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EMBASSY HIGHLIGHTS |
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President Obama’s Fourth of July Message
In his Independence Day message, President Obama said, "We are not a
people who fear the future. We are a people who make it. On this July 4, we need
to summon once more the spirit that inhabited Independence Hall two hundred and
thirty-three years ago today." (more)
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Latest Headlines From the Embassy |
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New Computer Lab for refugees
Desamparados, June 26 – 2009
The new computer lab, designed to enhance the refugees and vulnerable people’s professional skills, was inaugurated this morning in the south zone of the capital.
Located at the House of Rights, in Desamparados, this lab became a reality thanks to a $15,000 U.S. Embassy donation, and includes six computers, a printer, computer licenses, tables, chairs, wireless installation, paper, ink, photocopies and an instructor in computer systems in order to teach those who need specific training.
This lab is the result of the alliance of the U.S. Embassy with the International Advisors and Consultants Association
(ACAI), the House of Rights, the Municipality of Desamparados and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
(UNHCR).
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Rahab Founder receives special recognition in Washington
June 16, 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton recognized the efforts of Rahab Foundation creator Mariliana Morales with the presentation of the Hero award for her contribution to the Global Effort to Combat Trafficking in Persons.
The award acknowledges Mariliana’s work through the foundation to help trafficking victims and their families find a new life.
The award ceremony took place during the release of the 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report by U.S. Department of State. Only nine people from around the world were so honored.
To date, the Rahab Foundation has helped more than 3,000 people all over Costa Rica and has developed special projects for the tourism area to support victims – both nationals and foreigners – of trafficking for labor and sexual exploitation.
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U.S. Embassy and Southern Command renews El Jobo School
Alajuela, June 5-2009
After nine months of construction and remodeling, students from El Jobo School in Los Chiles,
Alajuela, enjoy now a totally renovated school, thanks to U.S. Southern Command Humanitarian Assistance Program, through the Office of the Defense Representative at the U.S. Embassy.
The remodeling work includes new classrooms, ceramic floors, ceilings, fans, total painting of the facilities, sewage system, perimeter fence, playground and a fully equipped kitchen. The donation included also a photocopier machine and appliances for the kitchen.
The total investment amounts to $308,000, and benefits more than 150 students from El Jobo School, from kinder to sixth grade.
(Photo Gallery)
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Freedom
of Expression in the Western Hemisphere
June 12, 2009
A free and independent press is a vital element
in any democracy, and plays a key role in the promotion of human
prosperity, security and dignity. These are important
goals shared by all the nations and people of our hemisphere. (more)
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Commemorating
World Environment Day
June 5, 2009
World Environment
Day (WED), commemorated each year on 5 June, is one of the principal vehicles
through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the
environment and enhances political attention and action. WED empowers
people to become active agents of sustainable and equitable development,
promotes an understanding that communities are pivotal to changing attitudes
towards environmental issues and advocates partnership which will ensure all
nations and peoples enjoy a safer and more prosperous future. In
commemorating WED, one area of focus is spreading awareness of the need to stop
the illegal trade in wildlife.
Jane Goodall's
videos: "One family"
and "Don't buy it"
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Obama Seeks New U.S. Start with Muslims Worldwide
June 4, 2009
"I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition," President Obama says. (more)
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Latest News from Washington
- Statement
from the President on the situation in Honduras
I am deeply concerned by reports coming out of Honduras regarding the
detention and expulsion of President Mel Zelaya.
As the Organization of American States did on Friday, I call on all
political and social actors in Honduras to respect democratic norms, the
rule of law and the tenets of the Inter-American Democratic Charter.
- Situation
in Honduras
Senior Department Officials
(June 28): "We view President Zelaya as the constitutional
president of Honduras, and we’ve called for a full restoration of
democratic order in Honduras. And we will continue to work with our partners
in the OAS and elsewhere to ensure that that happens, but then also to begin
to address the underlying political polarization and problems that led to
this.... But this is not a process that should be interfered with
bilaterally by any country in the Americas....[T]his is a situation that
needs to be resolved free from external influence and
interference."
-Full Text -Secretary's
Statement
President Obama appoints Kimberly Teehee to the
newly created position of senior policy adviser for Native American affairs.
The president says Teehee’s position in the White House will ensure that
Native Americans have a voice in his administration’s policymaking
decisions. ...
17 June 2009
In Canada and Costa Rica, brave individuals fight
modern-day slavery. ...
16 June 2009
The U.S. Department of Justice announces that
Bermuda has resettled four of the 17 Uighur detainees who have been held at
the Guantánamo Bay detention center in Cuba. Attorney General Eric Holder
commends the government of Bermuda’s leadership and assistance on the
issue. ...
11 June 2009
The United States welcomes a decision by the
Organization of American States to lift a 47-year-old suspension against
Cuba and allow Cuba to be readmitted when it makes a commitment to the
organization’s democratic values, the State Department says. ...
04 June 2009
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