Ambassador of the Dominican Republic Roberto B. Saladin-Selin Dominican Republicís Economy Growing but Still Struggling by Larry Luxner The Dominican Republic, home of merengue music, premium cigars and baseball great Sammy Sosa, can now boast of something even more impressive: the fastest-growing economy in the Western Hemisphere. Over the last decade, the Caribbean nationís gross domestic product has expanded by at least 6 percent annually, with economic growth exceeding 8 percent.... more... CÈsar Gaviria OAS Secretary General Working To Bring the Americas Together by John Shaw CÈsar Gaviria, the secretary general of the Organization of American States, is presiding over an ambitious effort to bring the people of the Americas closer together. In an interview in his elegant second floor office at the OASís majestic building near the White House, Gaviria said his organization is working with leaders in the region to advance an aggressive agenda of free trade.... more... Chinaís Big Slice of Pei World-Renowned Architect to Design Huge Chinese Embassy by Tim Deady The International Drive embassy complex could be closed to further development because China wants to acquire its remaining lots to construct an embassy that would dwarf the areaís existing chanceries. One of the worldís best-known architects, I.M. Pei, has been hired to design a new Chinese embassy that would be more than 250,000 square feetótwo and a half times the size of the areaís largest existing embassies.... more...

Slovak Republic Has Arrived Embassies undoubtedly feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when they unveil their new chanceries to the public. Sometimes, however, the opening of a new chancery building can be a truly historic event. more... Senate Power Shift May Have Profound Impact on Foreign Policy by John Shaw It was as quiet and unremarkable a transfer of political power as can be. On Tuesday evening, June 5, at 5:57 p.m., control of the U.S. Senate officially shifted from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party. The GOPís control of the full apparatus of the American government ended and President George W. Bushís political life became far more complicated. more... Global Call to Fight HIV/AIDS UN Secretary-General Urges Business, Governments to Fight Disease by Nickolas Theros In 20 years, AIDS has killed nearly 22 million peopleñ4 million of them children under the age of 15. In Africa alone, 25 million people are infected with the epidemic, and across the world another 11 million struggle against the disease that has no cure. In much of the Caribbean, it is now the leading cause of death among people between the ages of 15 and 44. more... New Feature: The Receiving Line ï Russiaís Day in Washington ï King Kigeli V Honors Von Kloberg, DuVal ï A Very Special Arts Gala ï Of Ballrooms and BYU Culture Section