August 7 marks the eleventh anniversary of the bombings of the U.S. Embassies in Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Hundreds were killed and thousands injured in the bombings linked to al Qaeda.

In a White House statement, President Obama said, “These attacks in East Africa are sad examples of al Qaeda’s determination to kill innocent men, women and children in many countries, regardless of their religion, race, or nationality. The memory of the attacks in Kenya and Tanzania remind us that we must always be vigilant in working with our allies to bring these terrorists to justice; to prevent these types of attacks from happening again; and to advance peace and security for Americans, Kenyans, Tanzanians, and people around the world.”

Secretary Clinton, currently traveling through Africa, spoke at a memorial for these victims. For more, see “Clinton Pays Tribute at Embassy Bombing Memorial.”

President Obama addressed participants of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum in Nairobi, Kenya August 5 via video. “I see Africa as a fundamental part of our interconnected world,” he told the group.

“In our global economy, our economic fortunes are shared,” he said. AGOA has transformed U.S.-African trade relations by opening new markets and providing incentives for entrepreneurs, Obama said.

“I hope you’re enjoying Kenya — and the hospitality of the Kenyan people — as much as I always have,” the president said. Obama, whose father is from Kenya, has visited the country a couple of times, most recently when he was a senator.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also spoke at AGOA. For more, see “Clinton Says United States Believes in Africa’s Promise.”

President Obama was “relieved” to hear that Iran released imprisoned Iranian-American journalist Roxana Saberi May 11, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said.

“We want to continue to stress that she was wrongly accused, but we welcome this humanitarian gesture,” Gibbs said of the freelance journalist who was working in Iran and initially sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of spying for the United States.

“Obviously, we continue to take issue with the charges against her and the verdicts rendered, but we are very heartened that she has been released, and wish her and her family all of the very best,” Secretary of State Clinton said.

For more, see “United States Heartened by Saberi’s Release from Iranian Prison.”

World Press Freedom Day May 3, President Obama said in a statement, is “a day in which we celebrate the indispensable role played by journalists in exposing abuses of power.”

Noting that nearly 700 journalists have been killed since World Press Freedom Day was created sixteen years ago, President Obama said “I lend my voice of support and admiration to all those brave men and women of the press who labor to expose truth and enhance accountability around the world. “

“The United States is proud to join the international community in celebrating World Press Freedom Day and the contributions that journalists make to advancing human dignity, liberty, and prosperity,” Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement.

“We live in a world where the free flow of information and ideas is a powerful force for progress,” Clinton said. “Independent print, broadcast, and online media outlets are more than sources of news and opinion. They also expose abuses of power, fight corruption, challenge assumptions, and provide constructive outlets for new ideas and dissent.”

For more on some of the perils journalists face see, “Journalism Under Siege.”

The State Department has been tracking the president’s, vice president’s and secretary of state’s travels and meetings with international leaders. Here’s their “by the numbers” recap of the past 100 days:

President Barack Obama:
- Meetings with foreign leaders: 44
- Phone calls to foreign leaders: 56
- Countries visited: 8
- Multilateral summits attended: 4
- Overseas press conferences and availabilities: 11
- Discussions with foreign youth: 2
- Foreign Interviews given: 3

Vice President Joe Biden:
- Countries visited: 4
- Foreign officials met: 36
- Multilateral meetings or conferences attended: 4
- Phone calls with foreign leaders: 4
- Overseas press conferences: 3

Secretary of State Clinton:
- Meetings with foreign leaders: more than 150
- Countries visited: 18
- Miles traveled: more than 60,000

President Obama heads to Mexico today before he goes to Trinidad and Tobago for the 5th Summit of the Americas. The 5th Summit of the Americas promotes human prosperity, energy security, environmental sustainability, public security and democratic governance. You can learn more on America.gov’s Summit of the Americas Web page.

Want to be part of the discussion on vital issues that impact the Western Hemisphere? Send your questions to Secretary Clinton on America.gov’s town hall Web page. The secretary will answer questions April 17.