dr. luis de baca here. he will make some remarks and to take your questions. without further ado, i will turn it over to ambassador de baca. >> this morning, the secretary unveiled the annual trafficking persons report, which is for the secretary to report and rank on the progress the countries are making to fight human trafficking around the world. human trafficking to find an american law and international agreements -- is defined as taking labor or persons through force or coercion. in effect, modern slavery. this looks at the effect of the global economic crisis on the human trafficking issue. the report says that at a time of economic crisis, the terms are more vulnerable. affected communities are more vulnerable, and persons who are under economic stress are more likely to fall prey to the wiles of the traffickers. they get their victims -- and they give their victims promises of a better life, the ability to earn money if they are to travel abroad for work. often what we see is reflected in your report this year. it is the notion of large, up- front pay