Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

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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

Briefing on U.S.-Libya Relations
Assistant Secretary Welch (Oct. 10): "The agreement that we forged with Libya provides for a humanitarian fund which would settle claims on both sides. The total value of that humanitarian fund is to be $1.8 billion, of which 300 million would be for victims – Libyan victims, and one-point – 1,500,000,000 would be for American victims. ...This was agreed between Libya and the United States in the arrangement signed on the 14th of August." Full Text

Remarks at the Presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker and Commanding General U.S. Central Command David Petraeus
Secretary Rice (Oct. 6): "It's a distinct honor to join you for a very special occasion: the presentation of the Distinguished Service Award to General David Petraeus and to Ambassador Ryan Crocker. This is the highest honor that the State Department confers. And I cannot think of two more deserving public servants to receive it." Full Text

Secretary Rice Remarks at the UN Security Council's 5983rd Meeting on the Situation in the Middle East
Secretary Rice (Sept. 26): "I come to this Council at a time when we can all look back on just one year ago, when there was no peace process. And there now is a viable, robust peace process. I come to this Council at a time when Israelis and Palestinians are continuing their negotiations toward the establishment of a two-state solution despite complications on both sides. I note, for instance, the meeting of President Peres and President Abu Mazen earlier today, the meeting earlier this week of Foreign Minister Livni and Abu Alaa. I note that President Bush yesterday met with President Abbas and that I will do so later today." Full Text

Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte Remarks at The Middle East Policy Forum, George Washington University
Deputy Secretary Negroponte (Sept. 25): "Let me be clear: the significant progress of the past 20 months does not mean that our work in Iraq is over. Our goal is an Iraq that is federal, democratic, pluralistic and unified; an Iraq that is at peace with itself, with its neighbors, and with the international community." Full Text

Middle East Digest
The "Middle East Digest" is a collection of excerpts from the U.S. Department of State Daily Press Briefings that are related to U.S. foreign policy interests in the Middle East.