You Are In: AIT
Still Current at: 2008-05-12
Updated: 2008-05-09
Highlights
Press Conference by Stephen M. Young, Director of the American Institute in Taiwan, May 8, 2008DIRECTOR YOUNG: Good morning, everybody, and thank you for coming. I would like also to introduce Charlene Huang, who is working for me today as the translator.

It's nice to see a few of you here today. I thought I'd offer to meet with you because it's such a slow news week. Seriously, two years ago when I arrived, I promised to meet with you regularly, about once every six months. It seemed like this was a good time to do so. .. [Complete Text]

The American Institute in Taiwan is pleased to announce that options are being examined for a new office complex in Taipei. This is in keeping with our world-wide effort to upgrade facilities in view of increased security concerns, and is subject to continued Congressional support for funding.

AIT is now taking initial steps to prepare for a new facility, including pre-qualifying contractors for site preparation work... [Complete Text]

AIT's Commercial Section is recruiting for an International Buyer Program (IBP) to the IFT Food Expo to be held in New Orleans, Louisiana June 28 to July 1, 2008.

IFT Food Expo, the biggest food event in the world, showcases the very latest trends and newest product innovations in the food industry. The event attracts ...
[Complete Text]

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) is pleased to announce that it has organized a delegation representing the American people to attend the May 20 inauguration of Taiwan President-elect Ma Ying-jeou.

Former White House Chief of Staff Andrew H. Card Jr. will lead the delegation. Mr. Card served as White House Chief of Staff under President George W. Bush until April 2006, making him the second-longest serving White House Chief of Staff. Under former President George H.W. Bush... [Complete Text]

AIT Director Stephen M. Young, left, AmCham Chairwoman Tung Tai-chin, and Taiwan President-elect Ma Ying-jeou toasted at the annual Hsieh Nien Fan April 29, 2008. (Photo by Dirk Diestel)
AIT Director Stephen M. Young, left, AmCham Chairwoman Tung Tai-chin, and Taiwan President-elect Ma Ying-jeou toasted at the annual Hsieh Nien Fan April 29, 2008. (Photo by Dirk Diestel)
President-elect Ma, Chairwoman Tung, distinguished guests, it is an honor for me to join you once again to commemorate a truly eventful year. As we take stock of what was accomplished during the year of the pig, we also look ahead to a new year that I believe will bring historic milestones to Taiwan.

Certainly, among the most important of these milestones are the recent elections of a new President and Vice President and a new Legislative Yuan... [Complete Text]

Current Issues
President George W. Bush delivers remarks during the Celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Thursday, May 1, 2008, in the East Room of the White House. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
President George W. Bush delivers remarks during the Celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Thursday, May 1, 2008, in the East Room of the White House. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all. Please be seated. Thank you. Good afternoon. Welcome to the White House. The East Room is a fitting place to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. I say fitting because in 1860, this was where James Buchanan first -- became the first President to receive an official delegation from Japan. It was a great meeting -- except for one slight wrinkle. The interpreter the Japanese brought with them couldn't speak English. (Laughter.) So he translated Japanese into Dutch -- (laughter) -- and then another interpreter translated Dutch into English. (Laughter.) I thought that was pretty interesting. People say when I speak, it sounds like Japanese translated into Dutch translated to English. (Laughter.) I'm just upholding a diplomatic tradition. (Laughter.) [Complete Text]

Related Link:
- Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, 2008

New York City residents wait in line at a post office to file their 2007 tax returns just hours before the deadline. (© AP Images)
New York City residents wait in line at a post office to file their 2007 tax returns just hours before the deadline. (© AP Images)
The question of who pays taxes and how much they pay always has been a subject of vigorous economic and political debate in the United States. As the government increasingly has resorted to tax policies to shape the economy and social welfare, the tax system has grown complex. This complexity has prompted frequent calls for tax reform. [Complete Text]

Iraq war veteran Nathaniel Donnelly, center, listens to a discussion at San Diego State University about veterans' needs. (© AP images)
Iraq war veteran Nathaniel Donnelly, center, listens to a discussion at San Diego State University about veterans' needs. (© AP images)
Washington -- The "typical" college student of yesteryear -- a secondary school graduate who entered an institution of higher education at the age of 17 or 18, studied full time while living on campus and then graduated with a degree four years later -- no longer is the norm on many U.S. campuses. [Complete Text]

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS

- Jefferson Fellowships for Journalists is accepting applications
Jefferson Fellowships for JournalistsThe East-West Center is accepting applications for the 2008 Jefferson Fellowships for Journalists on the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election. Deadline: June 4, 2008. [Details]

- "Voting in U.S. Elections"
U.S. Citizens: Vote!Voting Information for the 2008 Primary and General Elections ... [Details]

- The Visit of the Battery Dance Company from New York
FREE PERFORMANCE IN TAICHUNGThe Battery Dance Company from New York City and Aboriginal Dancers from Taiwan performed "Moving Spirit" in Taichung on May 1st. [Multimedia Website]

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Israel is celebrating 60 years of existence, but aware of as many of war and turmoil (3:58 min.)

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America.gov

America.govA two-way conversation between Americans and people in other countries. The State Department's new Web site for international audiences provides in-depth material on U.S. policies, culture and values, incorporating multimedia, video, forum discussions, polls and quizzes. [Link to this site]

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Virtual American CornerFrom U.S. culture, history, society, geography, to information on studying in the U.S.A., our American Corner is designed as a virtual American Center where visitors are welcome to learn more about America and its people.[Link to this site]

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Democracy Dialogues - http://www.democracy.gov/Democracy Dialogues is a global conversation about democracy. The Democracy Dialogues Web site addresses specific topics of democratic governance through interactive public forums, readings, videos, photos, and historical documents, with a new topic introduced every two months. [Link to this site]

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USA History in Brief
USA History in BriefThe first title in the new "In Brief" series, this publication summarizes in a few thousand words the history of how the United States was founded and the forces and events that shaped the dynamic and varied country that it has become today. (March 2007) [Read]

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