Hi there,
I used the CIA Factbook to determine if a country had a dictator or
monarch:
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html
The US relationship information is from the US Dept. of State website:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/
MONARCHS WITH POWER
===================
Bahrain
-------
Constitutional hereditary monarchy
King HAMAD bin Isa Al Khalifa
When Bahrain became independent, the traditionally excellent
U.S.-Bahrain relationship was formalized with the establishment of
diplomatic relations. The U.S. embassy at Manama was opened September
21, 1971, and a resident ambassador was sent in 1974. The Bahraini
embassy in Washington, DC, opened in 1977. In October 1991, Amir Isa
bin Sulman Al Khalifa made a state visit to Washington, after which he
visited other parts of the U.S. as well. In 2001, Amir Hamad bin Isa
Al-Khalifa made his first visit to the U.S. after succeeding his
father in 1999.
Since 1948 Bahrain has been the headquarters of U.S. naval activity in
the Gulf. Currently, the Naval Support Activity (NSA), occupying 79
acres of land in the center of downtown Manama, is the headquarters of
the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet. Manama also is the home port for four
U.S. Navy minesweepers. During the Gulf War, U.S. and Bahraini
aircraft flew thousands of sorties against Iraq. Most recently,
Bahrain provided extensive basing and overflight clearances for a
multitude of U.S. aircraft operating in support of Operation Enduring
Freedom, and the Bahrain Monetary Agency moved quickly to restrict
terrorists' ability to transfer funds through Bahrain's financial
system. Bahrain also cooperated effectively on criminal investigation
issues in support of the campaign on terrorism. In October 2001,
President Bush announced his intention to designate Bahrain as a major
non-NATO ally.
U.S.-Bahraini economic ties have grown steadily since 1932, when
Americans began to help develop Bahrain's oil industry. Currently,
many American banks and firms use Bahrain as a base for regional
operations. In 1986, the United States displaced Japan to become the
top exporter to Bahrain.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5301.htm#relations
Brunei
------
Constitutional sultanate
Sultan and Prime Minister Sir HASSANAL Bolkiah
Relations between the United States and Brunei date from the last
century. On April 6, 1845, the U.S.S. Constitution visited Brunei. The
two countries concluded a Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Commerce and
Navigation in 1850, which remains in force today. The United States
maintained a consulate in Brunei from 1865 to 1867.
The U.S. welcomed Brunei Darussalam's full independence from the
United Kingdom on January 1, 1984, and opened an embassy in Bandar
Seri Begawan on that date. Brunei opened its embassy in Washington in
March 1984. Brunei's armed forces engage in joint exercises, training
programs, and other military cooperation with the U.S. A memorandum of
understanding on defense cooperation was signed on November 29, 1994.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2700.htm#relations
Jordan
------
Constitutional monarchy
King ABDALLAH II
Relations between the U.S. and Jordan have been close for four
decades. A primary objective of U.S. policy, particularly since the
end of the Gulf war, has been the achievement of a comprehensive,
just, and lasting peace in the Middle East. Jordan's constructive
participation in the Madrid peace process is key in achieving peace.
U.S. policy seeks to reinforce Jordan's commitment to peace,
stability, and moderation. The peace process and Jordan's opposition
to terrorism parallel and indirectly assist wider U.S. interests.
Accordingly, through economic and military assistance and through
close political cooperation, the United States has helped Jordan
maintain its stability and prosperity.
Since 1952, the United States has provided Jordan with economic
assistance totaling more than $2 billion, including funds for
development projects, health care, support for macroeconomic policy
shifts toward a more completely free market system, and both grant and
loan acquisition of U.S. agricultural commodities. These programs have
been successful and have contributed to Jordanian stability while
strengthening the bilateral relationship. U.S. military
assistance--provision of materiel and training--is designed to meet
Jordan's legitimate defense needs, including preservation of border
integrity and regional stability.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3464.htm#relations
Kuwait
------
Nominal constitutional monarchy
Amir JABIR al-Ahmad al-Jabir Al Sabah
A U.S. consulate was opened at Kuwait in October 1951 and was elevated
to embassy status at the time of Kuwait's independence 10 years later.
