NTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND CULTURE 
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Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and National Endowment for the Humanities Launch International Tour of "Picturing America" Exhibition 
U.S. Department of State website, 1/7/2009 
"Mrs. Laura Bush today [January 7] announced the launch of the international tour of 'Picturing America,' sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). . . . The announcement by Mrs. Bush today at Blair House in Washington, DC, was part of a celebration of the Global Cultural Initiative. . . . Mrs. Bush launched the Global Cultural Initiative on September 25, 2006, to build on and mobilize the vast talents and resources of America's cultural institutions in support of international cultural diplomacy." 
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2009/01/113655.htm


Clinton promises 'smart power' under Obama 
AFP, 1/13/2009 
"Secretary of state designate Hillary Clinton Tuesday promised a 'smart' blend of US military and diplomatic power projection under Barack Obama, and said America must never give up on Middle East peace." 
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jWv-K5miLGEKM3E3EPFbyvDCcVug


GAO Calls for A New Priority On Public Diplomacy 
Washington Post, 1/12/2009 
"Improving the United States' image abroad is No. 5 on the Government Accountability Office's list of 13 urgent issues requiring the attention of Barack Obama and the 111th Congress during the first year of the new administration. . . . Public diplomacy aims to foster understanding of the United States and its policies through traditional ways such as exchanges, cultural programs, publications, interviews and speeches. More recently, it has involved Internet activities, with State employees getting into foreign chat rooms to answer questions about the United States." 
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/11/AR2009011102122.html