**U.S. MISSION TO THE REPUBLIC OF SERBIA**

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***Provided as a service to American Citizens in Serbia***

*US Embassy, Belgrade*

*Kneza Milosa 50, Belgrade, Serbia*

*American Citizen Services: +381-11-306-4665 or 4666*

*Nonimmigrant visa appointments:+381-11-305-0550*

*Immigrant visas: +381-11-306-4650 or 4662*

*Fax: 381-11-361-5497*

*E-mail: <BelgradeACS@state.gov>*

*[http://belgrade.usembassy.gov](http://belgrade.usembassy.gov/)*

**[UPCOMING HOLIDAYS]{.underline}**

**December 25, Thursday-Christmas Day (A)**

**January 1,Thursday- New Year\'s Day (A/S)**

**January 2, Friday-New Year\'s Day (A/S)**

*Election Results*

This year's election brought historic results and showed, once again,
that our American democracy is strong. Interest in the election was high
and turn-out was above average for recent elections. Below are brief
biographies of our President and Vice-President elect and our future
First Lady.

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**Barack Obama**

President-elect Barack Obama, who will be the first African-American
president of the United States, brings a life story unlike that of any
previous U.S. leader. The biracial son of a Kenyan father and a white
mother from the American heartland, Obama rose to national prominence
with a well-received keynote speech at the Democratic National
Convention in 2004, the same year he was elected to the U.S. Senate from
the state of Illinois. Just four years later, he emerged from a crowded
field of Democratic presidential candidates to win his party's
nomination for the White House and then defeat Republican candidate John
McCain in the general election.\
\
Obama's parents came from vastly different backgrounds. His mother, Ann
Dunham, was born and raised in a small town in Kansas. After her family
moved to Hawaii, she met Barack Obama Sr., a Kenyan student enrolled at
the University of Hawaii. The two married in 1959, and on August 4,
1961, Barack Obama Jr. was born in Honolulu. Two years later, the elder
Obama left his new family, first for graduate study at Harvard and then
for a job as a government economist back in Kenya. The young Obama met
his father again only once, at age 10.\
\
When Obama was 6, his mother remarried, to an Indonesian oil executive.
The family moved to Indonesia, and Obama spent four years attending
school in the capital city of Jakarta. He eventually returned to Hawaii
and attended secondary school there while living with his maternal
grandparents. He earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia University in
1983, and then attended Harvard Law School, where he was elected the
first black president of the prestigious Harvard Law Review.\
\
With a continuing strong commitment to public service, Obama decided to
make his first run at elected office in 1996, winning a seat from
Chicago in the Illinois state senate. In 2000 Obama ran for the U.S.
House of Representatives, unsuccessfully challenging Bobby Rush, an
incumbent Democrat from Chicago.\
\
In 2004, as Obama sought a U.S. Senate, Democrats noticed his oratorical
skills and gave him a speaking role at the party's convention. That
speaks catapulted Obama into the national spotlight as a rising star of
the Democratic Party. He later won the Senate race.\
\
In the Senate, Obama served on the Veterans\' Affairs Committee, which
helps oversee the care of soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan,
and the Foreign Relations Committee which reviews matters related to
foreign policy including treaties, national security initiatives and
humanitarian assistance.\
\
During his presidential campaign, whose theme was bringing change to the
United States, Obama amassed a large number of supporters and raised
records amounts of money. He won the U.S. presidency with at 365
Electoral College votes --- well above the 270 needed to win.

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**Joe Biden**

**Vice President-elect**\
\
Joe Biden is a six-term senator from Delaware. First elected to the
Senate in 1972 at age 29, Biden currently is the chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Relations, which reviews matters related to foreign
policy including treaties, national security initiatives and
humanitarian assistance.\
\
He ran for president in 2008, but withdrew from the race shortly after
the Iowa caucuses.\
\
Biden was born November 20, 1942 in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He attended
the University of Delaware and Syracuse Law School in New York. Prior to
his senate career, Biden worked as an attorney. Biden and his wife Jill,
a professor, have three children and five grandchildren.

![](media/image4.jpeg){width="0.9375in" height="0.9375in"}

**Michelle Obama**

**Future First Lady**\
\
Michelle Obama, who grew up in Chicago, is a graduate of Princeton
University and Harvard Law School. She met her future husband while
working in a Chicago law firm.

