NAMBC forms "Committee of 100" to promote FTA;
Ambassador Joe Lake accepts co-chairmanship

To educate government decision-makers about the benefits of a US-Mongolia FTA, the NAMBC is in the process of forming a "Committee of 100 for Mongolia." Former Ambassador Joe Lake, the first resident American ambassador in Ulaanbaatar, has agreed to serve as co-chairman. Ambassador Lake is now a consultant based in Texas and Washington, DC. The Government of Mongolia formally asked the US Government for an FTA in early September 2003. American Ambassador Pam Slutz subsequently told the NAMBC at our Investors' Conference in Ulaanbaatar on September 22 that substantial expression of American corporate, institutional and NGO support for an FTA is absolutely essential to move this project forward. The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR), which is in charge of negotiating all FTAs and the US Congress, which must approve all FTAs, need to hear from friends of Mongolia.

The NAMBC is seeking volunteers for the "Committee of 100 for Mongolia" now being formed to coordinate educational activities. The Council is proudly bi-national and acknowledges equal duty to Canada and the US but this project will needs be focused on mobilizing American support.

We need more volunteers -- and volunteers do NOT have to be members of the NAMBC. If you are willing to serve, please let us know.