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April 23, 2001

NEWS RELEASE

Embassy of the United States of America, Belgrade

U.S. Government Donation to Belgrade Children's Hospital

Ambassador William Montgomery attended a donation ceremony on April 19 at the Clinical Center of Serbia. The purpose of the ceremony was to donate incubators to the Children's hospital; the U.S. purchased one incubator of a number donated to the hospital.

The U.S. supported the initiative of the Serbian Orthodox Church for three reasons Ambassador Montgomery noted:

" - To show support and admiration for all the doctors and workers of hospitals throughout the health care system of Serbia; they have been doing a wonderful job under very difficult conditions.

- In the U.S., as in Yugoslavia, there is a tradition that individual donators supplement the state support for the health care system. We want to show our support to all the donors who are making contributions today.

- We are privileged, as Americans working at the U.S. Embassy, to live as part of your community. So, we have an obligation to provide our support.

During the year, through the U.S. Agency for International Office of Transition Initiative, the U.S. Embassy has donated over $240,000 to the Serbian healthcare system.

Beyond this material support, you have our admiration for all those who are working in the health care sector; you are making life better for all of us. Thank you very much."