Diplomatic Connections January-February 2012

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DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS

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AssIsTANTs TO THE EDITORChanel Cherry

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Copyright 2012 by Diplomatic ConnectionsAll rights reserved.

Cover photo credits: Sienna Miller, Angela Weiss, Getty Images; LGen Guy Thibault, Monica Frim, Diplomatic Connections; BGen Bruno Caitucoli, Christophe Avril, Diplomatic Connections; Bill Gates, Dan Kitwood, Getty Images; Matthew Perry, Tom Williams, CQ Roll Call; Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony, Bill O’Leary, The Washington Post via Getty Images; Queen Elizabeth and Sultan of Oman Qaboos bin Said, John Stillwell - WPA Pool/Getty Images; Christine Lagarde, David Ramos/Getty Images; Dr. Pamela Marzban, Diplomatic Connections

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PAGE 86

SIENNA MILLErPAGE 62

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Capitol Hill, Matthew Perry 86Congressional Gold Medal Ceremony 56

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Dentist, Dr. Pamela Marzban 70 - 77Dewberry - Architects, Engineers & Consultants 23Diplomatic Connections Reception, March 13th, 2012, at The Hay-Adams 10Diplomatic Connections Reception, April 18th, 2012, at The Madison Hotel 14Double Tree Hotel by Hilton Hotel Bethesda – Washington, DC 7

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Metro 29 Diner and Restaurant 6Military Dialogue, BGen Bruno Caitucoli 18

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Diplomatic Connections: General, firstly, thank you

for agreeing to be interviewed by Diplomatic

Connections. Can you start by giving me some data

about the French involvement in the Libyan operation?

What French assets were involved, and so on.

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: France played a substantial role. We made 30

percent of all the sorties; and France was responsible for 40 percent

of the dynamic targeting, which means going after moving targets,

which are, of course, more difficult to hit than fixed targets.

U.S. and French Military areShoulder-To-Shoulderand Cooperation Never Stopped,Defense Attache Caitucoli says.By Roland Flamini

The first planes deployed to halt Moammar Gaddafi’s attempt to crush the rising dissent in Benghazi, Libya’s second largest city, on March 19 were French. As the Libyan revolution widened France continued to be a leading force in the Allied operation, and French Air Force Brigadier General Bruno Caitucoli says his govern-ment is “pretty happy with what we have done along with other nations.” As France’s defense attaché in Washington, Gen. Caitucoli, a combat pilot, is responsible for maintaining relations with his American counterparts: in a recent exclusive inter-view with DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS he said cooperation is better than ever.


U.S. and French Military areShoulder-To-Shoulderand Cooperation Never Stopped,Defense Attache Caitucoli says.

Brigadier General Bruno Caitucoli, French Air Force,

Embassy of France


Diplomatic Connections: Did your operations begin and

end in France, or did you use bases elsewhere in the Mediter-

ranean, such as Italy, for example?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: France was operating on its own on

the first day of the operation, March 19, and basically all the

planes took off from French Air Force bases, mainly in east-

ern France. After that, we deployed the assets to Corsica first,

using it as a fixed “aircraft carrier” in the middle of the Medi-

terranean. Then we reached agreement with other nations

such as Italy and Greece and re-deployed for a second time

closer to the theater of operations, in other words, Libya.

Meantime, the carrier Charles de Gaulle, was moving across

the Mediterranean from Toulon towards the Libyan coastline.

Diplomatic Connections: The declared intention of the air

effort was to protect Libyan civilians; but as the fighting went

on the target increasingly became Libyan troops and merce-

naries loyal to Gaddafi. How did this change come about?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: I personally don’t think there was a

change in the mission. I think what did change was the way

in which we did the mission. Initially, operations were close

to Benghazi where the [Western] allies had to stop convoys

of armed vehicles about to enter the city. That was, of course,

intended to protect the civilian population. What changed

over time was that it became an urban combat, but the main

aim was always to protect the civilian population and then to

address the military means that Gaddafi’s forces were using

against that population.

