Embassy News
Embassy News Archive - 2005
(Dec-22-2005) U.S. Loan Supports Introduction of Inflatable Domes to Russia. A loan from the U.S. Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) will support the introduction of air-supported dome technology to Russia, OPIC announced December 22. The $1.95 million loan will be used to establish a manufacturing facility in Obninsk, where air-structure buildings will be custom designed, manufactured and assembled for use in the sports/recreation, industrial/natural resources, agriculture and construction applications sectors, OPIC said. [More] |
(Dec-15-2005) Russians to Begin Internships with U.S. State Legislatures. Washington, December 15 - Ten Russian professionals in the fields of law, journalism and education recently arrived in the United States to take part in a special program that will take them to state capitals around the United States for six-month legislative internships. [More] |
(Dec-08-2005) NATO-Russia Council Meets in Brussels During NATO Ministerial. Washington -- The NATO-Russia Council met in Brussels, Belgium, December 8, the same day the alliance's 26 foreign ministers gathered for their traditional December meeting. In a statement outlining the discussions, the council said it had reviewed progress in implementing the NATO-Russia Action Plan on Terrorism and it welcomed the preparation of Russian naval assets for their role in Operation Active Endeavor in the Mediterranean Sea, an anti-terrorism effort to ensure safe passage of noncombatant vessels through the Strait of Gibraltar. [Joint Statement] |
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(Dec-05-2005) U.S. Welcomes Action in Russia on Journalist Murder Case. The United States welcomes the scheduling of pretrial proceedings in Moscow for two of the persons charged with the July 2004 murder of Paul Klebnikov, the editor of Forbes Russia magazine. [More] |
(Dec-02-2005) Under Secretary Burns Travels to Moscow to Participate in the U.S.-Russia Counterterrorism Working Group. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns traveled to Russia to represent the United States in the 14th session of the U.S.-Russia Counterterrorism Working Group in Moscow on December 1-2. The Working Group discussed a broad range of topics, including Afghanistan, counter-narcotics, Central Asia and the Caucasus, terrorist financing, and law enforcement. [Press Remarks] [Ekho Moskvy Radio Interview] |
(Dec-01-2005) AIDS Kills Irrespective of Nationality. An opinion editorial by Ambassador Burns published by Izvestiya on the AIDS epidemic to commemorate World AIDS Day - December 1. [Text] |
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(Nov-29-2005) Under Secretary Burns to Travel to Slovenia and Russia. Under Secretary for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns will travel to Russia on December 1-2 for meetings of the U.S.-Russia Counterterrorism Working Group, and to Slovenia on December 4-6 for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) annual Ministerial. [Statement] |
(Nov-22-2005) Ambassador Burns' Interview with Gazeta.ru. Online interview of Ambassador Burns organized and released by Russian publication Gazeta.ru. Published on November 22, 2005. [Interview] |
(Nov-18-2005) President Bush Meets with President Putin of Russia. Prior to meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Busan, South Korea, on November 18, President Bush said, "I always enjoy a chance to have a good discussion with you. ... We value your advice, and we value the strategic relationship we've built." [Text] |
(Nov-16-2005) Opening Remarks by Ambassador Burns at the Bay Area Council Climate of Trust. Opening remarks by Ambassador Burns on the importance of tolerance between peoples at the "Bay Area Council Climate of Trust" conference at the MVD University in Moscow on November 16, 2005. [Text] |
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(Nov-09-2005) U.S., Russia See Progress in Bratislava Nuclear Security Initiative. U.S. Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman and Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom) Director Aleksandr Rumyantsev released a joint statement that "progress is being made" under the Bratislava Nuclear Security Initiative and that a full report will be completed by December 15. [More] |
(Nov-08-2005) Ambassador William Burns Presents his Credentials. Ambassador William Burns presented his diplomatic credentials to Russian Federation President Vladimir Putin, November 8, in the Alexandrovskiy Hall in the Grand Kremlin Palace. Ambassadors from Germany, Hungary, Denmark, Holland, South Africa, Mongolia, Georgia and other countries were present as well. (Photos: Public Affairs, U.S. Embassy in Moscow) |
