Remarks at the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon Partnership at the Summit To Save Lives
RemarksHillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateAndrew W. Mellon Auditorium
Washington, DC
September 13, 2011SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon, everyone. I am absolutely delighted and honored to join President Bush and Laura Bush today. I want to thank President Bush for his remarks and for his commitment to this important health program. And I want to thank Laura and Barbara Bush for getting him to do it. (Laughter.) Because what we see here is a continuation of the Bush family’s commitment to global health and especially to women, and in particular women in Africa.
We have a lot of great partners for this important initiative: Ambassador Brinker and the Susan G. Komen Foundation, UNAIDS, and of course, the Executive Director Sidibe. I also want to recognize Ambassador Dybul, who formerly served in the Bush Administration as the head of PEPFAR, and Ambassador Eric Goosby, who currently serves as the head of PEPFAR; Ambassador Melanne Verveer, who is leading up our efforts on behalf of women worldwide. And I’m not sure that USAID Administrator Shah is here, but if he is, I want to acknowledge you USAID’s role in this, and also the CDC.
And the partnership that is exemplified by the corporate partners working with the Bush Center and with the other nonprofit partners is called the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon Partnership. And I am delighted that we are bringing a public-private sector commitment to this fight.
All of us here have some reason why we find ourselves in the Mellon Auditorium on this beautiful September afternoon. But what we have in common, of course, is a passion about saving lives and improving health around the world. And we have to ask ourselves: What can we do that will have the largest impact? And as President Bush said, what can we do that we actually can measure and point to outcomes that change and save lives?
I think this partnership helps to answer that question. Because without a doubt, one of the most powerful and effective ways of saving lives is by improving women’s and particularly mothers’ health.
We have a wealth of data, and we saw personal testimonials in that wonderful video. But if we want to make progress on some of the toughest challenges we face in global health—fighting HIV, preventing childhood deaths, improving nutrition, stopping malaria, and more—then investing in women must be at the top of the agenda.
It starts with the central role that women play in the family and in the community. I’m often struck by how hard women in the developing world work every single day. It’s a woman who is responsible for fetching water and fuel. It’s a woman who is the majority of the farmers who provide the subsistence, back-breaking labor for growing and harvesting food. It’s women who have to figure out how to clothe their children, provide those school fees, and yes, make sure that health is taken care of. It’s women who walk with a sick child miles to the nearest medical clinic. And if that woman herself gets sick or dies, then the family support system breaks down, and everyone who relies on her also suffers.
Studies show too that if a mother dies, the newborn is far more likely to die as well. But if a mother can stay healthy, then the converse is true: her children are likely to be healthy, and they will stay in school longer and they will earn a higher income when they grow up. An analysis published in the Lancet found that half the reduction in child mortality between 1970 and 1990 can be attributed to higher rates of education for women.
So the conclusion is clear that if we want to make a difference when it comes to investing in health, then we must invest in women. And historically, women’s health has been chronically underfunded, so that means that we have the opportunity to tap a resource that we’ve been missing out on. And it’s why in the Global Health Initiative that President Obama launched in 2009 we’ve placed a very high priority on women’s health.
We’re building on the efforts of the Bush Administration and PEPFAR and the Malaria Initiative. We’re stepping up our efforts on maternal and child health by increasing the number of trained and equipped caregivers; strengthening obstetric facilities; providing nutrition, antenatal care, vaccines, access to family planning; and investing in innovative technologies.
And in particular with respect to HIV, we recognize HIV/AIDS has become a woman’s disease. In the developing world, our prevention efforts therefore have to focus on women. And our innovations in prevention and treatment have to also give women the tools to protect themselves.
We’re increasing our investments to help pregnant women living with HIV avoid passing the virus on to their unborn children. And we’re taking on the related issue of gender-based violence. It is a cause of transmission that gets, I think, far too little attention.
Women are on the front lines in our efforts to provide greater nutrition to their children. The 1,000 days from pregnancy to birth are critical in making sure a child is healthy. That’s why the essential nutrients, the vitamins, the fortified foods to pregnant women and babies in some of the most remote areas of the world will pay off.
As we emphasize women’s health, then we have to make sure that we make it as easy as possible for women to access these services. And I appreciate President Bush mentioning that we’ve invested – the American people have invested – in a terrific system. The PEPFAR clinics are there. They’re a reminder that the American people care about the health of the people of Africa and elsewhere.
But we want to make sure that when a person, particularly a woman, goes to that clinic, she can get other services as well. She might need prenatal care. She might need vaccines for her children. And it used to be very difficult to do that because the way that we had set up our system made it more likely than not that you would go for HIV treatment one place and then you’d have to go somewhere else for prenatal care. That’s just not practical in many places. So part of what this new initiative will do is to emphasize the importance of trying to create one-stop shops, so to speak – clinics that offer a range of services under one roof.
And so PEPFAR and the State Department are very excited about joining this Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon Partnership. And as we aim at the goal of reducing cervical cancer deaths among women, we hope that we will see results very quickly. As President Bush said, we see results from the President’s Initiative on Malaria. We want to see results equally from this effort to reduce deaths from cervical cancer.
Our partners from both the public and the private sector will help us raise awareness about breast cancer and cervical cancer, will help make screening more available, HPV vaccines more available and affordable, and advocate for effective policies within the countries that we serve.
I am delighted that the first lady of Rwanda is here, because Rwanda has been a great example of how to do this. And we appreciate the opportunity to continue to work with you and others.
So let me again thank the Bush family and the Bush Center and all who work with you in order to create this new partnership. And I am pleased to announce today that as our contribution to the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon Partnership, we are committing an additional $10 million, for a total of $30 million over five years. (Applause.)
The United States already supports screening and treatment of women for cervical cancer at more than 250 clinics in 11 African countries. This funding will help ensure that we can provide screening and treatment to even more women who are at risk.
And I greatly appreciate all the work that we are doing together and what we will be doing in the future. So thank you again, President Bush. Thanks to all of you who are part of this partnership. And I hope that by this time next year, we will be able to point to the results that we hope to achieve; and when we do, we will see more women like the ones who were in this video recognizing that there are opportunities to keep them and their children alive. And they will recognize that the United States of America is, of course, the greatest nation in the world, but in large measure because of the great hearts of the people of our country.
Thank you all very much. (Applause.)
