Dipnote - Entries By Category http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2009-11-20T23:01:01+00:00 Online Conversation Connects Students in Afghanistan and Massachusetts About the Author: Anna P. Mussman serves in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Youth Programs Division.

Jumpstarting International Education Week, high school students in Boston and Jalalabad used Skype technology to meet online and discuss teen life, culture and current events. At 8:00 a.m. EST on November 5 and again on November 12, staff and students at the Beaver County Day School, located in Brookline, Massachusetts, met via Skype a group of Jalalabad students participating in the Global Connections and Exchange (GCE) program of the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

In the first session, Afghan students asked about American holidays and U.S. schools while the Beaver County students wanted to know more about Afghan teen life, such as interaction between boys and girls, entertainment, and how Islam affects their daily lives. During the second call, the Beaver County students asked about the security situation in Afghanistan. This dynamic discussion lasted close to one hour and forty-five minutes. One Afghan student said that they see improvements in the education, health, and reconstruction sectors, particularly in the major cities. However, they can’t visit relatives or provide help to people living in villages because the Taliban poses a greater threat in those areas of the country.

Those were the first face-to-face conversations for youth in Jalalabad with U.S. peers. According to Almas Abdul Qaum, Afghanistan GCE Country Program Director, “[O]nline discussions will clear all misunderstanding between Afghan and American communities; we will have open minded community in which people will solve their political and social problems via joint discussions.” The teens will continue their discussions about Afghanistan and U.S. policy on the Beaver County blog.

The Global Connections and Exchange program in Jalalabad, implemented by the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club Foundation, provides youth with opportunities to meet American peers through Internet applications. In addition to the links with the Beaver County Day School, American students attending 14 San Diego schools meet up regularly with Jalalabad students through Facebook.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/students_boston_jalalabad/ 2009-11-19T15:38:46+00:00 U.S.-India Global Issues Forum Underscores Importance of Public-Private Partnerships About the Author: Maria Otero serves as Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs.

Last week, I was honored to lead the U.S. delegation to the seventh annual U.S.-India Global Issues Forum in New Delhi. Though I have visited India many times in the past, this was my first trip as Under Secretary of State. The Global Issues Forum presented an important opportunity for our two countries to forge a stronger relationship, committed to addressing the challenges of the 21st century, such as disaster management, polio eradication, food security, water and resource management, and human rights.

The issue of climate change, pervasive in my conversations with all world leaders, was central to our discussions at the forum. This includes challenges of adaptation and mitigation, water management, natural resource management, energy policy and wildlife protection. We recognize the need for both of our countries to implement sustainable development initiatives that also preserve the environment for future generations. I hope to see and help India assume a leading role as we tackle the world’s environmental challenges, especially during next month’s summit on climate change in Copenhagen.

My past trips to India have focused on empowerment of the poor through the delivery of financial services. During this trip, I visited Salaam Balaak Trust, a USAID-funded project that delivers essential medical care, education and food to street children in and around Delhi's main train station. The program provides training in life-skills and trade to more than 3,000 children, many of whom are as young as six years old. In an austere room dotted with computer terminals, I met several young men who told me, in English, that they want to be a fashion photographer, graphic designer, and web designer, respectively. Not only are these young men learning English through the Trust—they are also becoming self-reliant (and creative) individuals! It is a model of successful intervention that leads to changed lives and better futures.

I was also able to meet with a variety of other civil society leaders whose valuable work and expertise contribute to sustainable solutions in India. A common theme throughout these discussions was the importance of public-private partnerships to confront economic and social problems. During a meeting with environmental NGO activists, I learned of the crucial role that India's vibrant NGO sector plays in conservation efforts, improving air quality, and protecting biodiversity. This visit reinforced my admiration for India’s nonprofit sector as one of the most active and diverse in the world today.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/u.s.-india_global_issues_forum/ 2009-11-10T15:22:59+00:00 Renewable Energy Powers Education Center in Tajikistan About the Author: Bruce Hudspeth serves as Regional Environmental Officer at U.S. Embassy Astana, Kazakhstan.

The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, in collaboration with the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and the EcoEnergy Alliance, a Central Asian NGO, recently launched a pilot program to provide independent sources of renewable energy and education assistance to remote rural communities in the multi-ethnic border regions of Tajikistan. The pilot site, an orphanage and school in the Jami Region of Khatlon province, provides uninterrupted electric power through solar modules for a scanner, a printer, and five energy-efficient laptop computers. Martha Olcott, Carnegie’s Program Director, who conceived the project, said: “This project has been about empowering people through access to electricity — which they previously enjoyed but have lost through regional shortages, and about giving young and old Internet access, which for them was an undreamed-of luxury.”

The system, now fully-operational since February 2009, supports a small Internet-based community education center, that provides remedial education in math and science to students during the day, access to vocational-technical education after-hours (with an emphasis on developing small business in the region), and functions as an “Internet café” at night. The Internet portal will eventually offer the educational materials in six different languages (Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Tajik, Uzbek, English and Russian), which will essentially allow minorities to seek education beyond their national borders.

Being fortunate enough to visit the center this year, I vividly remember sitting in the village classroom along with local, regional, and national government Tajik officials, observing the students at the computers. This was the first ever project of its kind in Tajikistan and its appreciation was apparent by the intense pride and interest blanketing the faces of the children and government officials.

Funding for the project has been provided by a variety of public and private sources in Russia, the United States, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe helped attract Tajik government and media attention to this project. Over the long term, the project will demonstrate how resources devoted to renewable energy can improve social conditions in remote communities and enhance regional cooperation in border regions. Since February, sixteen more solar panels have already been delivered to Tajikistan to be used at two other schools, where local communities will complete the project. As funding permits, the project will be expanded to include remote communities in other countries of the Central Asian region. The Carnegie Endowment is seeking $2.8 million dollars to maintain the pilot sites for at least fifteen months. Overall, our goal is to follow Dushanbe’s example and do this throughout Tajikistan. ]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/energy_education_tajikistan/ 2009-10-05T21:26:33+00:00 Finding the Extraordinary in India About the Author: Josh Glazeroff serves as the visa chief at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.

For any parent, traveling with twins is twice the trouble and twice the fun. Now imagine traveling with two curious, energetic children in India, where cows, monkeys, dogs and the occasional elephant or camel roam the streets! Here the ordinary is extraordinary.

My wife and I have taken our children around quite a bit in the year since we’ve been in India. On weekends, we’ve taken train rides to impressive sites: the Taj Mahal in Agra, the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the Amber Fort in Jaipur. We’ve flown to destinations near (the hills of Simla) and far (the hills of Kathmandu). We’ve ridden the occasional horse or elephant just to keep it interesting. And, though carsickness occasionally rears its ugly head, we’ve tried our best to drive around this huge capital city in which we live, New Delhi, to discover its rich history and varied neighborhoods. As we mark the places we’ve seen on our map of India, we look forward to exploring the places where we have not yet been.

Exploring the world’s religions has been another journey of its own. The twins can now identify the elephant-faced god Ganesh and know to say “Namaste” with their two hands together. They recognize the monkey-faced god Hanuman and love to ring the bells they find at his temples. They’ve been in a hundred-year-old church built by the British and explored thousand-year-old stupas in Nepal. They’ve spun prayer wheels, hung their prayer flags, and been mesmerized by the prayers of the sufis at the mosques. Rosh Hashanah starts soon and we hope to celebrate it with the Jewish community here.

On the food front, it’s also been an adventure. We like to eat rice and dhal every week, but who doesn’t? Naan breads is one of our favorites. The kids have started to develop a taste for momos (kind of like potstickers) and find Indian sweets like gulab jamun delicious. We even mange to sneak a hot dog or maybe pizza every once in awhile, just for something different.

What does this all mean for our children? We have perhaps subjected them to more than any child should face. The heat and dust can be quite a drag. But how many other American children will have the experiences they’ve had? How many of us Americans fail to appreciate the great things in the next town or the next state, let alone on the other side of the world? My hope is that someday my children will appreciate the opportunities they’ve had, the places they’ve seen and the people they’ve met. In my mind, life is short and the world is large. We all need to get out and explore it, no matter where we may find ourselves.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/extraordinary_india/ 2009-09-18T16:10:19+00:00 Afghanistan: Landmine Clearance Safeguards Communities One Square Kilometer at a Time About the Author: Peter Villano is a Program Manager in the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.

Last time I joined you on DipNote, I wrote about U.S. efforts to help Afghanistan clear landmines and unexploded ordnance left over from the 1980s-1990s through community-based demining. Since then, I’ve received a lot of questions about the ongoing effort to help Afghans safeguard their communities from these deadly hazards, a few of which I’d like to share with you today.

What areas of Afghanistan are most affected by landmines?

Landmines affect almost every province in Afghanistan. While the most heavily affected areas are in the provinces surrounding Kabul, many urban centers throughout the country  as well as communities along Afghanistan’s ring road  also face risks from landmines and unexploded ordnance.

For the most part, known hazardous areas are marked. However, there are also areas that have not been surveyed by demining experts, as well as other areas where dangerous buried explosives may be known only to locals who have suffered causalities or lost livestock, and who now know to avoid these areas. For these reasons, abandoned landmines and unexploded ordnance remain a serious danger to Afghan civilians. On average, as many as 60 people a month are injured or killed by these hidden hazards, with children involved in more than half of these incidents.