Diplomatic Connections: Were there any French person-

nel of any description on the ground in Libya?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: That question was answered very

clearly by the French authorities, and I have nothing to

add. At least one nation has said it had some troops on the

ground. Incidentally, we very often hear it said that it was an

air campaign. Not really, it was a joint campaign, with a land

force – the fact is that the land force was not provided by

the alliance, but by the Libyan [insurgents]. There were also

maritime assets providing a blockade.

Diplomatic Connections: Did the coastal blockade stop

anything? Were there vessels attempting to enter Libyan ports

at that particular time?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: Yes, there was an attempt to bring in

weapons for Gaddafi’s forces. But the blockade was a deter-

rent along the coastline.

Diplomatic Connections: Secretary Clinton said the U.S.

was able to provide support with what she called “unique as-

sets.” What did she mean by unique assets?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: The fact is that the United States

provided a huge amount of assets, for example, air-to-air

re-fueling. What was really different this time was that 90

percent of the strike sorties were done by nations other than

the U.S. This was exactly the opposite to the Kosovo conflict,

for instance – and you can compare the two because they

were both air-centric. But it doesn’t mean that the U.S. was

not heavily involved with critical assets.

Diplomatic Connections: From the French military point

of view, what worked and perhaps also what didn’t, and what

lessons did you learn from it?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: First there were the political lessons:

we had been paying particular attention to Libya as one coun-

try in an arc of crisis that went from Mauritania to Pakistan,

and so we already had a lot of data-- just in case. When we

saw the situation going the wrong way, we were prepared: in

the military you don’t know what your political masters are

going to decide, but you have to be ready. Since the beginning

of March we had been assessing the situation autonomously,

and that gave us the confidence to be first in. Second, our

assets are now more than combat proven. For example, the

Rafale [France’s top combat plane] had already been proven in

Afghanistan, but in one type of mission, namely in support of

ground forces. In Libya, it demonstrated its capability to do ev-

erything – to enforce the no-fly zone and therefore to confront

other aircraft in air-to-air combat, but also to halt the advance

by Gaddafi’s ground forces towards Benghazi, and at the same

time to take pictures and do reconnaissance – very much a

multi-role, full capability aircraft.

Diplomatic Connections: You think that you have

achieved a 100 percent performance objective.

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: The mission was quite complex

and we don’t pretend to have been quite successful in all

aspects. We know we have a lot of things we can do better in


the future, but we are pretty happy with what we have done,

alongside with the other nations.

Diplomatic Connections: There was a story about NATO

countries running out of ammunition and having to get more

from the U.S. Was this true?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: That story applied to some allies,

but not to us. On the contrary, we provided other nations

with ammunition. Some NATO countries spoke openly about

their decision not to keep huge stores of ammunition. They

have some, and if they need to commit, they buy within the

alliance; and because weapons within NATO are compatible,

they can easily get what they don’t have.

Diplomatic Connections: Last year, France rejoined the

NATO command structure, from which it had withdrawn in

the 1960s. How has that changed France’s relationship with

the Alliance?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: It’s important, but even before that

we were taking part in NATO operations with absolutely no

problem. From the strictly military point of view and the

capability to operate with allies that was not a major change.

What is much more important is that we are now perceived

by all the other allies as a member of the senior club, so that

you don’t have a club “A” and club “B”.

Diplomatic Connections: Do you feel that Afghanistan

has been a true test of NATO’s broader mission outside its

borders—and not a very successful one at that – or does

NATO’s post Cold War role need rethinking?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: The Cold War ended twenty years

ago, and NATO was designed to be able to face the chal-

lenge of the Warsaw Pact. All of a sudden we are asking the

“When we saw the situation going the wrong way, we were prepared: in the military you don’t know what your political masters are going to decide, but you have to be ready…we had been assessing the situation autonomously, and that gave us the confidence to be first in…our assets are now more than combat proven.”