RESIST, INSIST, PERSIST, ENLIST.” - HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Video: George W. Bush and Hillary Clinton at the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon Partnership
Secretary Clinton's Remarks at Release of International Religious Freedom Report
Remarks at the Release of the 13th Annual Report on International Religious Freedom
RemarksHillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateWashington, DC
September 13, 2011SECRETARY CLINTON: Good morning, everyone. Here with me today are Michael Posner, our Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Suzan Johnson Cook, our Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, and members of their teams. They will brief you on our efforts to promote religious freedom and will take your questions afterwards.Before I begin on this important topic, I want to address the situation in Afghanistan, where there was an attack on our Embassy in Kabul today. It appears that a number of Afghan civilians have been hurt, and we, of course, will do all we can to assist them. There are no reports of casualties among Embassy personnel at this time.
We are following this very closely, also the unfolding situation in the area, including at NATO-ISAF Headquarters, which, for those of you have been in Kabul, you know is across the street from our Embassy compound. We will take all necessary steps not only to ensure the safety of our people, but to secure the area and to ensure that those who perpetrated this attack are dealt with.
But I want to say a word about our civilians who serve at our Embassy. It is, of course, State Department diplomats, USAID development experts, but it’s a whole-of-government effort, and there are civilians from across our government who are there with the sole purpose of assisting the people of Afghanistan in a transition toward stability, security, and prosperity.
The civilians who serve are dedicated, brave men and women, committed to advancing our mission. They will not be intimidated by this kind of cowardly attack. While they work hard every day along with their Afghan colleagues to help children go to school, to help save mothers’ lives at childbirth, to build roads, to assist farmers, the opposition of violent extremists, the Taliban and their allies, engage in a constant effort to threaten and to undermine the peace and progress of the Afghan people.
So we will be vigilant, but we will be continuing with even greater commitment to doing all we can to give the Afghan people, who have suffered so much, a chance at a better future for themselves and their children.
Now, as you know, the protection of religious freedom is a fundamental concern of the United States going back to the earliest days of our republic, and it remains so today.
As we look around the world, in fact, we see many countries where governments deny their people the most fundamental human rights: the right to believe according to their own conscience – including the freedom to not believe or not follow the religion favored by their government; the right to practice their religion freely, without risking discrimination, arrest, or violence; and the right to educate their children in their own religious traditions; and the freedom to express their beliefs.
In Iran, authorities continue to repress Sufi Muslims, evangelical Christians, Jews, Bahais, Sunnis, Ahmadis, and others who do not share the government’s religious views. In China, Tibetan Buddhists, Uighur Muslims, “house church” Christians all suffer from government attempts to restrict their religious practice. In Eritrea last year, a 43-year-old evangelical Christian died in prison; he was reportedly tortured for 18 months and denied treatment for malaria because he refused to renounce his faith.
Of course, threats to the free exercise of conscience and religion do not always come directly from governments. Just yesterday, we heard reports that gunmen masquerading as security officers waylaid a bus of Shia pilgrims traveling throughout western Iraq. The women were abandoned by the side of the road, but the 22 men were shot, and their bodies left in the middle of the desert. This sort of hateful, senseless violence has no aim other than to undermine the fabric of peaceful society.
In the Middle East and North Africa, the transitions to democracy have inspired the world, but they have also exposed ethnic and religious minorities to new dangers. People have been killed by their own neighbors because of their ethnicity or their faith. In other places, we’ve seen governments stand by while sectarian violence, inflamed by religious animosities, tears communities apart.
Now, the people of the region have taken exciting first steps toward democracy—but if they hope to consolidate their gains, they cannot trade one form of repression for another.
Shining a spotlight on violations of religious freedom around the world, such as those I just mentioned, is one of our goals in releasing this report.
We also call attention to some of the steps being taken to improve religious freedom and promote religious tolerance. One of those is UN Human Rights Council Resolution 1618, which was introduced by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and adopted by consensus in March. It calls on all states to take concrete action against religious bigotry through tolerance, education, government outreach, service projects, and interfaith dialogue. And we worked very hard with a number of nations and with the OIC to pass this resolution, and we will be working with our OIC and European counterparts on implementing it. And Ambassador Johnson Cook is leading our efforts.
We have also seen Turkey take serious steps to improve the climate for religious tolerance. The Turkish Government issued a decree in August that invited non-Muslims to reclaim churches and synagogues that were confiscated 75 years ago. I applaud Prime Minister Erdogan’s very important commitment to doing so. Turkey also now allows women to wear headscarves at universities, which means female students no longer have to choose between their religion and their education.
Third, as we release this report, we reaffirm the role that religious freedom and tolerance play in building stable and harmonious societies. Hatred and intolerance are destabilizing. When governments crack down on religious expression, when politicians or public figures try to use religion as a wedge issue, or when societies fail to take steps to denounce religious bigotry and curb discrimination based on religious identity, they embolden extremists and fuel sectarian strife.
And the reverse is also true: When governments respect religious freedom, when they work with civil society to promote mutual respect, or when they prosecute acts of violence against members of religious minorities, they can help turn down the temperature. They can foster a public aversion to hateful speech without compromising the right to free expression. And in doing so, they create a climate of tolerance that helps make a country more stable, more secure, and more prosperous.
So the United States Government will continue our efforts to support religious freedom. We are engaging with faith groups to address the issues that affect them. Our embassies encourage inter-faith dialogue. And we will speak out against efforts to curtail religious freedom.
Because it is our core conviction that religious tolerance is one of the essential elements not only of a sustainable democracy but of a peaceful society that respects the rights and dignity of each individual. People who have a voice in how they are governed—no matter what their identity or ethnicity or religion—are more likely to have a stake in both their government’s and their society’s success. That is good for stability, for American national security, and for global security.
And with that, let me introduce both our assistant secretary and our ambassador-at-large to come forward. Thank you all very much.
QUESTION: Madam Secretary, could you just – do you have anything that – can you tell us anything about your understanding of what’s going on in Iran with the hikers and President Ahmadinejad saying that they might be able – that they will be free?
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, Matt, as you know, we have followed this very closely. And we are encouraged by what the Iranian Government has said today, but I am not going to comment further than that. We obviously hope that we will see a positive outcome from what appears to be a decision by the government.
QUESTION: Thank you.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Public Schedule for August 25, 2011
No, Mme. Secretary is not in this schedule, but here is a picture in case you miss her. We wish her fair weather and safety from the coming storm.
Public Schedule for August 25, 2011
Public ScheduleWashington, DCAugust 25, 2011
Note: The next public schedule will be published the first week of September.
