http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2012-02-11T15:54:03+00:00 Thomas R. Nides authored an opinion piece that appears today on CNN's Global Public Square Blog. The text of his piece also follows below:

"Here's a simple equation that will help the economy: Bringing more international visitors to America equals new jobs here at home. The United States is the world's top tourist destination, but our share of that market has dropped since September 11, 2001.

"International travelers added $134 billion in exports to our economy in 2010, and we know there is appetite for much more. The Department of Commerce estimates that every 65 additional international visitors to the United States generate enough export revenue to support one new travel and tourism-related job.

"The good news is that more and more international tourists want to travel to the United States for holidays, family vacations, and shopping sprees. President Obama and the State Department are making it a lot easier for them to do so.

"To come to the United States, tourists from many countries need visas. Often this requires a face-to-face interview with one of our consular officers. Now, the President's Executive Order will allow our consular officers to waive the interview requirement on a case-by-case basis for many repeat travelers, a group which has already spent billions of dollars in the United States. This will make it easier for many qualified returning visitors to renew their visas, so they can come back and stay in our hotels, eat in our restaurants, buy American products, and enjoy all that America has to offer again.

"And as a result, more than one hundred thousand interview appointments will be freed up this year for new visitors to apply for their first visas.

"Improving this process is a critical step forward. Increasing international tourism, particularly from countries with fast-growing economies, creates American jobs. The demand for visas has risen dramatically in recent years. Because of these two factors, Secretary Clinton has made it a priority to increase the State Department's capacity to issue visas while maintaining our strict security standards. Through common sense actions such as extending interview hours, adding Saturday appointments, hiring additional staff, and opening new facilities, we have reduced visa wait times in countries around the world.

"Let's look specifically at China and Brazil, the second- and sixth-largest economies in the world, respectively. Both have mobile and growing middle classes eager to purchase goods in the United States. Last year, reporters found Brazilians prowling for Black Friday bargains in New York City, buying condos in Miami, outlet shopping in New Jersey, and hitting the slopes in Vermont. More than 1.2 million Brazilians visited the United States in 2010, and each of them spent an average of $4,940 while they were here. Those numbers are only rising.

"Similarly, the number of visitors from China to the United States has quadrupled since 2003, adding more than $5 billion to our economy in 2010 alone. Overall tourism rates from China are not yet as large as from Brazil, but their individual average spending in the United States is even higher -- more than $6,000 per person. With this flood of new tourists ready to inject money into our economy, our challenge is not just to keep up but to stay ahead of the curve.

"Since summer 2011, we have reduced wait times for Brazilian applicants from well over 100 days to 40 in Brazil, and from an average of 45 days to 11 in China. Coupled with the rising demand for visas in these countries, these improvements helped us issue almost 176,000 more visas in Brazil and China during the first quarter of 2012 than we did during the same period in 2011. That represents hundreds of millions of new dollars for our economy. Today, in all of our 222 visa-processing posts around the world, 70 percent of our applicants get an appointment in less than three weeks.

"Now, more than ever, delivering economic renewal at home is a top priority for our diplomats around the world. Whether it means promoting new markets for U.S. firms or better positioning them to compete for international contracts, through Secretary Clinton's economic statecraft agenda, we're ensuring American businesses continue to keep their global edge. Central to that effort is a clear and forceful message to the world America welcomes you, and welcomes the jobs you will bring to the American people."

Related Content: Visa Information | Visa Pilot Program | White House Blog -- #visitUS: Americans Share What Makes Their Hometown a Great Place To Visit]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/delivering_jobs_with_international_tourism/ 2012-02-07T22:57:10+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Germany and Bulgaria on February 3-5, 2012. In Munich, Germany, Secretary Clinton held bilateral meetings with her European and other counterparts and participated in the 48th Munich Security Conference. This annual event brings together global leaders to discuss common security challenges. In her address to the Conference, the Secretary reaffirmed the fundamental importance of the transatlantic relationship and Europe's role as an essential partner in addressing global security challenges.

"Europe is and remains America's partner of first resort. I have now traveled to Europe 27 times as Secretary of State. President Obama has visited 10 times. And wherever America is working to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, to fight disease, to help nations on the difficult journey from dictatorship to democracy, we are side by side with our friends in Europe," Secretary Clinton said.