The United States supports Kuwait's sovereignty, security, and
independence as well as closer cooperation among the GCC countries.
In 1987, cooperation between the United States and Kuwait increased
due to the implementation of the maritime protection regime to ensure
freedom of navigation through the Gulf for 11 Kuwaiti tankers that
were reflagged with U.S. markings.
The U.S.-Kuwaiti partnership reached dramatic new levels of
cooperation after the Iraqi invasion. The United States assumed a
leading role in the implementation of Operation Desert Shield. The
United States led the UN Security Council to demand Iraqi withdrawal
from Kuwait and authorize the use of force, if necessary, to remove
Iraqi forces from the occupied country. The United States played a
major role in the evolution of Desert Shield into Desert Storm, the
multinational military operation to liberate the State of Kuwait.
Eventually, the U.S. provided the bulk of the troops and equipment
that were used by the multinational coalition that liberated Kuwait.
The U.S.-Kuwaiti relationship has remained strong in the post-war
period.
The United States has provided military and defense technical
assistance to Kuwait from both foreign military sales (FMS) and
commercial sources. All transactions have been made by direct cash
sale. The U.S. Office of Military Cooperation in Kuwait is attached to
the American embassy and manages the FMS program. U.S. military sales
to Kuwait total $5.5 billion over the last 10 years. Principal U.S.
military systems currently purchased by the Kuwait Defense Forces are
Patriot missile system, F-18 Hornet fighters, and the M1A2 Main Battle
Tank.
The United States is currently Kuwait's largest supplier, and Kuwait
is the fifth-largest market in the Middle East for U.S. goods and
services. Since the Gulf war, Kuwaiti attitudes toward Americans and
American products have been excellent. U.S. exports to Kuwait totaled
$787 billion in 2000. Provided their prices are reasonable, U.S. firms
have a competitive advantage in many areas requiring advanced
technology, such as oil field equipment and services, electric power
generation and distribution equipment, telecommunications gear,
consumer goods, and military equipment. In 1993, Kuwait publicly
announced abandonment of the secondary and tertiary aspects of the
Arab boycott of Israel (those aspects affecting U.S. firms).
Kuwait also is an important partner in the current U.S.-led campaign
against terrorism, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic,
and financial arenas.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5409.htm#relations
Morocco
--------
Constitutional monarchy
King MOHAMED VI
Moroccans recognized the Government of the United States in 1777.
Formal U.S. relations with Morocco date from 1787, when the two
nations negotiated a Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Renegotiated in
1836, the treaty is still in force, constituting the longest unbroken
treaty relationship in U.S. history. As testament to the special
nature of the U.S.-Moroccan relationship, Tangier is home to the
oldest U.S. diplomatic property in the world, and the only building on
foreign soil that is listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic
Places, the American Legation in Tangier (now a museum).
U.S.-Moroccan relations are characterized by mutual respect and
friendship. They have remained strong through cooperation and
bilateral contacts and visits, including King Mohammed's state visit
to the United States in 2000.
The shared interests of the United States and Morocco include the
economic prosperity of both countries, the pursuit of a just and
lasting peace in the Middle East region, the maintenance of regional
security and cooperation, and sustainable development and protection
of the environment. U.S. objectives with Morocco include maintaining
cordial and cooperative relations; supporting Moroccan efforts to
democratize, improve human rights, and develop an increasingly
effective administration; and aiding Morocco's domestic, social, and
economic progress.
In addition to U.S. Navy port visits, Morocco has granted rights of
transit through its airfields for U.S. forces and conducts joint
exercises with various U.S. Armed Forces. Morocco serves as an
alternative-landing site for U.S. space shuttles. The $225-million
International Board of Broadcaster's (IBB) transmitter in Morocco is
one of the world's largest IBB transmitters.
Total U.S. assistance to Morocco during 1999-2001 was $88.1 million.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has had an
active and effective program in Morocco since 1953. The amount of
USAID assistance in Morocco in FY2001 was $14.7. USAID's program
focuses on four development problems--population and health, water
resources management, expanding economic opportunities for the poor,
and increasing primary education attainment for girls in rural areas.
