2010 Press Releases

Alleged Cable from U.S. Embassy, London, published by Wikileaks

The U.S. Embassy does not comment on alleged leaked classified materials. Any unauthorized disclosure of classified information has harmful implications for global engagement among and between nations. We condemn unauthorized disclosures and are taking every step to prevent security breaches.
International Religious Freedom Report 2010

The International Religious Freedom Report 2010 has been released by the Department of State’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. This report documents the status of religious freedom during the period from July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, in almost 200 countries including Mauritius.
Annual Daniel Pearl World Music Day in Mauritius

The U.S. Embassy in Mauritius is participating in this global event this year by organizing a concert at the Institut Français de Maurice (IFM) in Rose Hill. Local artists, including Linzy Bacbotte and Blackmen Bluz will be performing at the IFM on Saturday, October 23 from 6.30.p.m. Tickets are free and are available from the U.S. Embassy and may be collected from the IFM upon request. Electronic tickets are also available: please e-mail portlouispas@gmail.com with names and telephone numbers of guests. A maximum of five tickets are allowed per guest.
Invitation to Submit Proposals for the 2010 Ambassador's Self-Help Program

The U.S. Ambassador’s Self-Help Program is a grassroots assistance program that responds to requests for financial assistance from small community-based projects that are initiated and administered at the local level.
$ 3500 Grand to Truth and Justice Commission

The funds granted will allow for the first part of a project devised at determining the age of and other important information concerning the remains discovered. Ambassador Wills said the U.S. Embassy was very pleased to support this project, which is of “special interest and significance” to the U.S. Government and to herself personally as an African American.
Education Outreach Program in Rodrigues

U.S. Embassy Education Advisor Jennifer Boulle travelled to Rodrigues on September 17 and 18 for an ‘Education Outreach Program’, designed at informing Rodriguan students and the community at large about educational prospects in the U.S.
Eid Dinner Offered by U.S. Embassy

Ambassador Mary Jo-Wills and Mr. Calvin Darnell Wills Sr. hosted a dinner event to mark the celebration of Eid-Ul-Fitr. Several distinguished guests from the public and private sector attended the event, including Minister of Housing and Lands Abu Kasenally, MPs Cader Sayed Hossen, Adil Ameer Meeah, Abdullah Hossen and Rafick Sorefan.
Statement on Florida Church Plan to Burn Qur'an

The Government of the United States reaffirms its position that the deliberate destruction of any holy book is an abhorrent act. We condemn such acts as disrespectful, intolerant, and divisive. We are deeply concerned about all deliberate attempts to offend members of any religious or ethnic group, including the plans announced by a pastor in Florida to burn the Qur’an.
American Literary Corner Launched at Carnegie Library of Curepipe

The American Corner in Mauritius has been named the ‘Harper Lee Center’ for the author of the classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird, which regularly features on secondary school Literature in English programs in Mauritius. The Harper Lee Center currently has about 500 books for children and adults on literature, history, government, environment, politics and a wide range of subjects by American authors.
U.S Government Donates 3 Defender Boats to NCG

Three Defender Class High Speed Patrol Boats worth Rs 31 million have been donated to the National Coast Guard by the United States Government.
Nobel Laureate Dr. Woodrow Clark II in Mauritius

Nobel Prize co-laureate, Dr. Woodrow Clark II, arrives in Mauritius on Thursday, August 19 for a visit of three days. Dr Woodrow Clark II is the co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, alongside former U.S. Vice President Al Gore. He received this distinction due to his co-authorship and co-editorship for Third Report by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) from 1995-2000.
Statement on the President's Forum with Young African Leaders

In 2010, seventeen countries across sub-Saharan Africa celebrate fifty years of independence. In honor of this important historic moment; in acknowledgement of the extraordinarily young demographic profile of the region; and as part of an effort to forge strong, forward-looking partnerships in the years ahead, President Obama will host a forum in Washington, D.C., from August 3 - 5 with approximately 120 young leaders from civil society and the private sector representing more than forty countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Women Entrepreneurship Forum