(Nov-08-2005) Rice Introduces Religious Freedom Report. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice introduces the 2005 Report on International Religious Freedom during a State Department briefing in Washington, Tuesday, November 8. The annual report to Congress, released November 8, is mandated by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 and seeks to examine barriers to religious freedom in 197 countries and territories. The report also notes countries in which conditions have improved and outlines U.S. actions to promote international religious freedom. (State Dept. photo - Janine Sides) [More] [Russia Report] |
(Nov-04-2005) U.S. Nuclear Security Agency Converts Czech Reactor. Washington -- For the first time, a Russian-supplied research reactor has been converted successfully from weapons-grade fuel to a fuel not of weapons grade, after a secret mission that removed its weapons-usable fuel and returned it to Russia, the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) says. [More] |
(Nov-02-2005) U.S., Russia Increase Cooperation Against Drug Trafficking. The chiefs of the American and Russian drug-control agencies signed a memorandum of mutual understanding (MMU) November 2 aimed at enhancing cooperation against illegal drug trafficking worldwide. The MMU "provides a formal basis for enhanced coordination between our two agencies, as we seek to assist the Russian Federal Drug Control Service [FSKN] towards our common goal of identifying and dismantling international drug trafficking organizations," said Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Administrator Karen Tandy. Tandy joined FSKN Director Viktor Cherkesov in signing the agreement at DEA headquarters near Washington. [More] |
(Nov-01-2005) Bush Outlines $7 Billion Pandemic Flu Preparedness Plan. President Bush called on the U.S. Congress November 1 to fund a $7.1 billion emergency plan to safeguard against the danger of pandemic influenza, both domestically and internationally. The strategy comes in response to the most widespread outbreak of avian influenza ever seen, and the concern that it could develop into a threat to human health. [More] |
(Oct-26-2005) Democracy Commission Supports Cooperation Among Civil Servants and NGOs in Addressing Rights of Women. The Consortium of Women's NGOs hosted human rights ombudsmen from many far-flung regions of Russia in Moscow October 26-27. Supported by a U.S. Embassy Democracy Commission grant, the conference piloted a bridge-building gender awareness program involving both government officials and NGOs in order to develop an institutional mechanism for improving women's rights compliance in Russia's regions. Participants discussed responses to gender discrimination in the employment market and public participation, family legislation, domestic violence issues, gender implications of the pension reform, and discriminatory gender stereotypes disseminated by the media. In the wake of the conference, project participants will be exposed to a distance-learning course on Gender Dimension of Human Rights, which will reinforce the impact of the conference and facilitate networking among its participants. |
(Oct-24-2005) Russian, Eurasian Scientists to Attend Chemical Engineer Conference. The U.S. State Department has invited more than 40 representatives of chemical institutes in Russia, Kazakhstan and Ukraine to attend an annual meeting for American chemical engineers October 31 to November 4 in Cincinnati. The scientists and engineers have been invited to the conference to help foster partnerships with U.S. industry and to promote awareness of the capabilities and knowledge of Eurasian experts, the State Department said October 18. More information on the conference is available on the Bio-Chem Redirect Program Web site. |
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(Oct-07-2005) A Rebuttal to an Opinon Editorial Published by Krestyanskiye Vedomosti. A response written by Minister Counselor of Agricultural Affairs Allan Mustard to an opinion editorial published on October 7 by Krestyanskiye vedomosti on the conditions for Russia's accession to the WTO required by the United States. [Text] |
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(Oct-06-2005) American Corner Opens at Russian Parliamentary Library in Moscow. On October 6, Ambassador William Burns accompanied by James Billington, Librarian of Congress, and two members of the Russian Parliament (Duma) presided at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially opening Russia's 32nd American Corner. This American Corner will give Russian legislators, their staff members, and other key researchers access to comprehensive and accurate online and paper information about the United States. The Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress contributed materials while PAS provided equipment, specialized reference resources, and guidance. |
