State Department

Blog: A triple celebration for the local Indian community

October 22, 2009 By Northwest Asian Weekly

Congratulations to the Indian community for installing the statue of Mahatma Gandhi on Oct. 17 at the Bellevue Library. The idea of the statue and its location couldn’t be more perfect, as the Indian community has grown immensely since Microsoft started hiring many software engineers from India. Installing it at a library is also appropriate because it symbolizes a high ground for information, ideas, and ideals.

North Korea agrees to resume joint projects with South Korea

August 20, 2009 By Northwest Asian Weekly

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea’s decision to restart tours run jointly with South Korea. Allowing reunions of families separated for decades by the peninsula’s war is aimed at obtaining much-needed foreign currency and leverage in negotiations with Washington and Seoul, experts said.

Thach Nguyen urges others to give without an agenda

August 12, 2009 By Northwest Asian Weekly

Many people give, but only do so with strings attached. These thoughts may sound familiar:

“The more I get acknowledged in public, the more I will give.”

“I jump on the bandwagon when the rich and powerful in the room are giving.”

North Korea: 2 U.S. journalists pardoned

August 6, 2009 By Northwest Asian Weekly

SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Il issued a “special pardon” freeing two jailed American journalists after talks with former U.S. President Bill Clinton, North Korea’s official news agency announced on Wednesday, Aug. 4.

Wife: NY man wanted in Bhopal gas leak ‘haunted’

August 6, 2009 By Northwest Asian Weekly

BRIDGEHAMPTON, New York (AP) – The former head of the chemical company responsible for the gas leak that killed thousands of people in Bhopal, India, 25 years ago has been “haunted” for years by the world’s worst industrial disaster, his wife said Saturday, Aug. 1.

China officials acknowledges two Uighur deaths, some claim attacks were malicious

July 16, 2009 By Northwest Asian Weekly

URUMQI, China (AP) — Police fatally shot two Uighur men and wounded a third in western China, where violence has continued to flare despite the massive numbers of troops sent to restore calm more than a week after deadly ethnic rioting.

House wants political as well as humanitarian reports on West Papua

July 8, 2009 By Northwest Asian Weekly

In response to a West Papua national consensus, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a legislative statement, during the second week of June, calling for reports on the Indonesian government’s involvement in the province. Full legislation is going to the U.S. Senate for consideration.