01 October 2001

SADC Envoys Present Check for Victims of Terrorist Attack in U.S.

Washington -- An emotionally moved Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Walter Kansteiner accepted a check for $5,220 from representatives of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and their families October 1, declaring, "These are the times when you know who your friends are."

Malawian Ambassador Tony Kandiero, whose country now chairs the 14-nation organization aimed at regional economic integration, handed the check to Kansteiner in his State Department office. Namibian Ambassador Leonard Iipumbu and Angolan Ambassador Josefina Pitra Diakite also attended the intimate ceremony.

Ambassador Kandiero said the money was meant for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks on New York City and the Pentagon, which caused as many as 6,000 deaths. He said the families of the SADC ambassadors grieve for the victims of the attack and their families and view their "small contribution" as a symbol of "the solidarity with the people of the United States" at this time of great tragedy.

After accepting the gift, Kansteiner said, "When times get tough you lean on family and friends, and it's terrific" that representatives of SADC have done this. "It's tremendously symbolic and it's deeply appreciated.

"We have often talked about how the partnership between the United States and Africa is a two-way street and this [gift] demonstrates" that. "So we take this with sad hearts but glad to know that we have friends all through Africa." The official in turn handed the check to a representative of the American Red Cross, saying, "They will put it to good use and see that it gets to the people who need it the most."

Linda Mathes, chief executive officer of the National Capital Chapter of the American Red Cross, took the money and told the SADC country envoys: "We are enormously grateful and especially impressed with this gift because we understand it is from you and your families. While our hearts are filled with horror at what happened" in the terrorist attacks, "we will turn the gift" into direct relief for the families of the victims.

Anita Parker, chief development officer for the National Capital Chapter of the American Red Cross, accompanied Mathes at the ceremony.

Originally established in 1979 as the Southern African Development Co-ordination Conference (SADCC), SADC took on its present form in 1992. Member nations currently include Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.