The U.S. remains concerned about human rights, corruption, and the role of the military in Burma, so the new U.S. policy on that country "is carefully calibrated and aimed at supporting democratic reform and reconciliation efforts while aiding in the development of an economic and business environment that provides benefits to all Burma's people, according to the fact sheet issued July 11 by a State Department spokesman.
Directorate of Defense Trade Controls notification of name/address changes:
The U.S. "has made clear that ammunition should not be included within the scope of the Arms Trade Treaty, said Thomas Countryman, assistant Secretary of State-Bureau of International Security, July 10 at the U.N. conference that begins talks toward the treaty.
The Defense Trade Advisory Group (DTAG) will have an open meeting at 1:30 p.m. July 26, at 1777 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., the State Department said. The committee consists of private sector defense trade representatives, appointed by the Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs, who advise the Department on policies, regulations, and technical issues affecting defense trade. The meeting will discuss current defense trade issues and topics for further study. Agenda topics will be posted on the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls' website, at www.pmddtc.state.gov about 10 days before the meeting.
The State Department Directorate of Defense Trade Controls said its Electronic Form Submission (EFS) application has been upgraded to version 1.1.EFSe v1.1 and released a document that provides information supporting the release of EFS v1.1 and the supporting web content included in DTAS Online v1.1. DDTC said the release is to improve functional aspects of EFS and to correct navigational and screen issues. Highlights of functional improvements include: a check to prevent the submission of blank forms; feedback to the user when a case has been successfully submitted to the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC); ability to enter certain special characters in the subject field of a submission; system timeout after a period of inactivity; improved consistency in the file upload process; and improved consistency in field validation. Additional information is available (here) and from the DTRADE Help Desk at 202-663-2838 or dtradehelpdesk@state.gov.
The State Department said it received an application from the state of Michigan for a permit to build and operate a new international road bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, Canada. In the Delray area of Detroit, it would include a plaza for inspection facilities, and a new interchange with Interstate 75. The bridge would be constructed, operated, and maintained by a new Crossing Authority. As required, the Department will circulate the application to concerned agencies for comment. The public can comment by Aug. 9 at NITCComments@state.gov.
The State Department, World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently issued the following travel warnings, travel alerts, country specific information sheets, and disease outbreak-related information: State Department Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country.
The State Department notified Congress that it proposes to issue export licenses for military goods valued at $100 million. About half is for satellite technology related to the Iridium NEXT mobile satellite service. The rest is for helicopter technology for the United Arab Emirates.
The State Department's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls said the Electronic Form Submission (EFS) application will be upgraded to Release v1.1 the evening of July 9, and will be unavailable from 5-7 p.m. EST.
The State Department, World Health Organization, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recently issued the following travel warnings, travel alerts, country specific information sheets, and disease outbreak-related information: State Department Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country.