The Secretary continued, "Today's transatlantic community is not just a defining achievement of the century behind us. It is indispensable to the world we hope to build together in the century ahead. Here in Munich, it is not enough to reaffirm old commitments. The world around us is fast transforming, and America and Europe need a forward-leaning agenda to deal with the challenges we face."

In Munich, Secretary Clinton also met with women leaders, with whom she discussed the first-ever U.S. National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security. Secretary Clinton said, "...The national action plan represents a fundamentally different way for the United States to do business. It is really trying to lay out a new approach in our diplomatic, military, and development support to women in areas of conflict, and to ensure that their perspectives and that considerations of gender are always part of how the United States approaches peace processes, conflict prevention, the protection of civilians, humanitarian assistance."

The Secretary traveled to Sofia, Bulgaria on February 5, to meet with senior Bulgarian officials and discuss a range of issues, including democratic transitions in the Middle East, our ongoing support for Afghanistan, energy security, and our bilateral cooperation in international law enforcement. After her meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, Secretary Clinton said:

"The prime minister and I just had a very productive meeting. It underscored the depth and range of the partnership between us. As NATO allies, Bulgaria and the United States work side by side around the world to address critical issues, from ensuring a successful transition in Afghanistan to keeping the peace in Kosovo, to diversifying and securing our energy supplies, including in the nuclear sector. We are partners in helping to advance Bulgaria's energy independence and security and in protecting the beautiful Bulgarian environment.... Our excellent cooperation has helped to deter, detect, and stop trafficking in nuclear and other radioactive materials. Our joint counternarcotics investigations have seized over $3 million in illegal assets. Our law enforcement partnership has led to the arrest of hackers conducting international fraud schemes. I want to commend the law enforcement arms of the government, as well as the government itself -- for being a very effective leader in these kinds of efforts, addressing critical problems that affect, not just Bulgaria and the region, but indeed the world."

In Bulgaria, Secretary Clinton held a roundtable with young Roma professionals. During their discussion, Secretary Clinton said, "...One of the pieces of unfinished business is the full integration of the Roma people into the societies and nations where they reside. For too long, Roma citizens have been marginalized and isolated, prevented from contributing their talents and participating in their societies. This is a critical matter of human rights, and it affects millions of men, women, and children across the continent."

You can read more about the Secretary's travel on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/europe_essential_partner_global_security/ 2012-02-06T16:39:19+00:00 statement, State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland said:

"We, along with several other diplomatic missions, conveyed our security concerns to the Syrian government but the regime failed to respond adequately. Ambassador Ford has left Damascus but he remains the United States Ambassador to Syria and its people. As the President's representative, he will continue his work and engagement with the Syrian people as head of our Syria team in Washington. Together with other senior U.S. officials, Ambassador Ford will maintain contacts with the Syrian opposition and continue our efforts to support the peaceful political transition which the Syrian people have so bravely sought."

The United States warns U.S. citizens against travel to Syria and recommends that U.S. citizens in Syria depart immediately. The Department continues to reach out to U.S. citizens we believe remain in Syria. Please direct inquiries regarding U.S. citizens in Syria to SyriaEmergencyUSC@state.gov. Callers in the United States and Canada may dial the toll free number 1-888-407-4747. Callers outside the United States and Canada may dial 1-202-501-4444. Go to travel.state.gov for the latest information.

Effective immediately, the Polish government, acting through its embassy in Damascus, serves as protecting power for U.S. interests in Syria. Only emergency services for U.S. citizens are available. Neither U.S. passports nor visas to the United States are issued in Damascus. For emergency assistance, U.S. citizens should contact the Polish Embassy at 963 954 666 693 or damaszek.usint@msz.gov.pl.

In a statement, U.S. Ambassador to Poland Lee Feinstein said, "I thank our trusted Polish allies and friends for assuming this important responsibility in support of America and its citizens. On behalf President Obama and Secretary Clinton, I thank President Komorowski, Prime Minister Tusk, Foreign Minister Sikorski, and the people of Poland for this act of friendship and solidarity."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/embassy_operations_in_syria/ 2012-02-06T13:46:05+00:00 More: Trip Page | Interactive Travel Map

The 48th Annual Munich Security Conference took place February 3-5, 2012, in Munich, Germany. In this video from the U.S.-European Media Hub, U.S. Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Germany Philip D. Murphy notes that this year marks the first-ever participation by two U.S. Cabinet officials in this event. Ambassador Murphy also describes how the conference has changed over the years, but points out that "one thing that hasn't changed over 48 years is how important the American role is, and how importantly we take that role."