PRESS BRIEFING SCHEDULE:
12:30 p.m. Daily Press Briefing with Spokesperson Victoria Nuland
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON: Public Schedule for August 16, 2011
Public Schedule for August 16, 2011
Public ScheduleWashington, DCAugust 16, 2011SECRETARY HILLARY RODHAM CLINTON
10:30 a.m. Secretary Clinton and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta participate in a conversation moderated by Frank Sesno and hosted by the National Defense University, at the NDU’s Abraham Lincoln Hall.
(OPEN PRESS COVERAGE)
5:15 p.m. Secretary Clinton meets with Richard Haass, the president of the Council on Foreign Relations, at the Department of State.
(CLOSED PRESS COVERAGE)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Slideshow: Hillary Clinton in New Delhi Today
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Slideshow: Hillary Clinton Visits the Patriarchy in Istanbul
Secretary Clinton's Press Conference with Turkish FM Davutoglu
Joint Press Availability With Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
RemarksHillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateIstanbul, TurkeyJuly 16, 2011FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: (Via interpreter) Distinguished members of the press, today we have a very important friend with us, and we are hosting -- and I’m very pleased to be hosting her in Istanbul and is Secretary of State of the U.S., Mrs. Hillary Clinton. Right after the fourth Contact Group meeting yesterday in order to complete our bilateral meeting, we worked together today. And I would like to welcome her again. And the United States and the Turkish relations are the best structures -- are among the best structures, diplomatic relations of the world -- of the modern world. After long years of war and after -- before that as well, so the Turkish-U.S. relationships have always had their specific characteristics, and they have contributed to the global peace, and they have been very strategic. And over the recent times with esteemed Obama and Clinton, this tradition has continued in a strong way. And in the visit of the esteemed Obama, he -- so we have gone beyond being strategic allies, and there is a modern partnership. Over the last two or three years, we have had very intense diplomatic contacts, and this has become obvious and important again.
In our relationships -- relations with the United States not only in the field of security, but also in the economic and also diplomatic areas, we are determined to maximize them. And for this reason, over the recent months, my (inaudible), which I have talked to recently over the recent months has been Mrs. Clinton. We have talked on the phone very often. And so the previous telephone conversation transferred some of the items of the agenda to the next one. And on our latest phone call, we decided to meet in Istanbul and make a discussion and also an evaluation. And in the deliberations we had yesterday, it was impossible for us to talk about all the agenda -- both Mr. Obama and also his Excellency, President Abdullah Gul. So we are trying to do what it takes to be model partners. In our today’s talks, we talked about regional issues and also developments in the Middle East and also the influences and impacts of these developments on the region. And also we shared -- we exchanged information and also ideas about this and also some developments in the (inaudible) and following the (inaudible) meeting and also the latest point that reached in the relations of Armenia.
And so we also discussed very extensively and also in the Bosnia-Herzegovina as there is a functioning (inaudible). We also talked about the importance of a functioning state in Bosnia-Herzegovina for the Balkan world and between Serbia and Kosovo. We also reiterated and shared the support (inaudible) extent for these relationships. And also in the context of developments in the Middle East, and we have talked about the latest developments in our relationships between Turkey and Israel. In addition to this, the Turkey-EU relations and also the latest point reached in the negotiations about Cyprus. So we’ve had the potential to share -- exchange information about this and all these very extensive (inaudible) and in this beautiful Istanbul air, I’m very pleased to have -- we are very pleased to have discussed all these issues.
Due to the latest PKK attacks and as it is the case all the time, cooperation against terrorism has always been -- has been one of the primary items of our agenda for this reason, and we talked about the need and we emphasized the need for the solidarity against terrorism and so the Turkish-EU -- I’m sorry, U.S. relationship will be used in the best way -- in the most effective way. I would like to welcome her once again, and I believe that we’ll be in contact from now on, and we’ll be having very often negotiations, and we are going to continue to manage all these issues again. So I would like to welcome Mrs. Clinton and her very esteemed -- her distinguished delegation.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you very much, Foreign Minister. And let me say how much of a pleasure it is personally for me to be with you here in Istanbul and what a great honor it is to represent my country in these important discussions.
Let me begin by once again offering our condolences for the loss of Turkish soldiers in Southeast Turkey. As I told the foreign minister and as I told President Gul last night and as I will repeat to the prime minister when I shortly see him, the United States stands with our ally, Turkey, against terrorism and threats to internal and regional stability. Our commitments to Turkey and its security is rock solid and unwavering.Two years ago in Ankara, President Obama pledged to renew the alliance between the United States and Turkey, and especially to focus on the friendship between the Turkish and American people. Today, we can say with confidence that our bonds are sound, our friendship is sure, and our alliance is strong. Our partnership is rooted in a long history and a very long list of mutual interests, but most importantly it is rooted in our common democratic values. It is through the lens of this shared democratic tradition that the United States welcomes Turkey’s rise as an economic power, as a leader in the region and beyond, and as a valued ally on the most pressing global challenges.
I’d like to say just a few words about the future of our relationship and why I believe it is so important to both our nations. First, on the economic front, because of the seriousness of the strategic issues we confront together, the economic dimensions of our relationship can too often be overlooked. But as President Gul and President Obama have affirmed, the growing economic cooperation between Turkey and America is providing new energy to us both. So far this year, trade between us is up more than 50 percent. That means more jobs and greater prosperity in both our countries. But we see even greater potential ahead and we are committed to furthering and expanding trade and investment. We are both entrepreneurial peoples, and the more we work together, the more creativity and talent we will unleash. So I am delighted that Turkey will host the second Global Entrepreneurship Summit here in Istanbul later this year, building on the progress that we made last year in Washington.
There’s also a chance to foster even closer ties between our people, our businesses, and our communities. For example, in the run-up to the summit, the public-private initiative called Partners for a New Beginning is working with the Coca-Cola Company, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, and other partners to offer Turkish women entrepreneurs new seed grants, training, and mentoring.
Through our Global Entrepreneurship Program and other initiatives, we are working with Turkish high schools and universities to link the next generation of Turkish business leaders with young counterparts in the United States.
Today, the foreign minister and I discussed additional ways we can further strengthen our ties. Turkey’s upcoming constitutional reform process presents an opportunity to address concerns about recent restrictions that I heard about today from young Turks about the freedom of expression and religion, to bolster protections for minority rights, and advance the prospects for EU membership, which we wholly and enthusiastically support.
