FYI. >Saul: > >Please find below draft minutes of the last ADNA meeting, which you may >have >already received. Thanks for sending me the other documents on The Gambia. >I'll read and analyze them in the coming days and start working on the sign >on letter as agreed at the last ADNA meeting. I look forward to talking to >you soon. Take care > >Abdul Lamin > >-----Original Message----- >From: [log in to unmask] >To: [log in to unmask] >Sent: 10/19/00 10:05 AM >Subject: UPDATE: ADNA DC- groups 10/3 draft Minutes > >ADNA Update: 001019 >Message from: Society of Missionaries in Africa >For contact information see also: >http://www.africapolicy.org/adna > >Dear ADNA members, > >Following find draft minutes from the October meeting of the DC >area ADNA member groups. Please send comments or corrections >to Steven Price of the minutes committee at the e-mail noted for >replies. Also note that the date for the November meeting has been >moved out to Tuesday, November 14 so that we may include >discussion of the election results in that agenda, and due to the >schedule change, we must also meet in a different location. The >Nov 14 meeting will be held at the Mott House at 122 Maryland Ave, >NE just two buildings down from our usual location. > >Regards, >Vicki Ferguson >ADNA Communications Facilitator > > >Date sent: Wed, 18 Oct 2000 22:22:17 -0400 >From: "Steve Price - SMA Justice, Peace & >Environmental Care" <[log in to unmask]> >Send reply to: [log in to unmask] >Organization: Society of African Missions >Subject: draft ADNA Minutes of October 3, 2000 > >ADVOCACY NETWORK FOR AFRICA - - - - Meeting Minutes >10/3/2000 > >PARTICIPANTS: > >Ezekiel Pajibo Africa Faith & Justice Network > [log in to unmask] >Vicki Ferguson Africa Policy Information Center > [log in to unmask] >Smita Baruah InterAction > [log in to unmask] >Kathleen McNeely Maryknoll > [log in to unmask] >Luke Davenport Africa Policy Information Center > [log in to unmask] >Ray Almeida Bread for the World > [log in to unmask] >Saul Saidykhan Free Gambia Movement > [log in to unmask] >Maura Browne Sisters of Notre Dame > [log in to unmask] >Liz Keyes Catholic Relief Services > [log in to unmask] >Aster Tesfai Amnesty International > [log in to unmask] >Kwabena Akuffo-Akoto Amnesty International > [log in to unmask] >Mark Harrison United Meth Ch / Gen Bd Ch Soc > [log in to unmask] >Clarissa Kayosa C.I.P. > [log in to unmask] >Anne Edgerton Refugees International >Sayre Nyce Refugees International > [log in to unmask] >Adotei Akwei Amnesty International USA > [log in to unmask] >Martin Shupack Mennonite Central Committee > [log in to unmask] >Stephen Price Society of African Missions > [log in to unmask] >Leon Spencer Washington Office on Africa > [log in to unmask] >Phil Reed Missionaries of Africa > [log in to unmask] >Billie Day Friends of Sierra Leone > [log in to unmask] >Beverly Lacayo Missionary Sist of Our Lady of Afr > [log in to unmask] >Ann Wang World Relief > [log in to unmask] >Moses Akol Ethiopian Community Dev Council > [log in to unmask] >Yomi Ademola TransAfrica > [log in to unmask] >Mwiza Munthali TransAfrica / TransAfrica Forum > [log in to unmask] >Steffan Spencer Public Citizen's GTW > [log in to unmask] >Njoki Njoroge Njehu Fifty Years is Enough Network > [log in to unmask] >Drew Crandall Africa-America Institute >[log in to unmask] >Bill Jackson Africa-America Institute > [log in to unmask] >Tommy Calvert Africa-America Institute > [log in to unmask] >Yvonne O'Brien Dept. of State > [log in to unmask] >Annette Aulton Dept. of State > [log in to unmask] >Jim Matlack American Friends Service Comm. > [log in to unmask] >J. Paul Olweny C.I.P. > [log in to unmask] >Erin McCandless Journal Peacebuilding & Dev > [log in to unmask] >Abitaile Fofana ACS GSG > [log in to unmask] >Stephanie Loomis Commonwealth HR Initiative > [log in to unmask] >Erin McAlister RFK Memorial Ctr for HR > [log in to unmask] >Reginald Fianu Africa Policy Information Center > [log in to unmask] >Danielle Hirsch Religious Action Center > [log in to unmask] >Heather Nolen Natl Council Churches / C W S > [log in to unmask] >Holly Burkhalter Physicians for Human Rights > [log in to unmask] >Trevor Ngwane Alternative Info and Dec Centre (South Afr) > [log in to unmask] >Carole Collins Small World Information Services > [log in to unmask] >Mike Landry Africa Policy Information Center > [log in to unmask] >James Gomez Rainbow PUSH