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.

Statement by Oman RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, United States Senior Advisor, on Agenda Item 85, report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories



Statement by Oman RPCV Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, United States Senior Advisor, on Agenda Item 85, report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories

Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley
U.S. Senior Adviser on the U.S. Delegation to the 55th Session of the General Assembly
Statement in the Fourth Committee of the General Assembly on the Report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices in the Occupied Territories
November 6, 2000


USUN PRESS RELEASE # 160 (00)
November 6, 2000

Statement by Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, United States Senior Advisor, on Agenda Item 85, report of the Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices Affecting the Human Rights of the Palestinian People and Other Arabs of the Occupied Territories, Fourth Committee, November 6, 2000

Mr. Chairman, my government believes the resolutions under agenda Item 85 ("The Special Committee to Investigate Israeli Practices") contain outdated language that does not support the peace process. While we cannot ignore the many difficulties on the road to peace, we should not minimize the efforts and many accomplishments of the negotiating partners to date. The parties are taking steps to implement the Sharm el-Sheikh understandings reached October 17, 2000, and should be encouraged to follow through completely. We must assist in building confidence for the resumption of negotiations, not lessen it.

We strongly urge Member States to delete the standard call for the Committee to continue its work and report next year. The Committee is an anachronism. Its existence continues to be inconsistent with the joint efforts Israel and the Palestinians are making to resolve their differences. Its "work", such as it is, does nothing to support the cause of peace. Our hope is that governments that support the peace process would look for opportunities to strengthen an environment of reconciliation between the parties to help attain the goal that we all share: a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the region.

Mr. Chairman, my government reaffirms its view that the Fourth Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949 applies to territories occupied by Israel since 1967. However, our opposition to the specific references to Jerusalem in these resolutions remains strong. These references inappropriately seek to prejudge arrangements which, in reality can only be determined by direct negotiations between the parties.

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.

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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...

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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.