During the conference, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said, "...I have now traveled to Europe 27 times as Secretary of State. President Obama has visited ten times. So when President Obama says that Europe remains the cornerstone of our engagement with the world, those are not just reassuring words; that is the reality. Europe is our partner of first resort."

Secretary Clinton also addressed recent developments in Syria. She said, "Here in Munich, I have had productive discussions with a number of my counterparts concerning a list of critical issues. One that kept coming up is the ongoing violence in Syria. As a bankrupt regime clings to power by shelling its own people in their homes, we have seen a living nightmare play out in the city of Homs. It's a nightmare that has been repeated across Syria over these past many months. Almost 30 days -- almost 30 years to the day after the infamous Hama massacre, the international community must send Assad a clear message: By repeating the horrors of Syria's past, you have lost your place in Syria's future."

More information about the Munich Security Conference may be found here. You can read Secretary Clinton's remarks at the conference here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/munich_security_conference/ 2012-02-05T17:39:26+00:00 More: Interactive Travel Map | Background Briefing En Route Munich

On February 3-5, 2012, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is on travel to Germany and Bulgaria. In Germany, Secretary Clinton will participate in the 48th Munich Security Conference. This annual event brings together global leaders to discuss common security challenges. In her address to the Conference, the Secretary will reaffirm the fundamental importance of the transatlantic relationship and Europe's role as an essential partner in addressing global security challenges. While in Munich the Secretary will also hold bilateral meetings with her European and other counterparts.

The Secretary will travel to Sofia, Bulgaria, February 5, to meet with senior Bulgarian officials and discuss a range of issues, including democratic transitions in the Middle East, our ongoing support for Afghanistan, energy security and our bilateral cooperation in international law enforcement.

Follow the Secretary's travel on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_germany_bulgaria/ 2012-02-03T11:59:24+00:00 opinion piece that appears today on The Daily Beast website. In the piece, Ambassador Verveer and Ms. Azzarelli underscore why the global economy needs the "other 51 percent." The text of their article follows below.

"Businesses are starting to understand what development experts have long known: investing in women pays dividends. Women are more likely than men to put their income back into their communities, driving illiteracy and mortality rates down and GDP up.

"Now a corporate revolution is at hand, one that is moving beyond philanthropy, making women partners in business at all levels. This was an important theme at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, which hosted a plenary session entitled 'Women as the Way Forward' on the potential impact of women on the global economy. On February 1, some of the most powerful companies in the United States (Accenture, Coca-Cola, Ernst and Young, Goldman Sachs, and others) are signing on to a worldwide campaign to bring women into the economic mainstream. The Third Billion Campaign is being launched by La Pietra Coalition -- an alliance including corporations, governments, and nonprofits -- to enable one billion women to become members of the global economy by 2025. The campaign's title comes from the notion that over the next decade, the impact of women will be at least as significant as that of China's and India's respective one-billion-plus populations.

"Bringing women into businesses creates what Michael Porter and Mark Kramer of Harvard Business School call 'shared value' -- it helps companies while helping communities too. Consumer-product businesses have quickly understood the benefits: for instance, bypassing retail and hiring women to build person-to-person distribution channels for everything from cosmetics to beverages. More recently, companies have found it especially effective when the purchaser needs to be educated on the product being sold, be it a mobile sonogram machine, an energy lantern, or a cookstove. Women can also be the best innovators of the products they use and sell, sometimes transforming their communities with something as small as the knowledge of the optimal use of a household's single electric light.

