New Envoys Speak of Terrorism at Senate Confirmation Hearing
(Five envoys head for African posts) (580) By Lusungu Kayani Washington File Staff Writer Washington -- The Senate confirmation hearings for seven new U.S. ambassadors-designate, held on September 21, were dominated by the themes of terrorism, human rights, and economic development. In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon building near Washington, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee heard testimony in Washington from ambassadors-designate to Cote d'Ivoire, the Central African Republic, Guinea, The Gambia, Namibia, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. All seven diplomats told the lawmakers they were in support of the international effort against terrorism that President Bush had outlined in his address to a joint session of Congress the evening before. They said they hoped to take major steps to strengthen relations with the countries in which they will work if confirmed by the full Senate. The envoy to Indonesia, Ralph Boyce Jr., commented that Indonesia has its own war on terrorism to deal with, but it will work with the United States in an effort to combat terrorism there and within the United States. He said Indonesia's president, Megawati Sukarnoputri, has issued a statement on terrorism. Robert Jordan, the envoy to Saudi Arabia, also promised that the United States and Saudi Arabia "will be shoulder to shoulder in dealing with the investigations of the recent terrorist acts. There will be full cooperation," he added. Human rights were also at the center of the hearing and the envoys addressed the topic as one of their primary areas of attention. The envoy to the Central African Republic, Mattie Sharpless, suggested a focus on the judiciary as a main pillar for the rule of law and a buttress for the protection of human rights. Regarding the abuse of child labor, Sharpless said that "the Central African Republic has admitted that there is a problem," and a study is being undertaken to promote "prevention, protection, enforcement, and prosecution" of those responsible. Ambassador-designate Barrie Walkley was asked about the human rights situation in Guinea and whether measures had been taken to ensure that the nation's military was not abusing its power. He assured the lawmakers that the military would be well monitored. In addition, he said, there will be "medical training provided. And with the consent of Congress, some military training will be provided in dealing with border issues. All training will have human rights components." In addition to the military aid, Walkley said, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) works closely with Guinea and has several projects there focused on democracy building. Other projects are aimed at improving literacy rates, increasing the number of women in schools, and reducing the infant mortality rate. Economic development in the designated nations is clearly a focus for the diplomats. Sharpless, the ambassador-designate to the Central African Republic, spoke of possible trade opportunities with the United States within the agricultural sector. While the United States is still providing assistance to the Central African Republic, Sharpless said, there is a shift in policy for greater trade to help supplement current aid levels. The developing agricultural industry in the C.A.R., she added, will help the nation export to its neighbors and to the United States. (The Washington File is a product of the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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