Coalition > [log in to unmask] >Zewdu Derseh > [log in to unmask] >Nuhad Jamal Eritrean Development Foundation > [log in to unmask] >Emira Woods InterAction > [log in to unmask] >Pat Morris InterAction > [log in to unmask] >Abdul Lamin CODISAL > [log in to unmask] >Rory Anderson World Vision > [log in to unmask] >Susie Johnson United Methodist Women > [log in to unmask] >J. Michael Turner Hunter College / NSOA Evaluation > [log in to unmask] > > >AGENDA > >1) Welcome and introductions were completed, including welcome >to guests (see #14 below). > >Corrections by Refugees International to the previous minutes were >noted. The corrected text of (8) in the September 5 ADNA minutes >should be as follows: Refugees International says that many on the >ground in Eritrea are concerned with the possible outbreak of >fighting when the rains end, which is now. UN Peacekeepers need >to be deployed on the disputed border as soon as possible to avoid >another possible outbreak of fighting. Humanitarian needs remain >high, especially for many who have been internally displaced since >May 1998. De-mining is also a necessity. Interviews conducted by >RI indicate that there may have been and may be ongoing incidents >of rape by the Ethiopian army. This poses a potentially huge social >problem in Eritrea, as Eritrea has a very low rate of AIDS, and the >Ethiopian army has a very high rate of HIV infection. Human rights >groups are needed to document the situation, and NGOs who have >technical knowledge of psycho-social programs are also needed. >Refugees International and the Eritrean Development Fund will hold >a joint briefing on the current humanitarian situation in Eritrea >September 13 at the U.S. Committee for Refugees. (Note: Ethiopian >groups have not come to ADNA regularly, despite invitation.) > >2) ADNA Internal Organization Discussion > >Vicki facilitated a discussion of dreams for the future of ADNA. She >noted that for 5-7 years co-chairs had been from a limited number >of member organizations. But new leadership is invited, as well as >diversification to Neo-Diaspora and African-American members. >ADNA has doubled to 209 organizations as a result of increased >outreach and visibility efforts in the past two years, mostly outside >DC-NY. About 1/3 are not email-reachable. There are opportunities >for greater networking, popular education, and constituency- >building. > >Comments, observations, and suggestions from other participants: · > >Some issues involve non-overlapping coalitions, who should be told >of ADNA. >· Africans coming to the U.S. are interested in what U.S. advocacy >groups do. Some African NGOs want to exchange with ADNA also, >but the mechanism is not developed yet. >· The working groups in ADNA could have issue-specific networks >with NGO's elsewhere. >· There could be a comprehensive annual ADNA meeting where all >members could come. >· ADNA could list its organizations/resource people by specific issue >or country. >· ADNA could connect with Africa persons in US Government and >invite their participation. >· More strategizing is needed on how to have greater effectiveness. · >ADNA should organize to use its local (non-DC) base more >effectively, producing materials for them. Grassroots could be built >up, directed to the Congressional Subcommittees on Africa >· DC area ADNA members were encouraged to attend more >faithfully each month even if the agenda does not include their >priority every month. >· The Working Groups are helpful; ADNA could audit and distribute >their resources on the various issues. >· Can ADNA educate the media better and take issue with Africa >stereotypes? >· Support and participate with the African diplomatic corps. > >At the next meeting we will request firm commitments from member >organizations for the next year or longer, in exchange for the >benefits received from ADNA. >Organizations, please identify to ADNA leadership your willingness >to serve, even BEFORE next meeting. No one took up the co-chair >position for 2001-we may be spoiled by AFJN and Ezekiel's >personal gifts. It should be noted that organizational backing for >facilitators is required because there is a time commitment. >APIC will continue to be communications facilitator and maintain >membership and website. > >Basic tasks for operating ADNA >· Management of regular monthly meetings (agenda, guests, >timekeeping, facilitation) >· Facilitation and coordination