Ultimately, landmines and unexploded ordnance inhibit development, disrupt markets and production, prevent the delivery of goods and services, and generally obstruct reconstruction and stabilization efforts. When you remove landmines and other explosive hazards in Afghanistan, you enable socio-economic development that could further the larger goal of promoting stability and security in Afghanistan and the wider region.

What does the United States do to help solve this problem?

As in over 45 other post-conflict countries around the world, the United States funds the clearance of landmines, abandoned and unexploded ordnance, and other “explosive remnants of war,” and works in close partnership with the Afghan government, private Afghan nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and other international groups to safely remove and dispose of these explosive hazards. Since 1993 the U.S. has provided more than $180 million for humanitarian mine action in Afghanistan, making it the largest international donor to Afghanistan for this type of assistance. The majority of this assistance has gone directly to Afghan-run NGOs that have been engaged in this type of work for more than 20 years. IN addition, the United States has also provided financial assistance and support to individuals and families injured in accidents involving landmines and other explosives through the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Leahy War Victim’s Fund.

Do you train Afghans to do the landmine clearance?

Actually, Afghans proven themselves to be capable experts in all forms of humanitarian mine action. The United States just provides them with financial assistance. Most of the projects we support  including the community-based demining initiative in Kunar province I wrote about last time  are 100 percent Afghan-run. Depending on the number of projects operating throughout the country, there are about 4,000-5,000 Afghans employed in humanitarian mine action. Most of them are employed by Afghan NGOs and commercial organizations, but international NGOs also play a major role.

We are proud to partner with the brave Afghan men and women who are removing explosive remnants of war and landmines every day, and improving the safety and security of Afghanistan, one square kilometer at a time.

Are you making progress? How do you measure your progress in humanitarian demining in Afghanistan?

The international community and the Afghans are indeed making progress in clearing landmines and other explosive remnants of war. Progress is measured by the amount of land that is cleared - and over the past 20 years more than 1500 square kilometers (579 square miles) of land has been cleared.

After decades of war, we know there are still about 700 square kilometers (270 square miles) of suspected minefields. While ongoing clearance efforts are reducing that number, new hazards are still being discovered, from 1980s-era abandoned munitions to new roadside bombs planted by militants, something that the U.S., Afghan, and international forces are watching very closely.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/afghanistan_landmine_clearance/ 2009-09-16T22:34:19+00:00 September 11 Tribute at U.S. Embassy Kabul Today, U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Karl W. Eikenberry held a September 11 commemoration at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul. Ambassador Eikenberry said:

"Good afternoon. Thank you all for coming. We are especially honored to be joined by Minister of Foreign Affairs Spanta, whose presence at this ceremony symbolizes the enduring partnership formed between our two nations since the September 11 terrorist attacks. Thank you for coming, Minister Spanta.

We gather today to remember the victims of the September 11 attacks--the nearly 3,000 men, women and children who perished in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania eight years ago.

We have assembled now because it was at this time--5:16 in the afternoon in Kabul--when the first hijacked plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Seventeen minutes later, as we all remember, a second jet hit the South Tower, a third flew into the Pentagon, and a fourth, owing to the bravery of its passengers and crew, crashed short of its target in a Pennsylvania field. We can only hope that the passage of time and grace of God has eased the grief of all of those who lost loved ones, friends and colleagues on that terrible day.

As a country we cannot let the passing years dull our memories of what happened.

In my own case, I was in my third floor office in the outer ring of the Pentagon, in the same section of the building where the plane struck that morning. I heard and felt the impact and knew that something serious was wrong. I had no idea that an airplane had entered the Pentagon almost directly underneath me.

I was among the fortunate. Two doors down, the plane's tail had sliced through the floor, killing two of my colleagues. Another was trapped in office and needed several of us to break down the door to get him out. Smoke and fire began filling the corridors as we made our way out of the building, the floor buckling under our feet. Once outside, it proved impossible to call my wife, Ching, to tell her I was alive because cell phones weren't working. Five hours later, she and I had an emotional reunion on our doorstep at Fort Belvoir.

The plot, as we all soon discovered, originated in Afghanistan, in the twisted minds of a small group of non-Afghans who lived and trained here with the support of the Taliban.

In his speech in Cairo, President Obama said of the 9-11 attacks: 'The victims were innocent men, women and children from America and many other nations who had done nothing to harm anybody. And yet Al Qaeda chose to ruthlessly murder these people, claimed credit for the attack, and even now states their determination to kill on a massive scale.'

Two days before the September 11, al Qaeda operatives also assassinated Ahmed Shah Massoud, martyring an Afghan leader who stood against their intolerance and oppression. We also remember him and what he symbolized here today. Many others--Afghans, Americans and men and women of other countries--have died in the years since 2001 to prevent future 9-11s in Afghanistan and future 9-11s elsewhere.

This year, President Obama has declared September 11 to be a National Day of Service and Remembrance. He has called on Americans to recommit themselves in the same spirit of unity and compassion they displayed after September 11 to the many challenges we still face as a country, including the war in Afghanistan.

The greatest tribute possible to the men, women and children who died on September 11 and in the years since would be for Afghanistan, with our help and the help of the rest of the international community, to achieve the lasting stability and peace that has eluded it for decades.

This is what we strive toward every day in this mission--an Afghanistan that can never again be used by violent extremists to plot attacks against Americans and other citizens of the world. It is what Afghans of goodwill seek as well.

Let us do everything we can to make this fitting tribute to the 9-11 victims a reality."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/september_11_tribute_kabul/ 2009-09-11T23:41:55+00:00 Sri Lanka: Humanitarian Mine Action Helps Families Return Home About the Author: Emma Smith is an assistant program manager for Afghanistan, Sudan, and Sri Lanka in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement.

How many landmines does it take to cripple a community? In a recent trip to Sri Lanka, I was surprised to learn that the answer could be zero.

We visited the northern village of Marathanmadhu, which the Sri Lankan Army suspected to be filled with buried landmines  a deadly legacy in many parts of the country after a 20-year civil war with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). While the conflict finally ended earlier this year, residents of Marathanmadhu were among the approximately 280,000 Sri Lankans driven from their homes during the final round of fighting.

When our partners from Mines Advisory Group (MAG), a British nongovernmental organization, came in to clear the mines, their survey team found that the village was actually not affected at all. This puzzled me. How could an entire village sit empty when it housed no real threat?

In Marathanmadhu and other areas formerly controlled by the LTTE, there are no records of where minefields were placed. As such, returning too soon to a village could prove fatal. With the perceived threat of landmines in or near one’s house, water sources, or children’s school, anyone would think twice about returning.

This is one of the challenges facing communities across Sri Lanka and in many post-conflict nations around the world, from Angola to Afghanistan, and why humanitarian mine action is key setting the stage for peace, stability, and political reconciliation.

Since 1993, the United States has been the world’s leading contributor to post-conflict efforts to remove landmines and unexploded munitions around the globe through the U.S. Humanitarian Mine Action program, an interagency partnership that also includes the U.S. Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The program has delivered over $1.4 billion in aid to nearly 50 counties around the world for:

• Mine clearance projects by 63 partner organizations including groups like MAG, the Danish Demining Group, and Swiss Foundation for Mine Action;
• Mine-risk education to help area residents avoid injury by identifying potential hazards;
• Research and development into new demining technologies;
• Training local demining technicians in affected countries; and
• Supporting rehabilitation programs serving those injured by landmines and unexploded munitions.

The United States has provided $56 million in humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka in 2009, including $6.6 million in emergency funding for international humanitarian demining NGOs to clear landmines and unexploded ordinance and help displaced families return to their homes as safely and quickly as possible. This aid is in addition to $1.4 million to Sri Lanka in 2008, which funded efforts by a constellation of local and international NGOs to clear over 2 million square meters of land of abandoned landmines and unexploded munitions, allowing over 8,400 people to return home safely, according to the latest edition of To Walk the Earth in Safety, an annual report from my office, the State Department’s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs’ Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement.

When time is of the essence and safe land for families to resettle is vital, even knowing that a village has not been contaminated by landmines is of critical importance. For villages like Marathanmadhu, this knowledge alone has already allowed 70 families to return to their homes with an anticipated 270 more on the way.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/sri_lanka_humanitarian_mine_action/ 2009-09-03T19:09:55+00:00 Kabul Holds International Film Festival About the Author: Beverly Mather-Marcus serves as a Cultural Affairs Officer at U.S. Embassy Kabul.

I saw something on July 23 that I never expected to see in Kabul – a full-blown film festival awards ceremony, complete with pop stars, famous presenters and a video montage of the nominees. There wasn’t a red carpet, but there were two lines of kids lining the entrance waving and shouting greetings to everyone as they entered. The awards ceremony concluded the 4th Kabul International Documentary and Short Film Festival, which was themed “The Sky Is the Limit” and ran from July 18 -23. The festival showcased documentaries and short films from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, India, Tajikistan, Britain, France, Germany, and Spain.

The crowd attending the awards ceremony was a mix of artists, fans, local dignitaries, and, perhaps best of all, their families. There were many fantastic moments. One of my favorites was watching a little girl, maybe three years old, trying to make her way through the crowd to her father, who looked as if he were one of the event organizers, before her mother quickly caught her.

The ceremony opened with an interpretive dance (again something I was surprised and delighted to see in Kabul) and a speech by Engineer Latif, one of Afghanistan’s most prominent filmmakers. He detailed the long journey Afghan film has made: literally from nothing to the burgeoning cultural institution it is now. He drew thunderous applause from the crowd when he said that no one could say Afghanistan does not have a real film industry because they are only making documentaries and short films. As he put it, “It may seem small, but it is theirs, and it is a beginning.”

