Mike Brewer

Hey all. I have a new mission on this board. I've been complaining about how the media doesn't report the positive things our guys are doing in Iraq, and since I've always said "Don't complain if you can't offer a solution," I've decided to post some of the good stuff here myself. I'll start with a report from the US State Department. Maybe the pen-pal idea would be a good one for grown-ups, too.

Feel free to add to this thread anytime you have something positive to say. I don't usually edit posts, especially from others, but if you want to post the negative side of the coin, do it in a different thread. This one is for the good news, positive stories, and thanks to the men and women who are serving there. In my opinion, the mainstream media is doing more than enough reporting on body counts and bombings. In this thread, I'd like to create a tribute to the difference our troops are making. Hope to see a big response to this one, and I look forward to every bit of good news you can find. Thanks everybody,

Mike


Defense Department Report, December 9: Iraq Update
(Iraqi security forces ready for third election this year) (510)

A U.S. military commander whose forces operate in western Iraq says Iraqi
security forces are ready for the country’s third election in 2005.

Army Brigadier General Augustus Collins addressed reporters at the
Pentagon December 9 via videoconference from his post in Iraq about
preparations for the December 15 election and humanitarian assistance
efforts his troops have carried out during their deployment.

In western Iraq, he said, Iraqi police and Army forces will be handling
all security for the upcoming election – everything from protecting poll
sites to securing ballots. (See related article
(http://usinfo.state.gov/mena/Archive...07-276786.html).)

The coalition, meanwhile, will be in constant radio communication with
them, but will be physically distant from the polls. “If there is a need
for our coalition forces to be involved in some type of incident, then we
will,” Collins said. But based on the experience of the last two
elections [October 15 and January 30], he said, “we really don’t anticipate
having to do anything on Election Day.”

Collins, who is commander of the 155th Brigade Combat Team, is
responsible for 4,200 soldiers who conduct operations with Iraqi security
forces primarily in cities such as Najaf and Karbala. During the past 11
months, he said his units have captured 1,500 suspected terrorists, seized
28,000 weapons, and collected 26,000 pounds of explosives and munitions.

But it is the humanitarian efforts of his soldiers that have gone a long
way toward establishing a rapport with local communities. Collins cited
some of the highlights:

• Renovating 49 schools by upgrading the physical structures and
providing desks, chairs, tables, chalkboards and backpacks;

• Renovating two floors of the Najaf teaching hospital that now treats
400 outpatients daily; and

• Renovating the Najaf soccer stadium that drew 20,000 fans for its first
game this year.

Collins’ military medical personnel also treat patients they encounter
during their security missions and some medical civil affairs teams go out
into rural areas to offer dental care and physical checkups.

In another effort to break down barriers, pen-pal programs have been
created for the exchange of correspondence between five sets of Iraqi and
American schools. “We’re using our linguists to translate those letters so
that the children can understand what’s being said,” according to Collins,
“and we’re hoping that that will help break down some of the cultural
biases that exist between the two cultures.”

When his troops first arrived in Iraq, “the people didn’t really talk to
us that much,” the commander said, “but now they’ve opened up to us, and
they see the way to peace is through this democratic idea that we’re trying
to share with them.” As a result, he said, Iraqi civilians are working
with the military to locate insurgents so they can be arrested and taken
off the streets. Locals are telling soldiers where insurgents live so they
can “go and pick them up,” he added.

medic06

That's awesome! Let them take over their own affairs and bring out troops home

Mike Brewer

I'm sure most of them will come home as soon as the Iraqis can take the reins. Don't be surprised if we stay in the region, just like we did in Germany, Okinawa, and everyplace else we've ever fought. But things are moving in the right direction.

Tom Yum

In the end, I think Iraq will come out as a much greater nation.

Japan was once a nation that had it rough, like the today's Iraq. Once the country was rebuilt, they grew into what is now the second wealthiest nation in the world.

