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U.S. Business Delegation Visits Technology Park

The U.S. Business Delegation at El-Ghazala, Nov 11, 2007

November 11, 2007 - The U.S. Embassy -- in partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Africa Society, the Tunisian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Tunisian Ministry of Development and International Cooperation and its Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA), UTICA, the Tunisian-American Chamber of Commerce, and the Tunisian Chambers of Commerce and Industry -- welcomed an American business delegation from November 8 - 12, 2007. The group had a number of informative meetings with a full range of Tunisian interlocutors, including a visit to the El Ghazala Technopark. The delegation left with very positive impressions of the benefits of doing business in Tunisia.

9/11 Remembrance at North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial

Ambassador Godec and Captain Romano Sauro, Italian Defense Attaché, salute as the Tunisian and American national anthems are played.	Members of the diplomatic corps and the American community pay their respects at the ceremony marking six years after 9/11.

September 11, 2007 - U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Robert F. Godec presided over a ceremony at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial marking six years after 9/11.  Tunisian officials, diplomats and military officers of nations whose citizens died in the attacks, and members of the American community paid their respects to the fallen and placed roses on the Stone of Remembrance.  In his remarks, Ambassador Godec alluded to the words of American writer Hope Adelman "...As we remember our loss and reflect upon the insight we have gained, let us stand united with the memory of the fallen as our guide.  Let us work together for peace and understanding in the years to come."

Ozomatli Rocks Carthage, Tunis

July 21, 2007 - L.A-based Latin-funk-hip hop fusion musical group Ozomatli landed in Tunis for a two-day tour of the city and dynamic concert at the Carthage Roman Amphitheatre. The three time Grammy Award winners began their North Africa-Middle East tour with a concert at the Carthage International Festival on July 22, 2007 and a private show for underprivileged kids at Amideast in Tunis on July 23, 2007.

The group started off their visit with a tour of Tunisia’s ancient sites in Carthage—Byrsa Hill, Carthage Museum, and the Roman baths. In awe of the ruins, the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, and the warmth of the Tunisian people, Ozomatli lamented their limited time in Tunisia.  The classical connections were all the more meaningful to band members whose names included Asdrubal and Ulise!

Asdru Sierra leads the way in a second line through the crowd in Carthage.

On Sunday evening, Ozomatli rocked the house at the International Carthage Festival in the phenomenal Roman Amphitheatre! Full of energy, they got the crowd on their feet and onto the dance floor in no time. For their closing song the band disconnected their instruments, jumped from the stage, and started a conga line, prompting the crowd to surround them as they moved through the dance floor, up the amphitheatre steps, and back down. Ozomatli was determined to hang out with Tunisians!

Ozomatli jams with a young Tunisian guitarist at an outreach event at AMIDEAST in Tunis.

Monday morning the band performed for about 100 disadvantaged youth studying English at Amideast through the Access Microscholarship Program, some of whom attended the concert the night before. Once again, Ozomatli got the crowd to their feet. They even invited a young Tunisian guitarist to play with them, and later were thrilled to hear a young Tunisian girl introduce them to a popular Tunisian song.

Ozomatli’s multi-ethnic band members and musical diversity demonstrate the multiculturalism that defines America. The U.S. Embassy was pleased to have an opportunity to introduce them to Tunisia and allow them to experience the beauty of this country.

For more on Ozomatli's North Africa-Middle East tour through Tunisia, Jordan and Egypt sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, see also:

• August 6, 2007 - "Ozomatli Showcases American Music in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia," USINFO article
• August 24, 2007 - Ozomatli on "Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer," CNN clip

U.S. Ambassador Visits English-Language Program for Underprivileged Youth

Ambassador Godec attending English Access Microscholarship Program classes  at Amideast

May 25, 2007 – Ambassador Godec visited three English classes at AMIDEAST offered to recipients of a U.S. government funded program called the English Access Microscholarship Program.  One hundred underprivileged students from Sidi Hassine took advantage of this opportunity to learn English at AMIDEAST.  Ambassador Godec answered the students’ questions about what he does as an ambassador, how he likes Tunisia, what kind of music he listens to, and many other questions demonstrating how much students have learned in their classes!  Following the classes, Ambassador Godec presented students with their end-of-session certificates for the completion of 40 hours of English language learning.  In addition to studying English, students had the opportunity to participate in several extracurricular activities organized by AMIDEAST, including a visit to Figuia Park.   Students have the opportunity to continue their studies in intensive courses throughout the summer.

American virtuoso offers master classes at the Higher Institute of Music in Tunis  

Roman Rudnytsky shares his expertise with students at the Higher Institute  of Music in Tunis.

March 16, 2007 - Concert pianist and Youngstown State University Associate Professor of Piano Roman Rudnytsky visited Tunisia from March 14-17, 2007.  The world-renowned, world-traveling virtuoso (85 countries and counting) performed two recitals and conducting three master classes under the auspices of the Public Affairs Section of U.S. Embassy Tunis.  The master classes at the Higher Institute of Music in Tunis, culminating in a recital at the school, allowed the New Yorker of Ukrainian origin to share his vast experience with students and faculty alike.  On Friday evening, March 16, Ambassador Robert F. Godec and Ms. Lori Magnusson hosted Rudnytsky in a special performance for members of the musical community and other invited guests.  The performance, one of a series of such musical events at the Ambassador's Residence, was also covered positively in the Tunisian press.

Tunisian students and reporters visit U.S. Navy ship…almost

CMDR Daniel Lafferty, U.S. Naval Attaché, and MAJ Craig Schlozman, U.S. Army, answer questions from students and reporters aboard the Tunisian Navy ship SIDI BOU SAID.