The Peace Corps has been active in Morocco for about 40 years, with
the first group of volunteers arriving in the country in 1963. The
more than 130 Peace Corps volunteers currently in Morocco are working
on projects in health care, education, agriculture, and the
environment.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5431.htm#relations
Nepal
-----
Parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
King GYANENDRA Bir Bikram Shah
The United States established official relations with Nepal in 1947
and opened its Kathmandu embassy in 1959. Relations between the two
countries have always been friendly. U.S. policy objectives toward
Nepal include supporting democratic institutions and economic
liberalization, promoting peace and stability in South Asia,
supporting Nepalese independence and territorial integrity, and
alleviating poverty.
The United States has provided more than $670 million in bilateral
economic assistance to Nepal since 1951. In recent years, annual
bilateral U.S. economic assistance through the Agency for
International Development (USAID) has averaged $23 million. USAID
supports agriculture, health, family planning, environmental,
democratization, and hydropower development efforts in Nepal. The
United States also contributes to international institutions and
private voluntary organizations working in Nepal. U.S. contributions
to multilateral organizations to date approach an additional $725
million, including humanitarian assistance. The Peace Corps operation
in Nepal--established in 1962 and one of the largest in the world--has
projects in agriculture, education, health, and other rural programs.
About 84 Peace Corps volunteers work in Nepal.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5283.htm#relations
Oman
-----
Monarchy
Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said Al Said
The United States has maintained relations with the Sultanate since
the early years of American independence. A treaty of friendship and
navigation, one of the first agreements of its kind with an Arab
state, was concluded between the United States and Muscat in 1833.
This treaty was replaced by the Treaty of Amity, Economic Relations,
and Consular Rights signed at Salalah on December 20, 1958.
A U.S. consulate was maintained in Muscat from 1880 until 1915.
Thereafter, U.S. interests in Oman were handled by U.S. diplomats
resident in other countries. In 1972, the U.S. ambassador in Kuwait
was accredited also as the first U.S. ambassador to Oman, and the U.S.
embassy, headed by a resident charge d'affaires, was opened. The first
resident U.S. ambassador took up his post in July 1974. The Oman
embassy was opened in Washington, DC, in 1973.
U.S.-Omani relations were deepened in 1980 by the conclusion of two
important agreements. One provided access to Omani military facilities
by U.S. forces under agreed-upon conditions. The other agreement
established a Joint Commission for Economic and Technical Cooperation,
located in Muscat, to provide U.S. economic assistance to Oman. The
Joint Commission continued in existence until the mid-1990s. A Peace
Corps program, which assisted Oman mainly in the fields of health and
education, was initiated in 1973 and phased out in 1983. A team from
the Federal Aviation Administration worked with Oman's Civil Aviation
Department on a reimbursable basis but was phased out in 1992.
In 1974 and April 1983, Sultan Qaboos made state visits to the United
States. Vice President Bush visited Oman in 1984 and 1986, and
President Clinton visited briefly in March 2000.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5435.htm#relations
Qatar
-----
Traditional monarchy
Amir HAMAD bin Khalifa Al Thani
Bilateral relations are cordial and expanding. The U.S. embassy was
opened in March 1973. The first resident U.S. ambassador arrived in
July 1974. Ties between the U.S. and Qatar are excellent and marked by
frequent senior-level consultations in Doha and Washington. Qatar and
the United States coordinate closely on regional diplomatic
initiative, cooperate to increase security in the Gulf, and enjoy
extensive economic links, especially in the hydrocarbons sector. Qatar
sees the development of a world-class educational system as key to its
continued success. As a result, hundreds of Qataris study in the
United States. Cornell University plans to establish a degree granting
medical campus in Doha, and the State of Qatar is in talks with
leading U.S. universities to also establish engineering, business, and
other faculties there.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5437.htm#relations
Saudi Arabia
------------
Monarchy
King and Prime Minister FAHD bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud
Saudi Arabia's unique role in the Arab and Islamic worlds, its
possession of the world's largest reserves of oil, and its strategic
location make its friendship important to the United States.