(Oct-05-2005) U.S. Initials Expansion of Aviation Rights with the Russian Federation. On October 5, U.S. and Russian negotiators reached agreement on a major expansion of the rights available to our countries' airlines. For U.S. airlines, a large increase in rights to overfly Russian territory will make possible nonstop passenger service between the United States and India, will expand the use of cross polar routings to Asia, and will significantly enhance and make more economical overflights of Russia by U.S. cargo carriers operating between Europe and Asia. [Press Release] |
(Oct-03-2005) Opening Remarks by Ambassador Burns: U.S.-Russia Business Council. Remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Russia William J. Burns to the U.S.-Russia Business Council on Russia's economy and its challenges. Delivered on October 3, 2005. [Text] |
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(Sep-30-2005) Carnegie Remarks by Ambassador Burns. Ambassador's comments at a joint conference by The James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy of Rice University and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on the topic of "The Strategic Importance of Natural Gas in Russia: Will Its Potential Be Realized?" on Friday, September 30 at the Carnegie Moscow Center, sponsored by Baker Botts LLP and Chevron Corporation. [Text] |
(Sep-30-2005) U.S., Russia Reach Halfway Point of Nuclear Fuel Agreement. The United States and Russia have reached the halfway mark in an agreement on the conversion of highly enriched uranium (HEU) extracted from dismantled Russian nuclear warheads into low-enriched uranium (LEU) for use in commercial power reactors in the United States. [Joint Statement] |
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(Sep-22-2005) Remarks by Ambassador Burns to the American Chamber of Commerce. Remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Russia William J. Burns to the American Chamber of Commerce on Russia's economic revival and the best ways the United States can support it. Delivered on September 22, 2005. [Text] |
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(Sep-15-2005) Updated Hurricane Katrina List of Aid Contributors. An updated list of countries, international organizations, and foreign parties that have generously stepped forward to make financial pledges or offer personnel, equipment, and disaster relief supplies. [State Department Update] |
(Sep-08-2005) Statement by William J. Burns, United States Ambassador to the Russian Federation (Sept. 8). On behalf of the U.S. government and the American people, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the outpouring of sympathy from the Russian people in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. The Russia government was among the very first to offer assistance to the stricken areas and two Ilyushin 76 airplanes carrying material aid have already taken off for the United States. There have additionally been many donations by Russian individuals to assist the hurricane victims. Your messages of support and sympathy, as well as your assistance, demonstrate the friendship between our nations. Thank you. |
(Sep-08-2005) U.S., Russia To Co-Sponsor Military HIV/AIDS Workshop in Moscow. The U.S. Department of Defense announced September 8 it will co-sponsor a four-day Military HIV/AIDS Prevention Workshop with the Russian Federation's Ministry of Defense in Moscow September 12-15. The U.S. Department of Defense HIV/AIDS Prevention Program has been working for the past five years in 56 countries around the world to combat the spread of the deadly HIV/AIDS pandemic. Although the pandemic has been largely concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa, the HIV infection rate in Eurasia is one of the fastest growing in the world. [Press Release] |
(Sep-06-2005) With regard to hurricane Katrina's impact on meet and poultry processing facilities and refrigerators located in Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi: A strike of great force affected these and other states set on hurricane's way, and in some areas this strike was really catastrophic. At the moment it is obvious that damages vary inside each state as well as in different states. In some cases we deal with severe damages while in other cases the damages are less significant. Food Safety and Inspection Service (FCIS) monitors the damaged enterprises during repair operation to make sure that these enterprises correspond to FSIS and Russian requirements. As soon as these ventures are ready to export their products, FSIS will start certification process in accordance with the agreed upon terms. This will be a staged process, as it will take to estimate the duration of repair operations. FSIS will not issue any certificates for export to Russia from these enterprises until all necessary repair jobs are completed. |