support of emergency or special >opportunity meetings, brown bag lunchs etc between regular >monthly meetings >· Produce written Multi-country updates prior to meeting >· Service phone, fax and e-mail contacts generated from postings, >webpages, events, networking - mostly to make information referrals >within the ADNA network and working groups >· Take and/or refer Press calls, maintain a small press list for ADNA >· Produce, correct, maintain file of DC monthly meeting minutes. > >One suggestion is to have a larger coordinating or steering >committee rather than only two co-facilitators and divide these >responsibilities out further. >Another is to identify, develop lists or resource persons on >issues/countries and circulate those regularly so that more people >can handle information requests, referrals and press contacts. >These could also be people with particular topical expertise who >could feed information into the written monthly update. > >More discussion and a preliminary proposal will be considered at >the next meeting. > >3) Kenya > >Concurrent Res 410 condemning assassination of Fr. John Kaiser >is to be marked up in HR committee today. There is support from >Kenya and from AI, missionaries, and Minnesota. Sens. Wellstone >and Grams will introduce a version in the Senate. A memorial >service was held at the Kenyan Embassy September 24. The >Catholic Church is in some conflict with Moi government, which may >be stirring ethnic tension. There may be another action alert >forthcoming. > >4) HIV/AIDS > >Letters went to Congress over the Global AIDS bill-a chart of >funding levels is available. It will likely not go to conference. The >biggest issue is debt relief. Lobby calls were chosen over >visits-contact Heather at NCC to participate. >Contact Leon at WOA to be on the email list on AIDS WG issues. >There are now six new one-page HIV/AIDS papers on debt, testing, >gender issues, etc., updatable and expandable. Download them >from http://www.woaafrica.org or http://www.afjn.org, and APIC will >also distribute them and archive them on the ADNA web pages. >WOA can also provide the original formatted copy for reproduction. >It should be noted that Congressional drops for these six documents >took a minimum of 80 hours of staff time; more help is needed on >these group initiatives. The next meeting of the AIDS Working >Group: 10/5/00, 10:00-12:00, at WOA, dealing with AIDS as >development issue and strategies on appropriations. Congressional >staff may participate. There is a panel discussion October 18 on >AIDS, 6:30-8:30 pm, at TransAfrica, 1744 R St. NW. > >5) Zimbabwe > >Erin provided a briefing paper on recent events and issues in >Zimbabwe, including accounts of bombings. For the 2002 elections >President Mugabe is already campaigning, against Tsvangirai-who >may face arrest. There is a nationwide civil disobedience campaign >by the MDC to start soon to force Mugabe to retire. The Zimbabwe >Democracy Bill in the U.S. was passed by the Senate; lobbying >support comes from SADC and African-American organizations, as >well as MDC, which earns criticism of foreign interference. The >farm eviction/land resettlement issue continues; a 30 day notice is >given but acquisition process is not stopped. Economically >Zimbabwe is increasingly in severe crisis. > >6) Liberia > >Deferred Enforced Departure was extended by President Clinton for >an additional year, allowing some thousands of Liberians stranded in >the U.S. for years to stay and work for another year. Jesse >Jackson Sr. and Operation Rainbow PUSH were helpful on this >effort. Efforts continue on legislation to offer residency to these >Liberians who are on DED. > >7) Gambia > >It was reported that a big crude oil scandal in early 2000 occurred >when the President diverted money to himself. In March and April >students were tortured, raped and even killed (12 in Banjul and 2 in >rural areas). In June the President sent assassins against the main >opposition leader, who escaped. But three U.S. Congressmen >visited Gambia and gave good reports-their offices should be >contacted to protest. Lobbyists are paid by Gambia to lobby the >U.S. Government. There is a commission of inquiry but it was >forbidden to inquire on who ordered the student deaths. Last week >saw an ambush plan uncovered. >An ADNA Action Alert will be forthcoming; Abdul Lamin, Saul >Saidykhan, and Ezekiel will work on this. > >8) Democratic Republic