Steve Forbes Speaks With RA Members
>> RA conference call with renowned publisher and economist

BERLIN, February 10, 2004 – RA Members around the world joined in an exclusive conference call with publisher and Republican Presidential candidate in the 2000 Primary Steve Forbes.  Forbes shared his views and predictions both for the U.S. economy and the upcoming presidential election.

Among the many topics covered in the one hour call, Forbes discussed the positive affect of the President Bush’s tax relief, benefits incurred by the Fed’s reduction of its lending rate as well as insight into the relatively weak U.S. dollar among other major foreign currencies.  Forbes stated, “Thanks to the early proactive economic policies of the Bush administration, we have weathered the briefest and most shallow recession in our history.  All indications point to a strong and sustained recovery.”  Mr. Forbes stressed that much depended upon mitigating negative external shocks, specifically those related to terrorism.

Following introductory remarks, Forbes fielded questions from members including allegations of an intentional weak dollar policy by the administration.  Forbes reminded participants that most world markets are best served when the U.S. economy is strong and robust.  Additionally, Forbes commented on the upcoming election and the “Winter of discontent” experienced by Democrats around the country.

The conference call was arranged through RA’s Singapore chapter as one of many such  events in the lead up to the general election in November.  Forbes’ has long been involved in Republican politics long before his presidential bids in 1996 and 2000. In 1985, President Reagan named Mr. Forbes Chairman of the bi-partisan Board for International Broadcasting (BIB). In this position, he oversaw the operation of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty. Broadcasting behind the Iron Curtain, Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty were praised by Poland's Lech Walesa as being critical to the struggle against communism. Mr. Forbes was reappointed to his post by President Bush and served until 1993.

From 1996 to 1999 Steve Forbes was Honorary Chairman of Americans for Hope, Growth and Opportunity, a grassroots, issues-advocacy organization founded to advance pro-growth, pro-freedom and pro-family issues. From December 1993 until June 1996, Mr. Forbes served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Empower America, a political reform organization founded by Jack Kemp, Bill Bennett and Jeane Kirkpatrick.

Steve Forbes is President and Chief Executive Officer of Forbes and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes magazine. He resumed this role in February 2000 after a leave of absence to campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. The company's flagship publication, Forbes, is the nation's leading business magazine, with a circulation of 850,000. Forbes and Forbes Global together reach a worldwide audience of nearly 5 million readers. Mr. Forbes is the author of A New Birth of Freedom (Regnery, 1999), a book of bold ideas for the new millennium.

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