About the Author: Robert Raines serves as Acting Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The United States and Pakistan are working together to fight foot and mouth disease, which is estimated to cause $82 million in economic damage to rural Pakistani families every year. The United Stated Department of Agriculture (USDA), in partnership with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and the Government of Pakistan, is supporting this effort with a comprehensive $9 million dollar program to provide training and equipment to researchers, veterinarians, and epidemiologists throughout Pakistan.

“Foot and mouth disease causes significant damage to the Pakistani livestock population and to the farmers who depend on them for their livelihood,” said David Wolf, Senior Agriculture Attache at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. “This training will allow Pakistani scientists to use the latest technologies and treatments to fight against this disease all around… more »

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing by Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland, September 7, 2011.

U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefing by Spokesperson Victoria Nuland, August 25, 2011.

About the Author: Luke Forgerson serves as DipNote’s Managing Editor.

On August 18, 2011, President Barack Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton called on President Bashar al-Asad of Syria to step aside for the sake of the Syrian people. Secretary Clinton said:

“For months, the world has borne witness to the Asad regime’s contempt for its own people. In peaceful demonstrations across the nation, Syrians are demanding their universal human rights. The regime has answered their demands with empty promises and horrific violence, torturing opposition leaders, laying siege to cities, slaughtering thousands of unarmed civilians, including children.

“The Asad government has now been condemned by countries… more »

Press Statement Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State  Washington, DC
August 19, 2011

The United States strongly condemns today’s attack on scores of innocent Pakistanis in northwest Pakistan. The slaughter of worshipers as they gathered at a mosque for Ramadan’s Friday prayers underscores the brutality of those who would target civilians during a time of celebration and reflection for Muslims throughout the world. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones affected by this deplorable violence.

Through their violent actions, terrorists continue to demonstrate blatant disregard for the efforts of the Pakistani people to build a more peaceful and prosperous country in which citizens are free to worship. The United States deeply respects Pakistan’s sacrifices in the fight against extremism and we continue to stand with Pakistan against those who seek to undermine democracy and freedom.

Joseph Witters serves as a Public Diplomacy Officer in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.

There are some experiences in life that leave a lasting impression and open your mind to a new world of possibilities. When I was a young boy I lived in Prattville, Alabama, and my 5th grade class took a field trip to visit the U.S. Space and Rocket Center facilities in Huntsville, Alabama. I still remember the wonder of exploring space and the science involved with doing so. The sense of mission and the team exercises brought me closer to my 5th grade friends and taught me the importance of teamwork. Never in my life would I have imagined that my work in the State Department would allow me to see Pakistani and Indian students experiencing the same thing I did as a young boy.

That is exactly what happened in July when the U.S. embassies in Islamabad and New Delhi recently sent 10 students and two teachers to the Advanced Space Academy at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center facilities in Huntsville, Alabama. During the 10-day camp, the students and teachers learned about the mental, emotional, and physical demands astronauts face during their voyages. They also experienced hands-on training, including underwater exercises and centrifuge simulator sessions. The students visited an Apollo 16 capsule and a Saturn V rocket, and even experienced the sensation of weightlessness. Exposure to the inspiring world of space travel promotes a thirst for science and technology among youth. Eventually this can lead to the strengthening and expansion of the education system.

You can watch their experience here, and view photos of the experience here.

About the Author: Alberto Rodriguez serves as Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Ambassador Cameron Munter joined officials and residents of communities in FATA and Malakand today to mark the completion of a U.S. program to improve education in Northwest Pakistan. The event celebrated the success of the three-year ED-LINKS project which assisted more than 450,000 students in over 700 schools in the region.

“Our shared efforts to improve education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and FATA are a symbol of Pakistani and U.S. friendship. More important, our work will build a better tomorrow for future generations of Pakistanis,” said Ambassador Munter.

Education Minister for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sardar Babak Hussain, U.S. Agency for International Development Mission Director Andrew Sisson, and residents of FATA and Malakand also attended the ceremony. This project was funded by USAID.

“There could be no better way to help Pashtuns… more »

About the Author: Courtney Beale serves as Acting Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Ambassador Cameron Munter inaugurated a new U.S.-funded mango processing line at Lutfabad Farm while visiting Multan on July 24, 2011. As a result of U.S-provided infrastructure upgrades, 13 farms in Southern Punjab will be able to export delicious Pakistani mangos to foreign markets.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Munter said, “Just one year ago, Secretary Clinton pledged U.S. support to developing the export capacities of mango farmers. What we are seeing here today are tangible results of this pledge.”

The mango project is designed to support economic growth, fuel job creation, and improve living standards. The U.S. partnership with mango producers is expected to yield a 30 million dollar increase in mango export revenue in the next two years, three million dollars of new investment, and 6,000 new jobs in Punjab and Sindh.

Development… more »

About the Author: Courtney Beale serves as Acting Spokesperson at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

In conjunction with several multinational firms, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is launching the Women in Trade Initiative in order to increase the participation of Pakistani women in the international trade sector. 

“This initiative is part of the United States — commitment to the people of Pakistan to support women’s empowerment,” said Dr. Marilyn Wyatt, wife of U.S. Ambassador Cameron Munter, at the launch of the Women in Trade Initiative. “By raising the role of women in the international trade sector, we can enable them to contribute not only to Pakistan’s economy, but to the overall development of the country.”

Under this initiative, USAID has arranged three-month internships for 17 female university graduates with well-known companies such as TARGET Sourcing Services Pakistan, TEXLYNX, NISHAT Group,… more »

About the Author: Luke Forgerson serves as DipNote’s Managing Editor.

On July 9, 2011, the Republic of South Sudan became an independent, sovereign state. President Barack Obama announced the United States’ formal recognition of South Sudan and said:

“Today is a reminder that after the darkness of war, the light of a new dawn is possible. A proud flag flies over Juba and the map of the world has been redrawn. These symbols speak to the blood that has been spilled, the tears that have been shed, the ballots that have been cast, and the hopes that have been realized by so many millions of people. The eyes of the world are on the Republic of South Sudan. And we know that southern Sudanese have claimed their sovereignty, and shown that neither their dignity nor their dream of self-determination can be denied.

“This historic achievement… more »