RPCV safe after Terrorist Attack RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, the U.S. consul general in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia survived Monday's attack on the consulate without injury. Five consular employees and four others were killed. Abercrombie-Winstanley, the first woman to hold the position, has been an outspoken advocate of rights for Arab women and has met with Saudi reformers despite efforts by Saudi leaders to block the discussions.

Explanation of Vote by Oman RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, United States Senior Advisor, agenda item 98, "Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources," Second Committee



Explanation of Vote by Oman RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, United States Senior Advisor, agenda item 98, "Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources," Second Committee

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley
U.S. Senior Adviser to the 55th Session of the General Assembly
Statement in the Second Committee of the General Assembly on Permanent Sovereignty of the Palestinian People in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including Jerusalem and of the Arab Population in the Occupied Syrian Golan over their Natural Resources
November 15, 2000

USUN PRESS RELEASE # 171 (00)
November 15, 2000

Explanation of Vote by Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, United States Senior Advisor, agenda item 98, "Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources," Second Committee, November 15, 2000

Mr. Chairman, my delegation continues to oppose the resolution on natural resources in the West Bank, Gaza Strip and Golan Heights for several reasons.

We continue to believe that it is inappropriate to interject the General Assembly into issues that are the subject of negotiations between the parties. The outcome of those negotiations should not be prejudged by United Nations resolutions. Despite the many difficulties on the road to peace, the two parties continue to reiterate their commitment to returning to the negotiating table. The United States also objects to the reference to "the occupied Palestinian territory, including Jerusalem" as another attempt to prejudge the final status negotiations. The United Nations must focus on strengthening its role as a facilitator of the Peace Process. We would welcome the opportunity to vote for a resolution that demonstrated the support and encouragement of the international community for the peace process. Unfortunately, in our view, this unbalanced resolution does not meet the test.

Mr. Chairman, the United States will vote "no" on this resolution and urges others to do the same.

Thank you.

When this story was posted in December 2004, this was on the front page of PCOL:

Is Gaddi Leaving? Rumors are swirling that Peace Corps Director Vasquez may be leaving the administration. We think Director Vasquez has been doing a good job and if he decides to stay to the end of the administration, he could possibly have the same sort of impact as a Loret Ruppe Miller. If Vasquez has decided to leave, then Bob Taft, Peter McPherson, Chris Shays, or Jody Olsen would be good candidates to run the agency. Latest: For the record, Peace Corps has no comment on the rumors.

---

December 4, 2004: This Week's Top Stories Correction: PC to get 3.6% Budget increase 3 Dec What if Chris Matthews interviewed Bob Dylan? 3 Dec Bellamy addresses mine-free summit 2 Dec Donna Shalala says Protect families from HIV 1 Dec RPCV mentioned as candidate to head NAACP 1 Dec Bill Moyers wins Environmental Citizen Award 1 Dec RPCV is designer of Humane Trophies 1 Dec RPCV Chris Matthews interviews RPCV Chris Shays 30 Nov RPCV Bruce Anderson is town muckraker 30 Nov Tony Hall calls for more pressure on Sudan 30 Nov Peace Corps Census up for Second Straight Year 29 Nov Peace Corps gets chance in Mexico: 28 Nov more top stories...

---

The Birth of the Peace Corps UMBC's Shriver Center and the Maryland Returned Volunteers hosted Scott Stossel, biographer of Sargent Shriver, who spoke on the Birth of the Peace Corps. This is the second annual Peace Corps History series - last year's speaker was Peace Corps Director Jack Vaughn.

Vote "Yes" on NPCA's bylaw changes Take our new poll. NPCA members begin voting this week on bylaw changes to streamline NPCA's Board of Directors. NPCA Chair Ken Hill, the President's Forum and other RPCVs endorse the changes. Mail in your ballot or vote online (after Dec 1), then see on how RPCVs are voting.

Charges possible in 1976 PCV slaying Congressman Norm Dicks has asked the U.S. attorney in Seattle to consider pursuing charges against Dennis Priven, the man accused of killing Peace Corps Volunteer Deborah Gardner on the South Pacific island of Tonga 28 years ago. Background on this story here and here.

Your vote makes a difference Make a difference on November 2 - Vote. Then take our RPCV exit poll. See how RPCV's are voting and take a look at the RPCV voter demographic. Finally leave a message on why you voted for John Kerry or for George Bush. Previous poll results here.

Kerry reaches out to Returned Volunteers The Kerry campaign wants the RPCV vote. Read our interview with Dave Magnani, Massachusetts State Senator and Founder of "RPCVs for Kerry," and his answers to our questions about Kerry's plan to triple the size of the Peace Corps, should the next PC Director be an RPCV, and Safety and Security issues. Then read the "RPCVs for Kerry" statement of support and statements by Dr. Robert Pastor, Ambassador Parker Borg, and Paul Oostburg Sanz made at the "RPCVs for Kerry" Press Conference. RPCV Carl Pope says the key to winning this election is not swaying undecided voters, but persuading those already willing to vote for your candidate to actually go to the polls. Take our poll and tell us what you are doing to support your candidate. Finally read our wrap-up of the eight RPCVs in Senate and House races around the country and where the candidates are in their races.

Read the stories and leave your comments.