http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2009-11-07T00:24:20+00:00 Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary | Behind the Scenes Photos

About the Author: Robert Wood serves as State Department Deputy Spokesman.

The Secretary started her day with a visit to the peace memorial in the heart of Nairobi at the site of the former American Embassy where the Secretary remembered the tragedy of the bombing 11 years ago. She then moved to the University of Nairobi where she participated in a town hall with university students, members of civil society and sponsored by Kenyan television networks and CNN.

She then moved to the new American Embassy where she conducted a bilateral with Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, the president of the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia. Sheikh Sharif gave the Secretary an update on the situation on the ground in Somalia. The United States has provided significant support to the TFG and to AMISOM, the AU mission. The Secretary and President discussed ways in which the United States can help the TFG expand its capacity, including the areas of education and healthcare.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_kenya/ 2009-08-06T23:02:24+00:00 Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary

About the Author: Robert Wood serves as Acting Department Spokesman and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.

Today, at the invitation of Mexican Foreign Secretary Patricia Espinosa, Secretary Clinton departs for Mexico, where she will visit Mexico City and Monterrey. You may follow the Secretary’s travels via an interactive map on state.gov featuring the latest video, photos, and remarks. As you follow along, feel free to text the Secretary your questions about her trip.

We recently asked you on DipNote and Facebook what you would identify as one of the most important aspects of the United States’ relationship with Mexico. Many of you mentioned security and transnational crime. While in Mexico, Secretary Clinton will discuss the Merida Initiative, a multi-year program that demonstrates our commitment to work in partnership with governments in Mexico, Central America, the Dominican Republic and Haiti to confront criminal organizations whose illicit actions undermine public safety, erode the rule of law and threaten the national security of the United States.

Though security is an important issue, it is one of many on the agenda. The Secretary will discuss a broad range of bilateral and international issues, as U.S. relations with Mexico have a direct impact on the lives and livelihoods of millions of Americans. I know firsthand how important our relationship with Mexico is. Mexico City was my first posting as a junior Foreign Service Officer. Though I have returned to Mexico since those days, it has been almost twenty years since I’ve been to Mexico City. I’m curious to see how the city has changed, and I’m looking forward to seeing colleagues at the embassy. Check back here on DipNote for updates about the trip.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_departs_for_mexico/ 2009-03-25T18:20:40+00:00 Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary

About the Author: Robert Wood serves as Acting Department Spokesman and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.

The Secretary’s plane is taxing down the runway en route to Egypt. My colleagues are reading briefing papers, listening to iPods and catching a few hours of sleep. Many of us haven’t fully unpacked from travel to Asia last week, but the purpose of this trip has kept the team’s energy levels high.

In Egypt, the Secretary will participate in the Gaza donor’s conference being held in Sharm el-Sheikh. Leaders from around the world will assemble at the conference to address the immediate humanitarian concerns in the Gaza Strip. Addressing the pressing needs in Gaza is important to the United States. We also want to move forward the comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace that President Obama spoke about when he and Secretary Clinton named Senator Mitchell as Special Envoy for Middle East Peace. After visiting Egypt, Secretary Clinton will visit Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Later in the week, the Secretary will travel to Brussels, where she will meet with NATO and EU foreign ministers. She’ll then go to Ankara, where she’ll meet with senior Turkish officials. Along the way, you will be hearing from State Department employees who have worked on various aspects of the Secretary’s trip.

Many of you are accustomed to following the Secretary’s travels here on DipNote. This time, you may also follow her travels via a new interactive map on state.gov featuring the Secretary’s latest video, photos, and remarks. As you follow along, feel free to text the Secretary questions about her travel. We look forward to hearing from you.
]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_departs_for_middle_east_europe/ 2009-03-01T19:11:36+00:00 About the Author: Robert Wood serves as Acting Department Spokesman and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.

We're aboard the Secretary's plane en route to Asia. This is Secretary Clinton's first trip abroad since she took office, and it will include visits to Japan, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and China. On Friday, the Secretary previewed the trip for reporters following her remarks at the Asia Society in New York.

The mood on the plane is enthusiastic, even though many are still hard at work on last minute details. Secretary Clinton spoke to reporters on board the aircraft en route to a refueling stop in Alaska. She addressed a number of issues, including climate change, North Korea, Russia and human rights.