"The rewards are clear. Avon, for example, gives more than six million women in more than 100 countries the opportunity to start their own businesses; these entrepreneurs serve as Avon's main sales force, resulting in more than $10 billion in revenue. Similarly Unilever has invested in 45,000 underprivileged Indian entrepreneurs, mostly women, in more than 100,000 villages through microfinance and training -- a strategy that accounts for five percent of the company's total revenue in India. Recently, Walmart has pledged to source more than $20 billion from women-owned companies in the United States alone, and Coca-Cola announced a program, 5 By 20, to support five million women entrepreneurs globally by 2020. The benefits of women in upper management have also been shown: a recent Catalyst survey found a strong correlation between gender diversity in the leadership ranks of a business and that business's economic performance.

''There is no doubt,' Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said, 'that the increasing numbers of women in the economy ... has helped fuel significant growth everywhere. And economies that are making the shift more effectively and rapidly are dramatically outperforming those that have not'."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/verveer_oped_invest_in_women/ 2012-01-30T16:39:05+00:00 More: Questions Submitted on DipNote | Text Transcript

Suzan Johnson Cook, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, held a conversation with Dr. Chris Seiple, President of the Institute for Global Engagement, on the role of religion in foreign policy. The discussion was moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs. Members of the general public were invited to participate by submitting questions on DipNote, some of which were selected for response during the broadcast.

This is the twenty-third installment in the Conversations With America video series coordinated by the Bureau of Public Affairs, in which the State Department's senior leadership hosts conversations online, with leaders of prominent non-governmental organizations. The discussions provide a candid view of civil society leaders engaging the Department on pressing foreign policy issues and global issues.

View other Conversations With America by following this link and by accessing the Conversations With America video podcasts on Apple iTunes.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/cwa_religion_foreign_policy/ 2012-01-25T14:54:55+00:00 statement:

"This week, Egypt achieved several historic milestones in its transition to democracy. Yesterday, democratically-elected representatives of the People's Assembly met for the first time since Egypt's revolution, and the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces transferred legislative authority to them. Today, Field Marshal Tantawi took steps to lift the state of emergency that has existed in Egypt for several decades. And tomorrow, Egyptians will commemorate the anniversary of the revolution that made Egypt's transition to democracy possible.

"We congratulate the Egyptian people and their government on these important steps toward fulfilling the promise of Egypt's revolution, which has inspired the world. While many challenges remain, Egypt has come a long way in the past year, and we hope that all Egyptians will commemorate this anniversary with the spirit of peace and unity that prevailed last January. The United States will continue to stand with the Egyptian people, and those across the region, as they defend universal values and work toward a better future for all Egyptians."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/egypts_transition_to_democracy/ 2012-01-25T13:23:46+00:00
The ICWBL will meet at least once a year and at such other times and places as are required to fulfill the objectives of the Council. Subcommittees and working groups will meet as appropriate for their assigned responsibilities. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is Chair; PepsiCo Chairman and CEO Indra Nooyi and Cherie Blair Foundation for Women Founder Cherie Blair are Vice-Chairs.

ICWBL membership consists of representatives who are leaders of American and foreign public and private sector organizations and institutions having an interest in the role of women in international business, economic policy development and global economic growth.

The inaugural ICWBL meeting was streamed live on www.state.gov and DipNote. A text transcript of the Secretary's remarks during the meeting is available here.

You can learn more about the ICWBL here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_icwbl/ 2012-01-24T04:22:07+00:00 Award for Corporate Excellence (ACE) on January 18, 2012, during a ceremony in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the Harry S. Truman building, Washington, DC. The prestigious ACE recognizes the important role of U.S. businesses in advancing good corporate governance and democratic principles worldwide. The award honors exemplary business practices, corporate social responsibility, and innovation in a company's overseas operations.

You can view a transcript of the Secretary's remarks here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_2011_ace_awards/ 2012-01-18T04:22:34+00:00 More: Interactive Travel Map | Photos

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton traveled to Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, and Cape Verde on January 16-17, 2012, to demonstrate U.S. commitment to post-conflict return to peace, good governance, and economic development as well as to emphasize U.S. focus on democratization.

In Liberia, Secretary Clinton attended President Sirleaf's inauguration and presided over the in-house dedication of the new U.S. embassy compound to demonstrate America's commitment to an enduring friendship with the people of Liberia, as well as the importance of our bilateral relationship with the Liberian Government. At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Secretary Clinton was joined by U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Liberia Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and Liberian Foreign Affairs Minister Toga Gayewea McIntosh, among others. Secretary Clinton said, "This new compound is a testament to the work you do, and it is a symbol of America(tm)s lasting commitment to our partners today. We are committed to standing with the people of Liberia as you, as they, continue their important journey, reconciling political and ethnic differences, strengthening democracy, bringing prosperity and opportunity to people, particularly young people."