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(Sep-02-2005) Statement by William J. Burns, United States Ambassador to the Russian Federation (Sept. 2). On behalf of the U.S. government and the American people, I would like to express my deep appreciation for the outpouring of sympathy from the Russian people in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. We are grateful for the offers of assistance from the Russian Government and from private individuals. Reports of human and property loss in the affected area are catastrophic. As President Bush has said, right now the priority is saving lives. I was very pleased that a number of Russian students in New Orleans were evacuated to safety, and we look forward to continuing to cooperate on any remaining cases. Russia and the United States have stood together in the face of adversity before. Your messages of support and sympathy, as well as your offers of assistance, demonstrate the friendship between our nations. Thank you. |
(Sep-02-2005) Bush To Host Russian President Putin September 16. Washington, Sept. 2. -- President Bush will host Russian President Vladimir Putin at the White House September 16. The two presidents will consult on a number of bilateral and global issues and discuss ways to broaden and deepen the U.S.-Russian partnership in facing the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, according to a White House announcement. |
(Sep-02-2005) USTDA Grant Supports Railway Component Standards Harmonization in Russia. Moscow, Sept. 2. - Earlier today, The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) awarded a $291,664 grant to the Russian Federal Agency of Railway Transport to fund technical assistance to facilitate the harmonization of selected U.S. and Russian railroad car and component standards. [Press Release] |
(Sep-01-2005) United States Expresses Sympathy on Anniversary of Beslan Attack. The deep sympathy of the American people goes out to the people of Russia on the anniversary of the attack on a school in the town of Beslan one year ago, the State Department said August 31. "The United States stands ready to cooperate with the Russian people in the ongoing struggle against terrorism," said State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack. [Statement] |
(Aug-31-2005) Embassy Statement on Hurricane Katrina (August 31). Dear Friends, the staff of the U.S. Embassy in Moscow deeply appreciates your messages of concern and support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The reports of human and property loss are indeed catastrophic, and we are sure that the people of the affected cities and regions will greatly appreciate these expressions of support. For those who are interested in providing more concrete support, we would refer you to the following websites for the latest information concerning support and donations from private citizens: [U. S. Federal Emergency Management Agency lists organizations accepting assistance] [CNN.com - Want to help?] |
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(Aug-08-2005) Russian Mini-sub Crew Rescued. PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- A Russian mini-sub and its seven crew members were successfully brought to the surface by an international rescue team sent to free them Aug. 7. The crew members were alive, and their condition was evaluated by a U.S. medical officer aboard the Russian ship. [More] |
(Jul-27-2005) U.S. Ambassador Designate Statement Before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Statement by U.S. Ambassador Designate to the Russian Federation William J. Burns before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in Washington D.C. on July 27, 2005. [Text] |
(Jul-22-2005) NNSA Expands Nuclear Security Cooperation with Russia. A fact sheet released on July 22, 2005 reviewing ongoing cooperative efforts by the United States and Russia to upgrade the security of Russia's nuclear facilities is available from the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). |
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(Dec-07-2005) Ambassador Burns Celebrates Saint Catherine's Day at the Cathedral Dedicated to the Martyr in Vspolye. On December 7, Saint Catherine's Day, twelve years after the establishment of the Cathedral of the Martyr of Catherine in Vspolye as the representative of the Orthodox Church in America, William Burns attended the religious ceremony conducted by the Patriarch of Moscow and Russia Aleksey II. "I am sure that in the future the Cathedral of the Martyr of Catherine will serve as a bridge between our cultures," said the Ambassador. "The resurrection of this church as the representative of the Orthodox Church in America shows that the Patriarch's personal efforts in removing barriers between Americans and Russians were tangible."
