http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2008-08-20T15:01:00-05:00
The permanent five members of the Security Council, plus Germany, will work on the text of a third sanctions resolution across the coming weeks. If reports due in November from Dr. Javier Solana, who acts as the representative of the P5 plus one to the Iranian government, and from Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, show that Iran is both unwilling to agree to the terms of negotiation that have been on the table since spring of 2006 (negotiations will begin once Iran verifiably suspends its proliferation-related activities) and unwilling to completely disclose its past nuclear activities to the IAEA, then the resolution will be put to a vote in the Security Council. Briefing by Under Secretary Burns After Secretary Rice's Meeting with the P-5 Plus Germany Plus EU

I’ll be in New York through Tuesday, so look for more updates come Monday!




]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/silverberg_5/ 2007-09-29T03:53:00-05:00 Major Economies Meeting on Energy Security and Climate Change. I stayed in New York.

With the situation in Burma weighing heavily on our minds, I used meetings with my Chinese and Indian counterparts to encourage them to support the aspirations of the Burmese people and condemn the violent acts of the Burmese junta. I also met with the Director General of the International Labor Organization (ILO) to discuss their efforts to create change in Burma, where child labor and forced labor are major problems. President Bush made a strong statement on Burma this morning, and we were also pleased to see a good statement from ASEAN – that’s the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The Burmese Foreign Minister was at the Thursday meeting of ASEAN, so I hope he heard our message and that of Burma’s neighbors loud and clear.

I also met with Dr. Margaret Chan, Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO). Dr. Chan and I talked about ways to strengthen the WHO’s work around the globe. We strongly support WHO initiatives to combat diseases such as HIV/AIDS and to prevent pandemics.

One of my other important missions while in New York is to let people around the world know how the United States works through the United Nations. So today I did media interviews with RTL television from Germany, Kyodo News from Japan, and Al-Jazeera’s English service. If you’re from any of the countries covered by these outlets, I invite you to visit their websites to see what I talked about.

I’ll keep you updated from New York!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/silverberg_4/ 2007-09-28T01:01:00-05:00
Later in the morning, Secretary Rice attended a meeting with EU Foreign Ministers, during which we issued a joint statement calling on the government of Burma to end violence against the peaceful demonstrators and to open a process of dialogue with pro-democracy leaders. The Security Council this afternoon issued a statement of concern about the events in Burma, which were also discussed at today’s G8 Foreign Ministers lunch.

On the bilateral front, Secretary Rice raised the issue of Burma when she met this afternoon with Indian Foreign Minister Mukherjee, urging him to call on the regime to exercise utmost restraint with the peaceful protestors. She also met with Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon where, among a number of issues, the Six Party Talks were discussed. These are talks involving six countries (the United States, China, Russia, Japan, and North and South Korea) aimed at ending the North Korean regime’s attempts to develop a nuclear weapons capability.

While Secretary Rice will be back in Washington, D.C., for part of the day tomorrow to open the President’s meeting of major economies on energy security and climate, I’ll still be in New York and will keep you updated!]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/silverberg_unga_3/ 2007-09-27T18:49:00-05:00
So, here I am in the city that never sleeps – wait, isn’t that Las Vegas? Here I am in the city that never stops negotiating. From Wall Street to the General Assembly, there’s always a deal waiting to be struck. This is the time of year when the world’s governmental bodies come to the Big Apple, the United Nations Headquarters specifically, to talk about global issues like environmental concerns, international sanctions, poverty and war. Not only are they here to talk, they’re also here to be seen. I’ve never witnessed so many impeccably dressed people in one place. The Europeans walk through the lobby of our home for the week, the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel, in their grays and blacks. The Americans in their shiny lapel pins, power suits, and blackberries. The Africans in their colorful garbs and stylish headdresses. The Middle Easterners in their traditional dress.

It’s the time for flowery speech making at podiums and hand shaking in front of cameras. Even the most unliked and least admired receive their five minutes of fame during UNGA. The particularly unpopular Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, addressed the Assembly amid a fair share of empty seats on Tuesday. Just a day earlier, he gave a speech to a skeptical crowd of Columbia University students, where he was characterized by the university’s president as having “all the signs of a petty and cruel dictator.”

I was surprised by the frankness with which Columbia University president Lee Bollinger spoke, but was pleased all the same by his unfiltered words. The institution leader’s introductory remarks reinforced the existence of freedom of speech that we as Americans have enjoyed since the creation of this nation. If I could send Mr. Ahmadinejad a welcome message, it would go something like this: ‘Sure, you can have your time at the podium because that’s how we do things in the U.S. I don’t have to like what you say, because that’s what the American way of agreeing to disagree is all about. But just so you know, while you’re out pushing your agenda, there’s going to be a fair share of people just beyond the walls of the United Nations Headquarters, Columbia University’s lecture hall where you’ll be speaking, and on the streets of New York with a few thoughts of their own. Just thought you might want to know that people have voices here, aren’t afraid to use them, and refuse to go unheard. Welcome to America.’

