America.gov-The Americas

Military Coup in Honduras Reminiscent of “Dark Past,” Obama Says

Stephen Kaufman — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 11:48:09 -0400

President Obama says the June 28 coup in Honduras is “not legal,” and the country’s democratically elected president should be allowed to serve out the remainder of his term. The United States is also reviewing all of its assistance to Honduras, according to the State Department.

Honduran Crisis Must be Resolved Peacefully and Lawfully

Stephen Kaufman — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:18:02 -0400

President Obama says the political crisis that forced Honduran President Zelaya to leave his country must be resolved peacefully with respect for democratic norms and the rule of law, and without outside interference. Secretary Clinton calls for restoration of democratic and constitutional order.

Obama Appoints Policy Adviser for Native American Affairs

Stephen Kaufman — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:40:11 -0400

President Obama appoints Kimberly Teehee to the newly created position of senior policy adviser for Native American affairs. The president says Teehee’s position in the White House will ensure that Native Americans have a voice in his administration’s policymaking decisions.

Public Awareness a Major Weapon in Fighting Human Trafficking

Yasmine Alotaibi — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 11:32:49 -0400

In Canada and Costa Rica, brave individuals fight modern-day slavery.

State Official on Freedom of Expression in the Western Hemisphere

Amor Safi — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 09:22:16 -0400

State Department spokesman Ian Kelly makes a statement on freedom of expression in the Western Hemisphere.

Four Uighur Guantánamo Detainees Resettled in Bermuda

Stephen Kaufman — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:20:57 -0400

The U.S. Department of Justice announces that Bermuda has resettled four of the 17 Uighur detainees who have been held at the Guantánamo Bay detention center in Cuba. Attorney General Eric Holder commends the government of Bermuda’s leadership and assistance on the issue.

United States Welcomes OAS Resolution on Cuba

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:50:54 -0400

The United States welcomes a decision by the Organization of American States to lift a 47-year-old suspension against Cuba and allow Cuba to be readmitted when it makes a commitment to the organization’s democratic values, the State Department says.

Statement by Secretary Clinton on OAS Resolution Regarding Cuba

safiae — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 08:22:46 -0400

The State Department releases a statement by Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton on the OAS resolution regarding Cuba.

Clinton’s Remarks at Millennium Challenge Corporation Event

safiae — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 10:10:54 -0400

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton makes remarks at a Millennium Challenge Corporation event in San Salvador, El Salvador.

U.S., Cuba Agree to Resume Talks on Immigration, Direct Mail

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:48:03 -0400

Cuban officials signaled to the United States that they want to resume talks on the legal immigration of Cubans to the United States and resume direct mail service between the two nations, a senior U.S. official says.

Clinton Says Quality of Lives Defines Western Hemisphere Progress

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:57:11 -0400

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says that defining economic progress in the Western Hemisphere is more than profit margins and the rise and fall of a nation’s gross domestic product. Prosperity is measured in the quality of peoples’ lives and livelihoods.

Secretary Clinton Op-Ed on a “Critical Moment” for the Hemisphere

safiae — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 13:55:28 -0400

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton comments on the United States’ commitment to harness and expand the Pathways to Prosperity initiative to promote shared prosperity throughout the Americas.

Obama Picks Sonia Sotomayor to Serve on U.S. Supreme Court

Michelle Austein Brooks — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:43:08 -0400

President Obama announced May 26 that he will nominate U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Sonia Sotomayor to serve on the Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Senate, Sotomayor would be the first Hispanic and the third woman to serve on the highest court in the United States.

Obama Sets Framework for Trying Terrorist Detainees

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:49:52 -0400

President Obama said the 240 detainees held at Guantánamo Bay will be treated consistent with the rule of law and American values, but none who pose a danger will be released. This generation of Americans faces “a great test in the specter of terrorism,” Obama says.

USNS Comfort Band Spans Languages and Cultures

Sharon Carper — Mon, 18 May 2009 14:17:31 -0400

U.S. Navy hospital ship Comfort is on a four-month cruise in the Caribbean and Latin America on a humanitarian mission in support of “Continuing Promise 2009.” As part of the mission, the U.S. Air Force Band South has performed at many venues since the cruise began in April.

U.S. Seeking Improved Relations with Western Hemisphere Nations

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:56:07 -0400

President Obama wants the United States to build a wholly new cooperative approach to relations with other Western Hemispheric nations that is supported by the twin pillars of democratic governance and inclusive prosperity, says Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg.

Obama Proposes Massive Global Health Initiative

Merle David Kellerhals Jr. — Thu, 07 May 2009 11:36:26 -0400

The United States is launching a six-year global health initiative that will help some of the poorest regions of the world fight health challenges that kill people who could otherwise be saved with improved health care, says President Obama.

Scientists Learn More About H1N1 Flu; Critical Questions Remain

Cheryl Pellerin — Wed, 06 May 2009 10:26:20 -0400

Scientists from around the world meet in a virtual conference about the novel H1N1 outbreak. The call, hosted by the World Health Organization, is the second international technical meeting held since disease surveillance efforts in Mexico began detecting cases of influenza-like illness March 18.

Young Afro-Brazilian Entrepreneurs Gain Business Expertise

Carolee Walker — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:40:49 -0400

Young Afro-descendant Brazilian entrepreneurs are visiting the United States as part of a program designed to enhance their knowledge and skills. Youth in Enterprise: The Buck Starts Here is a citizen exchange program that helps Brazilian small business owners learn from their peers.