Most folks here at home support our troops abroad. I know this from people at church, at school and at the work place.

__________________

Love it, leave it or fix it.

cam427

Do you have an address for the pen pal thing. My sister is a primary school teacher in Australia so she may be intersted. I know they have done a similar thing with some kids in Japan.

Mike Brewer

Here is a good place to start.

http://www.studentsoftheworld.info/menu_penpals.php3

I'm sure there are more of this kind of site out there. Try Googling "pen pal" and "Iraq" or some such combination, and I'd bet you'll find quite a few.

Mike Brewer

I hope those who make assinine statements like "The world was better off with Saddam in power" will read this.


Iraqi Beacon
Message to the Arab world: Democracy works.

BY MICHAEL RUBIN
Wednesday, December 14, 2005 12:01 a.m. EST

Iraqis will go to the polls tomorrow for the third time this year. Their
actions mark both a triumph for the Iraqi people and a warning for Arab
autocrats. Not only has the Iraqi march toward democracy proved naysayers
wrong, but Iraqis' growing embrace of democracy demonstrates the wisdom of
staying the course. Iraqis are changing political culture. Howard Dean and
John Murtha may believe that the U.S. military has lost. Brent Scowcroft may
think Arab democracy a pipe dream. They are mistaken.

The greatest impediment to progress in the Arab world is not terrorism or
Islamism; both are recent phenomena. Rather, it is lack of accountability.
Instead of accepting responsibility for lack of progress, many Arab regimes
blame outsiders. In 2002, the U.N.'s Arab Development Report found that the
Arab region has the lowest value of all regions of the world for "voice and
accountability." In his seminal article "Why Arabs Lose Wars," Col. Norvell
De Atkine, an observer of Arab military training, found that "taking
responsibility . . . rarely occurs." Arab soldiers seldom admit, let alone
learn from, mistakes. In recent discussions with U.S. diplomats and military
officials, Iraqi insurgents and former regime elements say that order can be
restored only with the empowerment of the former officer corps. They speak
of the army's glories but, under Saddam Hussein, triumphs were limited to
parades and posturing.

Western scholars have long idealized Iraq's--and even the Baath
Party's--past. Some suggest that, at least under Saddam's early leadership,
Iraq was a paragon of affluence and stability. In "The Future of Iraq," for
example, British scholars Liam Anderson and Gareth Stansfield write that
"Regardless of the oppressive (or 'evil') nature of the regime . . . in the
economic and social sphere its achievements were truly impressive." They are
not alone, but rather project a common myth. The reality is quite different:
Saddam's rule was marked by uninterrupted decline. According to Patrick
Clawson, the International Monetary Fund's desk officer for Iraq at the
time, Iraq's standard of living declined to about one-quarter of its peak
from the time Saddam took power. In the same period, Iraq went from being
among the least corrupt Arab state to among the most. It is important to
recognize the truth, especially as the resolve of our politicians wavers.
There should be no whitewashing of history.
Excuses can be made to absolve Saddam of responsibility. Multiple wars and
sanctions contributed to the decline, but the failure to recover was the
result of mismanagement and misallocation. The cavernous marble palace,
confiscated by coalition forces to serve as the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, was
built almost entirely under sanctions. Oil for Food money disappeared into
foreign accounts. Saddam did not take responsibility for his failings:
Iraq's travails were not his fault, but rather the result of internal
disloyalty or outside plots. Tens of thousands ended up in mass graves so
that the leader could save face. Margins of election victory hovering near
99% completed the illusion. Rather than defend the Iraqi people, Western
peace activists amplified the dictator's rhetoric. The Baath Party should be
held responsible for its record. And today it is. Saddam sits behind bars.
De-Baathification remains popular among many Iraqis, even as they debate the
nuance of its implementation.

