Building Global Cooperation

An Afghani voter shows the indelible dye used to indicate that they've voted.

Obama Praises Courage and Dignity of Afghan Voters

While results are not yet known in Afghanistan’s presidential and provincial council elections, President Obama says the vote was “an important step forward” for the Afghan people in taking control of their country’s future in the face of threats from violent extremists.

Despite attacks and threats of violence by the Taliban against those participating in the vote, millions of Afghans went to the polls August 20, Obama told reporters at the White House August 21.

“As I watched the election, I was struck by their courage in the face of intimidation and their dignity in the face of disorder,” he said … (more) 

Obama Wins Global Support for Nuclear-Free Future

President Obama, at the G8 Summit in Italy, added another element to his goal of a nuclear-free world by calling for a global nuclear summit in March 2010.

The President sees this as another piece of the nonproliferation agenda he first put forward in his Prague speech in April, where he called for a nuclear-free world. The Obama agenda includes substantial reductions in the U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, which the president and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev agreed to July 6 at the Moscow Summit; U.S. ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT); and strengthening of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

In the President's Prague speech of April 5, he proposed a sweeping strategy to thwart the international nuclear threat: reducing and eventually eliminating existing nuclear arsenals; strengthening the NPT and stopping the spread of nuclear weapons to additional nations; and preventing terrorists and political extremists from obtaining nuclear weapons or materials.

In a series of related statements, G8 leaders endorsed that strategy on the first day of the summit July 8 … (more)
 

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Joshua Valcarcel )

Pacifc Partnership 2009

APIA, Samoa - (July 07, 2009)

The U.S. Navy's Pacific Partnership is the dedicated humanitarian and civil assistance mission conducted by, with and through partner nations, non-governmental organizations and other U.S. and international government agencies to execute a variety of humanitarian civic action missions in the Pacific Fleet area of responsibility.

Shown left, Pacific Partnership 2009 team members from New Zealand and the United States Public Health Service teach children about the importance of washing their hands at a Medical Civic Action Project (MEDCAP) site held at the Apia Community Center.

This year Pacific Partnership will travel to Oceania, including Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Tonga. The USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4) serves as the enabling platform for U.S. and partner nation military and non-governmental organizations to coordinate humanitarian civic assistance efforts. (more)
 

President Obama at the D-Day 65th Anniversary Ceremony in Normandy.

Heroes of D-Day Changed the Course of an Entire Century

It was unknowable on June 6, 1944, but much of the progress that defined the 20th century began when Allied forces stormed a slice of French beach only six miles long and two miles wide, President Obama said in a speech commemorating the 65th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings.
“What we must not forget is that D-Day was a time and a place where the bravery and the selflessness of a few was able to change the course of an entire century,” Obama said at the elegantly maintained American Cemetery above Omaha Beach near Colleville-sur-Mer in Normandy. Unlike the overcast day 65 years ago, the afternoon commemoration took place under beautiful skies.
It was at Omaha and similar beaches with code names like Juno, Sword, Gold and Utah and at Point du Hoc that the Allied armies of Britain, Canada, Poland, the Free French and the United States landed in the largest amphibious landing in modern history, aided by daring behind-the-lines airborne landings of American and British paratroopers … (more)
 

President Condemns Nuclear Weapon Test

President Obama has condemned the North Korea’s apparent nuclear weapon test in violation of international law, describing it a “grave concern to all nations” and a “blatant defiance of the United Nations Security Council.” Members of the Security Council were unanimous in voicing their strong opposition to and condemnation of the nuclear test.

Stating shared concerns, President Obama and NZ Foreign Minister Murray McCully have both described North Korea’s actions as provocative, and as destabilising the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asian region.

The President has stated that North Korea’s behaviour “will only serve to deepen North Korea's isolation. It will not find international acceptance unless it abandons its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery.”

Minister McCully said that New Zealand “remains fully supportive of dialogue through the Six-Party Talks process to resolve issues on the Korean Peninsula”.

The United States will continue to work with allies and partners in the Six Party Talks, as well as other members of the UN Security Council, to resolve the situation on the Korean Peninsula.
 

Election of the United States to the Human Rights Council

Today the United Nations General Assembly elected the United States to a three-year term on the UN Human Rights Council.

The promotion and protection of human rights is a fundamental value for our own society and, as such, an integral element of the Obama Administration’s foreign policy.  Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and U.S. Permanent Representative to the U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice are pleased with the outcome of the election and eager to take up the important work of the Council … [full text]

Shared Values Bring Us Closer

An OpEd by Chargé d'Affaires Dave Keegan, as it appeared in the The Press of Wednesday April 29, 2009.

Around the world pundits are getting ready to pass judgement on the first 100 days of the Obama Administration, ending today.  US diplomat Dave Keegan gives a perspective on the US-New Zealand relationship.

With long experience as a U.S. diplomat, and from my front-row seat as Chargé d’Affaires at our Embassy in Wellington, I have noticed significant changes in U.S. foreign policy and in the way the U.S. is interacting with the world since January 20. There can be no doubt that the global challenges are grave. Obvious solutions are not always ready-to-hand but I would like to share with you some of the United States’ efforts to work with New Zealand and the wider international community to tackle, step-by-step, our shared challenges.  This snapshot covers just 14 days - much has happened before and even since … [more]

Secretary Clinton Opens Antarctic Treaty Meeting

Calling the Antarctic “one of the planet’s most remote, beautiful and dangerous places,” Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton opened the joint session of the 2009 Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting on April 6.

