http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/site/index/ en U.S. Department of State 2012-02-11T15:54:03+00:00
Histry is so good, and I just hope it is correct. My Father, Henry Myatt, came from that area and I do not know his people and that is sad

Please keep searching,diging,and posting this information]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/africatown_citizen_diplomacy/ Mon Aug 03, 2009 DipNote Blogger Gregory L. Garland writes:

@ Constantine in Washington, DC -- Thank you for your valuable comment. You have correctly pointed out the enormous contribution of local officials and Diouf's "Dreams of Africa." My goal was and is to help bring the Africatown story to a broader audience. It is a story that must be told over and over, by each succeeeding generation so that we as Americans and Africans -- not just Alabamans -- will not only remember it, but also learn from the survivors of the Clotilde about the strength of the human spirit in the most difficult of circumstances. You are very much a part of the process of telling the story, and in that I encourage you strongly.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/africatown_citizen_diplomacy/ Mon Mar 09, 2009
I read the report with much interest and congratulate you for such a rich contibution. You have not only spent the time to visit with some of the principal actors behind this outreach effort ( such as Bob Battles, Cleon Jones, Etc..) but you have conducted research that revealed you the historic ties which has been providencially established between the people of Alabama and their brothers and sisters in the Republic of Benin. Those ties are best related in the bestseller entitled: Dreams of Africa in Alabama written by Dr. Sylviane Diouf. But we must also add to the report the contributions and ultimate sacrifice consented to this cause by the former Mayor of Prichard, the late John H. Smith...... I am also from Benin and have traveled to Africatown at several occasions since 1983 and currently act as the International Coordinator of the Community Connections Committee ( Al-Benin). I wish to share the report with Beninese official, the Embassy in Wash along with the African Diaspora though Jamii-Africa.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/africatown_citizen_diplomacy/ Wed Mar 04, 2009
The Logan Act may well be one reason why many do not do more.

When in exporting long ago, the Congolese Government ...hey, it changed three times back then- was trying to sue over the late arrival/shipments of parts for the timber industry. The premises was listed under a threat to the viable economy of the country. What if the peanuts were shipped to a third world country? Would the States be liable? Would it be a violation or consideration of violation if it adversely affected U.S. interest in such a country?

By actual interpretation, should not the Banking Industry in the United State be held accountable for known fraudulent investments in some foreign countries as it adversely affected their national security? Especially those who used foreign investments via mutual funds?..or is this why the U.S. Govt is involving itself in the exchange of stock for these bankers? Acting as a Scarlett Pimpernel so to speak?

The Lighthouse in Crete is much nicer by the way. Tell Pop I did go back.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/africatown_citizen_diplomacy/ Sat Feb 28, 2009
This report illustrates how we and those we know locally can engage people a world away.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/africatown_citizen_diplomacy/ Sat Feb 28, 2009
As I've traveled abroad, I've noticed an increasingly important role for states, cities, and regions. Here in Los Angeles, for example, there are organizations and institutions that deal directly with foreign dignitaries and leaders. Last summer in Korea, I learned of an organization that promoted trade between Korea and the 13 Western American states: Idaho, Utah, California, Washington, etc. These semi-official, lower level interactions and exchanges provide a vast amount of soft power on behalf of the U.S. and certainly reinforces global peace and stability.]]> http://blogs.state.gov/index.php/entires/africatown_citizen_diplomacy/ Fri Feb 27, 2009