Other favorite moments came when the awards for Best Child Actor and Best Male Actor were given out, both for roles in I Want a Horse, Not a Wife. The little boy who won said “For the whole movie I was asking for a horse, and now I have one!” (The award statue is a rearing horse.) The winner of Best Male Actor was moved almost to tears in his acceptance speech, stating that he watched televised awards ceremonies from everywhere else for his whole life, and he never dreamed the day would come that he could accept an award in his home country.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/kabul_film_festival/ 2009-08-03T18:40:24+00:00 Secretary Clinton Visits Indian Council for Agricultural Research Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary

About the Author: Torrey Goad serves as Assistant Information Officer at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India.

Sunday morning began ominously, with dark clouds and large birds of prey circling over the site we had worked so hard to develop for the Secretary’s visit. This was one of the research sites of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research’s (ICAR) Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in Pusa, New Delhi. Fields of rice, peacocks with tails outspread, workers, field machinery drawing plumes of dust in the distance. It is the month of Shravan in India, the time of the monsoon, immortalized by Indian poets and Sufi mystics, symbolized by the clouds dark and heavy with rain.

But, if it rained, we’d have to go indoors, and say goodbye to this gem in the dust.

We were amazed by the amount of work and craftsmanship the IARI team had devoted and the pride they took in preparing this site for the Secretary. We arrived to find a flowing shamiana, rippling colored flags lining the chalked-white drive, a stage where the Secretary would speak befitting royalty. What site could possibly be better, we thought, for the Secretary to pronounce the burgeoning relationship India and the United States?

And then it began to rain.

Fortunately, though, the rain subsided long before the Secretary arrived, and the powerful, searing heat that replaced the shower dried the mud which had formed along the dusty margins of the road.

As time passed, in the distance, we began to see the glimmer of sunlight glinting off metal as the Secretary’s motorcade approached, like a mirage taking definite shape before us. This was the moment we had all anticipated and envisioned.

The Secretary emerged from her car and the clamoring press exalted with cries of her name.

As the Secretary toured the site, she saw samples of direct seeded rice, a technology that greatly reduces the amount of water needed for cultivation, and farm equipment, including a zero-till planter that saves time and reduces production costs, and a laser land leveling machine that allows more efficient use of water. Secretary Clinton had the opportunity to learn more about fascinating innovations and new technology in Indian agriculture.

The Secretary concluded her visit with an address, and we watched as the motorcade dissolved into the waves of heat of the glimmering summer evening. Our job was accomplished. ]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_indian_council_agricultural_research/ 2009-07-22T13:36:47+00:00 A Green Beginning in New Delhi Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary

About the Author: Anne Seshadri serves as the American Center Director in New Delhi, India.

From the outside, the ITC Green Centre isn’t much to look at. For one thing, it’s not even green. Nor does it have greenery on the roof, or even solar panels. So when a major television station called to ask, “What’s so special about this building?” I launched an inquiry. I had to look no further than my colleague at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Mr. Padmanabhan, who has been supporting and championing the green building movement in India for many years.

Padmanabhan explained that the ITC Green Centre has a platinum rating as a green office building, as certified by the U.S. Green Building Council for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). This rating, secured with the help of USAID, is extremely hard to get. When it was built in 2005, it was the largest completed platinum rated green office building in the world. To understand why, you really need to tour the building with the expert.

This is exactly what Secretary Clinton did this afternoon when she visited the site, the first stop on her visit to New Delhi. Executives from ITC showed Clinton around, pointing out its various features. These include extensive use of natural lighting (the glass allows the light in but not the heat), use of recycled materials in things such as carpets and furniture, water management and conservation (the pool outside is actually wastewater!) and a white roof with reflecting coating. All told, the building has a 30% smaller carbon footprint than similar sized buildings and uses half as much energy.

After the tour and a private discussion with NGO and corporate leaders on climate change issues, Secretary Clinton emerged downstairs in the lobby with the Special Envoy for Climate Change Todd Stern and Indian Minister for Forests and Environment Jairam Ramesh. Secretary Clinton described the ITC Green Centre as a “monument to the future,” that could stand alongside India Gate and the Taj Mahal as India’s achievements. She said the Green Centre not only represents the promise of a green economy, it demonstrates the importance of partnership between India and the United States in the 21st century. Her honesty clearly hit home, when Clinton forthrightly acknowledged U.S. contributions to greenhouse gas emissions, but also highlighted steps to improve our position, including an $80billion stimulus bill to invest in clean energy technology. Even more popular to the Indians was her statement that the U.S. would do nothing to impede economic development in India; that progress for India was progress for the whole world.

On the other hand, Secretary Clinton did not let India off the hook, reminding them that their greenhouse emissions were projected to increase by 50% in the next 20 years, and emphasizing their vulnerability to rising sea levels and melting glaciers.

Neither she nor Minister Ramesh shied away from the controversial topic of mandating carbon emission caps, proposed recently at the G8 summit in L’Aquila. The issue for a time dominated the Q&A, which then inexorably moved back to Pakistan.

Secretary Clinton stayed longer than scheduled, a fact appreciated by her doting hosts at ITC. And they were pleased to accommodate her delegation’s last-minute request for some of ITC’s organic goodies, made with ingredients produced within a 100 kilometer radius of Delhi (part of a movement known as locavore). At this event, even the food was green!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/green_beginning_new_delhi/ 2009-07-22T12:28:47+00:00 Secretary Clinton Speaks at University of Delhi Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary

Yesterday, Secretary Clinton spoke at the University of Delhi in New Delhi, India. Watch her remarks on YouTube.

While in India, Secretary Clinton held a town hall meeting at the University of Delhi, where she spoke to an audience of 700 students, faculty and guests. Secretary Clinton said:

"Last week, in a speech in Washington, I talked about the need for a new mindset among officials in world affairs, one that reflects the realities we see today. Now, that means not only that we want to broaden and deepen our strategic understanding, but its also that we want to use all the tools of diplomacy that are available, and we want to use the opportunity of development to actually produce concrete results for people, and to seek common ground for not only our two countries, but other nations as well, because there are so many threats – pandemic diseases that know no borders, the threat of proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the crisis of climate change, the illiteracy, hunger, grinding poverty that know no borders.

Not long ago, the measure of a nation’s greatness was the size of its military or its economic strength or its capacity to dominate friends and adversaries. But in this interconnected and interdependent world in which we live, greatness will be more and more defined by the power of a nation’s examples, the persuasive appeal of its values, and its ability to galvanize others to work in concert to find solutions to problems.

In this new century, there is a premium on the traditions and values that the United States and India share. Democracy and diversity, pluralism and public service; these remain great assets. However imperfect our nations may be, our core ideals guide us as we seek not only to broaden our partnership, but to set examples and bring others along with us.

So these times demand that we find new ways of working together. And when we talk about what we must do, it is important to particularly enlist the energy and the hope of the young people who, in our country and yours, have such an opportunity now to influence world events.

Look at what was happening during the aftermath of the elections in Iran -- young people were using technology to communicate to the outside world Or a recent example from Colombia, which has been fighting the narco-traffickers and the criminal cartel, where two young men used the internet to organize a massive demonstration on behalf of peace.

So the good news is that regardless of how daunting these global challenges are, there are answers to every single one of them already in operation somewhere in the world, and many right here in India.

I have seen some of the future just in the last several days. I visited fields where scientists and researchers are developing new seeds and irrigation techniques to help rural farmers grow their crops in harsh climates, which will help alleviate hunger and raise standards of living in India and across South Asia. I toured the ITC Green Center not far from here, which is truly what I called a monument to the future, a cutting-edge green building that uses energy conservation and recycling to reduce greenhouse gas emission, save water, and save costs. This building offers compelling evidence that addressing climate change and promoting economic growth can go hand-in-hand.

I discussed education with volunteers from Teach India and Teach for India, whose passion for service lit up their faces as they talked about the importance of giving every Indian child the chance for an excellent education. The underpinning of global progress is education across the entire spectrum, from early schooling to the advanced research and post-graduate work that occurs on this campus. And the United States and India enjoy a long tradition of educational exchanges, and we’re very eager to expand those. And I’d like to welcome the Fulbright-Nehru scholars, and all the members of the educational exchange programs who are here today.

At a roundtable discussion with some of India’s biggest business leaders in Mumbai, I heard about how these companies are using technology to make mobile banking and financial services more accessible in rural areas, working to develop micronutrients that can be put into foods to enhance nutrition for infants and pregnant women, and even digging into the ice in Antarctic to discover new microbes that might hold answers to some of the most intractable diseases.

I visited a small shop in Mumbai where rural women sell handmade crafts that are extremely sophisticated through the Self-Employed Women’s Association, with which I’ve worked now for many years. SEWA has defied the skeptics by proving that even societies most marginalized women, if given the opportunity to develop skills and work, can create livelihoods and generate local and sustainable economic growth.

Investing in opportunities for women is not only the smart thing to do; it’s the right thing to do. And I applaud your government’s commitment to increasing literacy among India’s women and providing more training and opportunities for them, because it’s not just my observation. It is a very well researched fact that women are key to economic progress and social stability. It’s even truer today as women disproportionally are affected by the global economic turmoil.