In fairness to both sides of the debate, there were a handful of protestors outside the UN Headquarters who were proponents of Mr. Ahmadinejad’s policies. Again, you’ve got to love this country for the fact that all sides are able to freely voice their opinions to anyone and everyone that will listen.

I heard both sides. Here’s to agreeing to disagree…]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/listening/ 2007-09-26T20:44:00-05:00 Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Karen Hughes Blogging From UNGA

As is the case at a lot of world events these days, it seems there are more journalists here at the United Nations than there are dignitaries -- and the halls and hotels are crowded with Ambassadors, Foreign Ministers, Prime Ministers and Presidents. A lot of them were in one room at the same time when President Bush hosted a reception last night. I had the rare opportunity to talk with people from Jamaica to Afghanistan to Africa to Panama all in one evening. When I travel or speak in America these days, people often tell me they don’t see me on television much anymore -- that’s because a big part of my job now is traveling abroad and communicating with international audiences through foreign media.

This morning I spoke live with hundreds of thousands of people in the Arab world by appearing on Al Arabiya, one of the leading television networks in the Middle East. Whenever I visit a country, and I’ve been to about 40 during the last two years, I usually do television and radio interviews (I've even appeared on what was described as the Indonesian version of "Oprah"). And whenever I do international interviews, the questions are quite literally a tour of the world. Today I was asked by BBC about the situation in Burma and how Americans view the UN general assembly (I explained that New Yorkers probably hate the traffic, but most of us recognize it’s good for world leaders to come together to talk about common problems). Al Arabiya asked about America’s reaction to Iranian President Ahmadinejad. I pointed out the hypocrisy of his using our free speech and free media to criticize our country, yet if someone spoke out against his government in a similar way in Iran they would be arrested. I also explained that America wants to engage with the Iranian people, who are enormously talented and creative -- the concern of the international community is with Iran’s government and its policies, not with its people.

Tomorrow, I will meet with journalists from a number of different countries in the Middle East, Europe and Asia. With the explosion of media in the world, we’re trying to do a better job of getting American voices into that media. We have only one Secretary of State, but we have more than two hundred Ambassadors and Chiefs of Mission who represent us in countries around the world. Part of my job is to get them out there speaking up on behalf of our country.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/hughes_dispatch_1/ 2007-09-26T19:37:00-05:00
In his speech to the 192 nations of the General Assembly, President Bush reminded his listeners of the promise the United Nations has made – through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – to defend people everywhere from tyranny, hunger, disease, illiteracy, and poverty. The President called on all Member States to take action to defend the peoples of the world against these scourges. President Bush focused on the continued oppression of the people of Burma, announcing U.S. plans to tighten economic sanctions on individuals who lead or financially support the regime, as well as those responsible for human rights violations. The President also condemned the governments of Iran, Syria, Zimbabwe, and Cuba for their mistreatment of their own people.

The President then met with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. In that meeting, President Bush emphasized the importance of adopting outstanding laws to advance the political reconciliation process in Iraq. The two leaders also talked about defining a strategic relationship between our two countries over the long term.

In the afternoon, the President attended a Roundtable on Democracy, where he and other heads of state talked about concrete ways for democratic countries to work together to promote democracy throughout the world.

President Bush went then to a meeting of the UN Security Council on Africa, chaired by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The President called forcefully for international action to stop the genocide in Darfur, including a rapid transition to the United Nations-African Union peacekeeping force, an agreement to a cease-fire by all parties, and an end to arms sales to all combatants.

Tomorrow promises to be another full day in New York, and I’ll check in with you again in the evening.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/silverberg_dispatch_2_unga/ 2007-09-25T21:14:00-05:00 Kristen Silverberg, Assistant Secretary for International Organization Affairs

Welcome to the State Department’s new blog, Dipnote. My name is Kristin Silverberg and I lead the Department’s Bureau of International Organization Affairs which is responsible for managing the U.S. relationship with the United Nations.

Each September, the President and the Secretary of State go to New York to join their counterparts from around the world to honor the opening of the General Assembly of the United Nations. This year more than fifty heads of state and government are expected to be in New York for the opening events.

The United States helped to found the United Nations in 1945 and we remain the UN’s largest and most active supporter. We work with the United Nations to combat disease, stop the threat of nuclear proliferation, bring peace to post conflict environments, defend human rights, and promote development.

This year, the United States has a full agenda in New York. We’ll call on the Security Council to increase pressure on the Iranian regime to abandon its efforts to obtain nuclear weapons. We’ll work with the United Nations to expand its presence and activities in Iraq, to better aid Iraqis in achieving national reconciliation and establishing constructive relationships with their neighbors.

