The first cruise, August 14 to September 5 from Barrow, Alaska, will employ a sophisticated echo sounder that will collect data to create a three-dimensional map of the Arctic seafloor in an area known as the Chukchi Cap. This cruise is led by the University of New Hampshire’s Joint Hydrographic Center, with support from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [more].

July 2008

National Parks, National Legacy. An eJournal from the Department of State, July 2008.
The people of the United States own and protect a sprawling system of national parks, including seashores, trails, monuments, and battlefields. All American citizens are, in a sense, stewards of sites where history unfolded, where mountains soar, and where rivers run. They keep these parks for the future, and they treasure them today. As former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt said, “There is nothing so American as our national parks. The scenery and wildlife are native. The fundamental idea behind the parks is native. It is, in brief, that the country belongs to the people.” This edition of eJournalUSA presents glorious views of the national parks, the history of this vast system, and its mission of conservation and public access.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

24 July 08
Noah Budnick from Transportation Alternative talks with the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa
As Transportation Alternatives (T.A.) Deputy Director, Noah Budnick oversees and coordinates T.A.’s advocacy and media campaigns to improve and increase walking and biking in New York City.  Mr. Budnick is T.A.’s senior advocate and has worked with scores of New York City community organizations and elected and government officials to make walking and cycling safer and easier in New York City. [read more] [podcast].

24 July 08
90 Billion Barrels of Oil and 1,670 Trillion Cubic Feet of Natural Gas Assessed in the Arctic
USGS – A new Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal from the U.S. Geological Survey gives estimates of undiscovered oil and gas north of the Arctic Circle.
[Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal] [Press Release].

23 July 08
U.S. Environment Agency Seeks To Regulate Carbon Dioxide Storage
Three projects in the United States and Canada will conduct large-volume tests for storing 1 million or more tons of CO2 in deep saline aquifers -- porous rock formations deep in the earth whose pores contain salty water and can be filled with CO2.

Twenty-seven states and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba plan to participate in the projects. They will demonstrate the entire CO2 injection process at large volumes to determine the capacity of different geologic settings to store CO2 permanently. [more]

20 July 08
Pacific Partnership Medical Civic Action Program
GLENO, Timor-Leste - Canadian Air Force Cpl. Jessica Labelle, from Ontario, Canada, checks a patients pulse at a Pacific Partnership Medical Civic Action Program. This mission is in support of and in cooperation with the government of Timor-Leste. In addition to the United States, representatives from Australia, India, Indonesia, Portugal, Canada, and the Republic of Korea and many non-governmental organizations. U.S. Navy Photo By Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Joseph Seavey.

09 July 08
July 4 Celebrations - Ottawa - A salute to the Military
July 4, 2008 - (Pictured left) A fly over during the July 4 celebrations at the Ambassador's residence in Ottawa. The formation of 2 CF-18s from 3rd Wing Bagotville and 2 F-16s from the 169th Fighter Wing, South Carolina Air National Guard perform an aerial salute to the 50th Anniversary of NORAD. [Remarks] [Larger Photo]

08 July 08
The G8 Summit 2008 in Hokkaido, Toyako, Japan July 6-9
The Group of Eight (G8) Summit is an annual meeting attended by the leaders of the eight countries, namely, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, and the President of the European Commission. Follow the links for more information:
- Whitehouse.gov coverage
- Official G8 Website

02 July 08
Presidential Message, Independence Day 2008
GEORGE W. BUSH - I send greetings to all Americans on Independence Day.

More than two centuries ago, bold and courageous visionaries pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor in signing the Declaration of Independence. Guided by ancient and eternal truths, our forefathers proclaimed to the world that liberty was the natural right of all mankind and in doing so began one of the greatest chapters in human history. On the Fourth of July, our country commemorates the great achievements of these heroes and reaffirms its unwavering confidence in the power of freedom.

It was the desire for freedom that inspired our Founding Fathers, and it is the belief in the universality of freedom that guides our Nation. On this occasion, we pay special tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces, both past and present, who have answered freedom's call and defended the values that make America the greatest country on earth.

May God bless America.