With us today are members of the Vital Voices Global Partnership. It’s an organization that I helped to start in the Clinton Administration, and it does exactly what its name suggests. It makes sure that the vital voices of women are heard across societies. And I’m very happy to announce that Vital Voices, in partnership with the United States Government and leading companies, will hold a regional summit in New Delhi next year, bringing together women from across Asia to learn from each other and devise strategies for enhancing women’s empowerment and rights.

Here in India, countless men and women every day are shaping the new future that awaits. And its important that we look for better understanding and opportunity for cooperation. And I know all well that we have difference of history and tradition, of perspective and experience. But what has occurred in the last 15 years between our two countries in a bipartisan way, starting with my husband, continuing with President Bush and now with President Obama, is a very exciting new approach to our relationship and to the futures we wish to build."

Read the Secretary's full remarks at the University of Delhi.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_university_delhi/ 2009-07-21T20:49:47+00:00 A Stitch in Time Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary

About the Author: Christine Dal Bello serves as Acting Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, India.

I am reminded of the hard work of the Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in Mumbai every time I wear my favorite shirt. It is a homespun cotton short kurta in blue with beige embroidery that I bought during a trip to Ahmedabad, SEWA's home, while accompanying an American Center-sponsored speaker from Ashoka, a group that nurtures social entrepreneurs. After visiting the SEWA offices and learning about their extensive reach and impressive projects, we received the suggestion that beautiful clothing and other items produced by artisans that are beneficiaries of SEWA's microfinance programs were available at SEWA's retail store, Hansiba. I was so happy with my purchase that I made a special trip back to the store on a subsequent visit. It was therefore to my great happiness that a Hansiba store was opened in Mumbai.

The store happens to be on the route I take to drop my daughter off at school and it serves as a daily and powerful reminder of the power of the nongovernmental sector. Founded by Ela Bhatt and Reema Nanavaty in 1972, the SEWA is known as a pioneer in grassroots development. It is the largest union, with one million members, of informal sector workers in India. The SEWA Cooperative Bank, founded in 1974, impacts more than three million people. They have expanded beyond India and are now working in Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and other countries. In fact, Secretary Clinton was served nuts from Afghanistan that were produced as part of a SEWA initiative.

This visit was also a reunion as Secretary of State Clinton has known founders Ela Bhatt and Reema Nanavaty since 1995, when the Secretary visited SEWA headquarters in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. In fact, the cover of the April 1995 issue of SPAN magazine, features a photo of Secretary Clinton and Ms. Bhatt. They have continued to stay in touch and the Secretary and Ms. Nanavaty worked together to form the Women's Trade and Finance Council (WTFC) in partnership with the Global Fairness Initiative.

During the visit, the artisans themselves took center stage as they demonstrated their embroidery and sewing techniques to the Secretary, while explaining how SEWA, through the access to markets, microloans, and banking services it offers, allows them to make a living from their craft.

The visit ended with a moving rendition of the Gujarati language version of "We Shall Overcome." ]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_sewa_mumbai/ 2009-07-18T16:40:47+00:00 Education and Service: Washington Meets Bollywood Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary

About the Author: Robyn Remeika serves as the Public Diplomacy Officer covering cultural affairs at the U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, India.

The campus of St. Xavier's College in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) was buzzing in anticipation of Secretary Clinton's town hall style meeting. The historic Gothic heritage building was filled with the beaming faces of young volunteer teachers from NGOs Teach for India as well as Teach India.

As the Secretary entered the room, television cameramen and print media photographers jostled for position while the audience members craned their necks for a better view. After all, it's not every day that the U.S. Secretary of State joins in conversation with Bollywood. But today, Secretary Clinton was joined by Aamir Khan, one of India's most famous, critically acclaimed, and socially conscious actors and directors. The conversation was steered by Arnab Goswami, Editor-in-Chief of Times Now, a top Indian news channel.

Mr. Khan and Mr. Goswami warmly greeted the Secretary, and she reciprocated. She then turned to the gathering of approximately 75 young educators, who were clearly bristling with excitement at the chance to interact directly with public figures they hold in such high esteem.

Secretary Clinton connected with them, underlining the importance of education in the world's largest, and the world's oldest, democracies. She and Mr. Khan agreed that classroom education is less effective when focused merely on rote memorization or tests. Secretary Clinton noted that cooperation and collaboration are just as important as competition among countries as well as people.

Teach India, the community service initiative of the Times Media Group, has seen a flood of applications since launching in 2008. Aamir Khan is the brand ambassador for both Teach India and Teach for India, and strongly supports them both. The tone of the conversation between Secretary Clinton and Aamir Khan was friendly and relaxed. I felt like I was looking into someone's living room. It may have been the monsoon season in Mumbai, but that did nothing to dampen the mood inside the historic hall at St. Xavier's.

When moderator Arnab Goswami asked for questions from the audience, and I could feel the eagerness in the room. The volunteers' questions ranged widely, from English as a second language to children's rights.

The event ended far too quickly in the eyes of the audience. This exchange of thoughts and opinions, with two of their role models, is a highlight they will never forget.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/washington_meets_bollywood/ 2009-07-18T14:36:47+00:00 Secretary Clinton Op-Ed Appears in Times of India Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary

Secretary Clinton's op-ed, "Encourage Pakistan As It Confronts Extremism," appeared on the front page of this morning's Times of India.

At a time when headlines are often depressing, the United States' growing relationship with India is welcome good news. Recent elections in both countries have provided our new governments with an opportunity to broaden our partnership and take on the world's most pressing challenges.

President Obama and I are personally committed to this task, and I am working to advance this goal during my visit to New Delhi and Mumbai this week. Our two countries are defined by their demography, their democracy, and their diversity. Together, they are home to almost one out of every four human beings on the planet.

Our people share common interests, common values, and a common stake in the 21st century. We and the rest of the world have a lot to gain from our enhanced cooperation. India's 6% growth rate is a bright spot amid the global economic downturn, and bilateral trade and investment flows between our nations have doubled in the last five years.

Some Americans fear that greater partnership with India will mean lost jobs or falling wages in the United States. But if we manage our relationship well, both sides can benefit from India's economic progress. The 300 million members of India's burgeoning middle class present a vast new market and opportunity. Our countries should work together to open that market and spread the benefits of sustainable prosperity.

We have a shared asset in this task. Millions of Indian-Americans are active throughout every sector of our society. And there are 90,000 Indian students in the United States. In medicine, finance, engineering, and education, these unofficial envoys can serve as a conduit for future collaboration.

But for the United States, India's ascent is more than an economic phenomenon. Our nations should also work together to address common challenges including security, non-proliferation, and climate change. Our countries have experienced searing terrorist attacks. We both seek a more secure world for our citizens. We should intensify our defense and law enforcement cooperation to that end. And we should encourage Pakistan as that nation confronts the challenge of violent extremism.

Until recently, concerns about nuclear proliferation were a dominant theme in our relationship. The US-India civil nuclear agreement, a landmark accord completed last year by the Bush Administration with support from President Obama, Vice President Biden, and myself, allows us to transform non-proliferation from a point of contention into an area of cooperation. The agreement entails important benefits and responsibilities for both sides. President Obama has joined with generations of Indian leaders in calling for a nuclear free world. We are looking to New Delhi to work with us in realizing this vision. India recently signed an important agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, condemned North Korea's nuclear test, and became only the third state to completely destroy its chemical weapons stockpile. We hope to build on this progress and work together to strengthen the global non-proliferation regime.

Climate change is another area where India can be a vital partner. We want India's economy and people to prosper. At the same time, we can look for opportunities to help India achieve these goals while avoiding an old development model based on dirty fuels and outdated technology. Better environmental practices can and must complement economic growth. The United States and India share an interest in greening our economies. This is not only an ecological imperative, it is also an economic and strategic opportunity. Our countries and the world will gain if we can pool our expertise to increase cooperation on energy efficiency and improve the management of our forests and water. We should harness the talents of our engineers and entrepreneurs to speed the transition to a low-carbon economy, accelerate the deployment of clean technologies, and help bridge India's energy deficit. It is vital for our two countries to work together to find common ground this December in Copenhagen as we seek a strong international agreement to combat the challenge of climate change.

The tasks ahead won't be easy and our two nations won't always agree. But India's involvement will be crucial in addressing the range of challenges on the world's agenda. When President Truman announced the United States' decision to recognize India's independence in 1947, he acknowledged the great trials facing what was then a fragile country. But he also expressed his confidence that India would take its place at the forefront of the nations of the world and find the United States to be a constant friend. Today, President Obama and I believe we have the chance to forge a partnership worthy of that promise. I hope a new era of stronger cooperation between India and the United States will be one of the signature accomplishments of our new governments. The world has a lot riding on our cooperation. ]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_op-ed_times_india/ 2009-07-17T13:04:47+00:00 U.S. Embassy Kabul Celebrates National Park Opening About the Author: Erin Hart is a Presidential Management Fellow working in the Public Affairs Section of U.S. Embassy Kabul.

Ambassador Eikenberry and several regional Afghan leaders joined together on June 18 to celebrate Afghanistan’s first national park — Band-e-Amir. The park, which features six lakes in central Bamyan Province and covers 59,000 hectares of land, is a place of astonishing natural beauty and a poorly-kept secret among the Afghan population. The recent gathering of the leaders included a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a walk to the lakes. Several American, Afghan, and international news sources were even on site to mark the historic day’s events.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) had been working with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and local communities surrounding Band-e-Amir to establish the national park since 2006. The hard work of our colleagues at USAID and the involved Afghan organizations has certainly paid dividends. The surrounding area is expected to benefit economically and will hopefully surpass its pre-war popularity through the park’s renaissance.

