President Bush Urges Russia to Cease Military Operations (8/13/08)

The U.S. will “rally the free world in the defense of a free Georgia,” says President Bush, announcing that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is heading to Europe to support mediation efforts with Russia. He also announced that the U.S. military will lead a humanitarian aid mission to Georgia. Furthermore, President Bush said that “to begin to repair the damage to its relations with the United States, Europe and other nations, and to begin restoring its place in the world, Russia must keep its word and act to end this crisis.” (more)

• (8/13/08): Transcript: President Bush Discusses Situation in Georgia

Secretary Rice Traveling to Paris and Tblisi (8/13/08)

President Bush announced that he is sending Secretary Rice to Paris to consult with the French government about the ceasefire agreement it reached with the Russians, and then to the Georgian capital, Tblisi, to convey continuing U.S. support. Secretary Rice reiterated the strong U.S. support for the democratically elected Government of Georgia, for its territorial integrity and its sovereignty, and that Russia must now end its military operations. (more)

• (8/13/08) Transcript: Secretary Rice Remarks on Recent Events in Georgia
  

2008 U.S. Elections 

The race for the White House has started! 

Well before Election Day on November 4, 2008, candidates launched campaigns to win the hearts and minds of American voters. 
The key question is: Who will become the next President of the United States of America?


(© AP Images)

But, the real question should be: Do you know how the President of the United States of America is elected?  What are the new components of U.S. presidential campaigning?  What/ Who is the regulating body? What is the impact of opinion polls? What are the rules about campaign finance? Finally, how do Americans vote?

Test your knowledge by taking the U.S. Elections 2008 Quiz.  Also, check out the Frequently Asked Questions and the special Glossary and other resources…

Ambassador John L. Withers II Visits Gërdec

Ambassador Withers made a trip to the military cleanup site and visited a local family in Gërdec village on August 1, 2008, to view progress made in the demining process and to express concerns over the safety of those rebuilding near the security zone. The Ambassador was briefed by the Albanian Military and U.S. EOD Demining Company Representatives on the status of cleanup operations. He also met with villagers, once again expressed his condolences for the horrible tragedy, and expressed concerns for the safety of those returning and living close to the security zone. Defense Minister Oketa joined the Ambassador during the visit. (full remarks)

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Ambassador John L. Withers II Opens Regional Police Training Leadership Conference

On July 29, 2008, Ambassador Withers opened the Regional Police Training Leadership Conference, funded by the OSCE and organized by the International Criminal Investigative Training Assistance Program (ICITAP) in Albania.  The Ambassador welcomed and congratulated police representatives from Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo and Montenegro on their collective efforts to increase their professionalism and the lives of fellow countrymen, stressing, “The training and education of the members of the police service are vital to navigate through the significant changes that are necessary in establishing a professional police service in an emerging democracy. This type of change is threatening to some but welcomed by those who love democracy and look forward to Euro-Atlantic integration”. The conference will run from July 29 – July 31, 2008. (full remarks)

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Come to the U.S. Embassy in Tirana to Meet America!

The U.S. Embassy in Tirana invites your high school or university group to the Embassy to meet with American Embassy Diplomats and listen to presentations on various aspects of American culture, U.S. history, education, economics, U.S./Albanian relations and U.S. foreign policy. In addition, the Meet America Program provides your group the opportunity to meet American officers face-to-face and learn about their impressions about living and working in Albania and their careers as diplomats. (more)

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U.S. Embassy Tirana Announces the New Speaker's Bureau Program

The U.S. Mission in Albania will send an American diplomat to speak to your group, school, college or university and allow you the chance to hear from an American first-hand on topics of interest. We want to acquaint you with American culture and values and allow you to meet Americans who live and work in Albania. The Embassy Speakers Bureau program offers audiences from all walks of life the opportunity to hear presentations, ask questions about American foreign policies, and political and cultural life, and exchange opinions with the American guest on a topic of mutual interest. (more)

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Our Information Resource Center is Open to the Public

The U.S. Embassy Information Resource Center (IRC) is a research and reference service for government officials, journalists, researchers, scholars and others with a professional interest in the United States.  It's areas of expertise include U.S. politics, society and culture; U.S. federal and state legislation, laws and regulations; International relations, security, defense and stability etc.  The Information Resource Center collections include online databases, an up-to-date reference collection, recent U.S. government documents and think tank reports and access to American periodicals. (more)