| ![](/peth04/20041019030659im_/http://paei.state.gov/images/i_spcr01.gif) | ![](/peth04/20041019030659im_/http://paei.state.gov/images/i_spcr01.gif) | ![Highlights](/peth04/20041019030659im_/http://paei.state.gov/images/h_hgh01.gif) | Monday, October 18, 2004 |
| Secretary Powell To Travel to Asia Department Spokesman Boucher (Oct. 18): "In Japan and Korea, probably China as well, we'll want to talk about the situation in Iraq, the evolution of the situation in Iraq, and how we all contribute to holding free and open elections for all the Iraqi people come January...." [full text]
Nicaragua Department Spokesman Boucher (Oct. 16): "The United States Government stands firmly with the democratically elected government of President Enrique Bolanos.... We join the call for the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States to meet in an effort to demonstrate hemispheric solidarity with President Bolanos and resolve to preserve democratic order in Nicaragua.... We urge all those political forces in Nicaragua who embrace democracy to act responsibly and put the interests of the Nicaraguan people before partisan and personal interests." [full text]
Coffee Makes a Comeback in El Salvador With the help of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), some farmers in El Salvador are rebounding from low coffee prices by breaking into a different market altogether--specialty coffee. Coffee crops have an enormous environmental impact since they represent almost all the forested areas in the country, can contribute to soil and water retention, and serve as an excellent habitat for biodiversity.
| ![](/peth04/20041019030659im_/http://paei.state.gov/images/i_spcr01.gif) | ![](/peth04/20041019030659im_/http://paei.state.gov/images/i_spcr01.gif) | ![In Other News](/peth04/20041019030659im_/http://paei.state.gov/images/h_nws01.gif) | ![](/peth04/20041019030659im_/http://paei.state.gov/images/i_spcr01.gif) | The Department of State is committed to fighting anti-Semitism throughout the world, and is proud of its many accomplishments.
The 2004 presidential election in Ukraine offers the opportunity to accelerate its development as a secure, independent, democratic, and prosperous country.... We urge the Ukrainian authorities to end immediately the ongoing violations of democratic norms, to allow Ukrainians to choose freely...
| ![](/peth04/20041019030659im_/http://paei.state.gov/images/i_spcr01.gif) | Is your destination the U.S.? This brief video explains new visa policies and procedures for visitors to the United States--a nation with secure borders and open doors. [DSL/Cable; dial-up; audio; transcript]
Background Notes are factual publications that contain information on all the countries of the world with which the United States has relations. See the whole collection.
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