BOSNIA: NIGHT OF A THOUSAND DINNERS A SUCCESS FOR

UNCLAS SARAJEVO 001367 SIPDIS SIPDIS EUR/SCE (FOOKS,RIEHL),PM/WRA (DAVIS) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KHDP PREF PARM AORC ODIP OFDP KSEP BK SUBJECT: BOSNIA: NIGHT OF A THOUSAND DINNERS A SUCCESS FOR MINE ACTION REF: 05 STATE 189656 ¶1. On June 10, 2006, the Embassy co-hosted a "Night of 1,000 Dinners" (N1KD) gala dinner with the local American Chamber of Commerce and the Embassy of Canada, the fourth of its kind since 2002. Donors to the event contributed almost 200,000 KM (approximately US $130,000),which will be matched by the U.S. government through the International Trust Fund. The first hour of the event was broadcast live by the Bosnian broadcaster NTV Hayat, as well as on a network of stations that covers both the Federation and Republika Srpska. Hayat also broadcast on its satellite station, which reaches Western Europe, the United States, and Australia. During the live broadcast, the Ambassador gave remarks that highlighted the U.S. government's commitment to mine action around the world, as well as the specific mine action support that the United States has given to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The largest donors to the event were local companies, as well as the representative offices of several U.S. companies such as Oracle, Microsoft, and Coca-Cola. All proceeds will be directed to mine clearance projects in Bosnia coordinated by the Bosnia and Herzegovina Mine Action Center and International Trust Fund. KAIDANOW