NPC invites Herring of 'Charlie Wilson's War' to outline Afghanistan peace initiative

Joanne Herring, who worked with the late Rep. Charlie Wilson, D-Texas, to urge the U.S. government to militarily support the Mujahideen to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan 30 years ago, plans to return to the war-torn country in August to start a new campaign -- to wage a peace offensive by fighting poverty in northern Herat province.

She plans to outline her initiative in a speech at the National Press Club at an event organized by the International Correspondents Committee at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 10, in the First Amendment Lounge.

Portrayed by Julia Roberts in the 2007 movie, "Charlie Wilson's War," Herring is working on pulling together a coalition of non-profit organizations to provide food, water, healthcare, jobs and education to villages in Herat.

"A village of 20,000 can be provided for less than it cost to keep one soldier in the field for a year," she says.

She is confident that even the Taliban will support her initiative.

"After 30 years, everyone is tired of war," she adds. "When confronted with the efforts of peace, the Taliban are ready to become partners, not adversaries. This is the hope of the world and in every country that has suffered, not only Afghanistan, for lack of elemental necessities."

Ms. Herring says she plans to visit Afghanistan in August along with a congressional committee and a NATO commander.

Her initiative is being undertaken as part of Marshall Plan Charities, a Texas-based non-profit corporation dedicated to ³winning the peace² in Afghanistan that Herring founded in 2009. It seeks to redevelop "normal, healthy civilian life village by village."

Following her speech on May 10, there will be a question and answer session. The event will be open to the public.

For additional informaton, contact Myron Belkind, chair of the International Correspondents Committee, at [email protected].