Ambassador Eikenberry, Afghanistan’s Second Vice President and Bamyan’s Governor were also able to enjoy the recreational opportunities at the park in a rare moment of spare time. They took advantage of the large swan paddle boats and paddled around the lake in the crisp, blue water edged by arching natural rock walls. It is a truly breath-taking sight that American and regional leaders alike hope will be a positive, sustainable attraction for decades to come.

For more photos of Ambassador Eikenberry's visit and Band-e-Amir National Park please see U.S. Embassy Kabul's Facebook album.

Related Entry: Afghanistan Establishes First National Park.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/band-e-amir_opening/ 2009-07-08T16:23:23+00:00 Secretary Clinton Meets With Afghan Women Leaders Yesterday, Secretary Clinton met with Afghan women leaders.

On July 7, 2009, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton met with senior executive Afghan women civil servants on a program sponsored by USAID and the U.S.-Afghan Women's Council at the State Department. In the photo above, pictured from left to right are: Ambassador Melanne Verveer, State Department; Nahid Wardag, Ministry of Finance; Qudsia Kakar, Ministry of Public Works; Rahela Sidiqi, Civil Service Commission; Secretary Clinton; Fawzia Habibi, Ministry of Women's Affairs; Najeeba Nuristani, Ministry of Education; Nazira Rahman, Ministry of Agriculture; Mina Sherzoy, USAID.

Ambassador Verveer, who serves as director of the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, traveled to Afghanistan on June 24. Last week, Ambassador Verveer underscored the U.S. commitment to women in Afghanistan and provided DipNote's readers some reflections about her travels to Kabul and Badghis.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/afghan_women_leaders/ 2009-07-08T14:03:23+00:00 Afghan Youth in Herat Learn About July Fourth Secretary Clinton's 4th of July Message

About the Author: Brad Hanson serves with the Provincial Reconstruction Team in Herat Province, Afghanistan.

On July 2, 2009, the Lincoln Center in Herat hosted an interactive event to help educate our regular users and students about what Independence Day means to Americans. We had an audience of about 80 students, a majority of whom were high school age, and conducted the event almost entirely in English, giving the students a chance to practice their foreign language skills.

The students asked many thoughtful questions about how Americans celebrate July Fourth and inquired about the history behind the day. They wanted to know how young Americans celebrate Independence Day and whether they still honor the day as previous generations did.

I enlisted our summer intern, a Youth Exchange and Study Program (YES) alumnus, in responding to questions, since he had celebrated the Fourth of July three times with his American friends in New York City, Philadelphia and Washington, DC. His answers were superb, perhaps more meaningful to our audience than mine, coming from an Afghan their age who had actually experienced an American Independence Day himself.

Following the presentation, we gave the audience a short quiz, and the top 14 scorers received books in English. After the event was over, we continued to talk with the students who had additional comments and questions. An English lesson, modern technology, and an engaging alumnus of one of our most popular exchange programs, who really connected with his peers, proved to be a winning combination for an enjoyable and informative afternoon.

Related Entry: U.S. Embassy Kabul Salutes Friendship, Solidarity.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/herat_july_fourth/ 2009-07-06T15:31:23+00:00 U.S. Embassy Kabul Salutes Friendship, Solidarity Secretary Clinton's 4th of July Message

About the Author: Mark Stroh serves as Information Officer at U.S. Embassy Kabul.

Ambassador Karl W. Eikenberry praised both American and Afghan democracy at Embassy Kabul’s Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 2. Flanked by Afghan Foreign Minister Rangin Dadfar Spanta and addressing a crowd of several hundred invited guests including Afghan ministers, National Security Forces personnel, government officials, members of the international community and others, Ambassador Eikenberry said, “This is a dual celebration: the birthday of the world’s oldest democracy, and our deepening partnership with one of the world’s newest democracies, Afghanistan.”

Ambassador Eikenberry noted the efforts of the United States to assist Afghanistan, and also the extraordinary hardships that the Afghan people have endured. “We have contributed our resources and our time,” the Ambassador said. “More importantly, we have sacrificed the lives of our sons and daughters.” Ambassador Eikenberry then quoted President Barack Obama, who recently said, “Despite the costs involved, America’s commitment will not weaken.” Foreign Minister Spanta described the example that American democracy sets for emerging nations. “It has shown to the world the promise of freedom, liberty, constitutionalism, and democracy.” Foreign Minister Spanta further noted that sustainable development and peaceful coexistence can only come about within a democratic system of governance.

The embassy celebration included performances by the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division brass band and a joint performance by American jazz musicians and traditional Afghan players. Ambassador Eikenberry said that the joint musical performance was a tribute to the great partnership between the United States and Afghanistan. “So today,” the Ambassador said, “we salute the friendship and solidarity between our people and we celebrate our common purpose.”

Related Entry: Afghan Youth in Herat Learn About July Fourth.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/kabul_july_fourth/ 2009-07-03T21:48:23+00:00 Strengthening Women in Afghanistan Creates Foundation for Peace, Prosperity About the Author: Ambassador-at-Large Melanne Verveer serves as director of the Secretary’s Office of Global Women’s Issues.

I traveled to Afghanistan on June 24, to learn firsthand what conditions are like for Afghan women today and to reaffirm our commitment to them. I spent time in Kabul and in Badghis, and I spoke with women and men at every level that I could: parliamentarians in Kabul, and villagers in Badghis; female candidates for the Provincial Council, brave businesswomen, journalists, and dozens of NGO workers. I visited a state-of-the-art women’s detention center that housed inmates whose crime was suspicion of having a boyfriend. And I heard how this clean and modern jail was sometimes the safest place for such young women: upon their return, some former prisoners have been shot by their relatives; others have been scalded to death by boiling water.

I returned with the firm conviction that we must stop losing ground on women’s rights in Afghanistan.

I saw progress in the unity of the women’s organizations, which speak with one voice now more than ever. I saw hope in the growing realization, among ordinary Afghan citizens, that a country in which 42 percent of the population earns less than one dollar a day cannot afford to let half its economic potential go untapped. But I also saw the challenges that remain: the 700 schools that the Taliban burned down last year alone; the crimes against women that will never be solved or, likely, even investigated; the women who remain unaware that their own national Constitution guarantees them equal rights.

Afghanistan is preparing for elections, both for president and for the provincial councils. This is the time to ensure that all the candidates in what we hope will be fair and inclusive contests prioritize women’s needs. We must work with Afghanistan, through the Ministry of Interior, to ensure that all candidates have the physical security and freedom of movement they need to conduct their campaigns. We must ensure that every woman is able to vote and able to cast her ballot free from coercion.

The status of women in Afghanistan is a bellwether for the future of that country. When we strengthen them – when they make progress towards an equal political voice, towards economic participation, towards access to education and healthcare and freedom from violence – we create a stable and lasting foundation for a peaceful and prosperous society.

Read Ambassador Verveer’s recent press briefing on her travel to Afghanistan and follow the activities of the Office of Global Women’s Issues on Facebook.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/verveer_women_afghanistan/ 2009-07-02T16:16:23+00:00 U.S. Embassy Kabul Hosts Popular Web Chat About the Author: Rachel Cooke serves as a Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Embassy Kabul’s Election Team – a group of political officers who are assisting Afghanistan’s Independent Election Commission on issues such as election security, voter registration and training for voting officials – joined forces with the embassy’s Public Diplomacy Section on June 18 to host a web chat about the upcoming presidential and provincial council elections in Afghanistan.

The Political Section’s Lyra Carr and Robert Gerber spent over an hour answering a phenomenal 76 questions, and there were more that we simply couldn’t get to. Over 100 people participated in the web chat. Many of the participates joined the chat from seven Lincoln Centers, small American libraries and cultural centers that provide English language and computer skills classes at no cost to the general public. The Lincoln Centers also host seminars, workshops and fun activities that help their patrons better understand the United States.

The discussion questions touched on topics such as security during and after the elections, the role of the United States, presidential candidates, and ways to ensure that the elections are free, fair and transparent. This is the second web chat on elections to have taken place, with at least one more likely prior to the August 20 election day.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/kabul_web_chat/ 2009-06-24T15:53:23+00:00 Community-Based Demining Links Development and Counterinsurgency in Afghanistan About the Author: Peter Villano is a Program Manager in the Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs.

In a small village in Afghanistan’s Kunar Province, a young Afghan man works to remove landmines in his village. Several weeks ago, he was unemployed and worried about supporting his family. He would travel long distances looking for work. Now, he is employed locally as a deminer by an Afghan non-governmental organization (NGO), and returns home every afternoon to see his wife and children.

The Kunar project is a community-based initiative, which centers on the removal of landmines and other unexploded bombs that threaten the local population. In Afghanistan and in other post-conflict countries around the world, mines and other unexploded munitions ─ what we call “explosive remnants of war” (ERW) ─ have denied locals access to arable land, and limited their ability to gather firewood to cook, stones to build their houses, and, ultimately, the prospect of rebuilding their communities. In 2008, mines and ERW killed or injured over 445 Afghans, an average of 37 per month.

This project is managed by a small core staff from the Organization for Mine Action and Afghan Rehabilitation (OMAR), based in Kabul. The United States Department of State has partnered with OMAR in this community-based demining initiative. Unlike most mine action projects in Afghanistan where trained deminers come from elsewhere to remove landmines and unexploded ordnance, community-based demining utilizes a local workforce that is recruited, trained, and employed by an Afghan NGO that oversees all aspects of the operation. In Afghanistan, which has suffered decades of conflict, these projects can last for several months, providing income and economic opportunity to hundreds of families.

