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Madeleine's father to fly to US Madeleine father makes trip to US
(2 days later)
The father of missing Madeleine McCann is to travel to the US to learn about specialist agencies which work to prevent child abductions. The father of missing Madeleine McCann has had a "productive and interesting" meeting with the US attorney general on the issue of tackling child abduction.
Gerry McCann is scheduled to meet US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales on his four-day visit. As well as meeting Alberto Gonzales in Washington, Gerry McCann learned about the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children.
Mr McCann said he wanted to understand the work being carried out to reduce child abductions across the world. Mr McCann is on a four-day visit to the US to find out about US efforts to reduce child abductions.
Madeleine, of Rothley, Leicestershire, disappeared from an apartment in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, on 3 May. Four-year-old Madeleine, of Rothley, Leics, disappeared in Portugal in May.
Mr McCann is to meet experts at both the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children. Her family were staying at an apartment in Praia da Luz, Algarve, when she vanished on 3 May.
They were established in 1984 and 1998 respectively after six-year-old Adam Walsh was kidnapped and murdered after being snatched from a department store in Florida in 1981. 'Lot of goodwill'
The case led to new legislation passed last year - the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act. McCann family campaigner Justine McGuinness said: "We're here to find out exactly what happens in America, because we believe the systems in the States are more advanced than systems in Europe."
'Safer world' The American centres were set up in 1984 and 1998 respectively, following the murder of six-year-old Adam Walsh who was abducted from a department store in Florida in 1981.
Mr McCann said: "Obviously my focus just now is on trying to get our daughter back. That's the key thing.
"But I think there is a lot of goodwill out there at the minute, that we might be able to leave something tangible for all children, and I think most people agree that these sorts of crimes should not happen and the perpetrators have to be pursued wherever these crimes are performed."
He added: "[Madeleine] knows very much that we love her and we won't stop searching for her."
Strengthened laws
On Tuesday, Mr McCann will meet US senators, congressmen and a senior member of First Lady Laura Bush's staff.
Mr McCann's wife Kate remains in Portugal with the couple's two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.
The Adam Walsh case led to new legislation passed last year - the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.
It strengthened the US's nationwide sex offender registration system and introduced harsher penalties for child sex offenders.It strengthened the US's nationwide sex offender registration system and introduced harsher penalties for child sex offenders.
Mr McCann said: "I hope to discuss the implementation of the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act.
"After visiting the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre in London, I wanted to understand better the work that is being carried out across the world to reduce child abductions.
"I am going to the USA to meet experts at both the National and International Centres for Missing and Exploited Children.
"We want to work closely with the police and child welfare agencies in maintaining the profile of Madeleine's and other children's disappearance."
He added: "We hope our efforts will help make the world a little bit safer for all children. Kate and I believe there is a strong, public feeling that crimes against children, wherever they may occur, are totally unacceptable."
Mr McCann's wife Kate will remain in Portugal with the couple's two-year-old twins, Sean and Amelie.