of Congo > >See October 3 Washington Post on DRC. Refugees International >reports there are big problems. Some 700,000 IDPs in Burundi, >and 300,000 refugees in Tanzania. IDP regroupment camps have >been emptied by the government and people are now scattered, >making it hard for NGOs to serve them. Ann Edgerton of RI goes to >the region October 23. RI has a bulletin on the issues. The region >is high on the agenda of PRM and OFDA., who are holding >discussions on relief efforts. It is like Sudan's Operation Lifeline. >Health, access, and security are issues. Great Lakes Policy Forum >meets 9:00-11:00 on October 12 at 1779 Mass. Ave., N.W. >(CEWP). An informal bag lunch with a prominent speaker may be >forthcoming. > >9) Sierra Leone > >FOSL reports that war amputees who came to U.S. for medical >reasons also attended a hearing in Congress before 25 members of >Congress. Now they are undergoing treatment in Staten Island. >They do not do other political appearances, however. Rep. Tony Hall > is giving Sierra Leone more attention; October 4 at 10:00 a.m. eight >members of Congress will read the biographies of the amputees. >Peacekeeping funds appropriations are another hot issue for Africa >and Sierra Leone. Reps. Carolyn Kilpatrick and Sheila Jackson >Lee made strong statements. A UN Team goes to SL on October 7, >headed by the UK and a deputy US Ambassador to the UN. The >amputees may come before the UN as well. Thanks to any who are >working with amputees in Sierra Leone-contact Billie Day to share >information. TPS for Sierra Leoneans expires November 2. >Renewal is likely. There is a spillover of conflict into Guinea. There >has been lots of media attention but still many in U.S. have no idea >there is a war in SL. On September 29 the UN Security Council >discussed the war crimes tribunal issue. On that day's Nightline TV >program, Adotei of Amnesty International spoke on Sierra Leone. >The Indian UN commander has made accusations about Nigerian >UN troop involvement in SL diamonds The Nigerians called for >evidence or else the general should leave. There are even some >reports of intra-troop skirmishes. The Indians are due to pull out in >any case. The U.S. Institute of Peace held a meeting on the Truth >and Reconciliation Commission Oct. 2. The Potomac Institute for >Policy Studies held a seminar on conflict on September 29. >Amnesty International's position is that a criminal court has to be >impartial and deal with violations of all parties. But as it's being >set >up it will deal only with the RUF. This will only feed resentments in >SL.. AI believes it also should try adults only, not child soldiers. > >10) Conflict Diamonds > >At Antwerp our sign-on letter to ask the industry to clean up was >presented. The industry is moving fast, in its own interest. Global >Witness of UK pushed industry into adopting a good diamond >certification scheme for all countries to enact import/export >legislation. The bad trade will be reduced greatly. On July 17 the >Industry agreed to the scheme. There will be a computerized >record of the movement of all diamonds. Cutters and Polishers in >Israel, India, and Belgium will have inspection and controls too. The >global system will try to squeeze out conflict diamonds, with criminal >penalties. In September a meeting of Ministers of Mines was held; a >followup meeting will be in London in November to add final touches. >In Congress the CARAT Act is dead for 2000. It may no longer be >the right legislation. Something could still pass but there is not much > >more NGO involvement now. It would be desirable to have the >Administration put import controls on diamonds effective one year >from now. Meetings between Rep. Hall and industry are being >pushed; it is critical to get industry support. There is a >demonstration October 6 or 7 in New York in front of Cartier, and >possibly later in regard to the Hope Diamond at the Smithsonian. >However, Physicians for Human Rights does not support this >approach because so far industry is cooperating with commendable >speed. > >11) Appropriations for Debt and Peacekeeping > >It appears that Congress will appropriate the $435 million for debt >relief this year. President Clinton says he will stand firm on debt >relief; the key is to lobby Sen. Gramm. Clinton says he will veto >legislation if there are too many conditionalities. But Rep. De Lay >says they will override a veto. On money for