U.S. Embassy Bangkok Website Highlights

U.S. Embassy Bangkok Website Highlights provides a summary of the latest news and information posted to homepage of the U.S. Embassy Bangkok website over the preceding week. [Available in English only.]

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Week of September 22 - 28, 2008.

Embassy Highlights

1. Statement on Burma by Mrs. Laura Bush
Office of the First Lady, The White House
September 25, 2008

One year ago tomorrow, tens of thousands of Burmese monks and ordinary citizens poured into the streets to demonstrate for freedom, economic progress, and basic human rights. The world watched in horror as Than Shwe ordered his military to begin a brutal crackdown. Soldiers sprayed bullets into unarmed crowds. They imprisoned thousands in cramped cells. Monks who led the protests were beaten, arrested, and killed – and their monasteries were raided in nighttime attacks. In response, international organizations and governments around the world condemned Burma’s military regime, called for the release of all political prisoners, and demanded a genuine dialogue on transition to a democratic government.

Burma’s regime has ignored the entreaties of the international community. It has treated the United Nations Special Envoy with disregard. Through its actions, the regime has reaffirmed its disdain for the will and the well-being of the people of Burma. The military leaders carried out a sham constitutional referendum, extended Aung San Suu Kyi’s house arrest, and continued to arrest political activists.

The United States reiterates our long-standing call for the Burmese regime to engage in a genuine dialogue with all democratic and ethnic minority leaders, with the goal of making a credible transition to civilian, democratic government. We call on the regime to release Aung San Suu Kyi and all other political prisoners.

The United States will continue to work with the international community to hold the regime accountable for its actions and to intensify pressure on the regime to meet these basic requirements.

U.S. Elections 2008

2. Both U.S. Presidential Candidates “Profoundly Shaped” by Asia
Obama, McCain likely to have similar policies toward Asia as president
By Jane Morse, Staff Writer

September 24, 2008, Washington – U.S.-Asian relations under the next U.S. administration are unlikely to vary much based on whether Democrat Barack Obama or Republican John McCain wins the U.S. presidential race in November, according to senior foreign policy advisers to both candidates.

“We have two men running for president, both of whom have been profoundly shaped by Asia in very profoundly different ways,” says Frank Jannuzi, an East Asia specialist for the Democratic staff of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “I think that bodes well for our country, given the preponderance of Asia looming large economically [and] strategically.” (more)

Reaching out to Muslim Community

3. Arab Americans Encouraging Community to Make Voice Heard
September 22, 2008
By Michelle Austein, Staff Writer

Washington — As part of its Yalla (“Let’s go”) Vote campaign, the Arab American Institute (AAI) is encouraging its community to engage in the political process and make its voice heard.

Many in the community are doing just that, saying that, like other Americans, their top concern in the 2008 election is the economy.

At least 3.5 million Americans are of Arab descent, and about one-third of Arab Americans live in battleground states — including Michigan, Virginia, Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania. (More)

Products & Services

4. Web Alert: Soft Power and Public Diplomacy - September 2008

This monthly Web Alert is produced by the Information Resource Center, U.S. Mission in Bangkok. It presents a comprehensive list of current online reports, documents and websites on various topics. Full texts are available at your fingertips by clicking the links provided or by copying the link address into your Internet browser.

Note: The views and opinions expressed in these articles and websites are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect U.S. government policies. Non-U.S. government articles may be copyrighted and subjected to the terms of use as specified by the copyright owner. (More)

5. 2008 Report on International Religious Freedom - September 19, 2008

The International Religious Freedom report is submitted to Congress annually by the Department of State in compliance with Section 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. This report supplements the most recent Human Rights Reports by providing additional detailed information with respect to matters involving international religious freedom. It includes individual country chapters on the status of religious freedom worldwide. (More)