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Quartet Meets in Russia On the final day of her two-stop visit to Moscow, Secretary Clinton met with with United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, EU High Representative Catherine Ashton and Quartet Special Representative Tony Blair. Following their talks, the Quartet released a joint statement reaffirming the fundamental principles laid down in Trieste on June 26, 2009, and welcoming the readiness to launch proximity talks between Israel and the Palestinians. The proximity talks are an important step toward the resumption, without pre-conditions, of direct bilateral negotiations that resolve all final status issues as previously agreed by the parties.

Secretary Clinton said, "The goal of the Quartet,…...

The Colors of Warka Debuts in Washington About the Authors: Kathryn Speckart serves as a Collections Manager at the U.S. Diplomacy Center in the Bureau of Public Affairs, and Kelli Cook serves as a Public Diplomacy Officer in PRT Muthanna.

The exhibit, The Colors of Warka: Paintings by Iraqi Women of Muthanna Province, is currently on display in the Exhibit Hall of the U.S. Department of State until April 2, 2010. How it arrived in Washington is a story unto itself.

Kathryn writes:…...

What Innovative Ways Can the International Community Improve Access to Safe Water and Sanitation? March 22 marks World Water Day. More than one billion people worldwide lack access to improved water supply, and more than two billion people lack access to improved sanitation, undermining efforts to generate economic growth, promote social development, and protect public health.

What innovative ways can the international community improve people's access to safe water and sanitation?...

Secretary Clinton Meets With Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Interactive Travel Map | Trip Page

Today, Secretary Clinton met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. Following their meeting, Secretary Clinton said, "Since our first meeting in Geneva, a little more than a year ago, Minister Lavrov and I, along with our respective governments under the leadership of both President Medvedev and President Obama, have worked toward a new beginning in the relationship between the United States and Russia. We believe that this reset of the relationship has led to much greater cooperation, coordination, and a constructive ongoing consultation on numerous issues that are important to…...

The Benefits of Engagement About the Author: William Burke-White serves on the Policy Planning Staff.

The United States is committed to engagement with all states, including traditional allies, rising powers and potential new partners, and states with whom we disagree. The Secretary explained our approach in her address to the Council on Foreign Relations on July 15, 2009. She indicated we would "lead with diplomacy, even in the cases of adversaries or nations with whom we disagree. We believe that doing so advances…...

Secretary Clinton Travels to Russia Interactive Travel Map | Trip Page

About the Author: Mark Toner serves as Director of the Press Office.

Today, Secretary Clinton travels to Russia for a two-day visit accompanied by Senator Mitchell. In Moscow, the pair will discuss efforts to promote Middle East peace in a meeting of the Quartet with U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, and European Union High Representative Catherine Ashton, as well as Quartet Representative Tony Blair.

The Secretary will also meet with senior Russian officials to discuss progress on a successor agreement to START,…...

National Export Initiative About the Author: Robert D. Hormats serves as Under Secretary of State for Economic, Energy and Agricultural Affairs.

It's appropriate that my first DipNote entry focus on one of the President's highest economic priorities: that of expanding exports.

On Monday, March 15, I was interviewed on The Diane Rehm Show about the National Export Initiative (NEI). This historic initiative has a goal of doubling U.S. exports over the next five years and will support two million new jobs. The show was a great opportunity…...

Ireland: A Valued Partner Today, Secretary Clinton met with Irish Foreign Minister Michael Martin. Secretary Clinton said, "I am delighted to be standing here with the foreign minister. Because of our personal relationship and because of the close relationship between our two countries, we always look forward to these visits. And I'm also going to be meeting later with other friends and particularly looking forward to seeing the Taoiseach tonight at the American-Ireland Fund gala. It may go without saying, but I'll say it anyway, that the United States and Ireland have a close historic, cultural, familial relationship. Millions of Americans trace their ancestry back to Ireland and are very proud to do so, not just on St. Patrick's Day but all year long."

The Secretary continued, "On March 9th, the Northern Ireland Assembly voted to complete the process…...

U.S. Supports Peaceful, Prosperous Future for People of Northern Ireland Today, Secretary Clinton met with Northern Ireland First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness. Secretary Clinton said, "[I]t's a great pleasure to welcome the first minister and the deputy first minister from Northern Ireland. I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with both of these leaders, and I am delighted that they are coming here to the United States having successfully concluded the devolution agreement known as the Hillsborough Agreement. And I look forward to discussing with them the way that -- the ways that the United States will continue to support a peaceful and prosperous future for the people of Northern Ireland." Full Text...
Senegal: The Impact of Climate Change on Vulnerable Populations About the Author: Jared Banks is a Foreign Service Officer and a member of the International Migration Office in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

The U.S. government is trying to better understand the specific impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations. As part of that effort, I recently visited Senegal as a member of a Study Team on Climate Change and Migration sponsored by the German…...



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