Diplomatic relations were established in 1933; the U.S. embassy opened
in Jeddah in 1944 and moved to Riyadh in 1984. The Jeddah embassy
became a U.S. consulate. Meanwhile, a U.S. consulate opened in Dhahran
in 1944.
The United States and Saudi Arabia share a common concern about
regional security, oil exports and imports, and sustainable
development. Close consultations between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia
have developed on international, economic, and development issues such
as the Middle East peace process and shared interests in the Gulf. The
continued availability of reliable sources of oil, particularly from
Saudi Arabia, remains important to the prosperity of the United States
as well as to Europe and Japan. Saudi Arabia is often the leading
source of imported oil for the United States, providing about 20% of
total U.S. crude imports and 10% of U.S. consumption. The U.S. is
Saudi Arabia's largest trading partner, and Saudi Arabia is the
largest U.S. export market in the Middle East.
In addition to economic ties, a longstanding security relationship
continues to be important in U.S.-Saudi relations. A U.S. military
training mission established at Dhahran in 1953 provides training and
support in the use of weapons and other security-related services to
the Saudi armed forces. The United States has sold Saudi Arabia
military aircraft (F-15s, AWACS, and UH-60 Blackhawks), air defense
weaponry (Patriot and Hawk missiles), armored vehicles (M1A2 Abrams
tanks and M-2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles), and other
equipment. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has had a long-term role
in military and civilian construction activities in the Kingdom.
The Gulf War demonstrated U.S.-Saudi cooperation in the areas of
cultural accommodation, as well as in military operations. For
example, the United States military issued general orders prohibiting
the consumption of alcohol and setting guidelines for off-duty
behavior and attire. Saudi Arabia accommodated U.S. culture and its
military procedures by allowing U.S. servicewomen to serve in their
varied roles throughout the kingdom--a major step for a highly
patriarchal society.
Currently, Saudi Arabia is an important partner in the campaign
against terrorism, providing assistance in the military, diplomatic,
and financial arenas.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3584.htm#relations
Swaziland
---------
Monarchy; independent member of Commonwealth
King MSWATI III
The United States of America seeks to maintain and strengthen the good
bilateral relations that have existed since the kingdom became
independent in 1968. U.S. policy stresses continued economic and
political reform and improved industrial relations.
In the past, the United States assisted Swaziland in institutional and
human resources development, agricultural development, and the
expansion of the rural health sector and rural water systems.
Assistance presently focuses on education and military training but
also helps in private sector development and HIV and AIDS awareness.
The U.S. Government sends about 30 Swazi professionals to the United
States each year, from both the public and private sectors, primarily
for masters and doctorate degrees.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2841.htm#relations
Tonga
------
Hereditary constitutional monarchy
King Taufa'ahau TUPOU IV
The United States has no consular or diplomatic offices in Tonga.
Officers of the American Embassy in Suva, Fiji, are concurrently
accredited to Tonga and make periodic visits.
There are a large number of Tongan citizens who hold dual nationality
with the U.S. and reside in the United States. The United States and
Tonga enjoy close cooperation on a range of international issues.
There is little trade between the United States and Tonga. In 2001
U.S. exports to Tonga totaled $4.8 million while U.S. imports from
Tonga totaled $7.7 million. About 75 Peace Corps volunteers teach and
provide technical assistance to Tonga in all areas.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/16092.htm#relations
DICTATORSHIPS
============
Burma
------
Military regime
Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Peace and Development Council
Sr. Gen. THAN SHWE
The political relationship between the United States and Burma is
strained. Official relations between the United States and Burma have
been cool since the 1988 military coup and violent suppression of
pro-democracy demonstrations.
The United States has imposed broad sanctions against Burma. Many of
the sanctions in place are applied under several different legislative
and policy vehicles. Thus the improvement of the situation in one area
in Burma would not necessarily lead to a lifting of any particular
sanction.