President Bush and Secretary Rice will meet with their counterparts on ways to bring an end to the violence in Darfur. They’ll call for the rapid deployment of United Nations - African Union peacekeeping force and urge all parties to work toward a political end to the crisis.

President Bush and Secretary Rice will stress the importance that free trade and private investment play in combating poverty worldwide. Trade is a powerful anti-poverty tool because it spurs economic growth, increases opportunity, and creates new and better paying jobs. They’ll emphasize that trade is particularly effective when paired with good accountable governments and economic policies that unleash private sector growth.

President Bush and Secretary Rice will work with our partners to promote the President’s vision of two states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.

And finally, we’ll discuss the best way forward on climate change which is a serious long term challenge. We’ll lead an approach that emphasizes international collaboration on a broad range of measures to slow the growth of greenhouse gas emissions. We’ll propose international science and technology initiatives that promote energy security and economic growth.

As it is every year, the opening of the General Assembly will be an exciting period of intense diplomacy as we work together to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/silverberg_unga_intro/ 2007-09-25T18:32:00-05:00 Interview by Heath Kern With Darwin Cadogan, Director of Protection for Diplomatic Security

September 24, 2007

MR. CADOGAN: Hi. I'm Darwin Cadogan, Director of Protection for the Bureau of Diplomatic Security for the U.S. Department of State.

QUESTION: Agent Cadogan, how long have you been with Diplomatic Security?

MR. CADOGAN: Oh, I've been an agent with the State Department for 31 years.

QUESTION: And you're here in New York because of the UN General Assembly.

MR. CADOGAN: That's correct.

QUESTION: Otherwise known as UNGA.

MR. CADOGAN: That's correct.

QUESTION: So how long -- how many UNGAs have you done in your career?

MR. CADOGAN: I've done a total of 13 UNGAs, most recently -- consecutive the last three years, since I've returned from overseas.

QUESTION: What exactly is your role during this UNGA? Who are you protecting?

MR. CADOGAN: We're protecting approximately 34 foreign ministers visiting the U.S. for this particular event.

QUESTION: And who are you protecting from the U.S. Government?

MR. CADOGAN: U.S. Government we have, of course, the Secretary of State, we have the Deputy Secretary of State and we have the U.S. UN Ambassador.

QUESTION: And how many special agents do you have covering this? How many people are working for you?

MR. CADOGAN: We have a total of 320 special agents from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and we also have 55 agents from the U.S. Marshall Service and from the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms and Tobacco.

QUESTION: So for each foreign minister, so foreign minister X, tell me exactly what kind of protection you're giving that foreign minister, if you can?

MR. CADOGAN: The level of protection is based on threat or perceived threat in the United States and so we go from high, medium to low and then we provide services based upon that particular thing. And reciprocity falls into place and as well as political considerations. So we have to put all of that together when we're putting together a protective package.

QUESTION: Who's determining what the threat level is?

MR. CADOGAN: We work with our threat analysis division and they, in turn, work with the intelligence community.

QUESTION: So at the highest level of threat, what kind of protection would foreign minister X be getting?

MR. CADOGAN: At the highest level for that particular individual, would get 24/7 protection, while they're in the United States. Many of the ministers that are in, we see now take trips to Washington while they're here and they may take trips to other parts of the United States for various reasons while they're here: Chicago, Los Angeles, or whatever. And that detail will go with them and remain with them until they leave the continental United States.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/unga_security_1/ 2007-09-25T15:58:00-05:00
We arrived from Washington, D.C. on Saturday. Secretary Rice went immediately to a high-level meeting on Iraq, co-chaired by Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki and Secretary General Ban. Participants discussed the UN role in Iraq and our desire to see the UN increase its political and reconstruction support for Iraq.

On Sunday, September 23, the Secretary attended a meeting on Afghanistan. Secretary Rice reaffirmed U.S. commitment to Afghanistan and noted the progress the government has made, while encouraging it to continue to work with the UN and other donors.

On Sunday afternoon, the Quartet principals and Quartet Representative Tony Blair met to discuss progress on bilateral talks between the Israelis and the Palestinians and the way forward on a two-state solution with Israel and Palestine living side-by-side in peace and prosperity.

On Monday afternoon, September 24, the Secretary spoke at an event on climate change hosted by Secretary General Ban. Secretary Rice discussed our approach, including our interest in developing a post-Kyoto energy security and climate change framework by the end of 2008. She will also address this issue on Thursday at the Major Economies Meeting in Washington. more on climate change...

We will update you again tomorrow evening.
]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/assistant_secretary_silverbergs_dispatch_1_from_the_62nd_unga/ 2007-09-24T21:17:00-05:00