Putin Seeks Nuclear Reduction The ballroom of the Russian Embassy was packed with high-profile government, business and media professionals who listened to Russian President Vladimir Putin commit to reducing his countryís nuclear stockpile in keeping with the U.S. commitment to reducing its nuclear arsenal by about two-thirds to fewer than 2,200 deployable warheads. Included in the audience were Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and many members of the House and Senate who came to hear Putinís policy statement. "Russia declares its readiness to make considerable reductions in strategic arms," Putin said. "That is why today we propose a radical program of further reductions in strategic offensive arms, by at least three times, to a minimal level necessary for maintaining strategic balance in the world." Putin came to Washington confident that he would find understanding in reducing nuclear weapons. "We no longer have to intimidate each other in order to reach agreements," noted Putin. "Security is created not by piles of metal, it is created by political will of people, states and their leaders." Putin expressed Russiaís understanding and support in the fight against terrorism. He encouraged the audience by saying, "as the history of humankind often showed us in the past, the greater the scope of the tragedy, the stronger the human solidarity and readiness to help, the greater the heroism and courage of the people at the center of the tragic events." Putin warned that no country is secure from the threat of terrorism. "Russia was one of the first countries to experience the onslaught of modern terrorism," he pointed out. "We have fought against it on our own." The Sounds of Mama Africa As the sound of jazz beat in the background of the Tunisian Embassy, Ambassador Hatem Atallah and his wife Faika honored the singer, South African vocal sensation Miriam Makebaóalso known as Mama Africa. Ambassadors from Jordan, Egypt, Yemen, Qatar, Malawi, Bangladesh and Swaziland attended the reception honoring this Grammy Award-winning singer whose fame spans several decades with her traditional folk and jazz sounds. Makeba, 69, is a legendary musician who has shared the stage with American performers Paul Simon and Dizzy Gillespie. She also holds the distinction of singing two songs at President John F. Kennedyís birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden, the same night Marilyn Monroe performed her famous birthday song salute. Makeba, a political activist, was exiled from her home of South Africa for 30 years, for her political activism. She addressed the United Nationsí General Assembly twice about the horrors of apartheid. Makeba continues to touch the lives of millions around the world and remains active in world issues through her work with human rights and anti-drug campaigns. She recently was appointed as the South African goodwill ambassador to Africa. In describing Makeba, Atallahówho spent three years as the Tunisian ambassador in South Africaósaid that "she humbles us all with what she does, she charms us with her beautiful smile." A Plea for African Support In an effort to encourage a unified voice in promoting African issues to the administration of President Bush, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo hosted a dinner for many of the African ambassadors at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Washington, D.C. The dinner was part of a visit with President Bush, the first with any African head of state since Bushís inauguration. The visit culminated in a Rose Garden ceremony at the White House in which President Bush announced that the United States would contribute $200 million to a new International Monetary Fund for AIDS. Obasanjo made a plea for continued support in helping the plight of African nations: "While we celebrate the vastly improving political and economic situation in our continent Ö we are now confronted by a virulent threat that could retard Africaís progress." The threat that Obasanjo was referring to was world leaders overlooking the needs of African nations because of the concern of terrorism following the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. "Africa condemns terrorism and will continue to stand up against it in all its forms," said Obasanjo. But he pointed out, "The first casualty of these attacks for African development is foreign development aid, which may slip below internationally prescribed minimum levels ÖWe still look forward to more international support to boost funding for HIV/AIDS programs in African countries and other affected parts of the world, despite the Sept. 11 attacks." The Nigerian president explained the major problems facing his country and continent by noting that "the fight against HIV/AIDS, poverty and the crushing debt burden, just like the global campaign against terrorism, deserves the support of all nations."