Dr. Kashala (Congo Candidate) in Washington, DC   

April 5, 2006 Ryan Hohman, Rational PR

Congo Presidential Candidate Dr. Oscar Kashala Lauds Senate For Approving $13.2 Million In Critical Funding --

Kashala In Washington This Week To Push For Congo Funds

Crucial Funding Will Support Democratic Elections Scheduled For Late June

Washington, D.C. - Dr. Oscar Kashala, presidential candidate from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), today applauded the work of U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.) for successfully attaching an amendment to the Iraq Supplemental Appropriations bill that would provide $13.2 million in critical funding for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Dr. Oscar Kashala, has been in Washington meeting with members of Congress and federal government officials to push for funding for the Congo elections. In his campaign, Kashala has been pushing for election and military reform in the DRC, and emphasizing the need for the crucial funding this amendment would provide. Kashala has spent the past two decades as a top cancer doctor in Boston and has recently moved back to the DR Congo to run for President and participate in the rebuilding of his country.

"I commend the entire United States Senate, especially Senators Obama and Leahy, for approving this critical funding,” said Dr. Kashala. “This money will be put to good use in the DR Congo to help ensure free and fair elections will begin the process of stabilizing our country.

In my meetings in Washington this week, I have been pleased at the United States interest in and concern for the DRC. I intend to continue to work with the United States to encourage support for the Congo”.

The amendment provides $5 million to support free and fair elections and $8.2 million for military reform in the DRC. According to the United Nations, these are two key priorities if the DRC is to make a successful transition to democratic rule and bring peace and economic development to one of the largest nations in Africa.

The elections, scheduled for late June, are the first in more than four decades. They represent the largest elections that the UN has ever assisted, in a vast country with minimal infrastructure, few roads and an electorate of more than 25 million people. The election breakthrough is the result of years of negotiations to reduce the fighting in the DRC, which involved five international peace agreements and more than 30 UN Security Council resolutions.

Dr. Oscar Kashala is widely viewed as a leading reform candidate in the Democratic Republic of Congo who will ensure fair elections, pursue responsible government and protect civil liberties. His positions against corruption and for democratic reform and social justice have earned him strong support throughout the Congolese ex-pat community and among international observers. He is endorsed by the Union for the Rebuilding of Congo (UREC) party, which has registered 590 candidates for the upcoming parliamentary elections in June. More information on Dr. Oscar Kashala, his positions, and the current political situation in the DRC can be found on his campaign website at www.Kashala.cd

Article transmis par un internaute 4/9/2006

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