Remarks With Founder of the Eastern Congo Initiative Ben Affleck
Remarks With Founder of the Eastern Congo Initiative Ben Affleck
Remarks
John Kerry
Secretary of State
Russell D. Feingold
Special Envoy for the Great Lakes and the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Washington, DC
February 26, 2014
SECRETARY KERRY: Thanks, all, for coming in. Just want to say how much I appreciate Senator Russ Feingolds efforts with respect to the Great Lakes region, and Im particularly grateful to Ben Affleck, whos had a longtime engagement on this. He testified before us in the Senate. We worked on this issue for some period of time. And theyve just have you already testified or --
MR. FEINGOLD: This afternoon.
SECRETARY KERRY: Hell be testifying this afternoon before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
But Russ did a superb job working with Mary Robinson of the UN to help bring about the Kampala Accords and a diminishment in the violence, hopefully, when we get it fully followed through on, the disarming of M23, and a movement forward towards some stabilization and economic development and other issues. Its been a terrific effort, and Im appreciative to both for their leadership in that regard.
So do you want to say anything, Russ?
MR. FEINGOLD: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Your willingness to be involved with this every step of the way has made a huge difference. Each time youve given me an additional thing to get done with good guidance and always willing to make the calls that need to be made. And it makes a huge difference when the Secretary, obviously, calls people. We try to use it sparingly, but when we do it, its effective. So Im grateful to you for your support on this, and we are making some progress.
SECRETARY KERRY: Ben, do you want to say anything?
MR. AFFLECK: Well, yes. Im very grateful to be here in this esteemed company and particularly grateful to the Secretary, whose purview is the entire world, has taken time to focus on this issue and to recognize that this is a moment where we have a window where we can really effect change. And Im grateful that he appointed Senator Feingold, whos an extraordinary man of great influence, to be ambassador to or Special Envoy to the Great Lakes region. And finally, its just a pleasure to be back here in the State Department after the real State Department I had to fake it for Argo. (Laughter.) I get to see the real thing here, so its quite intimidating. Thank you again, Mr. Secretary.
Rest is here:
http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2014/02/222581.htm