The U.S. Government has an official policy to neither encourage nor
discourage trade with Burma. Since May 1997, the U.S. Government has
prohibited new investment by U.S. persons or entities. However, a
number of U.S. companies exited the Burma market even prior to the
imposition of sanctions due to a worsening business climate and
mounting criticism from human rights groups, consumers, and some
shareholders because of the Burmese Government's serious human rights
abuses and lack of progress toward democracy.
The United States downgraded its level of representation in Burma from
Ambassador to Chargé d'Affaires after the government's crackdown on
the democratic opposition in 1988.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/19147.htm#relations
Cameroon
---------
Unitary republic; multiparty presidential regime (opposition parties
legalized in 1990) - note: preponderance of power remains with the
president
President Paul BIYA
U.S.-Cameroonian relations have been affected by concerns over human
rights abuses and the pace of political and economic liberalization,
as well as U.S. budget realities. There is no longer a bilateral USAID
program in Cameroon. However, approximately 140 Peace Corps volunteers
continue to work successfully in agroforestry, community development,
education, and health. The Public Affairs section of the U.S. embassy
in Yaounde organizes and funds diverse cultural, educational, and
information exchanges. It maintains a library and helps to foster the
development of Cameroon's independent press by providing information
in a number of areas, including U.S. human rights and democratization
policies.
The United States and Cameroon work together in the United Nations and
a number of other multilateral organizations. Since joining the UN
Security Council earlier this year, Cameroon has worked closely with
the United States on a number of initiatives. The U.S. Government
continues to provide substantial funding for international financial
institutions, such as the World Bank, IMF, and African Development
Bank, that provide financial and other assistance to Cameroon.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2822.htm#relations
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
---------------------------------
Dictatorship; presumably undergoing a transition to representative
government
President Joseph KABILA
Its dominating position in Central Africa makes stability in the DRC
an important part of overall stability in the region. The U.S.
supports a resolution to the current conflict and encourages peace,
prosperity, democracy, and respect for human rights in the DRC. The
U.S. remains a partner with the DRC and other central African nations
in their quest for stability and growth on the continent. From the
start of the Congo crisis, the U.S. has pursued an active diplomatic
strategy in support of these objectives. In the long term, the U.S.
seeks to strengthen the process of internal reconciliation and
democratization within all the states of the region to promote stable,
developing, and democratic nations with which it can work to address
security interests on the continent and with which it can develop
mutually beneficial economic relations.
The U.S. appointed its current ambassador to the DRC in 2001. The DRC
appointed its current ambassador to the U.S. in 2000. There is no
current U.S. direct bilateral aid to the government of the Congo.
USAID’s 2001 program in the DRC totaled $100 million, which was used
by international and local NGOs for a wide range of relief and
developmental activities throughout the country. The Congo has been on
the State Department's travel advisory list since 1977.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2823.htm#relations
Iraq
----
Republic
President SADDAM Husayn
The United States does not have diplomatic relations with Iraq;
however, it does have an Interests Section (temporarily closed) in the
Polish Embassy in Baghdad; address: P.O. Box 2051 Hay Babel, Baghdad;
tel: [964] (1) 718-9267; fax: [964] (1) 718-9297. Iraq has no
diplomatic relations with the United States; it has an Interests
Section in the Algerian Embassy in Washington, DC.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/6804.htm#relations
Korea, North
------------
Authoritarian socialist; one-man dictatorship
KIM Chong-il
The relationship detail is very long, view it here:
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2792.htm#relations
Libya
-----
Jamahiriya (a state of the masses) in theory, governed by the populace
through local councils; in fact, a military dictatorship
Revolutionary Leader Col. Muammar Abu Minyar al-QADHAFI
The United States supported the UN resolution providing for Libyan
independence in 1951 and raised the status of its office at Tripoli
from a consulate general to a legation. Libya opened a legation in
Washington, DC, in 1954. Both countries subsequently raised their
missions to embassy level.
