 |
AP/Wide World Photo |
|
In FY 2006, the Department of State made significant strides toward a more secure, democratic, and prosperous world for the benefit of the American people and the international community. Through the Secretary's vision of transformational diplomacy, these achievements contribute to the President's National Security Strategy objectives by furthering democracy, advancing economic prosperity, and promoting religious and human rights around the world - especially in states transitioning toward democracy.
In the Middle East and North Africa, U.S. foreign policies and programs bolstered momentum for democratic change in the region. In Iraq, the United States made progress on the three tracks - political, security, and economic. The three tracks are fundamental to our efforts to help Iraqis build a democratic, stable and prosperous country that is a partner in the war against terrorism.
The United States, along with the United Nations, the European Union and the Russian Federation (the Quartet), reaffirmed a shared commitment to the "Road Map" as the means to realize the goal of two democratic States - Israel and Palestine - living side by side in peace and security. The U.S. and our allies continued to stress the need for a credible political process in order to make progress toward a two-State solution. Our goals remain to support a peaceful negotiated solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; support the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and encourage popular support for moderate, democratic, pro-peace Palestinian leadership; and encourage broad regional support for peace with Israel.
Through the Middle East Partnership Initiative and other bilateral assistance programs, the United States supported people in the broader Middle East who are seeking greater freedom and opportunity to build a more peaceful and prosperous region. The U.S. Government spoke out against abuses of human rights by undemocratic governments in the region, publicly supporting democratic reformers in repressive nations, and using foreign assistance to support the development of free and fair elections, rule of law, civil society, human rights, free media, and religious freedom.
In South Asia, NATO assumed operational command of Allied forces assisting the government in Afghanistan. The seven newest members of NATO committed to the shared values of freedom and democracy that are the foundation of the alliance and have already contributed to NATO operations in Afghanistan. In addition, the U.S. and India made great progress in advancing a historic partnership to meet the global challenges of the 21st century. The U.S.-India strategic partnership was enhanced by India's efforts to strengthen export controls and prevent the onward proliferation of sensitive materials and technologies.
The United States faced challenges posed by North Korea and Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons capability and North Korea's nuclear weapons test. Working with the United Nations, the U.S. sought and obtained strong Security Council Resolutions under Chapter VII condemning these actions and demanding North Korea and Iran suspend nuclear programs. As part of the U.S. Government's ongoing response to the proliferation threat, the U.S. and other members of the international community gathered in Warsaw, Poland, in June 2006 to expand cooperation under the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI). The PSI is dedicated to stopping all aspects of the proliferation trade and to denying terrorists, rogue states, and their supplier networks access to WMD-related materials and delivery systems. In FY 2006, the PSI worked to disrupt the financial activities of networks that support proliferation and interdict cargo containing dangerous materials. The U.S. continued to expand participation in the PSI, with more than seventy nations now supporting the initiative.
In the Western hemisphere, the U.S. worked with partners in the region to create a community of nations characterized by democratic institutions, respect for individual freedoms and human rights, market-oriented economic institutions, and cooperation against terrorism and crime. As Haiti's largest bilateral assistance donor, the U.S. concentrated FY 2006 programs in the areas of health, democracy, education and economic growth. U.S. assistance helped facilitate the transparent administration of Haiti's 2006 national elections, as well as provided support for political parties, free media, and voter education. In Colombia, U.S. assistance has helped change the political, military, economic, and counternarcotics environment. Colombian security forces have made impressive progress in regaining control of national territory and important gains have been made in areas of democracy, human rights, development, justice sector reform, and humanitarian assistance. In Nicaragua, the U.S. successfully supported a credible election process, fostered anti-corruption and accountability measures within the government, and strengthened civic programs. Additionally, the U.S. advanced implementation of the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which will be the second largest free trade zone in the Americas and the 10th largest U.S. export market in the world.
In East Asia and the Pacific, the United States enhanced regional cooperation on a broad range of economic and security goals through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The United States joined with other Asia-Pacific countries in calling for reform and democratization in Burma and an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons program. U.S. programs increased capacity of key partners including Indonesia, the Philippines and Mongolia to pursue stability, security and peace, as well as strengthened ties with allies such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. The U.S. built cooperative ties with a reforming, dynamic Vietnam, as well as encouraged China to be a responsible participant in the international system.
The United States continued its strong commitment to peace and stability in Africa. The May 2006 conclusion of the Darfur Peace Agreement in Abuja, Nigeria represented an important step toward peace in Darfur and flowed from the sustained efforts of Nigerian President Obasanjo, the African Union, the U.S. and other facilitators. The U.S. led efforts to gain UN Security Council approval in August 2006 to extend UN peacekeeping into the Darfur region, but the effort was hampered by the Government of Sudan's refusal to accept a UN peacekeeping force. The U.S. continues to work diligently with our international partners to end the violence in Darfur, to hold accountable those individuals responsible for atrocities, and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian relief. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United States worked closely with the United Nations, African partners and other members of the international community to help the DRC emerge from violence and humanitarian crisis, providing assistance to support the DRC's first competitive national elections since 1960, held in July 2006. The United States and Ghana signed the largest Millennium Challenge Corporation compact to date on August 1, 2006, predicated on Ghana's strong record of good governance and pro-growth policies; compact agreements have also been signed with Benin, Cape Verde and Madagascar.
The Department also had significant achievements in a number of Presidential initiatives. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, a five-year, $15 billion initiative designed to turn the tide in combating the HIV/AIDS pandemic, delivered HIV/AIDS assistance through bilateral programs in over 120 countries, with a special emphasis on 15 countries in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. The President's initiative to create the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza galvanized governments around the world, and led to over 175 countries establishing pandemic preparedness plans. Finally, the Department promoted opening markets for trade and investment throughout the world to create new opportunities and greater prosperity for American families, farmers, manufacturers, workers, consumers, and businesses.
< Go to Previous Page Go to Next Page >