Community-based demining in Kunar furnishes jobs that keep young men employed, and perhaps most importantly, establishes trust with local leaders by removing one of the one of largest hidden killers in Afghanistan: ERW. What’s more, the project is not just outsiders coming in to conduct mine clearance; it is owned by the population, thereby reinforcing local governance and reducing insurgent influence.

When this community-based demining project ends, follow-on agricultural and vocational training as well as immediate development projects can commence, allowing locals to capitalize on their cleared land and an available labor force with new job skills. Since these demining projects are planned, coordinated, and run in conjunction with local tribal leadership from the beginning, community priorities are taken into account even before a project is initiated.

Since 1993, the United States has been the world’s leading contributor to post-conflict efforts to remove landmines and ERW around the globe. In 2009, the Department of State will provide over $22 million to Afghanistan alone, enabling the Afghan government and a constellation of local and international NGOs to continue the essential tasks of clearing mines and ERW, caring for survivors of ERW accidents, and destroying or securing recovered munitions to prevent their use by insurgents in future attacks.

Community-based demining represents an opportunity to effectively link Afghan and U.S. humanitarian, development, and counterinsurgency objectives like never before. It offers an Afghan-led solution they stand ready to implement.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/demining_afghanistan/ 2009-06-23T20:31:23+00:00 Secretary Clinton: Text Your Disaster Relief Donation for Pakistan Full Briefing | More on Announcement | Text Your Donation

At a White House press briefing this morning, Secretary Clinton addressed the humanitarian crisis in Pakistan, announcing a pledge of more than $100 million in humanitarian support.

Secretary Clinton said, "Pakistan is facing a major humanitarian crisis. Approximately 2 million people have fled their homes, and Pakistan's government, their military, and relief organizations are working to meet the needs of these displaced persons. So many are finding refuge with family members, or in schools or mosques; they are relying on the generosity of relatives and friends. And I'm confident that Pakistan's institutions and citizens will succeed in confronting this humanitarian challenge if the international community steps up and provides the support that is needed. ... Providing this assistance is not only the right thing to do, but we believe it is essential to global security and the security of the United States, and we are prepared to do more as the situation demands."

The Secretary also invited the American people to join in the world-wide effort to bring stability to Pakistan: "Now, Americans can use technology to help, as well. Using your cell phones, Americans can text the word 'swat' -- to the number 20222 and make a $5 contribution that will help the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees provide tents, clothing, food, and medicine to hundreds of thousands of affected people. And before I came over here, we did that in the State Department. So we are making some of the first donations to this fund."]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/text_disaster_relief/ 2009-05-19T17:54:42+00:00 U.S. Holds Trilateral Meeting With Afghanistan and Pakistan Secretary Clinton held the second trilateral meeting with Afghan and Pakistani leaders today. During the meeting, the Secretary said:

"I am pleased to announce that Afghanistan and Pakistan have reached an important milestone in their efforts to generate foreign investment and stronger economic growth and trade opportunities. Before President Karzai and President Zardari meet with President Obama this morning, the two ministers, Minister Qureshi and Minister Spanta, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding committing their countries to achieving a trade transit agreement by the end of the year, which we believe will have great economic benefits for both peoples.

This is an historic event. This agreement has been under discussion for 43 years without resolution. But when I think about Afghanistan and Pakistan, and I look at the map of the world and see how strategically located both countries are, this is an agreement that will bring prosperity to both countries, along the trade routes and beyond. Nothing opens up an area to economic development better than a good road with good transit rules and an ability to transport goods and people effectively. So we think this will be enormously beneficial, and I congratulate both countries."

Read the full remarks from today's meeting with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari or Secretary Clinton's statement at the first trilateral meeting with Afghan Foreign Minister Spanta and Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/trilateral_meeting_afghanistan_pakistan/ 2009-05-06T21:26:42+00:00 Deployment Stories: Traveling to Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province About the Author: Claire Sneed serves in the State Department's Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization.

My name is Claire Sneed. I’m a conflict prevention officer for the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization. In January 2008, the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction was asked to assist the Embassy in Sri Lanka to carry out an interagency conflict assessment for the eastern province. I led a team of five people from the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Department of Defense and our office to assist the country team in Colombo to carry out this assessment and develop a strategy for stabilization that used all of the U.S. Government resources that we could bring to the table.

During the three-week assessment, we went out to the eastern province. We traveled around and talked to conflict-affected populations, to local leaders, to government officials, to NGOs and other representatives of the international community who are working on this issue. We gained sort of a common understanding of what some of the challenges were and developed sort of a shared understanding of what needed to be done in order to bring stability to the region and help the region move toward, you know, peace and development.

For me, it was a really interesting experience working on an interagency process and learning a little bit more about how the U.S. Government and the different agencies of the U.S. Government think and approach and see stabilization challenges. And it was very rewarding to see the different agencies sort of come to a consensus about what we understood and what we saw and what we felt needed to be done.

The conditions on the ground in Sri Lanka at that time were fairly volatile. We were stopped at checkpoints fairly often. Although we were able to stay in hotels, we weren’t able to stay out in the east quite as long as we might have liked, just because the situation was so precarious. That said, it was very important for us actually to get out into the region, rather than just staying in Colombo and gathering information there. And so we were fortunately able to get around and actually meet some of these populations and see the conditions in which they were living and the kind of security environment that they were facing.

In the future, I think that this type of deployment is extremely useful and this function is very useful in that it enables again this sort of shared perspective to emerge among the different parts of the U.S. Government that are involved and that can bring resources to bear in a reconstruction and stabilization environment. And so I would welcome an opportunity to participate in future assessments and planning missions like this one.

Related Entries: Watch Ambassador Herbst discuss the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization and the Civilian Response Corps or read more Deployment Stories.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/deployment_stories_claire_sneed/ 2009-05-05T18:08:42+00:00 Afghanistan Establishes First National Park The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides information about Afghanistan's first national park, designated by Afghanistan's National Environmental Protection Agency in recognition of Earth Day.
U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan

In celebration of International Earth Day, the Director General of Afghanistan’s National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA) declared Band-e-Amir as Afghanistan’s first national park. This official designation affords legal protection to the lakes and surrounding landscape, and will ensure sustainable environmental management for this area of great natural beauty.

Band-e-Amir is a series of six lakes in central Bamyan Province, and the national park covers 59,000 hectares of land. The lakes present a stunning visual landscape, with their clear, azure-blue color set against red-rock cliffs and dry grasslands. The lakes are held back by natural travertine dams, created by calcium deposits. Some of the dams are breathtaking: 30-foot rock walls stretching across the valley in long, graceful arcs. The combination of desert, water, and rock make for landscapes that rival those of national parks anywhere in the world.

Since 2006, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been working with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and local communities surrounding Band-e-Amir to establish the national park. To ensure the park’s long-term sustainability, USAID, through its implementing partner the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), founded a local institution to manage the proposed park and helped to prepare a park management plan. USAID also advised the government on the development of the legal framework for establishing protected areas. The official declaration enhances the Afghanistan’s ability to manage its natural resources, and will help bring international recognition to this area of great natural beauty.

The national park designation will also encourage economic development in the fifteen villages surrounding Band-e-Amir. Before the years of war and Taliban rule, Band-e-Amir was a popular tourist destination, and recently, tourism has begun to increase. With help from USAID and its implementing partners WCS, Ecodit, and the Agha Khan Network, local entrepreneurs are already building small shops, restaurants, and hotels – in accordance with the park’s environmental management plan – to serve the growing number of tourists. A campground is also planned. These improvements are expected to attract more Afghan and international tourists over the coming years, contributing to Afghanistan’s economic growth in an environmentally responsible manner.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/afghanistan_national_park/ 2009-04-23T20:54:58+00:00 Deployment Stories: Supporting Democracy in Afghanistan Peter Sawchyn works in the State Department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor and serves as a member of the Civilian Response Corps.

My name is Peter Sawchyn.  I’m a foreign affairs officer with the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor.  And since 2006, I’ve been a member of the standby component of the Civilian Response Corps.  I deployed to Afghanistan for a 90-day assignment in – between July and October of 2008.  And the primary objective of the deployment was to enhance civil-military cooperation at the brigade level.  I was in – at a forward operating base in Jalalabad with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, also known as Task Force Duke.  And I worked primarily on governance and democracy issues with the brigade. 

I’d like to think I accomplished a few things, primarily, helping the army’s – increasing the army’s understanding and interoperability with the State Department, the Embassy in Kabul, USAID, of course, and the United Nations Assistance Missions to Afghanistan and with – working also with Afghan NGOs.  I think that was one of the most satisfying experiences – was actually making links with Afghan NGOs with the election officials.  A big operation was mounting a voter registration drive in preparation for this year’s provincial elections.  So the brigade was very involved in working with Afghan NGOs, providing security and advice on how to actually carry out voter registration.  So connecting with Afghan NGOs, election officials, making links with brigade officers was quite satisfying; otherwise, I don’t think it would have happened.  We actually brought the Afghans onto the FOB – onto the base for several meetings.  And I think that increased the comfort level with the army and the Afghan NGOs to show that they were basically working toward the same thing. 