(Nov-30-2005) U.S. Government Donates Cutting Edge Diagnostic Equipment to the Russian Ministry of Defense's Laboratory for Infectious Diseases. On Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at 2 p.m., on the eve of World AIDS Day, U.S. Ambassador William J. Burns presented new laboratory equipment (CD4 Counter) purchased by the U.S. Department of Defense to Russian Ministry of Defense officials at the Ministry of Defense's Infectious Disease Laboratory. The CD4 counter will enhance the diagnosis and treatment of military personnel in need. During his visit to the lab, Ambassador Burns reaffirmed the commitment of the U.S. Government "to do all that it can to help Russia and the Russian military combat HIV/AIDS within the Russian Armed Forces." The donation of the CD4 Counter comes as a direct result of a U.S.-Russian military collaborative program launched two years ago targeted at preventing the spread of AIDS within the U.S. and Russian Armed Forces. 
(Nov-16-2005) Secretary Rice Meets with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Secretary Rice met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings in Busan, South Korea, Wednesday, November 16, 2005. Leaders of 21 economies gathered in the South Korean southern port city for the APEC summit on November 15-16, 2005. The 17th Annual Ministerial Meeting of foreign and economic/trade ministers was concluded with the release of a comprehensive joint statement on a range of issues including trade and economics, security and public health.
(Oct-24-2005) Russian Energy and Industry Minister Khristenko Visits Washington. United States Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman (left) and Russian Federation Minister of Industry and Energy Victor Khristenko hosted a press conference following a lunch meeting on October 24 in Washington, D.C. to discuss the importance of the energy sector to U.S./Russian economic relations. 
(Oct-15-2005) Rice Discusses Iran's Nuclear Program in Russia. The United States and Russia will continue to support diplomatic efforts aimed at removing the many questions surrounding the Iranian nuclear program, Secretary of the State Condoleezza Rice said following a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow October 15.
Iran must not only answer these questions, Rice said, but "recognize that the NPT (Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty) comes not just with rights but with obligations."
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(Oct-07-2005) Librarian of Congress James Billington Heads Delegation to Moscow and Saint Petersburg. On October 2-10, Librarian of Congress James Billington traveled to Moscow and Saint Petersburg. He led the U.S. delegation to BibliObraz 2005 - an international book festival under the auspices of the Russian Language Development Center and patronage of Lyudmila Putin. During his stay in Moscow, Dr. Billington celebrated an American Corner opening at the Russian State Duma with the founder of the American Corner library program in Russia and former Ambassador James Collins. Dr. Billington is one of America's foremost scholars on Russia and the Soviet Union and has written six books on that country. While in Russia, Dr. Billington had the honor of presenting his most recent work, Russia in Search of Itself. Dr. Billington is also the founder of the Open World Program and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Open World Leadership Center.
(Oct-03-2005) New Crew Arrives at Space Station. The Soyuz spacecraft with the 12th international space station crew, Commander William McArthur and Flight Engineer Valery Tokarev, docked with the orbiting laboratory at 1:27 a.m. EDT Monday, October 3.
They launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan just before midnight on Friday, September 30.
During their six months on the station McArthur and Tokarev will do two or three spacewalks.
McArthur and Tokarev also are scheduled to welcome an unpiloted Progress cargo craft to the station, just in time for Christmas.
They will continue scientific investigations aboard the orbiting laboratory, as well as a program of scientific education activities and Earth observations. 
(Sep-30-2005) Rosleskhoz and the USDA Forest Service Sign a Protocol of Intent to Conduct Joint Activities in Forest Protection. On September 16, 2005, Valeriy Roshchupkin, Head of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resource's Federal Agency for Forestry (Rosleskhoz), and Dale Bosworth, Forest Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service, signed a protocol of intent between the forestry agencies of the two countries. According to the protocol, Rosleskhoz and USDA Forest Service intend to conduct joint activities in forest conservation, protection, and reforestation as well as the monitoring of illegal logging. Both sides agreed to exchange information regarding pilot projects, legislative and administrative aspects of forest management, and voluntary forest certification. [
(Sep-30-2005) NNSA Administrator Linton Brooks Visits Russia. Ambassador Linton Brooks, Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, visited Russia this week to participate in celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the Russian nuclear industry, the commissioning of the Kola Technical Center, and to meet with senior officials from the Russian Federal Atomic Energy Agency (Rosatom) and the Russian Ministry of Defense.
