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GUATEMALA / Joint Council Position, March 16, 2007
Dear Colleagues,
As you are certainly aware, the Department of State posted a FAQ on their website on Wednesday March 14. Joint Council was in immediate communication with the Office of Children’s Issues both on Wednesday and Thursday. We have presented our concerns and requested an immediate meeting to discuss the contents and intent of the posting and to obtain clarification on the key issues. It is our goal to see clarifying language in the FAQs.
Beginning last spring Joint Council has remained focused on one overriding goal – a permanent solution. Despite the cacophony of recent events, Joint Council remains determined to resolving the problems once and for all. There is no better way to protect children, to safeguard the institution of intercountry adoption and to provide services to all Guatemalan children in need, than to permanently reform the current system through Hague compliant legislation. Such a system will end the criticism, provide a stable platform for adoptive families and most importantly allow us to continue our ethical and professional children’s services.
To that end, Joint Council is most pleased to announce that Hague compliant legislation will be introduced into Congress early next week. After a series of meetings which began in early December, members of the Guatemalan Congress are now prepared to present their recommendations to Congress. We strongly recommend that all Joint Council Member Organizations rally behind this initiative and encourage your attorneys and adoptive families to do the same. Joint Council will provide the text of the legislation after it has been officially introduced.
After relentless advocacy with our colleagues at the ADA, Instituto, UNICEF, DOS and Hague Permanent Bureau, Joint Council sees this legislation as the primary means by which we can end the finger pointing and get back to our chosen work – serving children. While all may not agree with every aspect of the legislation, and amendments will certainly be suggested, we remain confident that the framework of the legislation will provide the long-term stability upon which you can build sustainable programming and services for the children we all serve.
Upon introduction of the legislation next week, we will conduct a conference call to review the legislation and present a plan of action.
Sincerely,
Tom
Adopt Abroad Inc. is a member of the: 
http://www.jcics.org/
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