The conditions were quite demanding, noisy, dusty, hot.  We lived in plywood bee huts, which are basically semi-permanent wooden structures that was a step up above tents.  It was a base, a forward operating base, so there were about 3,500 other people.  So it was pretty noisy, crowded congestion and an airfield that operated 24/7, so we had lots of action on the base. 

Would I do it again?  Yes, I would.  It was a very enriching, engaging experience.  I think I gained a lot personally, professionally.  Hopefully, I added to our strategic reconstruction and stabilization efforts in Afghanistan.  I’d like to go for a longer time, I thought – as I thought over it.  It’s now four months since I returned.  I think I’d like to go for 12 months and possibly work at a PRT, instead of at a brigade level.

Related Entry: Ambassador Herbst discusses the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization and the Civilian Response Corps.

]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/deployment_stories_peter_sawchyn/ 2009-04-13T18:28:58+00:00 Deployment Stories: Working With Provincial Reconstruction Teams in Afghanistan Ted Kanamine serves in the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization.

I’m Ted Kanamine.  I’m a engineer and infrastructure advisor to the Army Corps of Engineers.  I’m detailed to the State Department’s office of the Secretary – or Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization (S/CRS).  I’ve been to Afghanistan twice.  The first one was in 2004.  And I was an infrastructure advisor to one of the deputy ministers of defense, the Afghan deputy minister of defense for military installations.  And I was there in my advisory role as an infrastructure advisor.  My second deployment to Afghanistan was a short experience.  I was there as a – then as a member of S/CRS, where I was a planning advisor/ facilitator to the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in several provinces. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.  And I would say that my first deployment, I was able to travel through most of the southern part of Afghanistan, Kandahar all the way to Kabul and then parts south towards the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.  I was able to, pretty much, do the same thing on my second deployment, but spent more time in the cities:  Sabul (ph), Ghazni (ph), Shirana (ph).  I felt very – from both experiences, they’re very different.  But the – probably, the experience the first time there as a advisor to the deputy minister for defense focused on providing the military planning for then the new Afghan army and so we were able to actually site the locations around the southern portion of Afghanistan for then the nascent Afghan army brigades. 

The second time there working with the Provincial Reconstruction Teams, a little bit more embedded in the communities and quite a bit less military related probably common across the board for both were the amount of planning that had to be involved.  And it was my first experience there where I realized how much interagency experience needed to happen and wasn’t there, wasn’t present in what I felt was necessary the first time.  And the second time was simply just the effort to try to make that happen. 

I was under – I was probably in danger the whole time I was there, but I have to honestly say I never felt in danger.  Yes, you spent a lot of time and effort worrying about this the of security and of conditions that were in.  It was – they’re austere conditions.  The – it’s a little bit the environment is not quite as safe in terms of food and health and sanitation.  But you know, one gets dirty when you go camping here in the States, too.  It’s just a little more hazardous, a little less – you just have to pay attention a bit more.  Of course, you don’t have to worry so much about traffic in some of these other places, like you do here in the cities of the U.S., so it’s a different kind of risk. 

I would definitely go back.  It’s a personally rewarding experience, a very professional experience.  Perhaps, if I could sum up one of the things that – one of my most memorable experiences was visiting a cantonment area for the DDR:  the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration site.  These are for weapons that were supposed to be in a cantonment area.  It was in an out-of-the-way place near Kabul, not in the city, but just on the outside, and walking around with some of the Afghan ministers, some of the assistants—and this is toward the evening, toward dusk—and sure, on one of the small huts that had been obviously blown up in some of the civil war, two old gentlemen heated over brazier. 

And we just sort of walked around the building and we started with each other.  They were clearly – clearly, it was the only thing they had.  There was nothing else around.  And they had the graciousness to say, “Please come and stay with us and share our tea.”  And there was only two cups and three of us, so we had to – obviously, had to beg off and say no, we really couldn’t, we had to go on.  But you know, we didn’t want to – we were sorry for disturbing them.  But it was certainly a memorable moment.  Just told me the graciousness, the – just the wonderful qualities of the people there, about how much they can be, despite all of the tragedy and everything that goes on there.  I would definitely go back.

Related Entry: Ambassador Herbst discusses S/CRS and the Civilian Response Corps.

]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/deployment_stories_kanamine/ 2009-04-08T19:22:40+00:00 Afghanistan and NATO The White House Blog provides information about President Obama's remarks on Afghanistan after the NATO meeting:

In a press conference after the NATO meeting, the President began by congratulating Danish prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen for his unanimous selection as NATO’s next Secretary General, while also recognizing Turkey for seeing past initial objections in the spirit of consensus. He thanked President Sarkozy of France and Chancellor Merkel of Germany for hosting him, and noted the significance of NATO’s two newest formal members, Albania and Croatia. But as everybody knew, Afghanistan was the top concern of the meeting, and the President spoke at length about his new plan for Afghanistan announced a week ago and the agreements reached in the meeting. President Obama said:

"We start from a simple premise: For years, our efforts in Afghanistan have lacked the resources needed to achieve our goals. And that's why the United States has recommitted itself to a clear and focused goal -- to disrupt, dismantle, and defeat al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and to prevent their return to either country in the future.

This effort cannot be America's alone. All of NATO understands that al Qaeda is a threat to all of us, and that this collective security effort must achieve its goals. And as a signal of that commitment, I am pleased that our NATO allies pledged their strong and unanimous support for our new strategy. Keep in mind it was only just a week ago that we announced this new approach. But already with Secretary Clinton's work at The Hague and with the success at today's summit we've started to match real resources to achieve our goals.

We're leaving Strasbourg and Kehl with concrete commitments on NATO support. Our allies and partners have already agreed to provide approximately 5,000 troops and trainers to advance our new strategy, as well as increased civilian assistance. To support critical elections for August 20th, NATO will fully resource our election support force to maximize security. And our allies have committed additional funds to an Afghan elections trust fund that will provide the necessary resources for free and fair elections.

To accelerate and enhance our training of Afghan security forces, a new NATO mission, a new NATO training mission, will focus on high-level support for Afghan army, and training and mentoring for the Afghan police. And many of our allies and partners have also pledged support for a new trust fund to sustain Afghan national armies going forward.

And to strengthen Afghan institutions and advance opportunity for the Afghan people, we are working with our NATO allies and partners to achieve substantial increases in non-military assistance and to provide the kind of doctors, engineers, educators and agricultural specialists that are needed to make a difference on the ground."

Read more about the President's press conference and his comments about a law recently passed in Afghanistan that has received a great deal of attention.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/afghanistan_nato/ 2009-04-06T11:59:40+00:00 Deployment Stories: Supporting Women’s Issues, Governance in Afghanistan Beverli DeWalt serves in the Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization at the U.S. Department of State.

My name is Beverli DeWalt. I am a member of the Civilian Response Corps Active Component. I work with the Office for the Coordinator of Reconstruction and Stabilization, and I’m a Foreign Service officer.

I deployed to Afghanistan in June of 2008 and I returned in December of 2008. The conditions there were – they varied, but for the most part I stayed on an airbase with the military in a container. I had two roommates. We all had a little, like, 8x8 square and these bunks to sleep on and a bathroom down the hall, which was not in the hall, more down the catwalk, which was one of the best situations there was. I didn’t have to stay in a hut.

I was deployed initially to work on a planning team to help bring together the strategic thought of the U.S. within Afghanistan. But then I had the opportunity to switch to a PRT (Provincial Reconstruction Team), and I spent the bulk of my time working as a State Department officer there. While I was there, I worked on so many issues, everything from women’s issues to governance to rule of law, and it was great. I got to work with the Afghans, mentor, help coordinate international responses to these things, and also to work on a personal basis with individual people who really care about what’s going on there, both from an Afghan and an international perspective.

Two of the most exciting things that I did there – one was working with women on a saffron project. Saffron is a crop that they’re looking at as a replacement for poppy. And we worked with a women’s group to help them receive the training and the tools to be able to plant this crop. And at the end of my time there, we had it harvest and it was neat to see it all packaged and ready to sell.

The other great accomplishment I think that we did there was – I worked very closely with the UN. And during that time, we worked with a variety of groups in an area that was really unstable. And we brought together a bunch of different community groups that were at odds with one another into a forum that they could discuss with one another to try and resolve some of their internal problems that were contributing also to the Taliban, and it strengthened their area.

And after that meeting, through no effort on our part, they started to work together. They resolved one of their longstanding conflicts. They elected their own leader. And it was very rewarding to see them move forward on their own. And those were probably two of the best things that I experienced during my deployment.

This deployment is – it’s been one of the best in my career. I would gladly do it again in a heartbeat. There’s always tons of work to do, and every day you can wake up and you have at least 20 different things that you can pick from to do that are important, that are necessary. And it’s great, because you’re never bored and you never do something you don’t feel is important.

Related Entry: Ambassador Herbst discusses S/CRS and the Civilian Response Corps.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/deployment_stories_afghanistan_dewalt/ 2009-04-01T22:22:40+00:00 International Community Committed to Helping Afghanistan Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary

Following today's International Conference on Afghanistan, Secretary Clinton spoke with reporters about Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea and women's rights. Secretary Clinton said:

"This has been an important day because of the emphasis that the world community has placed on Afghanistan. And this conference has achieved everything we hoped it could. It has rallied and united the international community against al-Qaida, it has strengthened the United Nations, and it has increased our commitment to cooperate with every country represented here as we work to address our common challenge.