The Embassy of the United States is pleased to announce that Mrs. Aline Wong, Founder & Managing Director of L’Inattendu Ltée and Mrs. Sylvianne Valmont, Chief Executive Officer, Small Enterprise Promotion Agency of Seychelles will participate in the 2010 AGOA Women’s Entrepreneurship Forum in the U.S.
Arrival of Deputy Chief of Mission Troy Fitrell

The new Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, Troy Fitrell, was welcomed to his new position in a reception hosted yesterday by US Ambassador Mary Jo Wills and her husband Mr. Calvin Darnell Wills Sr.
Release of the 2010 Trafficking in Persons Report - Mauritius Remains In Tier One

In the 2010 TIP Report, Mauritius remains in Tier 1. The Government of Mauritius fully complied with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking. Mauritius sustained its strong efforts to identify, investigate, and prosecute incidences of trafficking during the reporting period.
Increase in Visa Application Fees for the United States

Effective June 4, 2010, U.S. Embassies worldwide will be required to increase the machine readable visa fees (also known as visa application fees). The new fees for tourist, business and student visa applications will be $140 per person. For visa categories requiring a petition from an employer or sponsor, the visa application fee will be $150 per person.
The U.S. Embassy Congratulates Mauritius on Peaceful Elections

The United States congratulates the Republic of Mauritius on this historic election and joins the people of Mauritius in reaffirming the strong democratic tradition that we share. The United States Embassy looks forward to early and close consultations with the new government on a wide range of challenges and opportunities.
U.S. Sponsored Workshop on “Bus Transit Integrated Fleet Management Systems”

The workshop was led by Mark Siders, a U.S. public transportation systems expert, based in Maryland, USA. Mark Siders is the Chief Executive of International Communications and Transport Engineering (ICTE), Inc., an intelligent transportation systems company that provides transit consulting services to major transit systems operators to help them bring state-of-the-art technology solutions to address traffic congestion and other transportation-related issues.
U.S. Embassy Introduces New Web-based Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Interactive, Online Application Form Starting on April 28, 2010

The U.S. Embassy in Port Louis is pleased to inform the media that as a result of the increasing demand for U.S. visas worldwide, the U.S Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs is committed to using new technologies to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the visa application process.
The Africa Center for Strategic Studies, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, holds a Community Leadership Conference (CLC) in Mauritius

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) is holding a Community Leadership Conference (CLC) in Port Louis, Mauritius, March 28-April 2, 2010, with the goal of strengthening its Indian Ocean and Southern Africa-area community chapters.
Dr. John Hasse, Curator of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of National History, Conquered by L’Atelier Mo’Zar

Dr. John Hasse, Curator of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of National History is in Mauritius in celebration of current Women’s History Month and Jazz Appreciation Month in April. On Tuesday, March 16, Dr. Hasse had his first jazz experience in Mauritius at the Community Center of Roche Bois where José Thérèse, the director of L’Atelier Mo’Zar and his young music students greeted him with much enthusiasm.
U.S. Sponsored Workshop on “Bus Transit Integrated Fleet Management Systems”

Ambassador Mary Jo Wills opened a half-day U.S.-sponsored workshop on Bus Transit Integrated Fleet Management System, held at Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, Caudan.
U.S. Embassy Introduces New Web-based Nonimmigrant Visa (NIV) Interactive, Online Application Form Starting on April 28, 2010

The U.S. Embassy in Port Louis is pleased to inform the media that as a result of the increasing demand for U.S. visas worldwide, the U.S Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs is committed to using new technologies to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the visa application process.
The Africa Center for Strategic Studies, in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, holds a Community Leadership Conference (CLC) in Mauritius

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS) is holding a Community Leadership Conference (CLC) in Port Louis, Mauritius, March 28-April 2, 2010, with the goal of strengthening its Indian Ocean and Southern Africa-area community chapters.
Dr. John Hasse, Curator of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of National History, Conquered by L’Atelier Mo’Zar

Dr. John Hasse, Curator of American Music at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of National History is in Mauritius in celebration of current Women’s History Month and Jazz Appreciation Month in April.