Trafficking in Persons Report 2009 Released

Secretary Clinton announced the release of the ninth annual Department of State Trafficking in Persons Report 2009. The 175-country report is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons, a modern-day form of slavery.  Its findings are intended to raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons. The assessment includes reports on 173 countries assigned ranks. Commentary on two additional countries, considered special cases, is also included. For more information see the Trafficking in Persons webpage at http://www.state.gov/g/tip/rls/tiprpt/2009/index.htm

Piano Recital by Steinway Artist Regina Shamvili Well Received

Concert hosts Birte and Nic Moller, Regina Shamvili and Vice Consul James Hogan

The United States Consulate General Curacao, together with Art in Avila 2009, organized a piano recital by visiting Steinway artist Regina Shamvili at La Belle Alliance last Sunday, June 14, 2009.

The performance by Ms. Shamvili of Robert Schumann:  Kreisleriana, opus 16 (Eight Fantasies of Hofmann's Fairytales) and Michael Glinka: Piano Miniatures was very well received by the audience. 
Some of the concert proceeds will benefit the Stichting Klassiek Curacao.

Regina Shamvili began to play the piano at the age of six and gave her first orchestral performance at 10. After graduating from both the Tbilisi Conservatory and the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow, she became a household name in her native Russia. Her Melodia records were bestsellers. She played with all major orchestras and appeared in the most prestigious concert halls and festivals. Russian museums and art galleries exhibited portraits of Regina, painted by noted artists. In 1983, she left Russia for America. A pianist with an international fan base, Regina has performed in more than 100 countries around the world.

Please visit www.reginashamvili.com or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regina_Shamvili for more information about Mrs. Shamvili.

USNS Comfort Starts Second Humanitarian Mission to Caribbean

Handelskade Curacao

The U.S. Navy hospital ship Comfort begins a four-month cruise of the Caribbean, Central America and the Colombian coast to bring free medical care to the needy. The ship returns to renew a promise made with a similar cruise in 2007: to extend medical humanitarian aid and improve health care.

For more information, see the USNS Comfort webpage at:
www.southcom.mil/continuingpromise2009

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Mandatory on January 12, 2009

Beginning January 12, 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries are required by law to obtain a travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States under the VWP. This authorization may be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA™), a free Internet application administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through a U.S. government website.

DHS does not charge VWP travelers a fee for completion of an ESTA™ application. Eligible visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP may apply for travel authorization via the ESTA™ website at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.

VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established websites, which charge visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP, for information about ESTA™ and for submitting ESTA™ applications to DHS on behalf of the traveler. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States Government. Again, the United States Government does not charge a fee to obtain information about, apply for, or obtain a travel authorization through the ESTA™ website. Use of a private service to apply for travel authorization via ESTA™ will not expedite the granting of approval.

The ESTA™ application website is available in 16 languages and includes a help section that provides additional information for VWP travelers to guide them through the application process. Additional information about ESTA™ may be found at http://www.cbp.gov/esta.