http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/statedept/ en-us Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:16:13 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416907/posts There are many valuable lessons to be learned from the failed Christmas attack on a Detroit-bound airliner; throwing more money at airline security is not one of them.The most effective means of stopping terrorist attacks is get as far to the “left of the boom” as possible—i.e., stopping attacks before they even come close to fruition. Since 9/11 many systems and programs have been put in place to allow the U.S. government to get “left of the boom.” The failed Christmas Day attack made one thing clear: The Administration has to use these tools more effectively.Where There Is Smoke... The Heritage Foundation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2416907/posts#comment Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:16:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406011/posts QUESTION: And my second question is whether the U.S. is surprised at all of the passion, the people reacted before on Honduras. ASSISTANT SECRETARY VALENZUELA: On your second question, your question is a very valid one because there really are strong passions on both sides; there’s no question about that. And it does show a certain degree of ideological polarization in the world, and you see it in many capitals. You see it here in Washington. It became a domestic problem as well in terms of Honduras. You see it very much in Spain and in other places. So I’m... U S State Department http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406011/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 11:11:01 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406233/posts A State Department filing clerk pleaded guilty Friday to illegally viewing passport files of celebrities, the ninth current or former employee of the agency to admit to snooping. Debra Sue Brown, 47, of Oxon Hill, Md., pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola to one count of illegally accessing the files. Brown is scheduled to be sentenced March 23. Brown has worked full-time for the State Department since September 1995 as a file clerk and a file assistant in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, according to court documents. Brown admitted that between Mar. 25, 2005, and Feb. 7,... Town Hall http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406233/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 20:05:19 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405058/posts A visit to North Korea by U.S. envoy Stephen Bosworth ended in failure Thursday to convince the North to return to multilateral nuclear disarmament talks. "We identified some common understandings on the need for and the role of the six-party talks and the importance of the implementation of the 2005 Joint Statement," Bosworth told reporters. "It remains to be seen when and how [North Korea] will return to the six-party talks." He added, "This is something that requires further consultations among all six of us." But Bosworth claimed he had "very useful" meetings with senior North Korean officials. Further bilateral... Chosun Ilbo News, Seoul (English) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405058/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 01:36:05 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404352/posts North Korean Money Shift Sparks Violence By EVAN RAMSTAD SEOUL -- New reports emerged Tuesday of protests and deadly violence in North Korea as the country's authoritarian regime over the past week seized most of its citizens' money and savings via a new-currency issue. Open Radio for North Korea, a Seoul-based shortwave radio station that broadcasts news to the North, said police killed two men in Pyongsong, a market center outside of Pyongyang, on Friday after they divided their savings among a large group of people and urged them to exchange the money for them, attempting to get around the... WSJ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2404352/posts#comment Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:47:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2403977/posts After fighting his way across Europe during World War II, John Pistone was among the U.S. soldiers who entered Adolf Hitler's home nestled in the Bavarian Alps as the war came to a close. Making his way through the Berghof, Hitler's home near Berchtesgaden, Germany, Pistone noticed a table with shelves underneath. Exhilarated by the certainty of victory over the Nazis, Pistone took an album filled with photographs of paintings as a souvenir. "It was really a great feeling to be there and we knew, by that time, he was on his last leg," Pistone told The Associated Press. Sixty-four... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2403977/posts#comment Wed, 9 Dec 2009 20:41:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2371718/posts WASHINGTON -- A former Marine who fought in Iraq, joined the State Department after leaving the military and was a diplomat in a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan has become the first U.S. official to resign in protest of the Afghan war, the Washington Post reported early Tuesday. Matthew Hoh, who describes himself as "not some peacenik, pot-smoking hippie who wants everyone to be in love," said he believes the war is simply fueling the insurgency. "I have lost understanding of and confidence in the strategic purposes of the United States' presence in Afghanistan," Hoh wrote in his resignation letter, dated... Fox News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2371718/posts#comment Tue, 27 Oct 2009 06:53:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2369656/posts QUESTION: Thank you. On Honduras, again? MR. KELLY: Uh-huh. QUESTION: Dialogue is again broken. I know the U.S. supports an electoral solution for that, but positions seems to be divided because the rest of the countries – I mean, the rest of the international community is not really very clear if they are going to recognize the results of this election. So where do we stand? MR. KELLY: Yeah. Well, I’m glad you asked. It is – I don’t know if I would characterize the situation as the talks have broken off, because the latest we heard this morning is... