U.S.-Middle Eastern Exchange Program

Sept 10, 2006

OTTAWA TIMES

U.S.-Middle Eastern Exchange Program Held Up for Lack of Volunteers

When an anonymous billionaire Canadian philanthropoist gave $900-million, no one expected things would be held up.

What is called the Strained Middle-Eastern Country - U.S. Civilian Exchange Corps seeks U.S. families to move into highly strained Middle Eastern contries that are within the sights of the U.S. military in its war on terror. In exchange, the Middle Eastern families are moved safely to Canada under a new law passed in Ottawa last March.

"We wanted to somehow prevent the deaths of these innocent civilian as the U.S. continues to move forward with its War on Terror,' said fund manger Clive Jones. "We also wanted to give all those families in the U.S. who support the War on Terror a very tangible way to be personally involved in the war by taking the places of families likely to become collateral damage," he added. Jones said the fund has already acquired thousands of Canadian properties on which to house the Middle Eastern families.

The fund last June begun ad campaigns in several Mid-East countires and the United States. "Already we have over 11,000 applications from families in countries such as Iraq, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. These families are anxiously awaiting to have U.S. families come take their place but are still held up," said Jones. To date, only one U.S. family has volunteered for exchange service, according to Jones.

"Interested U.S. families may contact the fund at 341 Capitol Way, Ottawa, ON T2P 5Z7," said Jones.

Complete article at:

http://www.ottawatimes.com/ottnews/archives/ottawa/display.php?id=23654595