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Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs
The Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs (NEA), headed by Assistant Secretary C. David Welch, deals with U.S. foreign policy and U.S. diplomatic relations with Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. Regional policy issues that NEA handles include Iraq, Middle East peace, terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, and political and economic reform. Clickable Map | Email Addresses ![Members of the Iraqi parliament cast their ballots while electing a new speaker of Iraqi parliament during the first session of the Iraqi parliament at the Green Zone in Baghdad, Iraq, April 22, 2006. A breakthrough in months of political deadlock cleared the way for Iraq's parliament to launch the process of putting together a new government. [© AP/WWP]](https://web.archive.org/all/20060425213114im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/thumbs/thumb96_2006_04_22_ballotbox_iraq.jpg) Iraqi Political DevelopmentsSecretary Rice: "I just wanted to take note of the important milestone that the Iraqis have reached [on April 22] in ... the next steps in their formation of a government of national unity. By selecting the presidency council and the speaker and deputies and having nominated now a candidate for prime minister, the Iraqis are now well on their way to the formation of this government of national unity." Full Text | President Bush's Statement | Iraq country page ![Reactor building of Iran\'s Bushehr nuclear power plant as seen on February 26, 2006. [© AP/WWP File photo]](https://web.archive.org/all/20060425213114im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/2006_02_26_iran_nuclear_plant_96.jpg) Iran's Nuclear ProgramUnder Secretary Burns: "We all agreed that while we're willing to support efforts to see civil nuclear power made available to the Iranian people, none of us are willing to see a nuclear weapons capability produced. And for the first time, all countries said that action had to be considered." Full Text | Iran country page ![Palestinian women pass by fruit stand in Gaza City, Feb. 25, 2006. [© AP/WWP]](https://web.archive.org/all/20060425213114im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/thumbs/thumb96_2006_pal_fruit_2502.jpg) Middle East Peace: Assistance to Palestinians Secretary Rice: "[T]he United States will increase its humanitarian aid to help Palestinians in need. ... Because the new Hamas-led Palestinian government has failed to accept the Quartet principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel, and respect for previous agreements between the parties, the United States is suspending assistance to the Palestinian government's cabinet and ministries." Full Text | Special Briefing | Fact Sheet | More information ![President Bush meets with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora in the Oval Office of the White House, Washington, DC, April 18, 2006. [© AP/WWP]](https://web.archive.org/all/20060425213114im_/http://www.state.gov/cms_images/thumbs/thumb96_2006_0418_bush2_250.jpg) A Free, Independent, and Sovereign LebanonPresident Bush: "[T]he United States strongly supports a free and independent and sovereign Lebanon [and] we support the desire of the people to have a government responsive to their needs and a government that is free, truly free." Full Text |
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