The coalition's ouster of Saddam may have created a template for change, but
it is Iraqis who have pressed forward to hold not only Saddam, but also
subsequent politicians, to account. On June 28, 2004, Coalition Provisional
Authority administrator L. Paul Bremer appointed Iyad Allawi as interim
prime minister. Mr. Allawi, a former Baathist, was a favorite of the U.S.,
British and Jordanian intelligence services. He projected an image of strong
leadership to an Iraqi audience craving security. He promised to jumpstart
reconstruction. But he failed. Corruption exploded. Iraqis blamed his
empowerment of senior Baathists for the spread of insurgency and decline in
security. Furthermore, he treated U.S. diplomats, not Iraqis, as his most
important constituency. He campaigned surrounded by American security
agents. Iraqis had enough. On Jan. 30, millions braved bombs to bounce him
from office. Even with the trappings of incumbency--media coverage and a
bully pulpit for his campaign--he barely mustered 14%. As Egyptians,
Libyans, Tunisians and Syrians watched with envy, Iraqis held a failed
incumbent to account.
They will do it again tomorrow. Like Mr. Allawi, current Prime Minister
Ibrahim Jaafari has failed. Local humor is telling. A popular Baghdad joke
tells of how he walks into his office to find a rooster, dog and donkey.
"I'm here to wake you up so you can do your job," the rooster crows. "I'm
here to provide security," the dog barks. "Why are you here?" Jaafari asks
the donkey. "I don't know. I'm no different from you," the donkey brays.

Under Saddam, and in other Arab autocracies, such jokes were dangerous. But
in the new Iraq, the public translates its mood into action. Mr. Jaafari may
try to blame his failings on others, but hundreds of newspapers, and a
proliferating network of radio stations and TV networks, will not allow him.
Ash-Sharqiya has won wide audiences with its political satire. Iraqi
editorial cartoonists are merciless. Those surrounding Grand Ayatollah Ali
Sistani may give a lukewarm endorsement to the United Iraqi Alliance
religious slate, but the clerical leadership realizes that they cannot push
too hard. Iraqis may respect religion, but they are not willing to forgive
militia abuse, even in the name of religion. The Shiite slate may still win
a plurality, but its returns will decline. So too will that of the Kurdish
list, as disgust with Masud Barzani's conflation of business and politics is
escalating.

Even some insurgents have come to realize the power of democracy. I traveled
to Jordan last month to meet a senior insurgent leader and unrepentant
Baathist. He conceded that "resistance" activities had hurt too many Iraqis
and turned many in the hotbed Sunni province of al-Anbar against them. Sunni
Arab groups that last year placed their hope for empowerment on U.S. or Arab
League intercession recognize that their best hope for empowerment is
through the ballot box, not boycotts and bombs.

The process of democratization may be messy--but it is working. Iraqis are
frustrated with their situation but, unlike elsewhere in the Arab world,
they can now hold their government to account. In Brent Scowcroft's world of
realpolitik, Arab regimes are unaccountable to their people. There are no
constituents. Hatred festers, and autocrats blame outsiders. Instability
and, in the case of the Arab world, a half century of intermittent warfare
results. In the face of stagnant government and corruption, Tunisians,
Egyptians and Palestinians have turned toward Islamic radicals who seek to
restrict freedom and promote terror. But Iraqis have an alternative. Their
vote has meaning. Arab regimes expect citizens to serve the ruler. But in
Iraq, voters insist that politicians serve the people.

Mike Brewer

Dec. 15, 2005 — Lt. Col. Roger L. Cloutier, a member of Task Force 1-30 Infantry at the Forward Operating Base Normandy in Iraq, wrote this essay for ABC News' "Where Things Stand" series.

At Forward Operating Base Normandy in Iraq, one of the greatest things about our deployment for me and our soldiers was that we lived with the Iraqi army. For 12 months, our base, located near Al Muqdadiyah, in Iraq's Diyala province, was home to both the Task Force 1-30 Infantry "Battle Boars," a battalion-size U.S. Army unit, and the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 5th Iraqi Army Division "Tigers." Daily, we interacted with Iraqi soldiers at all levels. We lived by the principle that we were friends and brothers first, comrades-in-arms second. For all of us, this turned a yearlong combat deployment into something greater than the sum of its parts.