We also hope that a process will include civil society and parties from across the political spectrum. And of course, I hope that sometime soon we can see the reopening of the Halki Seminary that highlights Turkey’s strength of democracy and its leadership in a changing region.
I think across the region, people from the Middle East and North Africa particularly are seeking to draw lessons from Turkey’s experience. It is vital that they learn the lessons that Turkey has learned and is putting into practice every single day. Turkey’s history serves as a reminder that democratic development depends on responsible leadership, and it’s important that that responsible leadership help to mentor the next generation of leaders in these other countries.
So I am excited that we are here and we have talked about all the issues that the foreign minister has mentioned, from, of course, the successful meeting of the Contact Group yesterday about Libya, the situation in Syria, what is happening in Afghanistan, where Turkish troops are training Afghan forces to take on their own security, and of course, our mutual efforts against violent extremism, against terrorists, including the PKK.
So again, let me thank the foreign minister for his hospitality and for the breadth of our discussion. And it seems like our conversation never stops, Foreign Minister, so I look forward to the next chapter.
QUESTION: Thank you very much. This is for both of you. Madam, this is on the Syrian opposition.
Madam Secretary, there was a meeting of the Syrian opposition today. I was wondering if you could talk a little bit about what it’s going to take for the U.S. to show some support for the opposition, start dealing with them a little bit more. What would you like to see in terms of a viable opposition before you engage with them, and what do you think of this conference today?
And for the foreign minister, can you talk about Turkey’s contacts with the opposition and whether you think this is the type of opposition that could work towards a democratic transition in Syria? Thank you.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, let me begin by saying that the foreign minister and I discussed our shared interest in seeing an end to the violence and a respect for the will of the Syrian people for political and economic reform. Yesterday, we witnessed the largest demonstrations to date in Syria, an effort to try to convey directly to the government the pent-up desire of the Syrian people for the kind of reforms that they have been promised. And at the same time, we saw continued brutality by the government against peaceful protest.
Now, Syria’s future is up to the Syrian people, but of course, the efforts by the opposition to come together, to organize, to be able to articulate an agenda, are an important part of political reform. And we believe that every country should permit such organizing and the support of opposition. We think that makes for more accountable, more effective government. So we’re encouraged by what we see of the Syrian people doing for themselves. This is not anything the United States or any other country is doing. It’s what the Syrians are doing, trying to form an opposition that can provide a pathway, hopefully in peaceful cooperation with the government, to a better future.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: (Via interpreter) (Inaudible) including Syria, of course, our approach is really explicit within the region and it depends on some sort of principles. And we’ve got two basic principles. The first one is with our peaceful and brotherly countries within the region, we want to – we want them to continue the political will in a more democratic way. Of course, they have to (inaudible), they have to consider the demands of the society. If there is a political system which doesn’t consider the demand of the public, then it won’t be viable for that political system to survive. That’s why in Syria we feel the need to experience a reformation process which takes into account the demand of the public society. And of course, this transformation should not be (inaudible) in a ways that brings about conflict and also violence.
So we want the Syrian brotherly country to start the transformation process at once and we don’t want the Syrian Government to use excessive violence on the public. One of the most important principle of a political transformation is to have an opposition, of course, with (inaudible) negotiation with (inaudible). He had mentioned that they were going to have a multi-political group within the parliament. Of course, we want this to take place in Syria with a natural process. I hope that the Syrian country has got opposition parties, and we would like the opposition parties to raise their voice and to have a common point of view in the end. We want the Syrian sustainability to be strengthened and we want a more sound and viable political system within Syria.
And with the meeting that took place in Turkey, we, from the very beginning, have stated that Turkey is a democratic country (inaudible) meetings to take place in Istanbul in Turkey. This is a natural conclusion that is brought by the democratic environment in Turkey, and there in our country we also run meetings which criticizes the democratic aspects of Turkey as well. And we are not in a position – we don’t want to be commented as a country which interferes with the domestic affairs of Syria. I wish that in the Damascus, for instance, such meetings were to be held so as for those reformations to be concluded, as long as the meetings do not bring about any conflict, any violence. Of course, these meetings can take place. This isn’t a bad will that we show against Syria. All these meetings are for the sake of Syria to come up with a sound transformation, reformation. Of course, there are opposing ideas due to the political system of Syria. They also take place in Istanbul in Turkey. I hope that Syria is going to come more powerfully, more strongly, at the end of this process with a more sound democratic environment.
QUESTION: (Via interpreter) I am sorry (inaudible), but I would like to ask my question to the guest (inaudible). Secretary, in Cyprus you want the negotiations to be sped up and you want it to be concluded by 2012. Mr. Davutoglu – if this happens, Davutoglu says that the relations can be frozen between the European Union and Cyprus. So what is your approach for a referendum that is going to take place in Cyprus in regard to speeding up negotiations of Cyprus? Do you want to take a more active role if such a referendum takes place? And do you see a risk between the relations between you and Turkey if this referendum were to take place?
SECRETARY CLINTON: First of all, as you probably know, the United States very actively promoted the referendum that was presented to the population of Cyprus back in 2005 – right, 2004. And we were disappointed by the outcome, because we thought that that would have resolved a lot of the issues that are still being very difficult to overcome. We don’t think the status quo on Cyprus benefits anyone. It’s gone on for far too long. We believe both sides would benefit from a settlement, and we strongly support the renewed, reenergized efforts that the United Nations is leading and that the Cypriots themselves are responsible for, because ultimately, they’re the ones who have to make the hard decisions about how to resolve all of the outstanding issues.
We want to see a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation, and we would like to see it as soon as possible. We would like to see it by 2012. And that is something that the UN has said. That’s something I know Turkey believes. It’s something we believe. And we’re going to do everything we can to support this process and finally try to see a resolution.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Thank you. (In Turkish.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: Oh, we’re done. Oh, okay.
FOREIGN MINISTER DAVUTOGLU: Do you want a couple more questions? (Laughter.)
SECRETARY CLINTON: No, no, no. (Laughter.)
Hillary Clinton in Turkey: Day Two
While a great deal has come in from Turkey today in the way of pictures, there is not much text so far to accompany them. These two press releases just arrived. There will be more later.
Secretary Clinton Praises PNB Local Chapter in Turkey and New Coca-Cola Women's Empowerment Program
Media Note
Bureau of Public Affairs, Office of the SpokespersonWashington, DCJuly 16, 2011
While in Turkey, Secretary Clinton praised the work being done by Turkey’s local chapter of Partners for a New Beginning (PNB), led by Rifat Hisarciklioglu, the President of TOBB and PNB Vice-Chairs Melih Gezer of Intel Turkey and Deniz Sungurlu of Cisco Turkey.
