US Mission Geneva

The United States warmly welcomes Senator Lundy and the Australian delegation to the UPR Working Group and congratulates Australia on the completion of its national report and presentation today. My delegation joins with our colleagues in offering our sincere condolences to the victims of Australia’s recent flooding.

USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah arrived in Geneva January 26 for a 2-day visit focused on coordinating with international partners to strengthen global development outcomes. Dr Shah will attend the first meeting of the World Health Organization Commission on Information and Accountability for Women’s and Children’s Health.

The White House Office of the Press Secretary January 25, 2011 State of the Union Address, Washington, DC Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans: Tonight I want to begin by congratulating the men and women of the 112th Congress, as well as your new Speaker, John Boehner. And [...]

The United States warmly welcomes Foreign Minister bin Alawi bin Abdullah and the Omani delegation to the Universal Periodic Review Working Group, and extends its appreciation to Oman for the completion and presentation of its national report today.

A. UNITED STATES SECTION 211 OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT OF 1998: STATUS REPORT BY THE UNITED STATES (WT/DS176/11/ADD.98)

The United States welcomes His Excellency, Ambassador St. Aimee and the Saint Lucian delegation to the UPR Working Group and congratulates Saint Lucia on the completion of its national report and presentation today.

I condemn in the strongest terms the comments made by Richard Falk, the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on “the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967,” in his personal blog on January 11, 2011. Mr. Falk endorses conspiracy theorists who allege that the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks were perpetrated and then covered up by the U.S. government and media. These comments have no place in any serious discussion of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 and demonstrate both intellectual and professional irresponsibility.

The United States did not associate with the WEOG regional group’s statement at the Human Rights Council’s meeting with the Secretary General today on a matter of principle. The unusual decision to limit discussions with the Secretary General to regional groupings resulted in the effective exclusion from the dialogue of the only UN Member State that is not a member of any regional group, Israel. The United States has repeatedly expressed its principled opposition to any discriminatory treatment of Israel and will continue to do so until this discrimination ends.

The United States welcomes the Nepali delegation to the UPR Working Group and congratulates Nepal on its national report and presentation. We have carefully reviewed the content of the report and followed closely the presentation made today.