ARCHIVED PRESS RELEASES

ROYAL THAI EMBASSY ESTABLISHES FUND FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS

(WASHINGTON, JANUARY 11, 2005) On December 26, an earthquake registering 9.0 on the Richter Scale caused a tsunami that devastated the southern part of Thailand. As of January 7, the estimated death toll in Thailand was 5,305, while 3,498 still remained missing and at least 8,457 were injured. Those estimates are expected to rise.

President George W. Bush, with his wife Laura Bush and former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton by his side visited the Royal Thai Embassy on Monday, January 3. Signing the Book of Condolences, President Bush wrote, “We pray for the victims and families of this epic disaster. The American people and government stand with you as you recover and rebuild.” During this visit to the Embassy, George W. Bush called on Americans to aid the Asian tsunami victims. The U.S. government is soliciting private donations to assist relief efforts through http://www.freedomcorp.gov.

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Florida Governor Jeb Bush traveled to Asia on Monday to show their support for the earthquake and tsunami victims and to observe the aftermath of the disaster. Secretary Powell visited the region to assess recovery needs in the unprecedented disaster.

Read Full Press Release EMBASSY OF INDONESIA ESTABLISHES FUND FOR TSUNAMI VICTIMS

(WASHINGTON, JANUARY 11, 2005) On December 26, a 9.0-level earthquake near Sumatra caused a tsunami that devastated Indonesia. Most of the deaths were in the province of Aceh on the northern tip of Sumatra Island.

President George W. Bush, with his wife Laura Bush and former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, visited the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia on Monday, January 3, to sign the Book of Condolences. During this visit to the Embassy, George W. Bush called on Americans to aid the Asian tsunami victims. Writing in the Embassy condolence book, he said, “May God bless all who suffer.” The U.S. government is soliciting private donations to assist relief efforts through http://www.freedomcorp.gov.

Last week, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Florida Governor Jeb Bush traveled to Asia on Monday to show their support for the earthquake and tsunami victims and to observe the aftermath of the disaster. Secretary Powell visited Indonesia and other countries to assess recovery needs in the unprecedented disaster.

Read Full Press Release GHANA'S AMBASSADOR LOOKS WITH PRIDE AT LATEST ELECTIONS

(WASHINGTON, DECEMBER 17, 2004) In presidential and parliamentary elections held in Ghana on December 7, incumbent President John Agyekum Kufuor was re-elected with 52 percent of the vote. The main opposition candidate received about 44 percent, while two minor party candidates shared about 3 percent.

Domestic and international election observers agreed that the contest was free, fair, and transparent. Ghana, many observers noted, is one of the few countries in Africa to have held four consecutive multiparty elections since 1992.

Ambassador Fritz Kwabena Poku, who has served as his country's envoy to Washington since August 2004, was particularly pleased with the peaceful and efficient fashion in which the elections took place.

Ambassador Poku noted: "Ghana has long laid claim to its historic status as Africa's first independent democracy. This 2004 election proves once again that this claim is not merely historical or cosmetic -- it is something substantial."

Read Full Press Release CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS ON UGANDA FORMED:
NEW JERSEY'S SMITH, NEW YORK'S TOWNS TO CO-CHAIR NEW GROUP

(WASHINGTON, NOVEMBER 23, 2004) Members of the U.S. Congress are forming a new Congressional Caucus on Uganda, only the third such caucus to focus on African issues.

The new co-chairs of the caucus have sent a letter to President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda. The letter can be viewed at http://www.scribeus.com/ugandacaucus_041117.pdf.

In the letter, Representatives Christopher H. Smith (R-New Jersey) and Edolphus Towns (D-New York), say to the Ugandan president:

"The purposes of the Caucus include improving relations and communications between the United States and Uganda; providing up-to-date information about common interest items to Members of Congress and their staffs; working to identify good policy ideas in each others' country and see[ing] how these might be applied elsewhere; and recognizing the common concerns of our two countries, including (but not limited to) our mutual efforts to combat terrorism in Africa and around the globe, to ensure or bring about peace and stability in Northern Uganda as well as in other regions of Africa, and the fight against the spread of HIV/AIDS."

Read Full Press Release RABBINICAL CONGRESS FOR PEACE BRINGS 'NEW APPROACH' TO MIDEAST QUESTION

(WASHINGTON, JULY 14, 2004) A delegation of three prominent rabbis representing the Rabbinical Congress for Peace, a 1,200-member organization of rabbis from Israel, Canada, and the United States, came to Washington today to discuss a "new approach" to peace in Israel and Palestine.

The delegation met with both Republican and Democratic Members of Congress and spoke to journalists at the National Press Club.

The message they brought was the same regardless of audience:

"As rabbis we love peace and pray for global peace, especially in Israel. Moreover, the teaching of the Torah obliges us to guide our followers to pursue peace, but for a true and lasting peace, not an artificial one. Silence on the part of rabbis in such an urgent matter of life or death is considered highly irresponsible."

Speaking for the group, Rabbi Joseph Gerlitzky said:

"We are here as rabbis who are also American constituents. We are here specifically to share our concern about the adverse impact by the proposed disengagement plan from Gaza and proposed PLO State upon American values, security, and interests."

Read Full Press Release Return to Top