PNB Turkey is helping bring together The Coca-Cola Company, the Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, and TOBB Women's Entrepreneurship Board to launch an innovative public-private partnership that will promote entrepreneurship and cultivate business skills for women in Turkey. Starting this August, the first phase of The Women’s Entrepreneurship Program will give more than 60 women the chance to create new entrepreneurial opportunities and cultivate existing business ideas. Women will receive personalized business development training and coaching, and select participants will be provided with seed grants to support their own enterprise. Women executives from Coca-Cola Turkey will provide ongoing mentoring and technical assistance in areas such as marketing, project management, finance, and human resources. The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce will coordinate additional program partners and manage participant application, selection and monitoring.
Partners for a New Beginning is a collection of public-private partnerships committed to broadening and deepening engagement between the United States and local communities. It supports the vision of mutual interest and respect that was the landmark of President Obama’s June 2009 Cairo speech. PNB is chaired by former Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, The Coca-Cola Company Chairman and CEO Muhtar Kent, and Aspen Institute President and CEO Walter Isaacson. PNB works with partners in locally-owned and locally-driven chapters around the world -- including Algeria, Indonesia, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia, Turkey, Pakistan, and the Palestinian Territories. PNB brings more partners together – from governments, civil society, NGOs, non-profits and businesses – to not only address local priorities, but to give more people the tools to lift up their families and their societies.
Her embassy meet-and-greets are typically among her last events on a visit. Since this came through a little while ago, we can guess that she is wrapping up the Turkish leg of her tour. She is due in Greece tomorrow. In addition to this visit, she gave a press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu and paid a visit to the patriarch. As remarks from those events arrive, I will post them as well as the photos.
Secretary Clinton Meets With the Staff and Families of Embassy Ankara and Consulate Istanbul
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateIstanbul, TurkeyJuly 16, 2011SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, I am delighted to see all of you today on this beautiful, beautiful morning in Istanbul. I want to start by acknowledging and thanking Ambassador Ricciardone and Dr. Marie Ricciardone and Consul General Scott Kilner and Jan Kilner. I understand that they both started together in the Foreign Service with a posting in Istanbul, so it’s only fitting that they would be back here together.
But I came to thank all of you, American and Turkish alike. I want to thank you for what you do every single day to further this incredibly important relationship between the United States and Turkey. Here at this consulate, you are engaging in innovative public diplomacy programs directly with the Turkish people, you are issuing visas and running exchange programs, you are protecting U.S. citizens and providing adoption services, and you do all of this with limited resources and often under challenging circumstances. And I am very grateful to you because of the extraordinary professionalism that each and every one of you display.
And it’s not only what you do every day, it’s what you do in extraordinary times. When the demonstrations began in Egypt, you helped evacuate U.S. citizens. And then three weeks later, you did it again when the uprisings in Libya began. And you have demonstrated time and again that it’s not just the work that you each do, but your families as well have volunteered and staffed the phones and taken shifts at airports in order to accomplish the mission. I’m very proud of all the Americans from all of the agencies and departments of the United States Government who serve, and I am especially proud of our Turkish friends and colleagues.
I know Secretaries of State and ambassadors to Turkey come and go, but our locally employed staff are here providing the memory, the continuity, and the expertise. And I know some of you have worked here for decades, and there is one person who is not here because he’s waiting for me at my next stop, who I know is beloved by all of you. Ates Oner has spent almost 40 years serving this consulate. He seems to know everyone in the Turkish media. I witnessed that firsthand at the Libya Contact Group meeting as more people were coming up to shake his hand than certainly to shake mine. So I thank him, but I thank all of you for your hard work on behalf of the United States and Turkey. I am absolutely committed to making sure that we create better bonds, not just between our governments but between the Turkish and American people, and that is what you do every day.
So thank you very much, and let me come now and thank each of you personally for your service. (Applause.)
# # #
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Hillary Clinton in Spain: Day Two
These embassy events tend to be among her last events on a visit, so we hope she is on her way safely home. Last year she intentionally spent the Independence Day weekend abroad. She visited Ukraine, Poland, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. This year we will be happy to have her home to celebrate the holiday with all of us!
Happy Fourth of July in advance, Mme. Secretary! Thank you for your dedicated service!
Remarks at a Meet and Greet With [Embassy] Staff and Families
RemarksHillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateMadrid, SpainJuly 2, 2011SECRETARY CLINTON: Well, thank you very, very much for this warm welcome. I am delighted to be back in Spain. I want to thank the ambassador and Susan and Stephanie for their warm welcome. I want to welcome the new DCM, Luis Moreno, who arrived just a few days ago, straight from serving in Baghdad. And I understand that Stella Blue is the embassy mascot. (Laughter.) She's around here, somewhere.
But I wanted this chance to personally thank you for the work you do every single day on behalf of this very important relationship. Spain is our ally and Spain is our friend. And we collaborate closely on every aspect of our foreign policy, from countering terrorism to supporting new democracies, to driving economic growth through bilateral trade and investment. And on most difficult and complex issues of our time, Spain and the United States are working side by side, such as in Afghanistan, where Spanish troops have made great sacrifice, most recently with the loss of life and injury. And we are just incredibly grateful.
And I know, too, that there is a lot of American visitors who come to Spain. And I don't know how many of them call you for help, but as I was walking around, just taking a little walk yesterday evening, I saw so many Americans. (Laughter.) So I assume that if I saw them on the streets, you see them at the embassy.
And I want to thank all of our U.S. Government team from the State Department and USAID, but from all the government agencies, from Defense and Commerce, and every other part of the U.S. Government. And I particularly want to thank our wonderful Spanish employees, because without you there would be no historical memory, and you do so much of what makes this embassy successful.
Now, I have to say that this mission is setting a high standard for embassies worldwide, because I heard about the Fourth of July celebration we had on Thursday, which was June 30th, but that's all right. (Laughter.) And you have a salute to American business, co-hosted by the mayor of Madrid. And I know that there was a little Bruce Springsteen thrown in, and some other wonderful surprises. So thank you for the great outreach that you are doing, and for making economic, commercial, and cultural ties even stronger.
