For Immediate Release:	July 22, 2002
For More Information:	Rachael N. Pine, J.D, EngenderHealth, RPine@engenderhealth.org, (212) 561-8470
Sponsor Organization:	EngenderHealth
“Unfortunately, China is being used as a red herring of colossal proportion” --Maurice Middleberg
New York, NY--In a decision released today, Secretary of State Colin L. Powell announced the Administration’s decision not to release to UNFPA $34 million dollars expressly approved by Congress for this purpose. The decision was based on the Administration’s conclusion that the UN Population Fund’s work in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) “allows the Chinese government to implement more effectively its program of coercive abortion.” The Administration arrived at this decision notwithstanding the findings of its own investigative team that there was “no evidence that UNFPA has knowingly supported … a program of coercive abortion” and notwithstanding the team’s specific recommendation that the funds be released to UNFPA for use in programs outside the PRC. In his statement, however, the Secretary of State indicated that the Administration intends to divert the $34 million dollars from UNFPA to the Child Survival and Health Program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to support family planning and reproductive health care in accord with need. “Unfortunately, China is being used as a red herring of colossal proportion,” said Maurice Middleberg, Executive Vice President of EngenderHealth, a non-profit organization that supports family planning services internationally. “UNFPA’s work in family planning around the world saves lives every day of the year. As an arm of the United Nations, it has a very special role to play, one not readily replaced by a U.S. government agency.” --end— For further information about EngenderHealth, please visit http://www.engenderhealth.org />