After Qadhafi's 1969 coup, U.S.-Libyan relations became increasingly
strained because of Libya's foreign policies supporting international
terrorism and subversion against moderate Arab and African
governments. In 1972, the United States withdrew its ambassador.
Export controls on military equipment and civil aircraft were imposed
during the 1970s, and U.S. embassy staff members were withdrawn from
Tripoli after a mob attacked and set fire to the embassy in December
1979. The U.S. Government declared Libya a "state sponsor of
terrorism" on December 29, 1979.
In May 1981, the U.S. Government closed the Libyan "people's bureau"
(embassy) in Washington, DC, and expelled the Libyan staff in response
to a general pattern of conduct by the people's bureau contrary to
internationally accepted standards of diplomatic behavior.
In August 1981, two Libyan jets fired on U.S. aircraft participating
in a routine naval exercise over international waters of the
Mediterranean claimed by Libya. The U.S. planes returned fire and shot
down the attacking Libyan aircraft. In December 1981, the State
Department invalidated U.S. passports for travel to Libya and, for
purposes of safety, advised all U.S. citizens in Libya to leave. In
March 1982, the U.S. Government prohibited imports of Libyan crude oil
into the United States and expanded the controls on U.S.-origin goods
intended for export to Libya. Licenses were required for all
transactions, except food and medicine. In March 1984, U.S. export
controls were expanded to prohibit future exports to the Ras al-Enf
petrochemical complex. In April 1985, all Export-Import Bank financing
was prohibited.
Due to Libya's continuing support for terrorism, the United States
adopted additional economic sanctions against Libya in January 1986,
including a total ban on direct import and export trade, commercial
contracts, and travel-related activities. In addition, Libyan
Government assets in the United States were frozen. When evidence of
Libyan complicity was discovered in the Berlin discotheque terrorist
bombing that killed an American serviceman, the United States
responded by launching an aerial bombing attack against targets near
Tripoli and Benghazi in April 1986. Since then, the United States has
maintained its trade and travel embargoes and has sought to bring
diplomatic and economic pressure to bear against Libya.
In 1988, Libya was found to be in the process of constructing a
chemical weapons plant at Rabta, a plant which is now the largest such
facility in the Third World. Libya is currently constructing another
chemical weapons production facility at Tarhunah. Libya's support for
terrorism and its past regional aggressions made this development a
matter of major concern to the United States. In cooperation with
like-minded countries, the United States has since sought to bring a
halt to the foreign technical assistance deemed essential to the
completion of this facility.
In 1991, two Libyan intelligence agents were indicted by federal
prosecutors in the U.S. and Scotland for their involvement in the
December 1988 bombing of Pan Am flight 103. In January 1992, the UN
Security Council approved Resolution 731 demanding that Libya
surrender the suspects, cooperate with the Pan Am 103 and UTA 772
investigations, pay compensation to the victims' families, and cease
all support for terrorism. Libya's refusal to comply led to the
approval of UNSC Resolution 748 on March 31, 1992, imposing sanctions
designed to bring about Libyan compliance. Continued Libyan defiance
led to passage of UNSC Resolution 883--a limited assets freeze and an
embargo on selected oil equipment--in November 1993.
Promulgated in 1996, the Iran and Libya Sanctions Act (ILSA) sought to
penalize non-U.S. companies which invest more than $40 million in
Libya's oil and gas sector in any one year. ILSA was renewed in 2001,
and the investment cap lowered to $20 million.
Libya refused to comply with its UNSCR requirements on Pan Am 103
until 1999, when it turned over two suspects for trial by a Scottish
court in Netherlands. UN sanctions were subsequently suspended. The
United States has continued to call on Libya to comply with its
remaining requirements, including acceptance of responsibility for the
actions of its officials and payment of appropriate compensation.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5425.htm#relations
Sudan
------
Transitional - ruling military junta took power in 1989; government is
dominated by members of Sudan's National Islamic Front (NIF), a
fundamentalist political organization, which uses the National
Congress Party (NCP) as its legal front
President Lt. Gen. Umar Hasan Ahmad al-BASHIR
Sudan broke diplomatic relations with the U.S. in June 1967, following
the outbreak of the Arab-Israeli War. Relations improved in after July
1971, when the Sudanese Communist Party attempted to overthrow
President Nimeiri, and Nimeiri suspected Soviet involvement. U.S.