Our year in Iraq was to be spent training our Iraqi friends and combating a terrorist insurgency. Those things happened, but in many ways they were not the most important. Living, fighting and dying together, we became brothers.
An element universal to both U.S. and Iraqi soldiers is competition. One day, after meeting to discuss an upcoming mission, Col. Thea Ismael Abid, commander of the Iraqi army battalion and my counterpart, asked if we'd like to play his soldiers in a game of soccer. During that game, I saw groups of men who couldn't communicate without an interpreter discover a complete mutual understanding of the moment. Since that day, we've competed with the Iraqis in footraces, tug of wars, volleyball, and, yes, a lot more soccer. We've both won and lost, but the friendships that would last beyond the playing fields knew neither victor nor vanquished.

As part of an Army working thousands of miles away from home, we couldn't know how different our Iraqi counterparts' lives would be from ours. The U.S. Army, after all, is accustomed to being in foreign countries, but the men from 2nd Iraqi Army Battalion were stationed at a military base within a few miles of their homes. Sincerely grateful that we were there to help them, the Iraqis showed us a hospitality that was astounding. At meetings, hot, sweet Iraqi chai (tea) was served alongside homemade pastries. For Islamic holidays and everyday get-togethers alike, we were served roasted lamb, rice, and homemade bread and pickles — the variety was endless.

This hospitality was not unique to the Iraqi army either; even on patrols into the surrounding area, we were often invited into the homes of Iraqi citizens to sit and eat dinner. In villages where unemployment was often above half of the population, and a month's income was around $50, people were willing to share everything they had, to show how thankful they were for our efforts, and to welcome us with a hospitality that was truly humbling. With the headlines focused on death tallies and IEDs, those acts of kindness are usually absent from the media's coverage of Iraq, but are nevertheless important and true.

During our time at FOB Normandy, not all of the experiences we shared with our Iraqi comrades were so idyllic. Early on, we lost our first soldier. Cpl. Jacob Palmatier was killed by shrapnel from a roadside bomb on Feb. 24, 2005, within a month of our arrival. His death sent a ripple through our ranks, but we weren't the only ones who felt the loss. Col. Thea approached me that day and said: "I'm so sorry about your soldier. You know, it never gets any easier." A few days later, during a memorial ceremony, we paid Cpl. Palmatier our respects and rendered military honors amid formations of polished, rock-hard soldiers. On the other side of Palmatier's upright rifle, helmet, boots and dog tags stood 50 "Battle Boars" side by side with 50 Iraqi "Tigers."

As we prepare to return to our homes in America, we can reflect on the weapons and terrorists we captured, and how we left our homes and fought so that we might keep those same homes safe from terrorism. These are important accomplishments, but we also forged a bond that transcended war, cultures and language. As soldiers and men who love their country and are sworn to defend it, we and the "Tigers" saw no politics, only the desire to make Iraq a better place. Together, we helped do that, and when I finally get home, I will be able to look my family in the eye and tell them we made a difference, a difference in a small corner of Iraq, far from the beaten path, a small place called Muqdadiyah.

Tom Yum

I heard that we will get Iraqi election results today!

__________________

Love it, leave it or fix it.

Mike Brewer

Probably not for a couple of weeks, Tom. Their counting methods aren't as fast as computers, and everyone has a real interest in making sure everything is double checked for fairness. Still, let's hear it for our Troops, without whom none of this would even be possible! Great Job Guys!

cam427

The article about FOB Normandy was great. It shows the "goodness" of soldiers which is greatly overlooked by the media.

Most soldiers are good people who are prepared to risk their lives for the benefit of others. This is something we should all be greatful to them for and something people should ask ourselves if they would be prepared to do (except those who are or have been in the military).

