Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 24, 2011.   The United States strongly condemns the Syrian government’s brutal repression of demonstrations, in particular the violence and killings of civilians at the hands of security forces.  We reject the use of violence under any circumstances.  We are also deeply troubled by the arbitrary arrests of[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 24, 2011.   President Obama called Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu today to convey his condolences over the terrorist attack in Jerusalem yesterday, which killed one person and wounded many others, and to express his concern about the recent rocket and mortar attacks against Israel from Gaza.  The President[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 24, 2011.   The United States welcomes the resolution adopted today by the United Nations Human Rights Council appointing a Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran.  The decision by the Council represents a historic milestone that reaffirms the global consensus and alarm about the dismal state of[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 24, 2011.   Index for Today’s Briefing DEPARTMENT U.S. Remains Committed to Finding Peaceful Solution to Current Crisis in Cote d’Ivoire/Deputy Assistant Secretary Fitzgerald Attending ECOWAS Summit Today/U.S. Looks Forward to Upcoming Resolution at Human Rights Council U.S. Congratulates Human Rights Council in Geneva on Establishment of Special[Read More…]

Vienna, Austria–(ENEWSPF)–24 March 2011 – UPDATE – 21:30 UTC. On Thursday, 24 March 2011, Graham Andrew, Special Adviser to the IAEA Director General on Scientific and Technical Affairs, briefed Member States on the current status of nuclear safety in Japan. His opening remarks, which he delivered at 15:30 UTC at[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 24, 2011 – 12:52 P.M. EDT MR. CARNEY:  Good afternoon, everyone.  Thanks for coming to the gaggle today. I don’t have any announcements at the top, so I will start, Julie, with you. Q    Thank you.  Just — I want to start out and register a complaint on[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 24, 2011.  One hundred ninety years ago, Greece regained its independence and became a symbol of democracy for the world for the second time in history. As America recognizes this milestone in the birthplace of democracy, we also celebrate our warm friendship with Greece and the lasting legacy[Read More…]

GREAT BRITAIN–(ENEWSPF)–24 March 2011.  Foreign Secretary William Hague said today that ‘forces that continue to take part in Gaddafi’s war against his own people will continue to face the military force of the coalition’. In his statement to the House of Commons updating on the situation, the Foreign Secretary said:[Read More…]

Washington, D.C.–(ENEWSPF)–March 24, 2011 – UPDATE AS OF 1:30 P.M. EDT. In a sign of progress, Tokyo Electric Power Co. (TEPCO) is working to switch from seawater to borated freshwater to cool uranium fuel at three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. All reactors now have access to off-site[Read More…]

Vienna, Austria–(ENEWSPF)–24 March 2011 – 17:30 UTC. Japanese Seawater Samples Show Signs of Radioactive Materials Japanese authorities today provided the IAEA with data on seawater samples they collected on 22 and 23 March, after detecting iodine and cesium in the water near the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant. (See earlier[Read More…]