Notice to the Press
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
April 15, 2005



United States and Republic of Madagascar to Sign First Millennium Challenge
Compact

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Chair of the Board of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation, will make remarks at the signing of the first Millennium
Challenge Compact, between the United States and the Republic of Madagascar, on
Monday, April 18, 2005, at 4:00 p.m., in the Benjamin Franklin Room.

Republic of Madagasacar President Marc Ravalomanana and Millennium Challenge
Corporation Chief Executive Officer Paul V. Applegarth will also make remarks.
Mr. Applegarth and Republic of Madagascar Minister of Economy, Finance and
Budget Benjamin Andriamparany Radavidson will sign the Compact

The nearly-$110 million Compact with the Republic of Madagascar is designed to
raise incomes and land productivity in rural areas by increasing land titling
and security, increasing competition in the financial sector, and improving
agricultural production technologies and market capacity in rural areas.

This event will be open to the press.

Pre-set time for cameras: 2:45 p.m. from the 23rd Street entrance.

Final access time for all press: 3:30 p.m. from the 23rd Street entrance.

Media representatives may attend this briefing upon presentation of one of the
following: (1) a U.S. Government-issued identification card (Department of
State, White House, Congress, Department of Defense, or Foreign Press Center),
(2) a media-issued photo identification card, or (3) a letter from their
employer on letterhead verifying their employment as a journalist, accompanied
by an official photo identification (driver's license or passport).