When you ask most people these questions they make noises about having families etc as if soldiers were hatched from eggs or something

Mike Brewer

Hey All;
I didn't know where else to put this, so it's going in here. This is just an excerpt from the President's Address, but since he addresses war opponents so specifically, I felt it belonged on here someplace. The man has a valid point...

I also want to speak to those of you who did not support my decision to
send troops to Iraq: I have heard your disagreement, and I know how
deeply it is felt. Yet now there are only two options before our country -
victory or defeat. And the need for victory is larger than any president
or political party, because the security of our people is in the balance.
I do not expect you to support everything I do, but tonight I have a
request: Do not give in to despair, and do not give up on this fight for
freedom.

Americans can expect some things of me as well. My most solemn
responsibility is to protect our Nation, and that requires me to make some
tough decisions. I see the consequences of those decisions when I meet
wounded servicemen and women who cannot leave their hospital beds, but
summon the strength to look me in the eye and say they would do it all
over again. I see the consequences when I talk to parents who miss a child
so much - but tell me he loved being a soldier ... he believed in his
mission ... and Mr. President, finish the job.

I know that some of my decisions have led to terrible loss - and not one
of those decisions has been taken lightly. I know this war is
controversial - yet being your President requires doing what I believe is
right and accepting the consequences. And I have never been more certain
that America's actions in Iraq are essential to the security of our
citizens, and will lay the foundation of peace for our children and
grandchildren.

Next week, Americans will gather to celebrate Christmas and Hanukkah.
Many families will be praying for loved ones spending this season far from
home - in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other dangerous places. Our Nation joins
in those prayers. We pray for the safety and strength of our troops. We
trust, with them, in a love that conquers all fear, and a light that
reaches the darkest corners of the Earth. And we remember the words of the
Christmas carol, written during the Civil War: "God is not dead, nor
[does] He sleep; the Wrong shall fail, the Right prevail, with peace on
Earth, good-will to men."

Thank you, and good night.

jubaji

Text: Pearl Harbor Anniversary Commemorates Struggle Against Fascism

(Bush says freedom and democracy transformed enemies into close friends)
(620)

President Bush proclaimed December 7 as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Day” to commemorate Japan’s 1941 surprise attack on U.S. naval forces, and
said the United States continues to seek a more peaceful world.

In a November 28 statement, Bush said the 1941 attack, which killed 2,400
Americans, occurred at a time when the United States was emerging from
economic depression and fascism was being spread throughout Europe and
Asia.

American and Allied soldiers “fought and won a world war against two of
the most ruthless regimes the world has ever known,” Bush said.

“In the years since those victories, the power of freedom and democracy
has transformed America's enemies in World War II into close friends.”

Following is the text of President Bush’s proclamation:

(begin text)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Crawford, Texas)

November 28, 2005

NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY, 2005

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we pray for those lost on
December 7, 1941, and we honor the courage of a generation of Americans
who devoted themselves to one of the great missions in our country's
history. After the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor took more than 2,400
American lives, millions of our citizens answered the call to defend our
liberty, and the world witnessed the power of freedom to overcome tyranny.

Liberty's ultimate triumph was far from clear in the early days of World
War II. When our country was attacked at Pearl Harbor, America was
emerging from the Great Depression, and several nations had larger armies
than the United States. In Asia and Europe, country after country had
fallen before the armies of militaristic tyrants. However, the brave and
determined men and women of our Nation maintained their faith in the power
of freedom and democracy. They fought and won a world war against two of
the most ruthless regimes the world has ever known. In the years since
those victories, the power of freedom and democracy has transformed
America's enemies in World War II into close friends.