June 2008

Markets and Democracy. An eJournal from the Department of State, June 2008.
The connection between markets and democracy has never been a straight line. Since the 1700s economic thinkers have been debating this complex relationship. Is it possible to have free markets without democracy? Which develops first? Can the incentive of economic growth lead to greater democracy in countries that are not democratic? The 12 international experts we’ve assembled in this issue take up different aspects of the conundrum and offer their answers to these questions. Our goal, however, is not to resolve a centuries-old intellectual debate but to deepen our readers’ understanding about the nuances of what is undeniably a matter of importance for everybody in the world today.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

27 June 08
United States, Mexican and Canadian Environmental Leaders Reaffirm Commitment
Ottawa, June 26, 2008 - Continuing efforts to strengthen environmental policy and collaboration in North America, EPA Administrator Stephen L. Johnson joined his counterparts from Mexico and Canada for the 15th Council Session of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC). This organization was created by Canada, Mexico and the United States to address regional environmental concerns. [More]

11 June 08
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters in Ottawa for Trilateral Meetings
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary Peters made a highly successful trip to Ottawa on June 9-10 to attend the Trilateral Transportation meeting with Canadian Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon and Mexican Secretary of Communications and Transportation Luis Tellez. The three ministers reviewed progress since the first Trilateral Transportation meeting in Tucson in April 2007. They discussed how to improve the safety, security, and efficiency of North American transportation systems; ensure the adoption of new technologies and procedures, and investments in infrastructure improvements; improve inter-modal connections; and expand the capacity of freight and passenger transportation systems in partnership with private stakeholders, while minimizing the impact on the environment.

05 June 08
World Environment Day Urges “Kick the Carbon Habit”
Lowering carbon consumption to preserve life is theme of U.N. event -- When World Environment Day was inaugurated by the U.N. General Assembly in 1972, few realized how critical an issue the environment still would be three decades later.
“Climate change is becoming the defining issue of our era,” according to the U.N. Environment Programme (UNEP), and for that reason the emphasis for 2008 is promoting ways to live sustainably and stop practices that contribute to climate change.
“Our world is in the grip of a dangerous carbon habit,” U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said in his message introducing the theme, “Kick the carbon habit: toward a low carbon economy.“
[More]
[World Environment Day website]

May 2008

20 May 08
Environmental Protection Agency's Report on the Environment 2008
EPA is announcing the release of the final version of EPA’s 2008 Report on the Environment (ROE). EPA’s ROE uses scientifically sound indicators to address questions that EPA believes to be fundamental to its mission to protect human health and the environment. EPA believes that paying close attention to trends in such indicators serves two key purposes: it provides valuable input to EPA in developing its strategic outlook and priorities, and allows EPA and the public to assess whether the Agency is succeeding in its overall mission. EPA prepared this Report on the Environment (ROE) to accomplish these purposes. [More].

Venture Capital Meets Hi-Tech. An eJournal from the Department of State, May 2008.
This eJournal explores the phenomenon that drives uncounted Americans — and now citizens of other nations — to create fledgling “start-up” businesses that explore and exploit the latest developments in high technology. It also investigates the closely related “venture capital” phenomenon. How investors match their funds to (hopefully) winning ideas is a big part of the start-up story.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

14 May 08
U.S. adds Polar Bears to List of Threatened Species
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne today announced that he is accepting the recommendation of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dale Hall to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The listing is based on the best available science, which shows that loss of sea ice threatens and will likely continue to threaten polar bear habitat. This loss of habitat puts polar bears at risk of becoming endangered in the foreseeable future, the standard established by the ESA for designating a threatened species. [More].

13 May 08
U.S. Announces Additional $13 Million in Humanitarian Assistance to Burma
USAID Administrator Fore traveled to the cyclone-stricken region of Southeast Asia, and announced the U.S. will provide an additional $13 million in food and logistical assistance to the UN Food Program for relief operations in Burma, bringing total U.S. Government monetary assistance made available to date to $16.25 million. [More].

12 May 08
NORAD celebrates 50th anniversary - May 12
PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. — North American Aerospace Defense Command is celebrating a milestone this year, 50 years of a rich and colorful history between two countries that formally acknowledged a mutual commitment to defend their citizens from air attacks.

Although NORAD originally stood up at Ent Air Force Base, Colo., on Sept 12, 1957, the official agreement between the Canadian and U.S. governments that created the command was signed on May 12, 1958. [More].

08 May 08
Minister Baird and Secretary Kempthorne Hold Bilateral Meeting
OTTAWA — Canada's Minister of the Environment, John Baird, held a bilateral meeting earlier today with U.S. Secretary of the Interior, Dirk Kempthorne. The Minister and Secretary were also joined by the President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, Mary Simon, as well as a number of officials from both countries.

