“Richie made several good friends while at the program. Sadly, two of his friends returned home to their respective countries, The Republic of Georgia and Russia, to find their nations on opposite sides of a military conflict. The American has stayed in contact with his two European friends via Facebook, applying the diplomatic skills he learned during the summer program to help his friends cope with the stress of their current circumstances. “

“I can without doubt say that it has been the time of my life. Spending a month in the U.S. has given me lifelong friendships, invaluable knowledge and great memories”.

Kenneth write a wonderful diary of his BFTF for the embassy site. Check it out at the link above. Diary 1 & 2.

Also if you have published on-line your memories or press stories are posted, be sure and send us that link.

From Left to Right: (a) Dr. Allan Louden and Ma’am Colleen Graffy, (b) the Demarcos, (c) Lusine and Bibigul

Security Service Spokesman Theo Yakah reported that Datii’s absence this morning was because she had ” been captured by the FARC rebels and they are demanding a ransom.” He further stated that he would be entering into negotiations for her release. No further information about these negotiations was released, but Datii’s safe return demonstrates a successful conclusion. Nevertheless, the question remains of whether negotiations with a group recognized by Loudenia as a terrorist organization, especially negotiations involving a ransom, were the best solution to this crisis.

-Matt Westwood

~Chris Cleave, Reporter, London Guardian