In welcoming the Iraqi and Afghan delegations to the Global Summit for Women in Seoul, Joan Hubbard, wife of U.S. Ambassador to Korea Thomas C. Hubbard, said that the Iraqi and Afghan women would make connections that would help in the development of their countries.

"I anticipate that both groups of women will go back home armed with new ideas, new contacts, new friends that you can get together with right on the Internet. You can know that you are not alone, and when you have a challenge, you can call up somebody that you have met here and bounce an idea off them," Hubbard said.

Iraqi Minister of Municipalities and Public Works Nasreen Berwari said participating in the Seoul summit was "eye-opening because of the possibilities of women's achievement, how far they can go, but also the strength."

Afghani Deputy Minister of Women's Affairs Soraya Rahim Sobrang said, "Even though our positions are unique, we have a lot in common, and we are going through a lot of similar things when it comes to the women of Iraq and the women of Afghanistan."

The Global Summit of Women 2004 convened in Seoul, Korea, on May 27 with 800 women leaders from 85 nations taking part in three days of discussions on women's economic advancement.

Tea for Afghan, Iraqi and American Delegations -- May 28, 2004, Lotte Hotel, Seoul, Korea -- sponsored by U.S. Embassy Seoul Public Affairs.

American Embassy Seoul Public Affairs Officer Mr. Don Q. Washington opened the program with welcoming remarks and a brief introduction of Mrs. Joan Hubbard, wife of U.S. Ambassador Thomas C. Hubbard. Mrs. Hubbard is the Seoul Representative of the Asia Society and a member of the AmCham Foundation in Korea, as well as being involved in a number of other charitable efforts in Korea. She is also warmly remembered in the Philippines for her strong efforts in charitable work there.

Mrs. Hubbard: The energy of this group, between your two delegations, is just marvelous, so I really don't want to take any of your time. We have work to do this morning between your two delegations, and your sessions starting yesterday and going on today have probably given you plenty of stimulation, plenty of things to talk about. We have a wonderful group from the U.S. government who have come to Seoul to be part of this meeting. We are delighted to welcome them and to have them be part of this very important Global Summit. So, I would just like to say welcome to Seoul. I applaud what you are doing -- the future looks good for both of your countries. I anticipate that both groups of women will go back home armed with new ideas, new contacts, new friends that you can get together with right on the Internet. You can know that you are not alone, and when you have a challenge, you can call up somebody that you have met here and bounce an idea off them. You can know that there are other people who are out there to help you, and together, we can all make a big change in this world.

Thank you very much, and I hope that the buzz just continues!

PAO Washington: Thank you Mrs. Hubbard, and next I would like to call to the microphone Paula DeSutter, who is the Assistant Secretary of State for Verification and Compliance.

Assistant Secretary DeSutter: Thank you very much. I would like to welcome the Iraqi and Afghan Women's Delegations, on behalf of the Bush Administration and on behalf of the American Delegation here. I won't keep you long. I just wanted to say that we would like to convey both our respect and our admiration for the women of your countries and what you have accomplished. This is a gathering at which you have women who have both been able the most to take for granted our place in society, and women who have been able the least to take for granted their role in society. And because of that, we have a lot to learn. I have a lot to learn, I know, as I listen to people who have struggled to take their place in society, a place I know that I take completely for granted. And because of that, I think all three delegations have much to learn from one another as we work together closely. I am enthusiastic about the future. The Bush Administration, as you know, has placed a very high priority on women's issues, both globally and as we work together on freedom and democracy, and so I am very excited to have you all here, and we welcome you. Thank you.

PAO Washington: Thank you very much, Asssistant Secretary. And now, speaking on behalf of the Iraqi Delegation, may I ask Minister Berwari to come to the microphone.

Minister Nasreen Berwari: Well, I was not prepared for a speech this morning, but I think I have been overwhelmed with the warmth of welcome that I have received from the host country, from the organizer of this summit, but also from the U.S. government and their representatives in this country. The Iraqi Delegation attending for the first time is good news, and I think that what has been said before of the potential and opportunities that exist in such a gathering, for us, the Iraqis, it is eye-opening. It is eye-opening because of the possibilities of women's achievement, how far they can go, but also the strength. I agree that women in leadership is always a lonely job, but also, women in reconstruction, in trying to build democracy in Iraq, it is a new thing for us, and it is a big job. Having gone through 35 years of oppression and limitation and fear, it is a big challenge for us to build our country again. But with your help and your support, and with the group that we are meeting today, every person we meet we are becoming stronger, and we hope to build upon these meetings, these connections, and we will welcome you in our country. Iraq is a country with big potential, but it is a friendly country, it is a warm country, and we look forward to cooperating further and further in the future, because together we are strong.

PAO Washington: May we ask to speak on behalf of the Afghan delegation, Dr. Soraya?

Dr. Soraya Rahim Sobhrang: As my English is not good, I will speak in Dari (with translation). Good morning to all of you. I am very happy to be here. It is a pleasure to represent the Afghan women. It is also our first time for the Afghan women to participate in such a dynamic summit, and it has been of course with the help of U.S. AID, and especially Barbara Rodey, who has helped to make this happen. As we are all aware, today we are in a position of getting into new freedom, democracy and social reforms, and we are struggling to really make it in that arena. Also, it was really great to meet the Iraqi Delegation, and especially her Excellency, the Minister. We had a few minutes to speak yesterday. Even though our positions are unique, we have a lot in common, and we are going through a lot of similar things when it comes to the women of Iraq and the women of Afghanistan. I'm really honored to meet you and I look forward to more cooperation in the future so we can work together as a team. Thank you very much.

PAO Washington: Thank you very much, and please feel welcome.