President Obama, in his speech at Cairo University:
“I've come here to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. …I know there are many…who question whether we can forge this new beginning. Some are eager to stoke the flames of division…. Many more are simply skeptical that real change can occur. …But if we choose to be bound by the past, we will never move forward. … All of us share this world for but a brief moment in time. The question is whether we spend that time focused on what pushes us apart, or whether we commit ourselves to…a sustained effort to find common ground…and to respect the dignity of all human beings.”
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton Traveling to the Philippines Click here
Launch of Second Annual Democracy Video Challenge Click here
US Ambassador Kristie Kenney Invites You to Nominate Someone for the 2009 Secretary of State's International Women of Courage Award
In Focus
President Obama Vows Deeper, Broader Ties with Asia Pacific
Pangako ni Pangulong Obama: Mas Malalim
at Mas Malawak na Ugnayan sa Asia Pacific
In a speech in Tokyo that defines his administration’s policy in the Asia Pacific, United States President Barack Obama on November 14 said that the U.S. will seek “deeper and broader engagement” with nations of the Asia Pacific “because
our collective future depends on it.” The U.S. president emphasized the importance of the region to the U.S. economy, as well as the region’s critical role in meeting global threats posed by the nuclear arms race, extremism, food insufficiency, and climate change. To meet these common challenges, he said, “the U.S. will strengthen old alliances and build new partnerships” with the nations of the region. “To do this,” he said, “we look to America’s treaty alliances with Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand and the Philippines.” The U.S. president also called on the leadership in Burma to take concrete democratic reforms, and said his administration and China will cultivate “spheres of cooperation – not competing spheres of influence.” Reflecting back to the Asian influence in his childhood and pointing out that the U.S. is also “a nation of the Pacific,” President Obama said: “There must be no doubt: As America’s first Pacific President, I promise you that this Pacific nation will strengthen and sustain our leadership in this vitally important part of the world.”
Philippines Lauded for Promoting Interfaith Dialogue and Tolerance
The United States Government has cited the Philippines as one of the countries that has exerted special efforts to promote religious freedom. In her remarks at the launching of the
Department of State’s 2009 Annual Report on International Religious Freedom, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said this year’s report takes particular note of efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and tolerance. “We commend, for example, the Philippine leadership in the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for Peace at the United Nations,” the Secretary said.
The report examines how governments in 198 countries are protecting or failing to protect religious freedoms. Prepared annually by the Department of State in compliance with the mandate from the U.S. Congress, the report is regarded as the world’s most comprehensive survey of religious freedom.
In the Philippines, the 2009 report noted that the Philippine’s Council on Interfaith Initiatives “continued to strengthen the Government's existing institutional arrangements for interfaith activities by coordinating interfaith programs and initiatives with all government agencies, local government units, and nongovernmental organization (NGO) partners.”
Secretary Clinton: U.S. has New Approach to Food Security and Hunger
Ani si Secretary Clinton: May Bagong Paraan ang Amerika sa Paglutas ng Pandaigdigang Suliranin sa Gutom at Kaseguruhan sa Pagkain
“Food security is not only about food, but it is all about security,” in the words of U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. In an op-ed article that appeared on October 16 World Food Day in
leading newspapers worldwide, Secretary Clinton explained that “chronic hunger poses a threat to the stability of governments, societies and borders.” Despair resulting from hunger, she said, “can lead to tension, conflict, even violence.” Resolving the global problem of chronic hunger is a priority of the Obama Administration, according to the Secretary, and many countries are joining the U.S. in the effort. Informed by lessons from past U.S. efforts in this area, the Obama administration’s food security initiative will be guided by the five principles that the Secretary discussed in her article. CLICK HERE
U.S. Pledges Continued Support for Philippine Anti-Human Trafficking Efforts At Launch of Anti-Trafficking Infomercials
Sa Paglulunsad ng Infomercials, America Nangako ng Patuloy na Suporta sa Pilipinas Laban sa Human Trafficking
The United States Government lauded the dedication and achievements of the Philippine Government and nongovernment organizations in the struggle against human trafficking and
pledged Washington’s continued engagement with Filipinos in the fight against “modern-day slavery.” “Our partnership, cooperation, and teamwork have never been more essential,” said Leslie A. Bassett, Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy, in her remarks September 24 at the launching of The Asia Foundation’s radio and TV “infomercials” against human trafficking. A $294,350 U.S. Department of State grant to The Asia Foundation helped finance the production of the infomercials. [Full text]
