Posted by Heath Kern Gibson on Dec 20, 2007 - 11:32 AM
![Heath Kern, Dipnote Editor in Chief in Washington, DC December 18, 2007. [State Department photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/UNGA/field/possible2_m.jpg)
Editor-in-Chief
All of us at DipNote want to thank you for your participation and interest in our blog. Our successful launch was due in large part to the enthusiasm and interest of our readers, bloggers, and all of you whom have commented over the past three months.
Having given a series of talks over the past few weeks, I have been thrilled, and a little surprised, by the genuine disbelief that a cabinet level agency could have started a legitimate blog complete with criticism and contrary opining. Thanks to great leadership in the State Department's Bureau of Public Affairs and beyond, we were given a green light to start a dialogue with the general public. In turn, I have been consistently impressed with the thoughtful and erudite comments we have received…
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Posted by Michael Williams on Dec 14, 2007 - 10:32 AM
![Michael Williams' Christmas tree in Kabul, Afghanistan December 18, 2007. [State Department photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/UNGA/field/kabul_m.jpg)
My twelve inch plastic Christmas tree sits prominently on the nightstand in my hooch, the containerized living space I fondly call home here at Embassy Kabul. Carefully wrapped presents sent APO by my family in New York overshadow the pinecone ornaments and miniature lights decorating the tree. Scanning the rest of the bright white plastic walls and furniture making my little container, other mementos of the holiday season catch the eye: red and green miniature Reese’s peanut butter cups, a large but empty stocking hanging from the window frame and a new sweater strewn over my chair – a prematurely opened present. Here will be…
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Posted by Nancy Brinker on Dec 14, 2007 - 09:16 AM
![Chief of Protocol Nancy Brinker greets the President of Nigeria Dec. 13, 2007. [State Dept. photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/UNGA/field/2007_1214_nigeria_bh_m.jpg)
Yesterday morning I greeted the President of Nigeria, His Excellency Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and his delegation. We congratulated him on his successful recent election. The election was on April 21, 2007 and it will mark the first transfer of power from one elected civilian president to another in the country.
President Bush and he discussed many issues including social justice, rule of law, democracy and security issues. President Bush brought up the joint concerns our countries have about AIDS and malaria. Also, President Bush stressed that the United States is…
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Posted by Nancy Brinker on Dec 13, 2007 - 02:25 PM
![President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. [State Dept. photo]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/UNGA/field/2007_1213_arlington_bh_m.jpg)
Tuesday, I greeted the President of Italy, Giorgio Napolitano, at the White House for a meeting with President Bush. He has been President since May 15, 2006. He was joined by Italian Foreign Minister D'Alema and several members of his staff. The Ambassador to Italy, Ronald Spogli, and the Italian Ambassador to the United States, Giovanni Castellaneta, was present along with Deputy Secretary Negroponte, and of course, Secretary Rice. The meeting went very well and was followed by lunch in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House. That evening, a celebratory dinner was held at the lovely…
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Posted by Mark Dybul on Dec 13, 2007 - 11:43 AM
![President Bush makes remarks during a World AIDS Day ceremony Nov. 30, 2007 in Maryland. [AP]](http://blogs.state.gov/images/UNGA/field/2007_1212_aids_bh_m.jpg)
The success of the Emergency Plan is firmly rooted in partnerships, in the American people working hand in hand with the people of the world -- through governments, non-governmental organizations including faith- and community-based organizations, and the private sector -- to build systems and to empower individuals, communities and nations to tackle HIV/AIDS.…
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