The history bears testimony to the fact that legitimate aspirations for freedom may be suppressed for some time but cannot be denied for-ever. Kashmiris are destined to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination, however difficult this proposition may seem at present, says a press release received from Berlin on Friday. This was stated by Pakistan's Ambassador to Germany, Abdul Basit at a seminar organised by the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy (ICD) in Berlin to mark the 27 October as the Kashmir Black Day.

“With 20% of Georgian territory occupied and two Russian embassies operating in the occupied territories, diplomatic relations with Russia will not be restored”, the new Minister of Foreign Affairs Maia Panjikidze told journalists after the meeting with the employees of the foreign ministry.

My Brookings paper which launched today, Baked in and Wired: eDiplomacy @ State, tracks State’s remarkable emergence as the leading innovator in its field. It drills into three areas where its use of ediplomacy has been particularly striking: public diplomacy, internet freedom, and knowledge management.

The looming federal budget crunch, coming as the United States reduces its military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan, should not slow the State Department’s push to hire more Foreign Service officers, a new report from retired diplomats said.

"The four month long Oz Fest will celebrate and promote these expanding links and foster a better understanding of culture," says Strahan. Incidentally, food has become the gastronomical tactic for cultural diplomacy, India's rise as a preferred destination for Australians could also be one of the reasons for unveiling this mega fest, that reportedly has a budget of three million dollars.

The government is going ahead with plans for a state-owned and controlled internet radio station which will be available around the world, and is looking for radio experts to set it up and run it – on government instruction.

VisitBritain’s ‘GREAT Britain’ campaign also draws together major events, sporting achievements and commercial partners to promote the UK as a great country in which to live, study, invest and do business – as well as to visit. In my book, the GREAT Britain campaign is a real winner. So what can it teach those of us in branding and brand management about the principles of country branding?

On the occasion of the commemoration of the "United Nations Day", Mr. Mariano Fernández Amunátegui, the Head of the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (Minustah) deeclared "UN is the only forum where we can learn from each other by working together, dreaming together the same dream, and to carry out these same hopes for the future generations."