USG Donates Radiation Detection Monitors to the Government of Lithuania's State Border Guard Service
On February 23 Ambassador Anne Derse participated in a ceremony at the Vilnius Airport to officially transfer ownership of radiation detection monitors to the Government of Lithuania's State Border Guard Service (SBGS). Ambassador Derse underscored President Obama and the U.S. Department of Energy's commitment to prevent terrorists from acquiring nuclear and other radioactive materials. The U.S. Department of Energy is donating security equipment for detecting such materials as a part of its Second Line of Defense (SLD) program. Through the SLD, the U.S. Department of Energy plans to equip 650 sites in 32 countries with enhanced security capabilities. In Lithuania, the donated equipment will help to maintain the secure borders that encourage peaceful commerce and international travel. After the SBGS signed the transfer agreement, the Ambassador was given a tour of the airport facilities. At the flight arrival gate a false alarm was triggered to demonstrate how the equipment functions. Ambassador Derse thanked the SBGS for the demonstration and stated that such equipment is certain to thwart persons attempting to transport hazardous materials through Vilnius Airport.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
The Newseum, Washington, DC
January 21, 2010
Secretary Clinton (Jan. 21): "The spread of information networks is forming a new nervous system for our planet. There are more ways to spread more ideas to more people than at any moment in history." full text video
Remarks by Ambassador Ivo H. Daalder
Lithuanian Seimas, Vilnius
January 15, 2010
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Ambassador Daalder delivers
remarks at Lithuanian Seimas |
There are the key principles of mutual responsibility and mutual benefit. If NATO and its partners live by these principles, then we will help ensure the long-term vigor and vibrancy of the North Atlantic Alliance.
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Undersecretary McHale addresses Lithuanian students
On December 11, during her visit to Lithuania, the Undersecretary McHale gave a speech to an assembly of students at Vilnius University. Ms. McHale not only presented her views on the mission of public diplomacy based on mutual understanding, but also answered numerous questions raised by a diverse international student and faculty audience.
"Today we are joined together not by a common threat, but by common values. Our partnership rests not so much on a shared history, but on a future defined by a common determination to promote democracy, uphold the rule of law, encourage broad-based economic prosperity, and collective security within the framework of NATO and the United Nations." -- McHale full text
The Embassy of the United States of America congratulates Lithuania on the millennium celebration of the first written occurrence of Lithuania's name, and is pleased to present a thousand children's books to Lithuanian libraries.
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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.
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State Washington, DC
October 26, 2009
"The ninth annual Trafficking in Persons Report sheds light on the faces of modern-day slavery and on new facets of this global problem. The human trafficking phenomenon affects virtually every country, including the United States. In acknowledging America's own struggle with modern-day slavery and slavery-related practices, we offer partnership. We call on every government to join us in working to build consensus and leverage resources to eliminate all forms of human trafficking."
--Secretary Clinton, June 16, 2009
Apr. 30, 2009: The Department of State released the annual Congressionally mandated Country Reports on Terrorism 2008 today. U.S. law requires the Secretary of State to provide Congress, by April 30 of each year, a full and complete report on terrorism with regard to those countries and groups meeting criteria set forth in the legislation. -Full Report - Special Briefing
