Shooting of USAID Officer in Darfur

Shooting of USAID Officer in Darfur

Secretary Condoleezza Rice Washington, DC March 22, 2005

I was deeply saddened today to learn that a member of the United States Agency for International Development’s Disaster Assistance Response Team was shot and wounded early this morning in Darfur. The thoughts and prayers of all of us at the Department of State and USAID are with her and her family as she continues to receive treatment.

This is the first time in the history of the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance program that one of our officials has been shot. The injured USAID official was traveling in a clearly marked humanitarian vehicle in a four-vehicle convoy between Nyala and Kass in West Darfur when she was shot in an apparent ambush by unknown persons. The convoy was traveling on a road that was considered open by the Office of the U.N. Security Coordinator. The wounded individual has received medical treatment, and the U.S. mission in Khartoum is coordinating with the African Union, the U.N., and other parties to arrange a medical evacuation as soon as possible.

We have contacted the Government of Sudan and have asked the African Union to launch an immediate investigation into this very serious incident. We strongly condemn the violence on all sides of the conflict. The United States, along with its partners in the African Union and the international community will continue our efforts to bring this conflict to an end.

2005/338 Released on March 22, 2005

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Achieves OSHA Recognition

Portsmouth Naval Shipyard Achieves OSHA Recognition Ceremony To Be Held March 25 in Kittery, Maine

BOSTON -- The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, has earned membership in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). A recognition ceremony is scheduled for Friday, March 25 at the shipyard.

"The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard has done an excellent job of safety and health management," said New England OSHA Regional Administrator Marthe Kent. "Of particular note is the participation of top level management in the shipyard's systems for protecting employees, as well as impressive levels of employee training and involvement."

The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard employs approximately 4,300 workers in the highly complex, industrial business of overhauling, repairing, modernizing and refueling Los Angeles Class nuclear powered submarines. In addition to an exemplary safety and health management system, the facility has an injury and illness case rate approximately 33 percent below the national average for its industry. It is the first Navy facility to achieve "Star" VPP status.

The VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management. Companies in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs achieve average injury rates significantly lower than other companies in their industry. From coast to coast, approximately 1,230 work sites representing more than 200 industries participate in the programs.

Information kits about the application and approval process are available from the VPP manager at the OSHA regional office in Boston at 617-565-9860.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. The role of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships, and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit osha.gov.

Event: "Star" Voluntary Protection Program Ceremony
Presented by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Date and Time: Friday, March 25, 2005; 11:00 a.m.
Location: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine
Contact: John M. Chavez 617-565-2075 ###