U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick Visits United Arab Emirates October 13-14, 2004
.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick visited the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), and Oman October 13-15 to discuss efforts to promote economic growth and opportunity by expanding bilateral, regional and global trade.

In the U.A.E., Ambassador Zoellick met with Shaikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and U.A.E. Minister of Finance and Industry. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Mohammad Khalfan bin Kharbash, Minister of State for Financial and Industrial Affairs. The talks focused on a proposed U.S.-U.A.E. free trade zone. (more)

eJournal USA: Elections Guide 2004
This State Department journal provides a broad look at the U.S. elections—the influential forces at work, the positions of the two major parties, and voting procedures in the United States. The first section examines six important factors that affect the election: the need to win enough states to carry the Electoral College, the various ethnic and demographic voting groups, the significance of elections for the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, the evolving regulations governing the financing of campaigns, the role of the media and political advertising, and the impact of third-party candidates. Each segment combines background information with commentary by an expert on how they see the subject playing out in the 2004 campaign. (more)

H.H. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Officially Opens USA Pavilion at ADIPEC
The 11th Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (ADIPEC) opened October 10, 2004 amid great fanfare. Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chief of Staff of the UAE Armed Forces cut the ribbon at the USA Pavilion. Ambassador Michele J. Sison escorted Sheikh Mohammed during his visit with some of the 20 American companies in the pavilion. Additional distinguished visitors to the USA Pavilion included Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed, Minister of Information, Sheikh Hamad Bin Zayed, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Economic Department, the UAE Minister of Economy, as well as the oil ministers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the UAE. (more)

Middle East Media Strategy Workshop Held in Abu Dhabi October 4-6, 2004
The U.S. Middle East Partnership Initiative sponsored the Middle East Media Strategy Workshop in Abu Dhabi on October 4-6, 2004. The event, entitled "Current Issues and Opportunities" served as a forum for media experts, journalists, and international donors to come together to provide strategic guidance for media assistance activities. From this conference, a steering committee to guide future activities in the region emerged. The group submitted recommendations that will constitute the first phase of a MEPI-supported Middle East media strategic plan.

For more information on MEPI visit:

http://mepi.state.gov/

http://usembassy.state.gov/uae/mepi.html (more)