She also served as an assistant commissioner of planning at Chicago's
City Hall, and later worked at the University of Chicago, serving in
many positions including executive director of community and external
affairs.\
\
The Obamas have two young daughters.

*NEW WEB SITE PROVIDING INFO ON*

*ADOPTING CHILDREN FROM OTHER COUNTRIES*

New Web Site Provides Info on Adopting Children from Other Countries

In recognition of National Adoption Month, the State Department's Bureau
of Consular Affairs has launched Adoption.state.gov, a new Web site
devoted exclusively to intercountry adoption.

Last year alone, Americans adopted more than 17,000 children from
abroad. Adoption.state.gov will provide adopting parents with the
answers and information they need. The site includes step-by-step
instructions for adopting a child from another country, and a new
publication for adoptive parents, "Intercountry Adoption from A to Z."

Adoption.state.gov provides a central resource for adopting parents,
adoption agencies, and others involved in the intercountry adoption
process. Prospective parents will find country specific information and
background about the Hague Adoption Convention on the Web site.

Adoption.state.gov also includes information such as who is eligible to
adopt, from which countries Americans adopt children, what protections
the Hague Adoption Convention provides families, when an organization
needs to renew its accreditation, and advice to prospective parents
about selecting an accredited adoption agency. The site also provides
information for foreign citizens who are interested in adopting American
children.

For more information, please contact us at (202) 647-1488 or at
capressrequests@state.gov

2008/962

Released on November 17, 2008

***Toy Hazards Overview (News from CPSC)***

**The following can be found at: http://www.cpsc.gov/**

**cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09040.html**

NEWS from CPSC, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

**Shop CPSC Toy Safety Tips Before Shopping for Holiday**

**Gifts**

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The holidays are here and the U.S. Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) has its list. Parents and gift buyers are
encouraged to check it twice. Today, CPSC issued

its annual holiday safety messages, joined by U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) and Safe Kids Worldwide, to remind parents to be
diligent when making holiday shopping choices.

\"CPSC, CBP and industry activity has been with one goal in mind, to
keep the toys our children play with the safest in the world\" said
Acting Chairman Nancy Nord. \"Vigorous inspection of toys, testing and
law enforcement have made toys the safest this season.\"

For 2007, the Commission has reports of 18 toy-related deaths and CPSC
staff estimates that there were about 170,100 hospital emergency-room
treated toy-related injuries to children under 15. Most of the deaths
were associated with airway obstruction from small toys, drowning, or
motor vehicle accidents during play. Most of the injuries were
lacerations, contusion and abrasions; the head and face was the area
most frequently affected.

**The top 5 toy hazards:**

\* Scooters and other Riding Toys - Riding toys, skateboards and in-line
skates go fast and falls could be deadly. Helmets and safety gear should
be worn at all times and be sized to fit.

\* Small Balls and other Toys with Small Parts - For children younger
than age three, avoid toys with small parts, which can cause choking.

\* Balloons - Children under eight yrs. can choke or suffocate on
un-inflated or broken balloons. Keep un-inflated balloons from children.
Discard broken balloons at once.

\* Magnets - For children under age six, avoid building or play sets
with small magnets. If magnets or pieces with magnets are swallowed,
serious injuries and/or death can occur.

\* Chargers and Adapters - Charging batteries should be supervised by
adults. Chargers and adapters can pose thermal burn hazards to children.

Once the gifts are open:

\* Immediately discard plastic wrappings on toys before they become
dangerous play things.

\* Keep toys appropriate for older children away from younger siblings.

\* Pay attention to instructions and warnings on battery chargers. Some
chargers lack any device to prevent overcharging. With the increased
popularity of second-hand stores and on-line vendors, gift-givers should
be especially vigilant to prevent the sale or purchase of hazardous
products that have been recalled, banned or do not meet current safety
standards. Before placing products in the second-hand market, check its
recall status at www.cpsc.gov. Buyers should make sure their gifts do
not include any of the recalled toys or children\'s products on CPSC\'s
web site.

