July 2009
5 posts
June 2009
11 posts
Do you want to do business in the United States?
I often get questions from the Tunisian business community about investing, exporting, or doing business with the United States. Whether it be exporting a handicraft or setting up a business, there are resources the US government has available to inform and assist foreign companies. The State Department’s Bureau of Economic, Energy, and Business Affairs has a website that can serve as a starting...
RECOVERY.gov - American Recovery and Reinvestment... →
As you have seen in my previous entries in this blog, I love to read books, internet, magazines, etc. With every important issue — foreign policy, economic, or otherwise — I urge you to seek out books, websites and other publications to stay informed. One such source is the White House web site above — www.recovery.gov — which explains what the U.S. government is...
President Obama Cairo Speech SMS/Text Messaging... →
The White House is going interactive! Follow the link above to receive highlights of President Obama’s speech from Cairo tomorrow in real time on your phone via SMS in English, Arabic or other languages. If you want, you can to participate in worldwide interactive outreach by answering with your reactions. Of course, I’d like to hear your thoughts, too, right here.
May 2009
9 posts
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World Press Freedom Day
Freedom of Speech is very important to Americans. In fact, free speech in the United States is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. In his April 6, 2009 speech in Turkey, President Obama remarked that, “ Freedom of religion and expression lead to a strong and vibrant civil society that only strengthens the state…” You can read the full text of President Obama’s...
April 2009
11 posts
Our booth is open at the book fair!
As I hope you’ve noticed in my other entries, I love books! Tunisia is hosting its annual international book fair this week, and I was pleased to help open it on Friday with the Tunisian Minister of Culture, several other Ministers and many Ambassadors. The American booth focuses on education, and includes a variety of materials for students interested in studying in the United States, including...
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Celebrating World Intellectual Property Day
Did you know April 26th is the 9th annual World Intellectual Property Day? The World Intellectual Property Organization and the international community observe this day to recognize the importance of intellectual property in our lives. This year’s theme is “Promoting Green Innovation,” which focuses on intellectual property (IP) and eco-friendly inventions. I’m a strong believer, with the twin...
Recharging Transportation →
With Earth Day yesterday and World Intellectual Property Day coming up soon, here is a link to a neat video clip about an American company combining green sensibility, innovation and entrepreneurship to build electric cars. This is from the State Department’s own America.gov site.
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Come see us at the Book Fair!
As you might have guessed from my Cat in the Hat posts below, I love to read. If you do, too, then you won’t want to miss the 27th Tunis International Book Fair beginning this Friday, April 24 and running through May 3 just down the road from the Embassy at the Le Kram Fair Ground.
Please stop by the U.S. Embassy booth for books in English and in translation and information about...
The Cat in the Hat’s Tale (Or… Why reading is...
A poem by Bob Godec (with apologies to Dr. Seuss) Written for the ACST “Reading Rocks!” Assembly March 2009
I’ve come here today With my striped hat and tie For reading is magic And I want to say why.
So this I must tell, For it is just what is true When you read a good book You’ll never be blue.
Left all alone? No one to play? Read a short story It’ll take you away!
With books as...
March 2009
4 posts
Les Foulees du Megara (La Marsa Half Marathon) –...
Yesterday, I ran the La Mara Half Marathon, known as “Les Foulees du Megara”. There were perhaps 300 runners from Tunisia, the United States, France and other countries. It was a well organized run, properly marked and with well-stocked water stops. The course took us from the center of La Marsa around to Carthage, Gammarth and then back to La Marsa center. Along the way, we passed ancient...
Amideast visit – Thursday, March 19
Today, I participated in an English language practice group at the American Corner at Amideast in Tunis. Approximately 40 young Tunisians attended the session. I was deeply impressed with their command of English (the third language for most of them). They clearly understood what I had to say, but were also skilled at offering their own ideas and posing questions.
Most impressive of all,...
U.S. Embassy Tunis Facebook Account →
Welcome
Hi and welcome to my blog. I have the privilege of serving as the American Ambassador to Tunisia. Tunisia is located on the north coast of Africa, on the Mediterranean Sea. It is beautiful, with seacoasts, mountains, woodlands and desert. It is a crossroads of history, with more than 30 centuries of civilization. But what makes Tunisia truly exceptional is its people. The Tunisians are a...