By Kay Scrimger
February 12, 2007

Led by Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf, the International Affairs Committee on January 24 discussed issues ranging from State Department initiatives to the tragedy in Darfur, Sudan. Wichita Mayor Carlos Mayans is vice chair of the committee.

Anthony Welcher, U.S. Department of State Intergovernmental Affairs Director, summarized Administration policies on issues, such as support for the U.N. peacekeeping force plan, and the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, which began January 23. He noted that initial experience in requiring passports to pass in and out of the U.S. has been relatively problem-free. Phase II covering land border crossings will require a “mini passport,” estimated to cost from $20 to $50.

Sister Cities International (SSI) Acting Executive Director Lynn Olson discussed their upcoming July 2007 conference in Fort Lauderdale as well as Sister Cities’ work in predominantly Muslim countries. Olson announced that SSI has renamed its prestigious Distinguished Leadership Award “The Sister Cities International Michael A. Guido Distinguished Leadership Award” to honor Guido’s commitment to international city-to-city diplomacy, especially Dearborn’s sister city relationship with Qana, Lebanon.

Embassy of Israel in Washington (DC) Minister-Counselor of Public Affairs Rafael Harpaz discussed Israeli public diplomacy in the United States. Harpaz outlined Israel’s concerns on several issues, including the nuclear threat posed by Iran, Israel’s support of international sanctions against Iran, and the situation in Palestine. Despite challenges, Israel’s economy is strong, he said, with low unemployment, five percent annual growth, and resilience in recovering from crises.

Executive Director David Rubenstein of The Save Darfur Coalition, outlined the tragedy in Darfur, where at least 400,000 people have died and another two million have been displaced. “The situation is grave,” he said, “especially since the conflict has now spilled over the border into Chad.”

The Save Darfur Coalition, an alliance of 178 faith-based, advocacy, and humanitarian organizations united to raise public awareness and mobilize a unified response to the tragedy, sponsored New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson’s recent attempt to obtain a commitment from the Sudanese government. Almost immediately, the Sudan government “broke its commitment,” Rubenstein noted. “We call on the U.S. government to take aggressive action on this issue. We are asking the President to help the parties come to the table, pressure the Sudanese government, establish diplomatic initiatives and support putting the peacekeeping force in place as the United Nations envisioned,” he emphasized.

Sam Bell, head of the Sudan Divestment Task Force, asked mayors to be attentive to whether or not city funds are invested in the approximately 20 companies doing business in Sudan and thus “investing in genocide.” Thirty universities, six states, and New Haven, Newton, Philadelphia, and Providence now restrict investments in the companies operating in Sudan.

North Olmsted Mayor Thomas O’Grady discussed the Mayors for Peace “Cities Are Not Targets” Campaign and their 2020 Vision Campaign. At the Las Vegas Annual Meeting, June 2006, the Conference passed a resolution calling upon the U.S, the Republic of China, and Russia to provide assurances not to attack each other’s cities. O’Grady discussed Mayors for Peace efforts to meet and work with the U.S. State Department, the Chinese and Russian embassies in Washington, to receive such assurances.