Today, our goal is to continue to spread freedom and democracy and to
secure a more peaceful world for our children and grandchildren. We are
grateful to the men and women who are defending our flag and our freedom
in the first war of the 21st century. These patriots are protecting our
country and our way of life by upholding the tradition of honor, bravery,
and integrity demonstrated by those who fought for our Nation in World War
II. The service and sacrifice of our World War II veterans continue to
inspire people across our country, and we remain deeply grateful for all
that these heroes have done for the cause of freedom.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December
7 of each year as "National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2005, as National Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn
occasion with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal
agencies, interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the
flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those
who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-eighth day
of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
thirtieth.

GEORGE W. BUSH

(end text)

__________________
Optional signature you may use to appear at bottom of your posts.

jubaji

Fact Sheet: Empowerment of Women Integral to U.S. Foreign Policy

(State Department fact sheet outlines U.S. efforts to support women
worldwide) (1380)

The United States is committed to empowering women throughout the world by
supporting initiatives that increase women’s political and economic
participation, according to a State Department fact sheet released
November 29.

In Afghanistan and Iraq, the United States is working to ensure the
integration of women’s political and economic rights into the
reconstruction and transition to democracy in those countries. (See Afghan
Women
(http://usinfo.state.gov/sa/rebuildin...han_women.html) and
Women in Iraq
(http://usinfo.state.gov/mena/middle_...raq_women.html
l).)

Through the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) -- a program aimed
at building partnerships and improving the lives of people throughout the
Mideast -- the United States hopes to reduce cultural, legal and political
barriers to women's full participation in society, according to the fact
sheet.

Worldwide initiatives include working to support refugees and to combat
HIV/AIDS, and to combat trafficking in persons, a problem that
disproportionately threatens women.

For additional information, Human Trafficking
(http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/global_is...afficking.html) and
Humanitarian Assistance and Refugees
(http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/global_issues/refugees.html).

Following is the fact sheet:

(begin fact sheet)

[U.S. Department of State]
Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues
Washington, D.C.
November 29, 2005

Fact Sheet

U.S. International Women's Issues Initiatives

The United States is deeply committed to promoting global respect for
women. Because the United States considers the rights and freedom of women
to be fundamental human rights, the Bush Administration has made the
empowerment of women integral to U.S. foreign policy. The U.S. Government
is helping women become full participants in their societies through
various initiatives and programs that increase women's political and
economic participation. Major U.S. initiatives include the following:

Afghanistan -- Overview. The U.S. commitment to accelerated success in
rebuilding Afghanistan includes major women's components in the areas of
political participation, economic opportunity, health, education, and
overall reconstruction. Since the fall of the Taliban, the United States
has implemented over 200 projects directly in support of Afghan women. Of
the over 4.8 million children in school, more than 40% are girls by far
the highest number in Afghan history. Women comprised over 40% of total
voter turnout for the October 2004 presidential election and from 34-75%
of registered women voters exercised their rights for the September 18,
2005 Parliamentary and Provincial Council elections. Over 27% of seats in
the Lower House of Parliament and almost 17% of seats in the Upper House
are reserved for women. In fact, returns indicated that out of 68 reserved
seats for women in the Lower House (or Wolesi Jirga), 19 women won seats
without the quota benefit. Fact Sheet:
<http://www.state.gov/g/wi/rls/54325.htm>.

The U.S.-Afghan Women's Council (USAWC). This innovative public-private
partnership initiative links U.S. and Afghan governments, private sectors,
and NGOs to practical projects benefiting women. Example: The Council
provided $1 million seed funding for literacy and job training programs in
new Women's Resource Centers in over half of Afghanistan's provinces. The
Council also supports microfinance programs to help women establish small
businesses. Fact Sheet: <http://www.state.gov/g/wi/rls/55088.htm>.

Iraq. The United States is supporting several major initiatives to
ensure the integration of women's rights and opportunities into Iraq's
reconstruction and transition to democracy. Example: Drawing from the $27
million that Congress set aside for special programs targeted for Iraqi
women, Secretary Powell established in March 2004 a $10 million Iraqi
Women's Democracy Initiative, along with a new public-private partnership,
the U.S.-Iraq Women's Network. As a result of this Initiative, grantees
are actively working in Iraq to assist women in political organization and
participation, election preparation, coalition building, leadership
training, entrepreneurship and media outreach. Fact Sheet:
<http://www.state.gov/g/wi/rls/51046.htm>.

Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI). This forward-looking program
aimed at building partnerships and improving the lives of people
throughout the Mideast, with a total of $293 million budgeted to date.
MEPI includes a specific Women's Empowerment Pillar dedicated to reducing
cultural, legal, regulatory, economic and political barriers to women's
full participation in society. Examples: a Women and the Law workshop
resulting in a regional association for women in the legal profession and
a public legal education campaign on women's rights and equality; a
regional "campaign school" for women candidates; and a new Middle East
Entrepreneurs Training in the U.S. (MEET US) initiative. Fact Sheet:
<http://www.state.gov/g/wi/rls/52487.htm>. MEPI Website:
<http://mepi.state.gov/mepi/c10127.htm>.

Poverty Reduction. The Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), a major new
U.S. development assistance program, will increase current levels of core
assistance by 50 percent over the next 3 years, providing an annual
increase of $5 billion by fiscal year 2006. Countries will be selected to
receive MCA assistance based on their performance in governing justly,
investing in their citizens, and encouraging economic freedom. The
treatment of women is a factor in determining each country's eligibility
for funding. Girls' primary school completion rates are included in
selection criteria for fiscal year 2005. MCC website:
<http://www.mca.gov/> and Press Release:
<http://www.mca.gov/public_affairs/press_releases/FY05 Selection
Process.pdf (http://www.mca.gov/public_affairs/press_releases/FY05
Selection Process.pdf)>.

Economic and Microenterprise Development. U.S. support for
microenterprise development has exceeded $150 million each year for the
past five years. A large proportion of this assistance is provided for
micro-credits, for which 70% of the clients are women. Brochure: Women,
Men and Development:
<http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/cross-...s/usaidbook.pd
df>; USAID Microenterprise Website:
<http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/econom...rty_reduction/
/microenterprise_development.html>.

Trafficking in Persons. President Bush is committed to eradicating the
modern day slavery of human trafficking, which disproportionately
threatens women, and poses a threat to international security, human
rights and public health. In FY 2004, the U.S. devoted $82 million for 271
programs to combat trafficking in persons worldwide. The Office to Monitor
and Combat Trafficking in Persons engages foreign governments, private
organizations, and others working in the region to ensure that people are
protected and that traffickers are prosecuted. At the 2005 United Nations
Commission on the Status of Women, the U.S. presented a resolution,
"Eliminating Demand for Trafficked Women and Girls for All Forms of
Exploitation," which attracted more than 50 co-sponsoring nations and was
adopted on March 11. The resolution highlights the parallel goals of
elimination of supply and demand. Department of State Website:
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/.

HIV/AIDS. The United States is committing $15 billion over five years to
combat HIV/AIDS, which increasingly poses a greater threat to women,
particularly in the poorer nations of the world. In 2002, President Bush
announced a new $500 million International Mother and Child HIV Prevention
Initiative that seeks to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS from mothers
to infants and to improve health care delivery in Africa and
the Caribbean. One key element in the U.S. efforts to reduce women's
vulnerability to HIV/AIDS is to promote property rights for women. When
women have control over their economic assets, they are better able to
avoid risky sexual and abusive relationships. Department of State Website:
<http://www.state.gov/s/gac>.

Women in Post-Conflict Situations. The U.S. Government has been a strong
supporter of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace, and
Security, which highlights the important role of women in helping their
societies recover and rebuild after devastating civil conflict.
U.S.-supported programs aimed at increasing women's access to education
and strengthening their leadership, advocacy, political, and
entrepreneurial skills help ensure that women are able to take their
rightful place at the peace table and in society. The Department of
State's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration funded the
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Women and War Project,
which addresses the specific protection, health and assistance needs of
women in situations of armed conflict. Department of State website:
<http://www.state.prm/>. Related link: <http://www.icrc.org/web>.

