(E-033/01) February 13, 2001 PHOTO OAS RECEIVES KOREAN GIFT OF COMPUTERS EQUIPMENT The Organization of American States (OAS) is the beneficiary of a package of 15 computers and radio and television equipment worth $50,000, the gift of the Republic of Korea. In a special ceremony at the OAS Columbus Memorial Library today, Korean Permanent Observer to the OAS, Ambassador Sung-chul Yang, made the presentation of computers that will go to the Library and the OAS' Young Americas Business Trust, and radio and television equipment for the Organization's Department of Public Information. "Korea is highly appreciate of the key role that the OAS has played in the promotion of democracy and human rights and in anti-narcotic trafficking efforts in the Western Hemisphere," declared the Korean Ambassador, underscoring how pleased his country was to support the "good work" of the OAS. Pledging the continued support of the Korean government for OAS activities, Ambassador Yang cited "the United States, Canada, Latin American and Caribbean countries" as he expressed appreciation for the unwavering support of OAS member countries to the Republic of Korea in international forums. Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi accepted the donation for the OAS and observed that Korea was "one of the steadiest and most active observers in supporting a very wide range of programs. "You have contributed to everything from electoral observation, cultural activities, the de-mining programs, to the anti-drug work of [the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission] CICAD," he said. He also thanked the Ambassador on behalf of all the member states, adding that "our sense of the solidarity of the Republic of Korea is one that we will treasure." The Republic of Korea has been an OAS observer country for some 20 years.   **********