I also want to thank you for the volunteer work that you do, from pitching in at English language classes to stocking food banks to supplying entertainment and fun for the children of inmates at a women's prison. It's a quite broad spectrum of volunteerism. And by doing so, you really tell a big part of America's story. It's about our values, about who we are, as a people.
And thank you for protecting American citizens here in Spain, because you have so many students and so many tourists. And, of course, I learned from the ambassador today that we actually have more Spanish-speaking Americans than there are Spanish-speaking Spaniards. So you are going to keep drawing tens of thousands of Americans to this beautiful country.
And I want to say a special word of thanks to someone who has been here for decades: Angelina Sebastian, who has worked here for more than 40 years. It is quite a remarkable history of service. And she is just one of the many of you who have worked in this embassy for the American Government for a very long time.
Now, I know we ask a lot of you, because the work you do every day is important. But then along come CODELs, cabinet members, vice presidents, and I know that's a lot of extra work. So I want you to know I am aware of that, and especially appreciative. I know you've already had the big Fourth of July party, but the ambassador owes you a wheels up party at some point. (Laughter.)
So let me, on behalf of everyone in Washington, and on behalf of President Obama and the Obama Administration, thank you for what you do week in and week out. Sometimes, because we have such a great relationship that is so connected by history and culture, family, and so much else, I worry that we might be maybe taking it for granted from time to time, because we don't have problems. I didn't need to come to Spain; we don't have problems. I wanted to come to Spain. (Laughter.) I have been trying to get to Spain, because I want to make sure that we never take this important relationship for granted, that our Spanish friends know how deeply we admire and respect their own work over so many years, and now, with the tough decisions that had to be made, politically, in the economy. We have had to make hard decisions back home, so we fully understand that.
And I look forward to this relationship, thanks to all of you, just getting better and stronger in the years ahead. Thank you all very much.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
For Secretary of Defense Robert Gates: A Father's Day Tribute
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the High-Level Meeting on Nutrition and 1,000 Days Initiative
- DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA - JUNE 12: U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton talks with Tanzania's Foreign Affairs Minister Bernard Membe (L), Tanzania's Prime Minister Mzengo Pinda (2nd-R) and Irish Deputy Prime Minister An Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore (R) prior to their meeting on nutrition on June 12, 2011 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Secretary Clinton is on an official five-day day visit to Africa with stops also in Zambia and Ethiopia. (Photo by Susan Walsh-Pool/Getty Images)
Remarks With Tanzanian Prime Minster Mizengo Pinda and Irish Deputy Prime Minister Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore at the High-Level Meeting on Nutrition and 1,000 Days Initiative
Remarks
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateDar es Salaam, TanzaniaJune 12, 2011
PRIME MINISTER PINDA: Your Excellency Madam Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, United States of America; Honorable Eamon Gilmore, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ireland; honorable ministers; distinguished guests; ladies and gentlemen, I feel greatly honored to welcome you all to Tanzania and specifically to this roundtable meeting. And at the outset, let me express my heart-felt appreciation and that of my government and the people of the United Public of Tanzania to Her Excellency Hillary Rodham Clinton and Honorable Eamon Gilmore for visiting us.
This visit and meeting that have been organized are critical to Tanzania as they get – worth saving lives of innocent Tanzanians, children and women in particular. It is in this regard that the Government of the United Public of Tanzania fully endorses and supports this Scaling-Up Nutrition initiative, abbreviated as the SUN. The Scaling-Up Nutrition initiative has a direct correlation and augments the efforts toward the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, particularly MDGs number four, number five, and number six. The Government of the United Public of Tanzania is therefore committed to the successful implementation of the SUN initiative. Let me reiterate that the government will work day and night with all partners involved to attain the noble objectives and goals and triumph in the SUN. The Government of the United Public of Tanzania, therefore, wishes to announce and commit itself to the following key issues on Scaling-Up Nutrition in Tanzania among others.
First is commitment to finalize implementation arrangements for the national nutrition strategy, which will include clear responsibilities for the ministries, development partners, private sector, and civil society; second, announcing establishment of a high-level national steering committee for nutrition that includes a senior representative from the government, development partners, the private sector, and the civil society; third, announcing the intention to establish (inaudible) line for nutrition commencing fiscal year 2012, 2013; fourth, commitment to integrate nutrition into other types of activities, as outlined in the Tanzanian (inaudible) culture and food security investment plan; fifth to speed up the establishment and deployment of nutrition focal points at district levels; and sixth, getting, finalizing, and enforcing the national food fortification standards for oil, wheat, and maize flour. This is approved in 2010 so that millers can begin fortifying.
Excellencies, distinguished participants, ladies and gentlemen, I’m optimistic that with the -Up Nutrition initiative, Tanzania will reduce drastically the number of undernourished Tanzanians and hence avoiding unnecessary death. Together we can. Let everyone (inaudible) play his role or her role, and we go (inaudible). I thank you all for your attention. Thank you. (Applause.)
Okay. I’ve done my little part. I’ve played my little part. It’s now – (laughter) – let me take this opportunity to welcome Madam Rodham to say a few words as well.
SECRETARY CLINTON: Thank you very much, Prime Minister. I’m delighted to be with you today, and I’m greatly encouraged and appreciative of the six steps that you have just announced, which are very welcome indeed. Thank you for your leadership. And I am delighted to be here with my colleague, the Irish deputy prime minister and foreign minister, the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, and as well, distinguished representatives of the Tanzanian Government, including my colleague, the minister of foreign affairs, the ministers of agriculture, the ministers of health, as well as other government officials, civil society representatives, and development partners who have come to support the initiative that the United Republic of Tanzania is committed to taking on behalf of the nutritional status of the people of this country, particularly the young children.
And as they say in Southern Africa, all protocols observed – (laughter) – and we know that improving nutrition requires work on many different fronts. Everyone needs to get enough calories and micronutrients to be healthy. We need clean water and sanitation, simple health services and information about good eating practices, especially for pregnant women and children. There are basic low-cost interventions, but as the prime minister just pointed out with the announcement, not only of government action, but of the establishment of a high-level steering committee, this requires coordinated activities by many different public, nonprofit, and private entities.
For too long, there have been barriers between what the government tried to do, what the NGOs were attempting to help do, and what the private sector was doing. And there were even some continuing scientific questions about what were the most effective, particularly cost-effective steps to take. But I think that is all changing. We’ve learned a lot in the last years as we have had the Millennium Development Goals as a reminder of what we needed to do to make progress together. And the United States, along with other partners, has begun to think differently about our work in nutrition. The Obama Administration has made it a central component of our policies and programs across a range of related issues. And we are creating programs that support country-led strategies, such as the one that the prime minister just outlined with the six integrated steps.
