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A "Great Privilege to Serve" Says USAID'S New Mission For Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810

2004-056

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2004

Contact: USAID Press Office

WASHINGTON, DC -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today the swearing in of Patrick Fine, the new USAID Mission Director for Afghanistan by Administrator Andrew S. Natsios. Mr. Mark Ward, Deputy Administrator for Asia and the Near East, presided over the ceremony.

Referring to the war against terrorism, Fine's stated, "It is my great privilege to serve my country in such a time as this. The promotion of democratic governance, economic opportunity, a vital and educated civil society-values Americans and Afghans hold dear-is the business of USAID, and the foundation for a lasting peace."

Fine will continue USAID's close partnership with a grateful head of state. His Excellency Hamid Karzai, President of Afghanistan, credited USAID with transforming the daily lives of the ordinary Afghan during a special visit to USAID's Washington headquarters last week.

"With the provision of roads, schools, facilities for basic health care and maternity care, help in agriculture, help in irrigation . . . you name it, in all the walks of life," President Karzai, expressing his "great appreciation" described USAID's progress in one of the agency's most comprehensive and strategically significant missions.

Taking up his new post this July, Fine is continuing a special relationship with Afghanistan begun as a 19-year-old college student in 1974. Traveling through Afghanistan and the Pushtun areas of Pakistan's Northwest Frontier Province profoundly influenced his world view.

"I learned how Islam shapes all aspects of life . . . and saw how dignity and kindness co-exist with grinding poverty. The many acts of good-Samaritan kindness I encountered, the rich culture, and the friendships made," ultimately led to a career in international development, Mr. Fine said.

Following four years with the Peace Corps, Mr. Fine joined USAID as an education officer in1988 and has served in Swaziland (1989-92), Uganda (1992-97), South Africa (1997-2000), and most recently as the Deputy Director of the USAID Mission in Dakar, Senegal (2000-2004) where he received the "Order of Merit," the highest honor awarded to a foreign resident.

Fine holds a Masters Degree in International Education from the University of Massachusetts.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

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