You will be hearing from me and others throughout this week, so check back on DipNote frequently for updates.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_departs_for_asia/ 2009-02-16T01:31:36+00:00 About the Author: Robert Wood serves as Acting Department Spokesman and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.

This week was busy and exciting here at the State Department. Last Wednesday, Secretary Clinton was confirmed and sworn-in as the 67th U.S. Secretary of State. Last Thursday, she arrived at the State Department’s headquarters, the Harry S Truman Building. Later that same afternoon, President Obama and Vice President Biden visited the Department, and President Obama and Secretary Clinton named Senator George Mitchell as a Special Envoy to the Middle East. They also named Ambassador Richard Holbrooke a Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. As Secretary Clinton said, President Obama’s visit to the Department and the announcement of these high level diplomats sent a loud and clear signal, both in word and action, of the President’s commitment to diplomacy.

As the week has continued, I’ve had a chance to read through your comments on DipNote. It is a great pleasure to hear what the public is thinking on a given topic. Based on your responses to last week’s “Question of the Week,” you all have many suggestions as to what the Obama Administration should establish as its top foreign policy priorities. DipNote readers who mentioned promoting peace in the Middle East would likely be interested in knowing that Special Envoy Mitchell is currently in the region. While in Ramallah yesterday, Special Envoy Mitchell said: “President Obama has…underlined our commitment to a better future for all Palestinians whose legitimate aspirations for an independent and viable state should be met, lasting peace is our objective and the United States will sustain an active commitment to reaching the goal of two states living side by side in peace, stability and security.”

We also received great comments about the Hometown Diplomat program, featured in two blog entries last week. I found it heartening that people responded so positively to the program. We received e-mails from groups and individuals interested in having U.S. diplomats visit their organizations. Thanks to those who have already expressed interest in doing so.

Finally, I appreciate the warm and enthusiastic comments many of you submitted in support of Secretary Clinton. As the Secretary said, it is a tremendous honor to represent America to the world. The DipNote team and I want you to know that we are reading your comments, the blog’s authors are reading your comments, and we value your comments.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/first_week_launches_smart_power/ 2009-01-30T13:42:01+00:00 About the Author: Robert Wood serves as Acting Department Spokesman and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.

Today the United States inaugurates its 44th President. This inauguration marks an exciting and historic moment, one that underscores the transformative nature of democracy. Democracy, by definition, is participatory. To participate effectively in a democracy, the public must have access to information. This is something I’m very mindful of while serving as a communicator for the State Department.

This inauguration also represents the peaceful transition of power from one U.S. Administration to the next. Each transition of power in the United States infuses the government with new energy and ideas. It serves as a time for career employees to evaluate what we’re doing and to explain it to our incoming colleagues.

As representatives of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Public Affairs, we provide information during daily press briefings and communicate regularly with NGOs and civic groups. We also manage the Department’s online presence and produce the official history of U.S. foreign affairs. DipNote serves as an opportunity for direct public participation in the U.S. foreign policy discourse. I look forward to joining the DipNote dialogue and continuing its ongoing conversation.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/dipnote_continuing_conversation/ 2009-01-20T16:02:01+00:00 About the Author: Robert Wood serves as Acting Department Spokesman and Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs.

Welcome to DipNote, the State Department’s official blog. DipNote gives context, clarity and other behind the scenes insights on the foreign policy headlines in which you’re most interested. The information is provided to you by those actually doing the work.

The term “DipNote” refers to a diplomatic note, one of the many means by which governments formally communicate with one another. Aside from the title, we make every effort to minimize the use of jargon and acronyms. When they’re unavoidable, we explain them. We want this blog to be as accessible and user-friendly as possible. This blog represents your opportunity to engage State Department officials, to contribute to the discussion of U.S. foreign policy. We want you to be active participants in a community focused on some of the most important international issues of today.

We live in an age in which there is a greater need for you to be aware of what is happening around the world, and in a time when everyone should be able to contribute to the dialogue. You can join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and submit your video question on the State Department’s YouTube Channel. I encourage you to explore DipNote and these other resources and to provide us your thoughts and feedback. I look forward to hearing from you.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/welcome_to_dipnote/ 2009-01-20T16:00:32+00:00