March 8, 2007 - Rough seas prevented the Tunisian Navy buoy tender SIDI BOU SAID, carrying a group of twelve Tunisian university students and four Tunisian journalists, from tying up to visiting U.S. Navy ship USS THE SULLIVANS for a tour and a chance to meet the captain and crew.  Nonetheless, the two-hour round trip proved useful as CMDR Daniel Lafferty, U.S. Naval Attaché, and MAJ Craig Schlozman, U.S. Army, answered questions from the enthusiastic group about American culture and life in the U.S. military.

U.S. Media and Current Challenges

Mark Schapiro leads the discussion.

March 7, 2007 - Foreign Service Officer Mark Schapiro, an Arabic-language student in Tunis, led a roundtable discussion on "U.S. Media and Current Challenges" at the American Corner with 27 students and faculty from the Higher Institute of Human Sciences of Tunis.  Schapiro offered his insight into the emerging role of the "New Media" such us blogs and the Internet which now act as a check and balance on the "Fourth Estate."  Schapiro challenged participants to see media outlets as corporations and develop the critical mindset necessary to constantly filter the news.

Ambassador Godec Meets with Tunisia Section of Amnesty International

Ambassador Godec accepts a packet of postcards from “Close Guantánamo Campaign” Co-Coordinator Ilhem Abdelkefi.

March 6, 2007 - Ambassador Robert F. Godec met with representatives of the Tunisia Section of Amnesty International to accept postcards addressed to President Bush as part of the group’s “Close Guantánamo Campaign.”  During the cordial visit, Ambassador Godec made clear that the United States shares the goal of eventually closing Guantánamo through continuing U.S. efforts to urge nations across the world to take back their nationals who are eligible for transfer or release.  He stressed that the individuals in Guantánamo posed potential security risks, while also emphasizing the humane conditions of their detention.  Ambassador Godec also voiced his commitment to frank and open dialogue on these and other issues and the strong U.S. support for human rights, democracy and the valuable work of non-governmental organizations like Amnesty International.  Representing the Tunisia Section of Amnesty International were President Habib Marsit, Coordinator Noura Borsali, Co-Coordinator Ilhem Abdelkefi and “Godmother” and well-know Tunisian actress Fatma Saidane.

Celebrating African-American History Month

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

February 28, 2007 - In celebration of African-American History month, ARS speaker Sheldon Austin engaged a group of fifty enthusiastic fourth-year students from the Higher Institute of Human Sciences of Tunis in a digital video conference live from Paris on Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech.  After giving a historical overview of the Civil Rights Movement, the speaker focused on aspects of King's speech that sparked support for civil rights legislation which later established the legal framework for racial equality in the United States.

Tunisian-American musical group launches Europe-North Africa tour

American diplomat and musician Brennan Gilmore, Tunisian musician and composer Riadh Fehri and U.S. Ambassador Robert Godec talk about Kantara at a February 12 press conference at U.S. Enbasssy Tunis.

February 12, 2007 - Ambassador Robert F. Godec hosted a press conference to launch the Europe-North Africa tour of Kantara ("bridge" in Arabic), a ensemble of Tunisian and American musicians blending Tunisian and Appalachian musical traditions. The group’s performances in Italy, France, Tunisia and Morocco are sponsored in part by the U.S. Department of State. In the words of Ambassador Godec, "Kantara exemplifies the great things that come of people of different backgrounds, cultures, and religions uniting to honor each other’s traditions in a spirit of mutual trust and respect." more... [external link]

Interview with Ambassador Robert F. Godec

The February 8 issue of Réalités magazine featured an interview with Ambassador Godec.

February 8, 2007 - Ambassador Godec’s debut interview in Tunisia was an exclusive in French-language Tunisian weekly Réalités.  Under the headline quote "Reestablish mutual trust" the article says the "young and dynamic" ambassador is "conscious of the degradation of the American image in the world, and especially the region, and open to debate and an exchange of ideas with all Tunisians, without exception."  The pullout quotes from the Ambassador emphasize the need to look the future, not the past, on Iraq and other sore subjects, and expressed the ambassador’s willingness to engage with Tunisians, both to listen and to explain U.S. policy.  more... [external link]

Ambassador Presents His Credentials to Tunisian President

Ambassador Robert F. Godec presents his credentials to President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in a January 18 ceremony.

January 18, 2007 – At a ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Carthage, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Robert F. Godec joined nine other chiefs of diplomatic missions in presenting his credentials to Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Ambassador Godec was accompanied at the ceremony by Deputy Chief of Mission David Ballard and Defense Attaché Col. Bradley G. Anderson, U.S. Army. In his speech to the assembled diplomats, President Ben Ali reiterated his country’s commitment "to promote the pluralist democratic process, to enlarge the fields of dialogue and participation in political life, [and] to consolidate the human rights protection mechanisms both in law and in practice…."  more... [external link]

Leaders for Democracy Fellowships

May 7, 2007 - The Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted from candidates to participate in the Leaders for Democracy Fellowship Program.

This annual, three-month-long program provides young democratic reform leaders from the Middle East and North Africa with the opportunity to complete both academic coursework and a practical, skill-building experience in their field of choice in the United States.  The fellowship covers international and domestic travel, health insurance, housing, and a moderate living stipend.  A maximum of 25 applicants will be chosen from the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.

Applications this program are due by May 31, 2007.

For more information see this State Department Media Note also available in Arabic.  The program description is available in English, Arabic or French.