By Kay Scrimger
June 27, 2005

The International Affairs Committee, chaired by Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf, met June 10, and passed the following five resolutions:

Resolution # 60: Responding Effectively and Immediately to the Human Rights Tragedy in Sudan.

Resolution #61: Support for Cooperation Between the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Metropolis.

Resolution #62: Support for Increased U.S. Assistance to Combat Poverty in Africa (the Blair Report).

Resolution #43: Urging Prevention and Prosecution of Human Trafficking at Home and Abroad.

Resolution # 97: Calling on Mayors and Members of Congress to Host a Leadership Accord on the Eve of Live 8 2005 and the G8 Summit in Philadelphia.

The committee also heard from Victor Ashe, U.S. Ambassador to Poland, former mayor of Knoxville and past president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, who described the political and economic situation in Poland and encouraged mayors to contact his office to learn about investment and business opportunities for U.S. cities in Poland.

Alex Leblois, Executive Director of the International Training Center for Local Authorities and Civil Society (CIFAL Atlanta), described the variety of activities of his organization, which is part of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels introduced special international guests from China, who represent an important part of Seattle's Sister City network: Yu Changming, Deputy Director-General, Chongqing Municipal Government, and Qin Zhang, Deputy Director, American and Oceania Affairs, Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office.

Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of State, Portia Palmer outlined for the committee important foreign affairs initiatives of the Bush Administration being carried out by Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, and invited mayors to engage her office in assistance with international travel and conferences. "We are here to keep local officials informed about foreign policy," she stated.

Tim Honey, Executive Director, Sister Cities International, spoke about Sister Cities, which next year will celebrate its fiftieth year of citizen diplomacy. He especially invited the mayors to attend Sister Cities International 50th Anniversary Conference, July 13-15, in Washington (DC). In addition, said that he would be like to talk to mayors who have an interest in setting up Sister City relationships.