While in Cote d'Ivoire, Secretary Clinton met with Ivoirian President Alassane Ouattara to express admiration for the progress that your country is making -- a steady and hopeful return to peace and security, reconciliation among all the people of the nation, as well as economic and social development. Secretary Clinton said, "I am inspired by how quickly not only the government but the people have moved from the violence and conflict of last spring to successful legislative elections in December and to a commitment that is in the air to build a better future for all Ivoirians and particularly for the next generation." In Abidjan, Secretary Clinton also participated in a Youth and Community Leaders Reconciliation Roundtable.

In the first visit of a Secretary of State to Togo, Secretary Clinton met President Faure to demonstrate U.S. support for Togo's democratic progress and economic reforms and to congratulate Togo on its recent election to the United Nations Security Council, where it holds a non-permanent seat for 2012 and 2013.

In Cape Verde, Secretary Clinton met Prime Minister Neves to discuss cooperation on regional issues like counternarcotics, good governance, sound economic policies, and Cape Verde's second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.

You can read more about the Secretary's travel on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/travel_diary_democratization_in_africa/ 2012-01-17T19:48:18+00:00 More: Trip Page | Background Briefing

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton will travel to Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, and Cape Verde on January 16-17, 2012, to demonstrate U.S. commitment to post-conflict return to peace, good governance, and economic development as well as to emphasize U.S. focus on democratization.

While in Liberia, Secretary Clinton will attend President Sirleaf's inauguration and preside over the ribbon-cutting of the New U.S. Embassy Compound in Monrovia. In Cote d'Ivoire, she will meet with President Ouattara to showcase our support for national reconciliation and strengthening democratic institutions following successful legislative elections in December 2011. In the first visit of a Secretary of State to Togo, Secretary Clinton will meet President Faure to demonstrate U.S. support for Togo's democratic progress and economic reforms and to congratulate Togo on its recent election to the United Nations Security Council, where it holds a non-permanent seat for 2012 and 2013. In Cape Verde, Secretary Clinton will meet Prime Minister Neves to discuss cooperation on regional issues like counternarcotics, good governance, sound economic policies, and Cape Verde's second Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.

You can follow the Secretary's travel on www.state.gov.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_liberia_cote_divoire_togo_cape_verde/ 2012-01-16T12:29:10+00:00 Update: Watch the video here.

Suzan Johnson Cook, Ambassador at Large for International Religious Freedom, will hold a conversation with Dr. Chris Seiple, President of the Institute for Global Engagement, on the role of religion in foreign policy. The discussion will be moderated by Cheryl Benton, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, and will be available to view here on DipNote, the Department of State's official blog on January 25. Members of the general public are invited to participate by submitting questions in the comments section of this DipNote entry, some of which will be selected for response during the broadcast.

This is the twenty-third in the Conversations with America video series coordinated by the Bureau of Public Affairs, in which the State Department's senior leadership hosts conversations online, with leaders of prominent non-governmental organizations. Discussion topics include foreign policy and global issues and provide a candid view of how leaders from civil society engage the Department on pressing foreign policy issues.
]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/join_a_discussion_on_religion_and_foreign_policy/ 2012-01-09T20:14:34+00:00 More: January 2012 Designated "21st Century Statecraft Month"

Today, State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland held a Twitter briefing, answering questions selected from the U.S. Department of State's 10 official Twitter feeds. Spokesperson Nuland will answer questions submitted via Twitter each Friday during the month of January. Questions can be submitted using the hashtag, #AskState.

Throughout the month of January, U.S. officials in Washington, D.C. and at U.S. Missions abroad will host digital engagements across multiple social media platforms on a wide array of issues to directly connect with the public on foreign policy issues that matter to them. You can find additional information about next week's engagements here.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/askstate_nuland_twitter_briefing/ 2012-01-07T02:30:28+00:00 http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/happy_new_year_2012/ 2012-01-01T15:25:59+00:00