We have listened to leaders from around the world. We have heard them speak with a single voice. We all recognize the need to support the people of Afghanistan as they build up their security services, strengthen their economy and institutions, and work with their neighbors to build a safer region.

For the people of Afghanistan, I hope that this conference marks a new beginning. We are extremely grateful to the Dutch Government for organizing and hosting this event, and for the people of the Netherlands for their sacrifice and commitment to this mission. The United Nations has played a critical role today, as it does every day, and we support the United Nations in assuming even more responsibility going forward.

Over the course of the day, I’ve had a series of bilateral meetings that have opened up a number of opportunities that we will pursue. I met with President Karzai, who plays a critical role in providing leadership for his country. We discussed how we will work together to implement the recommendations of the strategic review that was recently completed at the direction of President Obama.

I met with Foreign Minister Qureshi of Pakistan and General Pasha and their delegation. As I said earlier, Pakistan’s fight against violent extremism is an integral part of the challenge that we all face in Afghanistan. The work we began here in The Hague will continue at the Pakistan donors meeting in Tokyo on April 17th.

I also met with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in preparation for the meeting between our two presidents tomorrow in London. We are very pleased at the progress that we have made on a range of issues that will be discussed, including Afghanistan, between our presidents.

I also met with Foreign Minister Nakasone of Japan. Again, we discussed Afghanistan and the donors conference that Japan will host on April 17th for Pakistan. And we spent time, as you might guess, discussing our joint efforts to promote security on the Korean Peninsula.

We emerge from this conference even more committed to the common task of helping Afghanistan prevail against a ruthless enemy, and even more united in our efforts to address the broad agenda facing the international community."

Read the Secretary's press availability here.

]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/committed_afghanistan/ 2009-03-31T22:41:40+00:00 Secretary Clinton Addresses International Conference on Afghanistan Interactive Travel Map | Text the Secretary

Today, Secretary Clinton is in the Netherlands to attend the International Conference on Afghanistan. At the conference, Secretary Clinton said:

“We are here to help the people of Afghanistan prevail against a ruthless enemy who poses a common threat to us all. Afghanistan has always been a crossroads of civilization, and today we find our fate converging in those plains and mountains that are so far and yet so near in this interconnected world to all of us.

Thanks to the efforts of the international community, the perpetrators of the horrific terrorist attacks of 9/11 - attacks which killed citizens from more than 90 countries - were driven from Afghanistan, and the Afghan people made a promising start toward a more secure future. But since those first hopeful moments, our collective inability to implement a clear and sustained strategy has allowed violent extremists to regain a foothold in Afghanistan and in Pakistan, and to make the area a nerve center for efforts to spread violence from London to Mumbai.

The range of countries and institutions represented here is a universal recognition that what happens in Afghanistan matters to us all. Our failure to bring peace and progress would be a setback not only to the people of Afghanistan, but to the entire enterprise of collective action in the interest of collective security. Our success, on the other hand, will not only benefit Afghanistan, Pakistan and the region, but also the blueprint for a new diplomacy powered by partnership and premised on shared interests.

So as we recommit ourselves to meet our common challenge with a new strategy, new energy, and new resources, let us be guided by an ancient Afghan proverb, ‘patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.’

The plan I outline today is the product of intensive consultations with nations that have donated troops and support; Afghanistan’s neighbors and international institutions that play a vital role in Afghanistan’s future. The results of these consultations are clear: Our strategy must address the challenge in Afghanistan and Pakistan; it must integrate military and civilian activities and support them with vigorous international diplomacy; and it must rest on the simple premise that while we can and will help, Afghanistan’s future ultimately rests with the Afghan people and their elected government.”

Read the Secretary’s full remarks here.

]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/clinton_conference_afghanistan/ 2009-03-31T16:27:40+00:00 Mutabar Tadjibayeva: “They Can Never Break My Spirit” About the Author: Ruth Bennett serves as the Public Affairs Advisor for the Office of International Women’s Issues. This entry is one in a series of profiles of the 2009 International Women of Courage Award recipients.

"They can break my body, but they can never break my spirit."

Mutabar Tadjibayeva is one of the most vocal activists in Uzbekistan, a country in which human rights issues remain a serious concern. As Chair of her own NGO, the Fiery Hearts Club, Ms. Tadjibayeva has brought attention to human rights issues in the Ferghana Valley – one of the most sensitive regions of Central Asia – and helped people seek justice. She has monitored trials, published articles on child labor, reported on violations of women’s rights, and organized public campaigns. In August 2003, Ms. Tadjibayeva suffered serious head injuries and was hospitalized for more than a week after a demonstration she organized demanding the resignation of a corrupt local prosecutor was forcibly dispersed by police.

In October 2005, Ms. Tadjibayeva was arrested at her home as she was preparing to travel to Ireland for a human rights conference and charged with several counts of criminal activity based on her activism. Despite the threat of a long prison sentence, Ms. Tadjibayeva remained defiant and told the court, "I do not regret my activities and I will continue them regardless of the verdict." In March 2006, she was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment. Ms. Tadjibayeva’s health suffered as a result of poor prison conditions, and she was subjected to forced psychiatric treatment and long periods of solitary confinement.

In June 2008, Ms. Tadjibayeva was released from prison on medical grounds, though she remains under a three-year suspended sentence. Despite the suffering she’s endured, and at substantial risk to herself, Ms. Tadjibayeva has renewed her activism since her release and is in the process of trying to register the Fiery Hearts group with local authorities. She continues to criticize prison conditions during interviews with independent and international journalists. At the same time, she continues to seek constructive dialogue with authorities on human rights issues.

While Ms. Tadjibayeva has paid a tremendous personal price for her defense of others, she has shown no regrets for her continued activism. Her astonishing courage is a force for transparency, democracy, and good governance in Uzbekistan as well as a larger example of the power of an individual to take a stand and marshal international support for the cause of human rights. As she commented shortly after her release..."they can break my body, but they can never break my spirit."


]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/mutabar_tadjibayeva/ 2009-03-10T14:59:45+00:00 Wazhma Frogh: Opening the Doors for Women in Afghanistan About the Author: Ruth Bennett serves as the Public Affairs Advisor for the Office of International Women’s Issues. This entry is one in a series of profiles of the 2009 International Women of Courage Award recipients.

Wazhma Frogh believes in changing systems from within, and is willing to stake a lot on her beliefs. In 2002, when she visited a conservative district in northeastern Afghanistan, the activist overheard the local mullah urging male worshippers to stop her plans to start a literacy program for women. Ms. Frogh marched into the mosque, she told a Christian Science Monitor reporter, and challenged the mullah to hear her out. She recited a number of Koranic passages that supported education, and she decried the use of Islam to justify domestic violence and child marriage. The mullah listened, and then endorsed her plans to start the literacy program.

Ms. Frogh uses her scholarly knowledge of Islam to convince religious leaders to modify their views of women – views, she claims, that are often rooted more in provincial local traditions than in the real essence of the faith. "My goal is to really represent Islam,” she told the Christian Science Monitor. “It's not a religion that oppresses women."

Her activism began at a young age. In the eighth grade, she offered tutoring to her landlord’s children in exchange for reduced rent, so as to ensure that she and her sisters would be able to continue school. At age 17, she used her internship at a prestigious Pakistani newspaper to expose poor living conditions and abuses of women’s rights in Afghan refugee camps in Pakistan.

Ms. Frogh currently works as the Afghanistan Country Director for Global Rights, an international human rights organization. She’s launched public debates on domestic violence and marital rape in Afghanistan, both previously unmentionable topics in her country. She persuaded mullahs to join her in a month-long campaign of speaking out against domestic violence, and, by mobilizing a group of over 35 civil society organizations, convinced the government of Afghanistan to take action against child rape. Ms. Frogh also provides training to policewomen on issues surrounding domestic violence and child abuse.

Wazhma Frogh’s bold outspokenness for women, children, and social justice makes her a target in her conservative and volatile society. Her bravery creates safety for those whom the laws make vulnerable, and her commitment to peaceful change through the force of her intellect and persuasive skills creates both opportunity and inspiration for other women to do the same.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/wazhma_frogh/ 2009-03-09T15:59:45+00:00 Secretary Clinton Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.‘s Trip to India Yesterday, Secretary Clinton sent off Martin Luther King, III, U.S. Representative John Lewis, U.S. Representative Spencer Bachus, and Herbie Hancock on their cultural delegation to India. The delegation will commemorate the tour made by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife, Coretta Scott King, 50 years ago to study the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. King and other leaders of the civil rights movement drew on Gandhi’s ideas to transform American society.

Secretary Clinton said: "As we celebrate Black History Month here at home, the 50th Anniversary of Dr. King’s trip to India is a reminder that the struggle for civil rights and justice has always been and continues to be a global mission; it knows no borders. As Dr. King told us, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'

Now Dr. King was just 30 years old when he traveled to India in 1959, but he had already led the Montgomery bus boycott, and understood the wisdom and power of the nonviolent protest movement pioneered by the great Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. King toured the country for a month, studying Gandhi’s philosophy, meeting with Prime Minister Nehru. He met with other Indian leaders in politics and government, in academia and the professions in business and across the society. And he talked with citizens and young people at every opportunity. He brought the lessons he learned there back to the United States, and renewed his own faith in the unmatched moral force of nonviolent resistance and its ability to achieve meaningful social change."

You may watch video or read the full transcript of the Secretary's remarks.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/mlk_jr_trip_india/ 2009-02-13T13:44:36+00:00