Read the Philippines
portion in the following U.S. Government Annual Reports:
In the southern Philippines' Mindanao region,
thousands of former combatants of the Moro National Liberation Front
(MNLF) have made the transition from fighting to peaceful and
productive civilian lives. "Arms to Farms" profiles four former MNLF
rebels and shows how USAID's LEAP program enabled them to reap the
benefits of their choice of peace over war.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (left) answers a question on U.S. foreign policy during a forum on November 13 with some 800 students from various universities in Metro Manila who gathered to meet her at the Philippines’ oldest university, the University of Santo Tomas. Students at the Ateneo de Zamboanga University in the southern Philippines’ Mindanao region and at the Silliman University in central Philippines were linked to the forum in Manila through digital video conferencing. The Secretary responded to questions from students in the audience as well as from those who submitted questions on-line via websites, Twitter and Facebook. Secretary Clinton visited Manila Novem ber 12-13 to show solidarity with the Filipino people in the wake of Tropical Storm Ketsana (local name Ondoy), Typhoon Parma (Pepeng), and Typhoon Mirinae (Santi), which have affected over 10 million Filipinos and claimed almost a thousand lives. (Click the picture to view the photo gallery.)
United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton wears the sash and medal of the Order of Sikatuna that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo conferred on the Secretary in a ceremony at Malacanang Palace on November 12 in recognition of Secretary Clinton’s service in strengthening relations between the Philippines and the United States. The Secretary visited Manila to show solidarity with the Filipino people in the wake of the devastating storms and floods that hit the country recently. During her visit, the Secretary launched a book fair at Malanday National High School in Marikina City, one of Metro Manila areas hardest hit by Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) last September, and announced an additional $5.2 million in disaster relief and recovery assistance to the Philippines.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack makes a courtesy call to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during his October 24-27 visit to Manila to lead top executives of 20 American agribusiness companies on a mission to further enhance the trade and investment relations between the Philippines and the U.S. In addition, Secretary Vilsack met with Philippine Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap, and local businessmen; toured the International Rice Research Institute in Laguna and a flour milling plant in Metro Manila; distributed cookies and candies from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a public school in Pasig City; and announced the donation of US $8.5-million in food aid for the victims of recent typhoons. (Click the picture to view the photo gallery.)
U.S. Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Leslie A. Bassett (left) and U.S. Senior Commercial Officer Patrick Wall(second, right) meet Mindanao Bloggers Society founder Oliver “Bloggie” Robillo (second, left) and other participants during the Mindanao Bloggers Summit held in Cagayan de Oro City. Ms. Bassett also met with U.S. International Visitors Program alumni in Mindanao and visited an American businesses process outsourcing company as well as a local food factory that USAID assisted in meeting international standards to increase the its exports (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo (third from left) and U.S. Ambassador Kristie Kenney (left) pay their respects to the memory of American and Filipino soldiers who perished in World War II during the wreath laying ceremony in Palo, Leyte on October 20. The ceremony commemorated the 65th anniversary of General Douglas MacArthur’s landing in Leyte in 1944 to liberate the Philippines from the Japanese forces. (Click the picture to view the photo gallery.)
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Leslie Bassett (middle), US Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Mission Director Elzadia Washington (left), and International Organization for Migration (IOM) Regional Representative Charles Harns (right show samples of relief supplies that arrived in Manila on October 13 from the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). USAID is donating supplies valued at US $250,000 to IOM for immediate distribution to the victims of Storm Ondoy and Typhoon Pepeng. The donation includes 20,000 units of 10-liter water containers, 20,000 hygiene kits and 50,000 bars of soap.US donation for flood victims now nears US $4.7 million. (Click the picture to view the photo gallery.)
A member of the U.S. military’s medical team examines the foot of an evacuee at the ULTRA sports stadium in Pasig City. The U.S. medical team joined their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines on October 6 to provide medical assistance to more than a thousand people who are temporarily sheltered at the stadium in the wake of massive floods caused by Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana). (Click on the picture to view the photo gallery.)
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