WARNING: This is Version 1 of my old archive, so Photos will NOT work and many links will NOT work. But you can find articles by searching on the Titles. There is a lot of information in this archive. Use the SEARCH BAR at the top right. Prior to December 2012; I was a pro-Christian type of Conservative. I was unaware of the mass of Jewish lies in history, especially the lies regarding WW2 and Hitler. So in here you will find pro-Jewish and pro-Israel material. I was definitely WRONG about the Boeremag and Janusz Walus. They were for real.
Original Post Date: 2011-04-23 Time: 13:00:03 Posted By: News Poster
By Stephen Kaufman
Washington – Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said the Obama administration wants to work with the African Union to find a political solution to the violence in Libya, as well as to work more closely with the organization to promote open and transparent governance across Africa.
Speaking with African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Jean Ping in Washington April 21, Clinton said the United States appreciates the AU’s public statements on Libya that urge “a democratic process that can be inclusive and supportive of the needs of the Libyan people.”
As fighting continues between Libya’s political opposition and forces loyal to Muammar Qadhafi, U.S. officials “seek the African Union’s assistance in arriving at a political solution in Libya,” Clinton said ahead of her discussion with Ping.
The AU chairperson was in Washington to participate in the second annual U.S.-AU High-Level Meeting on April 20 and 21. During his visit he met with a range of senior Obama administration officials, including Attorney General Eric Holder, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis and Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonough.
According to an April 20 White House report on McDonough’s meeting with Ping, the two discussed the situations in Sudan, Côte d’Ivoire and Somalia, as well as Libya.
“McDonough stressed the importance of the AU, the Arab League, the UN and NATO working together to secure a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Libya,” the White House statement said.
The AU’s peace plan includes an immediate cessation of hostilities; the “diligent delivery” of humanitarian assistance; the protection of foreign nationals, including African migrant workers; and an “inclusive dialogue and a transitional period leading to political reform,” according to a joint U.S.-AU statement issued by the State Department on April 22.
Ping stressed to his U.S. interlocutors that only the Libyan people themselves can choose their political leadership and determine who will participate in the country’s political process, the statement said.
While the United States acknowledged the AU’s efforts to achieve a cease-fire, it said there needs to be greater coordination with the international community and that it is essential for Qadhafi to step down from power and leave Libya in order to allow an inclusive political process in the country, according to the statement.
“A cease-fire requires an immediate end to all attacks on civilians and the withdrawal of Qadhafi’s forces from all cities they have forcibly entered, occupied or besieged,” the statement said. “Qadhafi and his regime also should comply with their obligations under international law, international humanitarian law, human rights and refugee law, including protecting civilians and meeting their basic needs.”
U.S. and AU PARTNER ON DEMOCRACY
In her remarks with Ping, Clinton also said the United States wants to “broaden and deepen” its relationship not only with individual African countries, but also with the AU.
“Africa is a matter of great significance to the Obama administration,” she said.
Clinton thanked Ping for his leadership in encouraging democratic transformation in African countries, as well as accountability, transparency and good governance.
“We wish to work with the AU in order to provide support for the programs that he has championed,” she said.
According to an April 19 fact sheet released by the State Department, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has been working with AU’s Democracy and Electoral Assistance Unit to improve election processes across Africa and has helped the AU to promote the African Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance.
The Obama administration “looks to the AU as a respected voice on the continent that builds consensus on African issues among member states and stakeholders.” The administration is engaging with the AU “in substantive and frank dialogue about how to address such issues as unconstitutional changes in government in Africa,” the fact sheet said.
This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S.
Original date published: 22 April 2011
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201104230023.html?viewall=1