FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 26, 2004

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

ADMINISTRATOR OF U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
TO DISCUSS AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ AT DRAKE UNIVERSITY FRIDAY

Andrew S. Natsios, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will speak Friday, Oct. 29, at Drake University on "The Success of U.S. Democratic Development Assistance in Afghanistan and the Implications for Iraq."

The speech, which is sponsored by the Drake Center for Global Citizenship, is free and open to the public. The event will start at noon in room 101 of Aliber Hall, 29th Street and University Avenue.

For more than 40 years, USAID has been the lead U.S. government agency providing economic and humanitarian assistance to transitioning and developing countries.

In Afghanistan USAID reopened the mission in Kabul on the heels of the fleeing Taliban in spring 2002. From immediate humanitarian relief to assisting in the rebuilding of essential infrastructure to supporting democratic development in the war-torn country, USAID is committed to supporting the Afghan people strengthen their new democratic society.

In Iraq USAID is the primary agency tasked with supporting democratic development and reconstruction in Iraq. With the recent success of elections in Afghanistan, Administrator Natsios will discuss the USAID strategy for democratic development in Iraq.

Natsios has headed USAID since May 1, 2001. A graduate of Georgetown University and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, he has written numerous articles on foreign policy and humanitarian emergencies as well as two books: "U.S. Foreign Policy and the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" and "The Great North Korean Famine."

Previously Natsios served at USAID, first as director of the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance from 1989 to 1991 and then as assistant administrator for the Bureau for Food and Humanitarian Assistance (now the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance) from 1991 to January 1993.

Natsios also has served as chairman and CEO of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and as secretary for administration and finance for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In addition, he has held administrative posts with World Vision U.S. and the Northeast Public Power Association. He served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1975 to 1987 and was chairman of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee for seven years. A member of the U.S. Army Reserves for 23 years, Natsios retired in 1995 with the rank of lieutenant colonel. He is a veteran of the Gulf War.

For more information about Natsios' speech at Drake, call the Drake Center for Global Citizenship at (515) 271-4803.

Cutline: Andrew S. Natsios, center, is surrounded by children on a visit to Iraq.

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