|  | |  | Thursday, September 16, 2004 |
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International Religious Freedom
Secretary Powell (Sept. 15): "The release of this report underlines our nation's commitment to the protection of religious liberty. This solemn duty has always defined the American character and will forever shape our purpose in the world." [full text; report]
Secretary's Media Interview
On September 14, Secretary Powell discussed U.S. foreign policy and recent events in Russia, Iran, North Korea, Iraq, Libya, and Sudan. [full text]
Intelligence Reform
Secretary Powell (Sept. 13): "At the State Department, we are the spear point for advancing America’s interests around the globe. We are also our first line of defense against threats from abroad...any reorganization of the Intelligence Community must preserve and promote intelligence units attuned to the specific requirements of the agencies they serve." [full text]
 Documenting Atrocities in Darfur
The conflict between the Government of Sudan and two rebel groups that begin in 2003 has precipitated the worst humanitarian and human rights crisis in the world today. As of August 2004, based on available information, more than 405 villages in Darfur had been completely destroyed, with an additional 123 substantially damaged since February 2003. [report; Secretary's remarks]
 Afghan School Opened
U.S. and Afghan officials formally opened the Dahnow Dahbori School in West Kabul. The school is a primary learning institution, complete with a technology center, that will serve over 900 Afghan girls and boys. It is one of 246 primary and middle schools currently being built or refurbished by the U.S. Agency for International Development, with 8 new schools scheduled for completion by the end of September 2004.
| | |  | |  Is your destination the U.S.? This brief video explains new visa policies and procedures for visitors to the United States--a nation with secure borders and open doors. [DSL/Cable; dial-up; audio; transcript]
Effective Oct. 26, 2004, visa waiver travelers from all 27 Visa Waiver Program countries must present either a machine-readable passport or a valid U.S. visa. Travelers with a valid U.S. visa will not be required to have machine-readable passports. [more]
Reallocations of U.S. assistance to Iraq will provide for additional security and law enforcement capacity, additional oil capacity, comprehensive development, debt reduction, accelerated employment, and democracy and self-government.
| | It's back to school! Visit our student website to find an interesting country and learn about it, read kids' stories about what life's really like in other parts of the world, test your geographical knowledge, and much, much more.
The Bureau of Public Affairs released a new Spanish language website spanish.state.gov. This site features a selection of information from state.gov, including About the State Department, Secretary of State, Background Notes, and International Business Support. [more]
Background Notes are factual publications that contain information on all the countries of the world with which the United States has relations. See the whole collection.
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