"Today's bilateral meeting included a number of cross-border issues, including the recent announcement by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) on the status of the polar bear, and other important issues that cross the 49th parallel," said Minister Baird. [More].

April 2008

The Olympic Experience. An eJournal from the Department of State, April 2008.
The Olympic Games remind us of certain universal human values. Every Olympian has a story that echoes the shared human struggle for excellence and our devotion to pursue purpose in life. In this issue of eJournal USA, we celebrate the Olympics through the individual experiences and insights of athletes who share their memories of the Olympic Experience.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

24 April 08
Proposed DHS Changes To Exit Procedures And Residents Of Canada
Ottawa, April 24, 2008 - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today a notice of proposed rulemaking that will establish biometric exit procedures at all U.S air and sea ports of departure. The majority of non-U.S. citizens are already required to submit digital fingerprints and a digital photograph for admission into the country. The US-VISIT Exit proposal would require non-U.S. citizens who provide biometric identifiers for admission to also provide digital fingerprints when departing the country from any air or sea ports of departure.
[More]

21-22 April 08
The North American Leaders' Summit on April 21-22 in New Orleans
The North American Leaders' Summit on April 21-22 in New Orleans. This fourth meeting of North American leaders since 2005 will continue our work on Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) initiatives. It will also serve as an opportunity for the three leaders to discuss hemispheric and global issues of importance to North America. [More] [Joint Statement]

18 April 08
United States Values Strong Ties with Canada, Mexico - North American leaders meet at Security and Prosperity Partnership.
Washington -- The United States has no closer neighbors than Canada and Mexico, says Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, making the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America a unique regional forum on trade and security issues.
“The relationship between the United States, Canada and Mexico is one of the most critical from the point of view of American foreign policy,” Rice says. [More] [New Orleans SPP].

17 April 08
April 22 is World Earth Day - Earth Day, April 22, is the annual celebration of the environment and a time to assess the work still needed to protect the natural gifts of our planet. Earth Day has no central organizing force behind it though several nongovernmental organizations work to keep track of the thousands of local events in schools and parks that mark the day. Earth Day is observed around the world, although nowhere is it a national holiday. In the United States, it affirms that environmental awareness is part of the country's consciousness and that the idea of protecting the environment - once the province of a few conservationists - has moved from the extreme to the mainstream of American thought [More] [earthday.gov] [america.gov].

16 April 08
President Bush Discusses Climate Change - "Tomorrow represents -- representatives of the world's major economies will gather in Paris to discuss climate change. Here in Washington, the debate about climate change is intensifying. Today, I'll share some views on this important issue to advance discussions both at home and abroad" [read more] [fact sheet].

10 April 08

The U.S. Mission to Canada is pleased to announce the newest Virtual Presence Post - Southwest Ontario Gateway.

10 April 08
Canadaian Parliamentary Review - Interview with the Canadian and American Ambassadors.
The United States and Canada share not only a long border but their histories, economies, societies and interests are intertwined. At the centre of the relationship are the Ambassadors of the two countries, David H. Wilkins and Michael Wilson. They were interviewed separately in January 2008. Their thoughts on the various issues have been combined into a single interview [The Interview].

March 2008

The Greening of U.S. Corporations. An eJournal from the Department of State, March 2008.
This issue of eJournal USA delves into what those familiar with the history of the environmental movement in the United States might see as a surprising trend — the way U.S. corporations in recent years have embraced environmentally friendly ways of doing business. What prompts a corporation to “go green”?
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

25 March 08
U.S. Supports Albania, Croatia, Macedonia for NATO Membership
Washington -- NATO's security mission today essentially is unchanged from the day it was founded -- providing for the defense of its members. "But how NATO fulfills this mission is evolving," says a senior U.S. diplomat.

NATO is confronting new responsibilities in a new era and must adapt. "It is now evolving into its 21st-century role: defending the trans-Atlantic community against new threats and meeting challenges to our security and values that are often global in scope," Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried says. [More]

19 March 08
Remarks Prepared for Delivery by Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey at the Cross Border Crime Forum - Quebec
Department of Justice -- The United States and Canada share an extensive border, a long history of friendship, and convenient access that has encouraged the free flow of commerce and visitors. But that convenience also allows for easy access to criminals. Our success in stopping them depends on close collaboration among all levels of law enforcement, domestically and internationally. It depends on the enthusiasm and information sharing that come out of meetings like this one. [More]

