Cmdr. Joseph Yang instructs Pacific Partnership 09 personnel in the use of medical equipment which will be used during their activities. Pacific Partnership 2009  The U.S. Navy’s Pacific Partnership mission of humanitarian projects is visiting Samoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Kiribati this year. The project has begun with the June 30 –July 11 visit to Samoa, where it will include medical, dental, veterinary, engineering and other projects. Follow the activities and progress of Pacific Partnership 2009 at www.cpf.navy.mil; or on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter or the Pacific Partnership blog.

Brigadier General Edwin Vincent of Pacific Command addresses a group of Samoans who are U.S. military veterans at a breakfast meeting at the home of Chargée d'Affaires Robin Yeager General Vincent of Pacific Command celebrates Samoan Independence Day  Brigadier General Edwin “Skip” Vincent, the Strategic Planning and Policy Mobilization Assistant from Pacific Command, and a group of colleagues were in Samoa for the celebration of Samoa’s Independence holiday, May 31-June 2. The trip was part of a familiarization swing through a number of countries in the region.  While in Samoa the General enjoyed the Independence celebrations, including a parade and boat races, attended the official garden party, and met with representatives of the Government of Samoa, as well as other key contacts of both the U.S. military and the U.S. Embassy. The major message of the General’s visit was, “we’re here to learn and find ways to work together more in the future.”  (gallery)

"A New Beginning": Obama Seeks Fresh Start with Muslims Worldwide Saying he came to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, President Obama told an audience in Cairo June 4 that the cycle of suspicion and discord that has defined the relationship for so long must end. “There must be a sustained effort to listen to each other; to learn from each other; to respect one another; and to seek common ground,” Obama said. “So long as our relationship is defined by our differences, we will empower those who sow hatred rather than peace, those who promote conflict rather than cooperation that can help all of our people achieve justice and prosperity.  This cycle of suspicion and discord must end.” Obama said he seeks a new start that is based on mutual interest and mutual respect — “one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles, principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings.” … (more)   Related links A New Beginning: President Obama speaks in Cairo Transcript of the President's speech as delivered High resolution video of the President delivering his speech Low resolution video of the President delivering his speech Comment on "Obama’s views on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict" on the America.gov blog   Reactions to the President's speech from America.gov's "Article Alert" service U.S. Embassy in Cairo

"Pacific Islanders strengthen the fabric of American society" President Obama, has issued a Proclamation declaring May to be Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, to "remember the challenges and celebrate the achievements" of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. "The vast diversity of languages, religions, and cultural traditions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to strengthen the fabric of American society," said the President.  He recognised that Asian and Pacific Islanders have had to endure much in American history, from early prejudice and discrimination during the Gold Rush years, through to "the darkness of the Exclusion Act and Japanese internment". But despite these historic hardships and struggles, America has proved to be the land of opportunity for Asian and Pacific Islanders too, and their presence and successes have helped build the nation.  "Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed in great and significant ways to all aspects of society. They have created works of literature and art, thrived as American athletes, and prospered in the world of academia," continued the President. In issuing his Proclamation, President Obama continues an annual tradition that dates back to 1990, when President H.W. Bush declared the first Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.  Prior even to this, the first week in May had been designated Asian Pacific American Heritage Week, through congressional Joint Resolution signed by the President. [Full text]

Stimulating Hope:  Barack Obama's Financial Plan On Wednesday, March 18, the U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Samoa Robin Yeager addressed the Samoa Association of Women Graduates.  Invited to speak on the Obama administration's response to the global financial crisis, Ms Yeager covered a number of aspects of the response in an address entitled "Stimulating Hope:  Barack Obama's Financial Plan". Drawing parallels between President Obama's budget and stimulus package, and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s "New Deal", Ms Yeager allowed that while the financial crisis is of course a challenge, the way in which the U.S. chooses to meet that challenge could be a source of pride for generations to come.  She highlighted especially the improved clean energy, education, and public health investments of the stimulus package. "Through his frequent use of the word investment, President Obama has reminded us all that the term has other meanings …Both the stimulus package and the budget strive to increase the nation’s investment in long-term projects with potential paybacks in quality of life, environmental, health, economic and human terms," she said. [full text]

 

United States Foreign Policy Shifts With near lightning speed, President Obama has altered the course of U.S. foreign policy. Less than 48 hours after taking office he has made it clear that the country’s goals and objectives will be consistent with American values and the rule of law.  Part of this change of direction from the Obama administration has been reflected in the naming of Special Diplomatic Envoys by Secretary Clinton; charged with working on issues particulary important to the new administration. President Obama joined Secretary of State Hillary Clinton January 22 to announce former Senator George Mitchell as his special envoy to the Middle East peace process and Ambassador Richard Holbrooke as his special representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan — moves that underscore the new administration’s commitment to renewing America’s leadership through reinvigorated diplomacy. Just days later, on January 26, Secretary Clinton named Todd Stern as the U.S. Special Envoy for Climate Change.  "With the appointment today of a Special Envoy, we are sending an unequivocal message that the United States will be energetic, focused, strategic and serious about addressing global climate change and the corollary issue of clean energy," she said.

Related Links U.S. Foreign Policy Shifts with Lightning-like Speed Secretary Clinton names George Mitchell and Richard Holbrooke Secretary Clinton names Todd Stern

A New Birth of Freedom: Inauguration 2009 From the the Whistle-Stop train journey President-Elect Obama undertook to travel to Washington, through to the use of the Lincoln Bible for the Presidential swearing in ceremony, the 2009 Presidential inauguration has been themed around Abraham Lincoln's "New Birth of Freedom".  Abraham Lincoln, in his Gettysburg address, expressed his hope that the sacrifice of those who died to preserve the United States would lead to "a new birth of freedom" for the nation.  Now, almost exactly 200 years after Lincoln's birth - on February 12, 1809 - these words express the intended direction of President-Elect Obama and his incoming administration. The cornerstone of the inauguration is the swearing in ceremony when, at noon on January 20th, Barack Obama took the oath of office; the 56th time that a U.S. president has been sworn in for a four-year term since 1789, when George Washington first took the same oath.  From that moment, President Obama has been the 44th President of the United States of America. …  (more from america.gov) (more from senate.gov)

Coral at Rose Atoll (NOAA photo). President Designates Three Pacific Marine Areas as National Monuments On January 6, 2009, President Bush designated three areas of the Pacific Ocean as marine national monuments. By designating these areas as national monuments, the Administration ensures that the marine environment will receive the highest level of environmental recognition and conservation. Destruction or extraction of protected resources within the boundaries of these monuments will be prohibited, as will commercial fishing in the coral reef ecosystem areas of the monuments. Scientific and recreational activities may be permitted consistent with the care and management of the protected resources of these monuments. For marine life and seabirds, these places will be sanctuaries to grow and thrive. … (more)