| Taken Question Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC August 9, 2006 Question Taken at August 8, 2006 Daily Press Briefing Ethiopian International VisitorsQ: What is the purpose of the Ethiopian IV visitors? Why are they here? How did we select them and ensure they were eligible to come to the US? A: The U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa nominated a group of six opposition and ruling party parliamentarians to participate in a ten-day International Visitor Leadership Program, (July 30-August 9, 2006 ), focusing on democratic governance. They were examined to ensure they met all requirements for a U.S. visa.
The program was designed to give participants exposure to the principles and practices of democratic governance as experienced in the United States, with emphasis on the legislative branch at the federal, state and local levels, to give elected parliamentarians insights into how democracy works in America. The visitors traveled to Washington, DC, St. Louis and Harrisburg/Philadelphia.
The International Visitor Leadership Program annually brings about 4,000 visitors participants to the United States from all over the world each year to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience the U.S. firsthand. The visitors, who are current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, and other fields, are selected by American Officials overseas. 2006/745
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