(Sep-16-2005) Bush, Putin Focus on Nonproliferation, Russian WTO Accession. Iranian and North Korean nuclear weapons programs, Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and energy figured prominently in wide-ranging discussions during a summit meeting at the White House on September 16 between President Bush and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin.
Bush described the talks as "candid" and "constructive" during a joint press appearance with Putin after their meeting, leaving no doubt that the state of democracy in Russia was also an important topic: "Russia's been a strong partner of the United States and will be an even stronger partner as the reforms that President Putin has talked about are implemented -- rule of law and the ability for people to express themselves in an open way in Russia."
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(Sep-16-2005) U.S.-Russia Volunteer Initiative Opening. Following a summit at Camp David in September, 2003 between Presidents George W. Bush and Vladimir Putin, a Presidential Initiative was announced to deepen U.S.-Russian partnership in solving global problems. The program, called the U.S.-Russia Volunteer Initiative (USRVI), has two U.S. Government sponsors, the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development. Through the USRVI nearly 70 young American and Russian community leaders travel as volunteers to communities in the other country for eight weeks of service September - November, 2005. [
(Sep-04-2005) Secretary Rice on International Relief Activities Related to Hurricane Katrina (Sept. 4). I want to express the heartfelt thanks of the President, the United States Government and all Americans, to the leaders and citizens of the many nations and international organizations that have already offered kind and generous support. Organizations like the United Nations, NATO, the Organization of American States, the European Union, and others are showing their solidarity with us during this time.
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(Aug-25-2005) Senator Barak Obama Visits U.S. Embassy in Moscow. Senator Barak Obama (D-Illinois) greets constituents at the U.S. Embassy on Thursday, August 25, 2005. The Senator took time from his busy schedule of meetings in Moscow to meet with Embassy personnel from Illinois and with the U.S. Marines assigned to the Embassy. Senator Obama is a Member of the U.S. Senate's Foreign Relations Committee.
(Aug-22-2005) U.S. Aircraft, Troops a Hit at Moscow Air Show. ZHUKOVSKY, Russia — Air Force Staff Sgt. Christy Jeffreys isn't new to traveling. In the last nine years since she's been in the Air Force, her job as a boom operator on the KC-10 Extender has taken her to more than 10 different countries. But, this was the first time her job has also made her feel like a celebrity. Jeffreys, a Reservist assigned to the 79th Air Refueling Squadron at Travis Air Force Base, Calif., was part of a team of about 100 people representing the U.S. military at the Moscow International Air Show and Space Salon here Aug. 16-21. [
(Jul-21-2005) Bush Nominates William Burns as U.S. Ambassador to Russia. President Bush sent to the Senate for approval July 21 the nomination of William J. Burns as U.S. Ambassador to the Russian Federation.
Burns is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service and most recently served as assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs at the Department of State. He has a bachelor's degree from LaSalle University in Philadelphia, with a masters degree and a doctorate from Oxford University, where he was a Marshall Scholar.
In his early career, Burns was minister-counselor for political affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. He has also served as U.S. ambassador to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
If confirmed, Burns would replace Alexander Vershbow, who has served as U.S. ambassador to Russia since July 19, 2001.
(Jul-21-2005) Opening of the Federal Customs Service's Command Center. Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Russell participating in a ribbon cutting ceremony July 21 for the Federal Customs Service's Command Center for Response and Control Over Fissile and Radioactive Materials. Russian and American experts worked together to design and build this center and the U.S. contribution was provided through the State Department's export control and border security program. The Command Center's mission is to strengthen safeguards and to help prevent illegal trafficking in nuclear materials. It will link the State Customs Committee in Moscow with Customs personnel in the field to better track suspicious cargo 24 hours a day, seven days a week.