Message of The Secretary of State
Colin L. Powell
to
The Arab-Western Summit of Skills Conference
Berlin, January 17-18, 2004

Let me take this opportunity to extend my warmest greetings to all the participants in the Arab-Western Summit of Skills in Berlin.

As President Bush said last November at the 20th Anniversary of the National Endowment for Democracy: “The good and capable people of the Middle East all deserve responsible leadership. For too long, many people in that region have been victims and subjects – they deserve to be active citizens.”

There are positive changes already underway in the region and I encourage you to lend your expertise to advancing these efforts toward civil and socio-economic reform.

You are an impressive group and you can be a tremedous resource. You can forge a strong network of Arab professionals in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.
You can exchange ideas and know-how and work together to develop reform-oriented projects in fields ranging from law and governance to health and education. Each of you can be an agent of change, a champion of civil society and a creator of hope.

The United States would welcome your partnership. We can make a powerful team as together we offer concrete support to all those in the region who want to build a better future for themselves and their children.

You have my best wishes for a successful and productive conference.

Sincerely,

Colin L. Powell