The historic meeting, hosted by the United States in Baltimore April 6–17, marks the 50th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty.  Secretary Clinton described Antarctic Treaty as being written to meet the challenges of a previous time, but that its genius lies in its relevance for today.

"The treaty is a blueprint for the kind of international cooperation that will be needed more and more to address the challenges of the 21st century, and it is an example of smart power at its best. Governments coming together around a common interest and citizens, scientists, and institutions from different countries joined in scientific collaboration to advance peace and understanding," she said.

This year's meeting also marks the conclusion of the International Polar year, and brings together nearly 400 diplomats, Antarctic program managers and logistics experts, along with polar scientists from 47 countries, to discuss environmental protection, polar science and tourism.  [full text]

Minister McCully and Secretary Clinton sign agreement to further collaborate on nuclear non-proliferation.

US-NZ Relationship Moves from Strength to Strength

Meeting New Zealand’s Foreign Minister McCully in Washington D.C. the U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton remarked that "the US-New Zealand relationship is the best it has been in 25 years and we look forward to building on the progress we have already made".

Minister McCully agreed saying, “It was an excellent meeting. I came away confident that the impetus and commitment the New Zealand government intends to bring to this important relationship will be reciprocated,” Mr McCully said. “Discussions covered a range of issues, including Asia, the Pacific, Afghanistan, nuclear non-proliferation issues relating to North Korea and Iran, and cooperation in Antarctica."

Mr. McCully also welcomed President Obama’s recent leadership on the elimination of nuclear weapons.  At the conclusion of today’s meeting, he and Secretary Clinton signed an agreement for New Zealand’s fourth contribution to the G8 Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons of Mass Destruction … (more)

U.S. Congratulates Clark

U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Dave Keegan today congratulated Helen Clark on her nomination to lead the United Nations’ Development Program.

“It’s a role which strives to empower the world’s most vulnerable people--I cannot think of a more inspiring vocation,” said Dr. Keegan.

“New Zealand has a deserved reputation for transparency and inclusiveness. That teamed with Helen’s personal strengths of leadership and clarity and the program’s future could not be in more capable hands,” he said.
 

U.S. fire recovery teams to join the Victorian bushfire effort

At the request of Emergency Management Australia (EMA) and Victoria firefighting authorities, up to 60 U.S. fire recovery specialists are expected to arrive early Sunday to assist Australia as it copes with its worst natural disaster ever.

“The team will include experts on burned area rehabilitation, incidence management, aviation support and mid-and senior-level management-- all areas identified by Australian state and national officials as crucial in the aftermath of these unprecedented bush fires,” explained U.S. Chargé d’Affaires to New Zealand Dave Keegan. “Australia and New Zealand have been such wonderful neighbours and have helped us in our times of need-- we are happy to return that help.” … (more)

Embracing the Enduring Importance of Shared Values

An OpEd by Charge d'Affaires Dave Keegan, as it appeared in the NZ Herald of Monday Feb 16, 2009.

The United States Wants and Needs Friends Like New Zealand, writes Dave Keegan

I was nearly 10 in 1961 when President Kennedy's inauguration speech was beamed across the black-and-white TV sets of the United States. Hearing our new President challenge us to "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country", inspired us to think we could make a difference. Kennedy's words still echo in the American spirit. His call reinvigorated Americans' desire to serve, and my 27 years as an American diplomat are my response to that call … (more)

United States Emphasis on Cooperation and Partnership

Washington — Vice President Biden says the United States will be guided in its foreign relations by the principle that there is no conflict between its security and its ideals — each reinforces the other.

“Our administration rejects a false choice between our safety and our ideals. America will vigorously defend our security and our values, and in doing so we believe we’ll all be more secure,” Biden said. While the United States pledges to do more, America will ask more from its partners as well, he said.

Biden emphasized that Obama has ordered the terrorist detention facility at the U.S. naval base at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, closed within a year. The action was taken by the new president less than 48 hours after he took the oath of office January 20.

“America will not torture. We will uphold the rights of those who we bring to justice,” he said … (more)

Hillary Clinton Seeks to Renew U.S. Leadership Through Diplomacy

Secretary of state nominee cites Obama administration foreign policy goals

Washington — Hillary Clinton says that as secretary of state she would work to “renew America’s leadership through diplomacy that enhances our security, advances our interests and reflects our values.”

Clinton appeared before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee January 13 for her confirmation hearing. If confirmed by the Senate, Clinton, now a New York senator, would be the nation’s chief diplomat and often would represent President Obama abroad. The Senate is expected to confirm her nomination shortly after Inauguration Day.

Clinton said she and President-elect Obama believe the United States needs to take an approach to foreign policy that will enable America to “remain a positive force in the world.” This would include strengthening partnerships with allies and institutions and reaching out to adversaries.

“America cannot solve the most pressing problems on our own and the world cannot solve them without America,” Clinton said. “The best way to advance America’s interests in reducing global threats and seizing global opportunities is to design and implement global solutions.” …  (more)