Assistance for resettlement of refugees following the 1972 peace
settlement with the south added further impetus to the improvement of
relations.
On March 1, 1973, Palestinian terrorists of the “Black September”
organization murdered U.S. ambassador Cleo A. Noel and Deputy Chief of
Mission Curtis G. Moore. Sudanese officials arrested the terrorists
and tried them on murder charges. In June 1974, however, they were
released to the custody of the Egyptian Government. The U.S.
ambassador to the Sudan was withdrawn in protest. Although the U.S.
ambassador returned to Khartoum in November, relations with the Sudan
remained static until early 1976, when President Nimeiri mediated the
release of 10 American hostages being held by Eritrean insurgents in
rebel strongholds in northern Ethiopia. In 1976, the U.S. decided to
resume economic assistance to the Sudan.
In late 1985, there was a reduction in staff at the American embassy
in Khartoum because of the presence in Khartoum of a large contingent
of Libyan terrorists. In April 1986, relations with Sudan deteriorated
when the U.S. bombed Tripoli. A U.S. embassy employee was shot on
April 16, 1986. Immediately following this incident, all nonessential
personnel and all dependents left for 6 months. Sudan in this period
was the single largest recipient of U.S. development and military
assistance in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, official U.S. assistance
was suspended in 1989 in the wake of the military coup against the
elected government.
In the early and mid-1990s, Carlos the Jackal, Osama bin Laden, Abu
Nidal, and other terrorist leaders resided in Khartoum. Sudan’s role
in the radical Pan-Arab Islamic Conference represented a matter of
great concern to the security of American officials and dependents in
Khartoum, resulting in a number of draw-downs and/or evacuations of
U.S. personnel from Khartoum in the early-mid 1990s. Sudan’s Islamist
links with international terrorist organizations represented a special
matter of concern for the U.S. Government, leading to its designation
as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1993 and suspension of U.S. embassy
operations in Khartoum in 1996 and a radical reduction in American
embassy and USAID staff. In October 1997, the U.S. imposed
comprehensive economic, trade, and financial sanctions against the
Sudan. In August 1998, in the wake of the East Africa embassy
bombings, the U.S. launched retaliatory cruise missile strikes against
Khartoum. The last U.S. Ambassador to the Sudan, Ambassador Tim
Carney, departed post prior to this event and no new ambassador has
been designated since. The U.S. embassy is headed by a Charge
d’affaires.
U.S. interests in Sudan are counter-terrorism, regional stability,
internal peace, protection of human rights, and humanitarian relief.
The U.S. worked closely with Sudanese governments since 1986 to see
that emergency relief assistance is provided to those displaced by the
civil war. Sudan’s position during the Iraq/Kuwait crisis strained
relations with the U.S. Sudan stated that Iraq should not have invaded
Kuwait, but it was equally critical of the presence of Western forces
on Islamic holy lands. Because Sudan was a safe haven for Islamic
terrorist groups and because Sudan supported insurrections and/or
radicals in Algeria, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Tunisia, and Uganda,
the U.S. added Sudan to its terrorism list. After that, relations
plummeted and have only made modest recovery to date.
The U.S. and Sudan entered into a bilateral dialogue on
counter-terrorism in May 2000, and Sudan has provided concrete
cooperation against international terrorism since the September 11,
2001 terrorism strikes on New York and Washington. However, though
Sudan publicly supported the international coalition actions against
the al Qa’ida network and the Taliban in Afghanistan, the government
criticized the U.S. strikes in that country and opposed a widening of
the effort against international terrorism to other countries. At the
time of this writing, Sudan remains on the state-sponsors of terrorism
list.