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2369656/posts#comment Fri, 23 Oct 2009 23:39:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2359471/posts The State Department speaks out on the Nobel Peace Prize and slams President Bush in the process. "From our standpoint, you know, we think that this gives us a sense of momentum … when the United States has accolades tossed its way, rather than shoes," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters on Friday. It's good to know we have people in the State Department that condone that type of conduct toward a President. Someone should tell him that the State Department represents the United States and as an employee his job is to promote and protect our interests. An... The Edisto Joe Outlook http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-gop/2359471/posts#comment Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:57:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2357959/posts QUESTION: Can we go to Honduras or -- MR. KELLY: Honduras, sure. QUESTION: It seems by the reports that the Organizational States presence there is not getting any results by the moment. I don’t know if you have more updates. And also -- MR. KELLY: Well -- QUESTION: -- it seems, I don’t know, to me – and also I was reading some reports in so many countries of Latin America that the – it’s surprising that you have there in that meeting the secretary of the hemisphere – acting secretary of the hemisphere Thomas Shannon? MR. KELLY: Assistant Secretary.... U S State Department http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2357959/posts#comment Thu, 8 Oct 2009 23:55:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356419/posts I've got to say, even for the Obama administration, this is a real shocker. The Clinton State Department has decided to cut off all funding for the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC), which was compiling lists of protestors imprisoned in this summer's unrest, as well as those who were killed in the crackdown. IHRDC is what human-rights advocates should be: methodical, precise, and apolitical in their work. And yet, the Obama administration has, without explanation, cut off all federal funding to the group which has consistently fulfilled its mandate. Anyone, across the political spectrum who has any interest in... National Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356419/posts#comment Wed, 7 Oct 2009 02:08:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356307/posts An important Boston Globe story by Farah Stockman on the State Department's defunding of the Iran Human Rights Documentation Center (IHRDC) has been noted at Hot Air, the Corner, and Instapundit. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2356307/posts#comment Tue, 6 Oct 2009 23:19:58 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2353742/posts TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras — Four U.S. Republican lawmakers met with Honduras' interim president on Friday in a challenge to Washington's condemnation of the coup that brought him to power. The brief, amicable visit with the leaders of the coup that ousted President Manuel Zelaya highlights a divide in Washington, where the Obama administration is working to reinstate Zelaya but many conservatives side with the government installed after soldiers arrested the president in his pajamas and flew him into exile. South Carolina Sen. Jim DeMint, the leader of the delegation, said before the trip that even calling Zelaya's overthrow a coup is... AP - via Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2353742/posts#comment Fri, 2 Oct 2009 21:33:53 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2350273/posts The Law Library of the Congress of the United States has issued an opinion on the removal of Manuel Zelaya as president of Honduras. The conclusion: Zelaya’s removal was legal but his deportation from the country was not. Here is the summary: The Supreme Court of Honduras has constitutional and statutory authority to hear cases against the President of the Republic and many other high officers of the State, to adjudicate and enforce judgments, and to request the assistance of the public forces to enforce its rulings. The Constitution no longer authorizes impeachment, but gives Congress the power to disapprove... National Review http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2350273/posts#comment Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:32:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2345819/posts WASHINGTON — The United States pledged Tuesday to do whatever it can to help Brazil's embassy in Honduras, which was surrounded by soldiers and had its lights, water and phone lines cut off after deposed President Manuel Zelaya took refuge there. "Our embassy in Tegucigalpa is in contact with their counterparts in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa and we're discussing what kind of assistance that we can provide to help them during this crisis," said State Department spokesman Ian Kelly. "It's a very sensitive situation there on the ground, and I don't want to get into the details of what... AFP via Google http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2345819/posts#comment Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:00:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2344940/posts TEGUCIGALPA - Ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has taken refuge inside the Brazilian embassy in the Honduran capital of Tegucigalpa, Telesur television network reported Monday. Zelaya had announced Monday he returned to Honduras almost three months after he was toppled in a coup, despite warnings he would be arrested. The U.S. State Department confirmed that Zelaya, an ally of Venezuela's socialist President Hugo Chavez, was back in Honduras but the Central American country's de facto ruler denied Zelaya had returned. "I am here in Tegucigalpa. I am here for the restoration of democracy, to call for dialogue." Zelaya told Honduras'... The Gazette http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2344940/posts#comment Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:43:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2344396/posts In 1981, Pakistan was on the U.S. State Department's "no travel" list and Obama could not have used a US passport to travel to Pakistan. If he used