FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 6, 2003

LARSON TO PARTICIPATE IN DEFENSE CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL SECURITY AND TERRORISM

WASHINGTON, D.C.- U.S. Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) will participate in the 39th Annual Wehrkunde Conference held in Munich, Germany February 6 through February 9, which will focus on international security and the fight against terrorism. Senators Joseph Lieberman (CT) and John McCain (AZ) will lead the U.S. delegation.

Larson stated: "It is a privilege to have been invited to the conference. Bringing the leaders of the world's defense community together plays an important role in international relations and shaping global policy. It provides a centralized forum to hear the perspectives of other nations, discuss policy, and is an opportunity to further build and strengthen coalitions. The timing of this meeting is also important as the United States and the international community will have important decisions to make regarding the situation surrounding Iraq in the coming months."

Each year, the conference brings members of the international security and defense community together - ministers and secretaries of defense, experts, members of the armed forces, members of Congress, Parliament and journalists - from more than 30 different nations to discuss global security and international relations. Issues that will be discussed include the status of the global fight against terrorism, the role of NATO in the world and future developments in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld will accompany the American delegation to the conference. While there, delegation members will hear from various foreign leaders including the Russian Defense Minister Sergey B. Ivanov, French Defense Minister Michele Alliot-Marie, German Defense Minister Peter Struck, Pakistani Minister of Foreign Affairs Mian Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri, among others, and will attend a breakfast with NATO Secretary General Lord George Robertson.

Larson is planning a town hall style meeting later this month to discuss American foreign policy.

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Larson is a Member of the House Armed Services Committee