It is about time the US contains their stooge Yoweri Museveni Kaguta and help in containing the crises in Northern Uganda. To that end Rep Chris's efforts is very much wellcome.
Opoko Matek
Rep. Smith to Call Attention to Endangered Children of Northern Uganda
Fri Apr 21, 3:36 PM ET
To: Assignment Desk, Daybook Editor
Contact: Brad Dayspring of the Office of Rep. Christopher Smith (news, bio, voting record), 202-225-3765; Amy Parodi, 253-815-2386, or Brian Peterson, 407-445-6484, both of World Vision
WASHINGTON, April 21 /U.S. Newswire/ -- For nearly 20 years, conflict between the government of Uganda and a terrorist
organization, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA), has gripped northern Uganda. This brutal conflict has displaced more than 1.8 million people, caused skyrock HIV and AIDS rates, and is costing more than $100 million per year.
War continues to be waged in Uganda by these abducted children who have been turned into "kill or be killed" mercenaries. Children, afraid to sleep in their own beds for fear of being abducted, become "night commuters," walking miles to cities and protected camps to sleep.
The State Department has designated the LRA as a terrorist organization since December 2001. Because more than 80 percent of the LRA's ranks are composed of abducted children, its troops are simultaneously hostages and terrorists. This presents a unique and delicate situation for the international community. The leadership of the LRA must be pursued and treated as terrorists, while the abducted soldiers within its ranks must be addressed as hostages and innocent children.
WHAT: Capitol Hill press conference with Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), chairman, Subcommittee on Africa, Global Human Rights and International Operations and Grace Akallo, former abducted child soldier for the LRA, World Vision (additional participants TBA).
WHEN: Wednesday, April 26, 11:30 a.m.
WHERE: Cannon Terrace, Washington, D.C.
Later in the day, at 2 p.m., Rep. Smith will
conduct a hearing on the endangered children of Northern Uganda. Witnesses include: Jeffrey Krilla, deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor, U.S. Dept. of State; His Excellency Amama Mbabazi, minister of defense of Uganda; Grace Akallo, former abducted child soldier for the LRA, representing World Vision; Dr. Rick Brennan, director of Health International Rescue Committee; Michelle Brown, U.N. advocate, Refugees International.
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For additional information about Rep. Chris Smith and his commitment to global human rights, please visit http://www.house.gov/chrissmith/.
World Vision is a Christian relief
and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. They serve the world's poor regardless of a person's religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit http://www.worldvision.org/childrenofwar.
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/© 2006 U.S. Newswire
202-347-2770/
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