a British passport, it would mean that he was born in Kenya. Because Obama’s stepfather that adopted him was Indonesian and both his mother and him became Indonesian citizens themselves, a country that did not allow dual citizenships, if he used an Indonesian passport, it would raise even more questions that the American people need answers to. Then there is the question of forgery. Watch these videos and form you own opinion.... Cybercorrespondent's blog http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2344396/posts#comment Sun, 20 Sep 2009 23:31:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2332550/posts Americas: The U.S. hit Honduras with harsh new sanctions last Thursday, slashing $30 million in aid. Nothing new, but the timing's strange, given that the rest of the world is starting to normalize ties with the tiny state.The June 28 ouster of Honduran President Mel Zelaya is rapidly shaping up as a never-ending crisis for the Obama administration. The more it tries to punish Honduras for getting rid of its would-be dictator, the more the freedom-loving Hondurans dig in to keep their democracy. That isn't going to be good for us in the long run. Back in June, Zelaya launched... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2332550/posts#comment Sat, 5 Sep 2009 00:17:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2332199/posts Secretary of State Hillary Clinton moved to terminate aid to Honduras today in response to a June 28 coup that deposed its elected President Jose Manuel Zelaya. The U.S. also decided to revoke visas for officials in the de facto government and supporters of Zelaya's overthrow. "Today's, you know, action sends a clear message to the de facto regime that the status quo is unacceptable and that their strategy, to try to run out the clock on President Zelaya's term of office, you know, is unacceptable. And the time has come for all the parties to sign the San Jose... ABC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2332199/posts#comment Fri, 4 Sep 2009 16:41:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2329252/posts A senior U.S. State Department official says ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya will meet in Washington Tuesday with members of the Organization of American States. snip The State Department says the Obama administration still intends to make a formal determination that Mr. Zelaya's overthrow was a coup. Such action means that a suspension of most U.S. aid to the Central American country would become permanent. The determination was to have been made last week. The official said talks with the two sides in the dispute is a factor in the delay. The official said this is an inter-agency decision "that... VOA http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2329252/posts#comment Tue, 1 Sep 2009 11:13:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2328931/posts QUESTION: Is Manuel Zelaya meeting anyone here today or tomorrow? He’s in town for his talk on Wednesday. MR. KELLY: Not today – not today or tomorrow. I understand that he is here. He’s going to have meetings at the OAS tomorrow, and I’d obviously refer you to them about who he plans to meet with. And no decisions have been made about who from the U.S. side will meet with him. QUESTION: Any decisions on whether Secretary Clinton is going to sign the declaration of the -- MR. KELLY: We do not have a decision on that yet. QUESTION:... U S State Department http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2328931/posts#comment Mon, 31 Aug 2009 22:39:41 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2219391/posts Law: President Obama's nominee for State Department legal adviser could be a future Supreme Court pick. He believes U.S. law should be based on foreign precedent, and even Shariah law could find a home here.We have commented many times on the opinion of a number of U.S. Supreme Court justices that American jurists should include foreign law and precedent in their decisions. In several prominent cases, this has already happened. In a speech in South Africa, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg called the March 2005 Roper v. Simmons decision, in which a 5-4 majority ruled against executing murderers who were 17... IBD Editorials http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2219391/posts#comment Wed, 1 Apr 2009 00:49:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2326532/posts WASHINGTON, Aug 27 (Reuters) - U.S. State Department staff have recommended that the ouster of Honduran President Manuel Zelaya be declared a "military coup," a U.S. official said on Thursday, a step that could cut off as much as $150 million in U.S. funding to the impoverished Central American nation. The official, who spoke on condition he not be named, said State Department staff had made such a recommendation to U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who has yet to make a decision on the matter although one was likely soon. Washington has already suspended about $18 million aid to... Reuters via Drudge http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2326532/posts#comment Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:28:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2303042/posts First, I want to make a quick statement that we will also issue. The Department of State is currently reviewing the diplomatic visas or A visas of individuals who are members of the de facto regime in Honduras, as well as the derivative visas for family members of these individuals. We have already revoked diplomatic visas issued to four such individuals. These individuals received their diplomatic visas in connection with positions held prior to June 28th under the Zelaya Administration, but who now serve the de facto regime. And with that – well, I’ll just also there is a press... U S State Department http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2303042/posts#comment Tue, 28 Jul 2009 21:40:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2297898/posts Associated Press - July 21, 2009 4:15 PM ET OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe has been appointed to the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee. AP via Channel 9, OKC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2297898/posts#comment Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:53:01 GMT