(KR) FWD: FIFA

[Guest guest]

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" ARahmim " <ARahmim

Thursday, 23 November, 2000 08:11

 

 

You might already know about this but I just wanted to write and make sure that

you did. I just received a letter from MasterCard International in response to

my request that they withdraw their support from FIFA because of the situation

in Korea. I had received responses from other supporters and advertisers too and

they all said that they were sorry but they couldn't get involved in politics.

This response is quite different. Here's the full text of the letter:

Thank you for your letter and for communicating your concerns related to the

animal abuses in Korea. We can assure you that MasterCard International not only

does not condone such animal rights violations, but also finds them

reprehensible. We have contacted FIFA, the organizer of the World Cup, and have

expressed our displeasure with the situation in Korea. We will continue to

ensure that opinions like yours are properly heard by FIFA.

 

Since 1991, MasterCard has been a strong supporter of the FIFA World Cup and

began its sponsorship of the world's biggest sporting event in 1994. Our goal is

to promote the sport and help fans experience the passion of this tournament. We

do not -- and have never -- had influence on site selection of the World Cup

tournament. As a global company and sponsor of numerous events around the world,

we are dependent on the host countries to enforce their own laws. Nonetheless we

will vociferrously communicate our position with respect to the animal rights

violations.

 

Should you wish to contact FIFA directly, you can reach the organization at

http://www.FIFA.com In the meantime, we will continue to discuss this serious

issue with FIFA.

 

Again, we appreciate and share your concerns and thank you for contacting us.

 

Sincerely,

Signed: David Ruth, Senior Vice President

(Address: MasterCard International

Global Communications

2000 Purchase Street

Purchase, NY 10577-2509

914-249-2000)

He sounds pretty sincere. I wish more companies reacted like this to the

terrible slaughter of cats and dogs in Korea.

 

Sincerely,

Arezoo Rahmim, MD

Houston, TX