*EPF507 08/29/2003
Text: J.C. Watts to Lead Delegation to OSCE Conference on Racism
(Former Oklahoma Congressman picked for Sept. 4-5 meeting in Vienna) (380)

Secretary of State Colin Powell has asked former Oklahoma Congressman J.C. Watts to lead the U.S. delegation to the Conference on Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination that is being hosted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna September 4-5.

The delegation includes U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE Stephan M. Minikes, Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele, and various experts in human and civil rights issues.

Following is the State Department announcement on Watts:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
August 29, 2003

Statement by Philip T. Reeker, Deputy Spokesman

FORMER CONGRESSMAN J.C. WATTS TO HEAD U.S. DELEGATION TO OSCE RACISM, XENOPHOBIA AND DISCRIMINATION CONFERENCE

Secretary of State Colin L. Powell has asked J.C. Watts, former Oklahoma Congressman, to lead the U.S. delegation to the Conference on Racism, Xenophobia and Discrimination, hosted by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in Vienna, Austria, September 4-5. Congressman Watts was chosen to represent the United States in recognition of his strong leadership in combating racism and discrimination as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The U.S. delegation includes U.S. Ambassador to the OSCE Stephan M. Minikes; Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele; Dr. Nanette Lee Reynolds, Director, Michigan Department of Human Rights; Ralph Boyd, former U.S. Assistant Attorney-General for Civil Rights; Murray Friedman, Director of the Myer and Rosaline Feinstein Center for American Jewish History and former Vice Chairman of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission.

The OSCE resolved in December 2002 to convene a conference to address shared concerns on racism, xenophobia and discrimination in Europe, Eurasia and North America, and the role of governments and civil society in promoting greater tolerance and equality. This conference is as a result of that resolution.

Scheduled speakers at the conference include Austrian Foreign Minister Benito Ferrero-Waldner; Dr. Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Jean Augustine, State Secretary for Multiculturalism and Status of Women, Canada; Lord Nazir Ahmed of Rotherham; Professor Ioanna Kucuradi of Hacettepe University in Ankara, Turkey; and Sir Peter Ustinov.

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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