And we are acting on scientific information. In particular, we are focusing on the 1,000-day window of opportunity between pregnancy and two years of age. Why is that? Because we now know conclusively from brain research that is the time when a child’s cognitive, intellectual, and physical development is at most risk. We know that academic ability in school is now directly related to how well-nourished a child was before and after birth. We even know that a child’s earning potential as an adult is still connected to how well-nourished that little baby was. A healthy 1,000 days changes the course of a child’s life, and I would argue it also significantly benefits communities and even countries, because healthy children who get off to a good start will be more productive members of the workforce.
So good nutrition in those first thousand says lays the foundation for health, development, and even prosperity for the next generation. This scientific insight motivated me and our Irish friends and other leaders to launch the 1,000 Days partnership last September as part of the movement to Scale-Up Nutrition, the so-called SUN program that the prime minister referred to. And we wanted to challenge countries to achieve benchmarks to make measurable progress in the thousand days between September 2010 and June 2013.
So today, Prime Minister Pinda has announced significant steps that can and will lead to real progress. By creating a high-level nutrition steering committee led by the prime minister and including development partners and the civil society of Tanzania, such as UNICEF, the World Bank, the World Food Program, Tanzania can accelerate momentum toward the goals set forth in your national strategy to reduce poverty. I know this has been a busy time because, like us, you have just completed your 2011, 2012 budget. These are tough budgetary times for everyone, including the United States and Ireland. And I’m very pleased to hear, therefore, Prime Minister, that the government is committed to funding a special budget line for nutrition starting next year.
We obviously think that’s a good investment because it will actually help save money down the road. We stand ready to support nutrition programs that provide high returns. I am pleased to announce that to do so the United States is increasing nutrition funding in Tanzania this year by four times to nearly $6.7 million. Among – (applause) – among other efforts, this funding will support a public campaign to make sure that every parent, grandparent, older sibling, and child knows about what goes into good nutrition, from eating a balanced diet to washing their hands and all of the other habits that we parents try to instill in our children.
We’re also devoting agricultural resources to programs with a greater impact on improving nutrition. For example, later we will be highlighting a U.S. Government program called Feed the Future. Through it, we are providing support to small-and medium-sized food companies to develop and market nutritious products. And we know that Tanzania, based on what the prime minister has just said, can give the food companies an incentive by finalizing the national fortification standards, which will create a strong market signal in support of these efforts. Our children in the United States eat a lot of fortified foods, Prime Minister, fortified milk and fortified cereals. Because no matter how good the soil of your country is, it doesn't contain all the nutrients. And processing food very often strips away nutrients, which is why we fortify what we feed our children.
Beyond these steps, we also look for ways to better integrate and leverage nutrition investments within our maternal and child health programs, our water and sanitation programs, and the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
Let me close by saying that, with this moment, and with the very excellent presentation by the prime minister, we can chart a better course toward better health for millions of people. And I think it's fair to say that Ireland and the United States are represented here because we are impressed by the progress that the United Republic of Tanzania is making. We see a government and a people that is focused on doing better, year after year, for yourselves. And I hope that Tanzania will become a model for other nations seeking to reduce hunger and under-nutrition, to create economic growth, and improve the lives of people. (Applause.)
So, this is, for me, a great moment, a good excuse to come back to a country that I so enjoyed when I was here during the 1990s. And we will be having a session at the September’s United Nations General Assembly on the first year of progress. I hope Tanzania will consider participating, and I look forward to working closely with the government, Prime Minister, as you implement this very important agenda. Thank you, sir. (Applause.)
PRIME MINISTER PINDA: Okay. Thank you so much, Madam. It is now time for my friend from Ireland. (Inaudible) had very good discussions with him, when you came. And so, (inaudible) for me to give (inaudible) praise (inaudible) sitting together for the same cause, so you are welcome, sir.
DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER GILMORE: Thank you, Prime Minister Pinda, for your very warm welcome. And thanks, also, to my colleague, Foreign Minister Membe, for your opening remarks, and thank you to Secretary Clinton for your inspiring words.
I am delighted to be able to join you here today for this important event. Ireland and the United States have a long-shared history. The Irish historical experience of hunger and poverty resulted in many Irish people immigrating to America, impacting on the development of both our nations.
Hunger has a deep resonance with the Irish people, given our common experience, and it has shaped the values and principles that are embedded in our development programs. Ireland and Tanzania also share a history with over 35 years experience of partnership and development cooperation, and many more decades of connection through our missionaries. In the past few days, I have seen for myself some of the practical results of this cooperation on the ground, especially in health and agriculture. And I must say that I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen. Our work with our Tanzanian partners is shaping the future. It is a good story.
Today, we are here to talk about nutrition and what we can do together to improve nutrition in Tanzania and beyond. Building on and learning from our shared experience, Ireland and the U.S. are working in partnership to lead efforts to combat under-nutrition around the world. The Secretary has already outlined the SUN or -Up Nutrition movement. As she mentioned in New York last September, we committed to 1,000 days of action to scale up nutrition. We committed to lead by influence and example. We are 264 days into that work. We pledged to support local communities, national governments, and the international community to reduce maternal and child under-nutrition.
It is essential that the SUN movement is now translated into action at country level, action that will transform the lives of millions, and enable them to unleash their full human potential. We all have a role to play: donors, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector. However, the main drivers and investors in the SUN movement are countries themselves, under the leaderships of their national governments.
Mr. Prime Minister, improving nutrition for today's mothers and infants and young children will support the growth and development of the next generation of Tanzanians, who will drive the nation's progress. This idea is central to the SUN movement and the 1,000 Days partnership. And translating this idea into action can only be achieved with effective leadership at country level. Today's meeting and your wish to have Tanzania join the SUN movement as a SUN early-riser country are clear and powerful symbols of your commitment to Scaling-Up Nutrition in Tanzania. The strength and seniority of the government delegation present today demonstrates a clear recognition by Tanzania of the need for a multi-sectorial approach to addressing under-nutrition. The finalization of the national nutrition strategy, the establishment of a national steering committee for nutrition, and the other four measures you have announced today will ensure necessary coherence and coordination to deliver a joint effort approach to nutrition.