11 March 08
Spectacular Night Launch Sends Japan, Canada Devices to Station
Washington -- Two launches within three days are sending equipment and astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS), which will represent for the first time the interests of all five space station partners -- the United States, Japan, Canada, Russia and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Space shuttle Endeavour’s spectacular night launch from the Kennedy Space Center lit up the east coast of Florida in the pre-dawn hours of March 11, on a mission that includes delivery of the first pressurized component of the Japanese Kibo laboratory, a two-armed Canadian robotic device called Dextre and five spacewalks. [More]

10 March 08
Annual Report:
2008 Trade Policy Agenda and 2007 Annual Report

04 March 08
United States Trade Representative:
USTR Disappointed with Mixed Tribunal Decision on Softwood Lumber [more]

February 2008

29 February 08
On February 29, the Canadian School of Public Service located in Ottawa, Ontario invited the Minister-Counselor for Political Affairs, Scott Bellard, to deliver an insightful presentation on the dynamic relationship between Canada and the United States. As part of a larger workshop entitled “How Washington Works,” Bellard educated key Canadian public servants and executives on the vibrant relationship that exists between both countries. After an in-depth presentation, Bellard fielded questions on multilateral issues such as North American border security, trade, territorial sovereignty, and the diplomatic dialogue that occurs between Canada and the United States. This discussion left workshop participants with a deeper understanding of one of the world’s greatest success stories in foreign relations.

28 February 08
Joint Statement by Ministers Responsible for the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America: In preparation for our leaders’ meeting in New Orleans on April 21-22, we, the ministers responsible for the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) met in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, to review progress on the five priorities identified by leaders in Montebello and to discuss cooperative approaches to common challenges and opportunities. [Read More]

22 February 08
Each February, Black History Month honors the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens as well as their contributions to the nation’s cultural and political life. In the photo at left, Martin Luther King Jr. (left), Fred Shuttlesworth (center) and Ralph Abernathy, pivotal leaders of the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 1960s, hold a press conference in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1963. All were Baptist ministers who led churches in Alabama. In the United States, black churches provided leadership to their communities; church leaders headed the civil rights movement as well.
Related:
- More on Black History Month
- Celebrating Black History Month at the Department of State
- Photo Gallery

05 February 08
Presidential Message: Lunar New Year 2008.
I send greetings to those celebrating the Lunar New Year, the Year of the Rat.
Throughout our country and around the world, men and women of Asian descent welcome the Lunar New Year with a spirit of giving and renewed hope. [Read More]

Immigrants Joining the Mainstream. An eJournal from the Department of State, February 2008.
Immigrants made the United States what it is. Being an American depends on acceptance of certain American ideals, not on the place of birth of a person or of his or her ancestors. This edition of eJournal USA tells the story of immigration and diversity as it has played out through the centuries and continues to play out now.
Click here for earlier editions of eJournal.

January 2008

31 January 08
The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa would like to remind travelers as of January 31, 2008, individuals crossing the border will be asked to present documents denoting citizenship and identity when entering the United States through land and sea ports of entry. This change primarily affects American and Canadian citizens, who have previously been permitted entry by oral declaration alone, and marks the transition toward standard and consistent documents for all travelers entering the United States. [More] [What documents are needed?] [FAQs] [Press Release]

30 January 08
The President spoke today with Prime Minister Harper of Canada to discuss Afghanistan. The Prime Minister outlined his government's response to the recently-released report of the Independent Panel on Canada's Role in Afghanistan, the Manley Panel. [More]

28 January 08
President outlines priorities for final year in State of the Union address.
“Our foreign policy is based on a clear premise: We trust that people, when given the chance, will choose a future of freedom and peace,” President Bush says in his final State of the Union address. Bush also is seeking a boost in U.S. foreign aid funding to help developing countries realize democracy’s benefits. [More] [Full transcript]

14 January 08
2007: U.S. Demonstrates Historic Commitment in Western Hemisphere
The year 2007 was one of positive and comprehensive U.S. engagement in the Western Hemisphere. Our engagement was built on the four pillars of our Americas policy: consolidating democracy, promoting prosperity, investing in people, and protecting the security of the democratic state. [More]

The Next New Thing. An eJournal from the Department of State, January 2008.
Innovation is the art of creating something new, and everyday in the U.S. and around the world, scientists, students, and everyday people are working to bring to life an idea that it theirs alone. This edition of eJournal USA tells the story of innovators and their creations.

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