Also, at this web site, consumers can keep up-to-date on dangerous
products by signing up to have recall announcements sent directly to
their email account. Choose to receive all recall announcements or
children\'s product recalls only. Consumers also can call CPSC\'s
toll-free hotline at (800) 638-CPSC. For information about all types of
recalls, visit www.recalls.gov

To see this release on CPSC\'s web site, please go to:

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml09/09040.html

Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft

With the increase in on-line and telephone-based commerce, many people
are more worried than ever about identity theft. The Federal Trade
Commission has developed a website dedicated exclusively to identity
theft, what it is, how to avoid it, and what to do if you are a victim.
The website has special sections for military personnel and businesses -
<http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/microsites/idtheft/>

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**Human Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights Week, 2008**\
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

The United States was founded on the principle that government must
respect people\'s rights to speak freely, worship as they choose, and
pursue their dreams in liberty. As we remember the enduring importance
of our Constitution\'s Bill of Rights, our thoughts turn to those who
have yet to secure these precious liberties. During Human Rights Day,
Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights Week, Americans celebrate the
rights bestowed upon all by our Creator and reaffirm our deep commitment
to helping those whose desire for liberty and justice is still dismissed
and denied.

In a free society, every person is treated with dignity and can rise as
high as their talents and hard work will take them. Yet in countries
like Belarus, Burma, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, and
Zimbabwe, fervent pleas for freedom are silenced by tyranny and
oppression. So long as there are people who fight for liberty, the
United States will stand with them and speak out for those who have no
other voice.

Freedom is the eternal birthright of all mankind, and during Human
Rights Day, Bill of Rights Day, and Human Rights Week, we renew our
commitment to lead the cause of human rights and pray for the day when
the light of liberty will shine on all of humanity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim December 10, 2008, as
Human Rights Day; December 15, 2008, as Bill of Rights Day; and the week
beginning December 10, 2008, as Human Rights Week. I call upon the
people of the United States to mark these observances with appropriate
ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of
December, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirty-third.

GEORGE W. BUSH

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IF YOU HAVE A RELATIVE OR A FRIEND WITH A VALID U.S. VISA IN AN OLD
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF YUGOSLAVIA PASSPORT, HERE IS A USEFUL INFORMATION

Serbian citizens with valid U.S. visas in an expired or cancelled
Yugoslav passport may travel with their old Federal Republic of
Yugoslavia passport and new Serbian passport together. Please note: the
dates of validity of the U.S. visa in the old passport must be current
and there should be no cancellation stamps or holes punched through the
visa itself. The biodata information (name, date and place of birth,
etc.) in both passports must match exactly. When traveling to the United
States, you must show both your new Serbian passport and your valid U.S.
visa (in your old passport) to airline officials and U.S. border
inspectors.

If you wish to apply for a new U.S. visa to be placed in your new
Serbian passport, you must bring your valid U.S. visa in your old
Federal Republic of Yugoslavia passport with you to the visa interview
so that the old visa may be cancelled by the Consul. Issuance of a new
U.S. visa is not automatic. You must apply and qualify for a brand new
visa, and bring all required documents to the visa interview. Please see
the following link for instructions on applying for a new U.S. visa:
<http://belgrade.usembassy.gov/consular/nv/apply.html>.

Getting Ready for Holiday Travel

Many of us will be traveling for the Holidays. The following links lead
to U.S. Government published tips on traveling safe and hassle-free
during the holidays:

-   *How to pack food and gifts for travel (from the Transportation
    Safety Administration)*:
    <http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/holiday.shtm>

-   *How to pack your carry-ons to simplify check-in and clearing
    airport security (from the Transportation Safety Adminstration):*
    [http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/simplifly.shtm]{.underline}

-   *The U.S. Department of State has recently issued travel warnings or
    travel alerts for the following countries and regions:*

[Chad](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2876.html)   
11/14/2008\
[Democratic Republic of
the](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2198.html) Congo
10/30/2008

[Eritrea](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2939.html)   
11/15/2008

India 11/29/2008\
[Kenya](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_923.html)   
11/14/2008

[Nepal](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_927.html)   
11/21/2008

[Nicaragua](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2477.html)  
11/15/2008\
[Pakistan](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_930.html)   
11/21/2008\
[Somalia](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_933.html)   
11/15/2008\
[Thailand](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1998.html)  
11/26/2008\
[Yemen](http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_936.html)   
11/10/2008

For additional information about these travel warnings and alerts,
please go to this site:

<http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html>