In July 2002, the Government of Sudan and the Sudan People’s
Liberation Movement/Army reached a historic agreement on the role of
state and religion and the right of southern Sudan to
self-determination. This agreement, known as the Machakos Protocol and
named after the town in Kenya where the peace talks were held,
concluded the first round of talks sponsored by the Intergovernmental
Authority on Development (IGAD). The effort was mediated by Kenyan
General Lazaro Sumbeiywo. In August and November, both sides entered
negotiations on other issues, including power and wealth sharing, but
to date have not yet signed a formal protocol agreement. In October
2002, both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to
cease hostilities and allow unimpeded humanitarian access to all areas
of Sudan. This memorandum helped foster an environment conducive to
constructive peace negotiations. As of the time of this writing, peace
talks are still underway.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5424.htm#relations
Syria
-----
Republic under military regime since March 1963
President Bashar al-ASAD
U.S.-Syrian relations, severed in 1967, were resumed in June 1974,
following the achievement of the Syrian-Israeli disengagement
agreement. In recent years, Syria and the U.S. have worked together in
areas of mutual interest. In 1990-91, Syria cooperated with the U.S.
as a member of the multinational coalition of forces in the Gulf War.
The U.S. and Syria also consulted closely on the Taif Accord, ending
the civil war in Lebanon. In 1991, President Asad made a historic
decision to accept then President Bush's invitation to attend a Middle
East peace conference and to engage in subsequent bilateral
negotiations with Israel. Syria's efforts to secure the release of
Western hostages held in Lebanon and its lifting of restrictions on
travel by Syrian Jews helped further to improve relations between
Syria and the United States. There were several presidential summits;
the last one occurred when then-President Clinton met the late
President Hafiz al-Asad in Geneva in March 2000.
The U.S. continues to have serious differences with Syria, however.
Syria has been on the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism since
the list's inception in 1979. Because of its continuing support and
safe haven for terrorist organizations, Syria is subject to
legislatively mandated penalties, including export sanctions and
ineligibility to receive most forms of U.S. aid or to purchase U.S.
military equipment. In 1986, the U.S. withdrew its ambassador and
imposed additional administrative sanctions on Syria in response to
evidence of direct Syrian involvement in an attempt to blow up an
Israeli airplane. A U.S. ambassador returned to Damascus in 1987,
partially in response to positive Syrian actions against terrorism
such as expelling the Abu Nidal Organization from Syria and helping
free an American hostage earlier that year. There is no evidence that
Syrian officials have been directly involved in planning or executing
terrorist attacks since 1986. Other issues of U.S. concern include
Syria's human rights record and full implementation of the Taif
Accord. The principal themes of the bilateral dialogue include a call
for cooperation in the international effort against terrorism, the
cessation of support and safe haven for terrorist groups in Syria and
Lebanon, cooperation in efforts to forge a comprehensive peace, and
prevention of an escalation of conflict along the UN-designated Blue
Line.
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3580.htm#relations
FIGUREHEAD MONARCHS
==================
Antigua and Barbuda
constitutional monarchy with UK-style parliament
Australia
democratic, federal-state system recognizing the British monarch as
sovereign
Belgium
federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarch
Bhutan
monarchy; special treaty relationship with India
Cambodia
multiparty liberal democracy under a constitutional monarchy
established in September 1993
Denmark
constitutional monarchy
Greenland
parliamentary democracy within a constitutional monarchy
Grenada
constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament
Japan
constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government
Lesotho
parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Liechtenstein
hereditary constitutional monarchy
Luxembourg
constitutional monarchy
Malaysia
constitutional monarchy
Monaco
constitutional monarchy
Netherlands
constitutional monarchy
Norway
constitutional monarchy
Papua New Guinea
constitutional monarchy with parliamentary democracy
Saint Kitts and Nevis
constitutional monarchy with Westminster-style parliament
Samoa
constitutional monarchy under native chief
Sweden
constitutional monarchy
Thailand
constitutional monarchy
United Kingdom
constitutional monarchy
---------------------------------
Note: I included Iraq in the dictatorship section, despite the CIA
Factbook making no mention of a dictatorship!
Search strategy: Searchenginez - Country Info
http://searchenginez.com/factbook.html
Best wishes,
robertskelton-ga |