In line with our pledge in New York last September, Ireland is committed to supporting countries that are working to scale up nutrition, nationally. Tanzania has made admirable progress towards achieving its vision of producing enough food to feed its people. Ireland will continue to support this vision of self-sufficiency and efforts to take this policy to the next level by ensuring as balanced and nutritious diets as possible for Tanzania's people. Nutrition will be a central thread in the new country strategy that will guide Ireland's partnership with Tanzania for the next five years. In addition to our support to the health and agriculture sectors, we will devote over 2 million U.S dollars to nutrition in Tanzania this year. (Applause.)
Let me conclude, Mr. Prime Minister, by quoting an often heard adage that what gets measured gets done. In New York last September, the leaders gathered there agreed that a review would take place after one year to look at progress under the SUN movement and the 1,000 Days partnership. This event will be a chance for countries to share the successes and challenges of Scaling-Up Nutrition, learn lessons from each other's experience, and to demonstrate the high-level support which will ensure this movement is successful.
I would encourage Tanzania to work with members of the SUN task teams, who are preparing a progress report for this meeting. I believe that when we come to assess progress, Tanzania will have a very good story, indeed, to tell. Thank you very much, indeed. (Applause.)
Secretary Clinton's Remarks at the Symbion Power Plant in Dar Es Salaam
Remarks at the Symbion Power Plant
RemarksHillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of StateDar es Salaam, TanzaniaJune 12, 2011SECRETARY CLINTON: Good afternoon, everyone. I am delighted to be here with all of you, and especially to be at this place where you can see the future of Tanzania taking place. I want to thank Paul Hinks for his comments about how he became involved in Tanzania, and I want to thank Pike Electric for their partnership, and GE, as well. And I am delighted to be with the minister of energy and minerals, as well as my colleague from the foreign ministry. And I thank Daniel Yohannes for his leadership of the Millennium Challenge Corporation.
I find that standing in front of a very large jet engine, which is what I am now doing, one that will bring electricity to thousands of homes here in Tanzania, is a good metaphor. Because Tanzania is taking off. And you are taking off on so many fronts. But one of the most important is improving access to electricity. And that really means expanding what is possible with reliable, affordable electricity. Hospitals can stay open without fear 24 hours a day. Factories will be able to compete. New businesses and industries can start and succeed.
Today, the 14 percent of Tanzanians who have access to the electric grid struggle through blackouts and brownouts. Some people generate their own power at three times the cost, but most do not have power.
President Obama and I created the Partnership for Growth to help countries identify obstacles to growth, and mobilize our resources in meeting them. And Tanzania is one of four countries in the entire world, one of only two in Africa, that were considered eligible to be the first partners for growth. And we are eager to help Tanzania deliver reliable, affordable electricity to its citizens. That is why the MCC is such an important partner in this effort. I want to really acknowledge the great work that the MCC is doing, along with our private sector partners, to extend power lines across the country. (Applause.)
The island of Zanzibar, with about three-quarters of a million people, gets its electricity from a 30-year-old submarine cable to the mainland. And when that cable falters, the power goes out there, too. Through MCC, we are helping Tanzania build a new cable with more than double the capacity of the old one.
Now, building power lines and electric grids may seem to some like boring, dry, technical work, not something that the press would be interested from either Tanzania or the United States. But, in fact, if you are looking for the single biggest reason why development is not succeeding in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, it is because of the lack of energy, and the inability to deliver electricity to people where they can use it.
Now, in Tanzania we have found a government and a people that understand this. And I know how important it is to finish what we started together. I am convinced that this will not only be good for Tanzania, but Tanzania will be a model, not just for Africa, but for the rest of the world.
Now, we want to take every opportunity to help Tanzania overcome all of the obstacles to growth that you face with rural feeder roads, and we just visited a very important site for our program called Feed the Future. Then farmers can bring more products to market. With a more effective fee and payment system, Tanzania can attract investors who will provide even more access to electricity and energy.
But even as we expand Africa's energy supply, we need to ensure we are not worsening another obstacle to growth: climate change, and the effects we are already seeing here in Africa and elsewhere. Now, plans like this one, which runs on natural gas, can help us make the transition from coal-fired power to clean energy sources. This jet engine runs on natural gas. Tanzania happens to have natural gas. So this is another example of a good win-win strategy. The next major UN climate conference will be held in Africa, in Durban, South Africa. And the progress that we are making on food security, access to clean water, public health, and many other issues, will only be sustainable if we work together to mitigate and respond to climate change.
We believe in partnership, and we believe in competition. You heard Paul say that when MCC put out the bid to build power lines across this country, a lot of companies competed. But two American companies won. We are very proud of that because we, frankly, want more American companies competing for business in Africa. And we are going to take that message back to America, and urge them to get out here and compete for these foreign projects. (Applause.)
Now, these companies are not only investing in Tanzania, but, as Paul said, they are investing in the people, first and foremost. I love the idea that Symbion and Pike Power created a center, a school, to train Tanzanians in cutting edge technical skills. Now, are these some of the young men who are -- and others who are working there? Please stand up. I am very proud of you. Please, stand up. Very good young men and women. Yay! (Applause.)
I know that some of the local staff have even been sent to the Northwest Lineman College in Boise, Idaho. And I appreciate that you are coming back and sharing those skills. Thank you, sir.
I know that among the people who are being trained is a young woman, Agnes Shiu. Agnes? Now, Agnes wasn't hired to install power lines. Agnes was hired to become a cleaner. But she saw the other trainees studying to become linemen, and she knew immediately that's what she wanted to do. And so, Agnes became, as far as we can tell, the first and only linewoman working in Tanzania today. (Applause.)
These are jobs, these are electricity opportunities that I am absolutely committed to support. I told Paul it is one of the great puzzles, why providing electricity remains so hard for so many countries. In our own hemisphere, one of the great efforts we are undertaking is to help Haiti recover from that terrible earthquake. They didn't have a lot of energy before; we are going to try to help them have energy, going forward. But in country after country that wants to develop, electricity remains unavailable.
So, I don't want to put a lot of pressure Symbion and Pike Power, and on the linemen and the government, but this is important for everybody. If you do it right, we are going to go and tell that story across the world. And we are going to point to the successful efforts right here in Tanzania. Because it's one more story of a country headed in the right direction. Tanzania is a success story, a peaceful, growing democracy. And we are inspired by your progress, and we are very proud of the work of our partners on the ground. And we cannot wait to see the lights come on everywhere across your country. Thank you all very much. (Applause.)