conflict resolution: >There was a briefing with the UN Security Council support groups. >The Administration says it will give money to peacekeeping >operations. > >12) The Eritrean-Ethiopian War > >There is some hope that the conflict will not restart after the rainy >season as foretold. Peacekeepers are to be deployed in November >and that would bring better prospects. > >13) Landmines > >At the Geneva meeting, International Campaign to Ban Land Mines >campaigners and researchers from Africa were there. They were >told they should speak with the U.S. military which was pressing >countries not to sign. The U.S. Ambassador there denied that. > >14) Guests: > >A) Yvonne O'Brien and Annette Aulton of the Office of Public >Liaison of the State Department stated that they are our advocates >at the State Department. They will continue on in any new >Administration. They can help connect ADNA with proper personnel >and can help with ADNA grassroots efforts as they do town >meetings around the country. They could send State Dept speakers >to various ADNA members' meetings. Monthly Briefings are held >the last Thursday of each month-contact them to be included in >these. > >B) Trevor Ngwane of the Alternative Information and Dec Centre of >South Africa, was one of the "Two Trevors Go to Washington" in the >film of that name. A long-time Soweto activits noted that indicators >are gloomy: The rich get richer, HIV is at a high rate, and cholera is >occurring. The government policy of privatization of basic services >is exacerbating these. The Anti-Privatization Forum is a a coalition >of organizations (church, student, women, unions, NGOs, etc.) that >focuses on the effects of privatization. It has sub-groups on >research, media, organizing, and coordinating. Trevor expressed >appreciation for ADNA's efforts and invites a working relationship. > >C) Dr. Michael Turner of Hunter College is doing an evaluation of >the National Summit on Africa as a Ford Foundation consultant. >Was the Summit successful? Was it able to publicize Africa to the >U.S. public? Were the Regional processes effective? What has >been the relationship of the Washington office of the NSOA to the >national network of state NSOA organizations? Questionnaires were >sent out nationwide; a report will be completed by December. Some >or all of it will be published as the Ford Foundation decides. > >D) Abitaile Fofana of Cote d'Ivoire recounted the military putsch of >December 1999 which installed the present military government. >President Gueye is running the upcoming elections. By October 7 >other candidates must announce. Two students died last week; >there are military arrests. It is better not to have military rule, but >the >future is unclear. > >15) Announcements >· Questions for the Presidential candidates' debate can be proposed >at http://www.debates.org. > >· On October 2 the Administration announced the countries that will >receive the benefits of the African Growth and Opportunity Act. > >· Becky Schwartz of the Administration's Trade Office will attend the >meeting of the Africa Trade Policy Working Group on October 19 at >3:00 p.m. at WOA, 212 E. Capitol St. > >· For the next 4-6 months, Ray Almeida (of BFW) offers to co- >convene with Bill Jackson (of AAI) an ADNA Working Group on the >(U.S. Government) Transition. > >· APIC/Africa Fund have a joint brochure on questions for the >candidates that will be published by October 7-it goes to all party >headquarters and to Jim Lehrer and Bernard Shaw. > >· The ADNA communications system (via APIC), for the period >January 1 - June 30, 2000, produced 76 different country and issue >Updates, 39 Action Alerts, and 20 Event Notices. > >16) NEXT ADNA MEETING (note the CHANGE): Tuesday >NOVEMBER 14, 10:00 a.m., at the Mott House at 122 Maryland Ave >NE. This avoids Election Day on November 7 and allows analysis of >results. Please submit agenda items to Ezekiel on time. > >*** > >This message from Society of Missionaries in Africa is distributed >through the Advocacy Network for Africa (ADNA). > >Vicki Lynn Ferguson >Advocacy Network for Africa >Communications Facilitator >c/o Africa Policy Information Center >110 Maryland Ave, NE #509 >Washington, DC 20002 >Ph: 202-546-7961 >Fax: 202-546-1545 >E-mail: [log in to unmask] >Web: http://www.africapolicy.org/adna _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. 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