|  | | | H I G H L I G H T S
| Tuesday, December 27, 2005 | | |
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![Former Thai hotel workers hold batik and candles during a candlelight vigil to commemorate the first anniversary of the tsunami at a hotel in Bangkok, Thailand, Friday, Dec. 16, 2005. [© AP/WWP]](/all/20051228031920im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/2005_1226_tsunami_2_1401.jpg) Tsunami Assistance, 1 Year Later
Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli (Dec. 26): "The U.S. Government provided $841 million for tsunami relief and reconstruction, and the American people have contributed more than $1.8 billion in private funds. We will continue to help with reconstruction, and we join with the people in all the affected countries in observing and remembering the tragic events of December 26, 2004." Full Text | Fact Sheet | Photo Gallery | Success Stories | more...
![Sri Lankan Navy sailors stand guard outside the police morgue in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Saturday, December 24, 2005 [© AP/WWP]](/all/20051228031920im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/2005_1227_sri_lanka_140.jpg) Sri Lanka Donors Group Urges End to Violence
Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli (Dec. 27): "We are deeply concerned about the continued erosion of Sri Lanka’s four-year old ceasefire as marked by the recent series of violent incidents." full text
![Leading government opponent Ayman Nour shouts to supporters through the bars of the defendants dock in Cairo, Egypt Saturday, Dec. 24, 2005. [© AP/WWP]](/all/20051228031920im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/2005_1224_eqypt_140.gif) U.S. Troubled by Conviction of Egyptian Ayman Nour
Department Spokesman Sean McCormack (Dec. 24): "Mr. Nour's detention and sentencing raise serious concerns about the path of political reform and democracy in Egypt, and is inconsistent with the Egyptian Government's professed commitment to increased political openness and dialogue within Egyptian society." full text
| | | | | I N O T H E R N E W S | | | | |  Members of the Iran's religious minorities—including Sunni Muslims, Sufis, Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians—are frequently imprisoned, harassed, and intimidated based on their religious beliefs.
Radio interviews of State Department officials were conducted in the run-up to the Iraqi elections. The radio interviews covered a wide range of issues and topics.
| | Country Background Notes are factual publications that contain information on all the countries of the world with which the United States has relations.
The conviction in absentia Dec. 22 of opposition leader Sam Rainsy on defamation charges by a Phnom Penh court is further evidence of the unfortunate trend toward deteriorating democratic principles in Cambodia.
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