Refugees. The majority of refugees and displaced persons today are women
and children, and the U.S. Government provides major funding and technical
support for their humanitarian, resettlement, and rehabilitation
requirements. In FY 2004, the United States contributed $2.3 million to
gender-based violence prevention programs targeting refugee women.
Department of State website: <http://www.state.gov/g/prm/>.

International Cooperation. In the 10 years since the 1995 Beijing
Conference on Women, the U.S. has made significant progress towards
implementing many areas of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
and the Beijing+5 Political Declaration and Outcome Document. Department
of State website: <http://www.state.gov/p/io/45510.htm>.

(end fact sheet)

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jubaji

Revised U.S. Naturalization Test To Focus on Civic Values, History

(Goal is to promote attachment to country, political cohesion, official
says) (610)
By Lauren Monsen
Washington File Staff Writer

Washington -- A redesigned naturalization test for immigrants who wish
to become U.S. citizens will be in use by the end of January 2007, says
Alfonso Aguilar, chief of the Office of Citizenship at the U.S.
Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS).

At a December 6 press briefing, Aguilar told reporters that USCIS --
which is part of the Department of Homeland Security -- regards the
redesign effort as "an important part of our overall objective to promote
the civic integration of immigrants." By eliminating test elements that
were criticized as trivial, and inserting "more meaningful, substantive,
concept-oriented" elements, the redesigned naturalization test will help
promote the Americanization of immigrants, he explained.

"We see the redesigned test as a fundamental tool in the naturalization
process, as an instrument to promote civic learning and patriotism," he
said.

Although the new test will be "very different from other tests most
people are familiar with," immigrants need not worry that it will present
a steep barrier to citizenship, said Aguilar, explaining the intent of the
test is not to compare the knowledge of one applicant to another, but
rather to require applicants learn the fundamentals of U.S history and
government.

His agency will do all it can to help immigrants successfully prepare
for the test, Aguilar said. "To assist those studying for the test, our
office is ... committed to creating a variety of materials for self-study,
classroom materials, and teacher-training programs to ensure that every
opportunity is provided to those lawful permanent residents wanting to
become U.S. citizens," he said.

At the same time, it should be clearly understood that "we're not going
to give away citizenship," said Aguilar. "We're not going to naturalize
people" without attempting to determine whether they meet certain basic
requirements for that privilege. But "the overriding policy goal of this
effort is to ensure the integration of new citizens into our civic
culture," he reiterated.

In addition to promoting an attachment to the United States, its
Constitution, and its system of government, the redesigned citizenship
test will "encourage a sense of civic responsibility and participation,"
Aguilar said. "There will be an emphasis on citizens' rights and
responsibilities."

The new test will probably be more standardized than previous versions,
as well. In developing the new exam, the agency is attempting to
establish "some general guidelines to level the playing field, so that
it's not more difficult to take the test" in one location rather than
another, said Aguilar.

For this reason, "we're going to make sure that applicants know what the
test format is ahead of time" -- whether it's a question-and-answer test,
an essay test, or a multiple-choice exam, said Aguilar. "Currently, test
formats vary from locale to locale."

It is important to recognize that "the level of difficulty is not the
issue" in developing a new test, he said. "The redesigned test should
encourage civic learning, patriotism, and attachment" to the United
States.

Aguilar noted a growing worldwide interest in the idea of promoting
common civic values to help immigrants assimilate into their new
societies. "Other countries are looking at what we do," and some are
adopting similar measures that help reinforce their own civic culture, he
pointed out. The United Kingdom "began holding naturalization ceremonies
two years ago, as we have always done," he said.

“We do this for a reason," because the successful absorption of new
citizens helps ensure the vitality of U.S. democracy.

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