NATO structure to do something completely different. The

first NATO mission ever started in 1993 over Bosnia, when

we established the no-fly zone. My recollection of that story

is the capacity of NATO to adapt to new and unforeseen situ-

ations. Nothing is perfect in this world, and we had and still

have difficulties in adapting, but the alliance remains some-

thing really strong and very important.

Diplomatic Connections: Are you yourself optimistic that

NATO will continue?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: Why not?

Diplomatic Connections: Well, because one sees the

Americans being more hesitant about a European commit-

ment. The transatlantic language seems to have undergone a

significant change.

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: Isn’t that the result of the fact that

hopefully we don’t have a major threat in front of us any-

more? The old mindset was there because of the Warsaw

Pact. Now, it’s not that we are forced to be together because of

a common enemy, we decide to be together to deal with one

or another specific crisis.

Diplomatic Connections: Franco-American relations

have their ups and downs. During the Iraq war they were

down. And yet France is in Afghanistan. How do relations

look from the military side?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: It’s our business to stand ready. If

you don’t have any contact for a substantial period of time

you will not be able to cooperate in the way we have done this

year. You have to maintain the relationship -- as we have done

throughout the period you are referring to. Now, of course,

things are much easier because we have excellent relations,

probably better than ever. We cooperate very, very closely, and

we can address any topic. Sometimes we have disagreements:

like any family, you can’t agree fully on everything.

Diplomatic Connections: So you are saying that during

the period of very strained relations in the run-up to, and

during the Iraq war the military side continued to cooperate.

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: Yes, not necessarily at the same

level, not necessarily to the same extent or on the same scale,

but it was clear that sooner or later we would have to once

again get close. We are a restricted club of democracies shar-

ing the same values and having the ability to defend them

shoulder-to-shoulder – and that we have been doing for 230

years – because [the American-French siege of] Yorktown was

exactly 230 years ago. In World War I, World War II, and all

the other commitments we were always together and it will

remain the same in the future.

Diplomatic Connections: What is your assessment of

France’s contribution to the Afghanistan operation?

Brig. Gen. Caitucoli: Like other nations we experienced

something that was quite hard. And like the others, we have

paid a price in blood. But having said that, we are also happy

with what we have done in the area that was placed under

our control. But it was very difficult: it was a country we were

not familiar with before deploying.

Diplomatic Connections: Thank you, Brigadier General

Caitucoli. n

Brigadier General Bruno Caitucoli, French Air Force, Embassy of France


Microsoft chairman Bill Gates waves as he arrives at the G20 Summit on

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the G20 summit in Cannes on November 3rd and 4th, and debated

current issues surrounding the global financial system in the hope of fending

off a global recession and finding an answer to the Eurozone crisis. Da

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Bill Gates — co-founder of Microsoft — has been a

software architect, an entrepreneurial mastermind,

a corporate empire builder, a role model for philan-

thropic giving, the inspiration for leveraging the programmatic

efforts of foundation combines impacting global healthcare

and agricultural development, and most recently the voice of

conscience for a developed world preoccupied with its own

economic slowdown and threats of a double-dip global

recession. Invited to address the leaders of the G-20 group

of developed and developing nations by the host, French

President Nicholas Sarkozy, Gates presented a report on global

development entitled “Innovation with Impact: Financing

21st Century Development.” His report, Gates indicated,

was intended to “help keep development on the agenda when

there is a temptation to look at short-term issues.”

An earlier report by the International Monetary Fund

characterized the world economy in terms that underscored

the severe challenges ahead. “The immediate risk,” warned

the IMF, “is that the global economy tips into a downward

spiral of increased uncertainty and risk aversion, dysfunctional

financial markets, unsustainable debt dynamics, falling

demand, and rising unemployment.” Against this somber

backdrop, the G-20 states wrestled with the problems of

declining economic growth worldwide, the threatened col-

lapse of the Euro-zone due to the threatened spread of the

sovereign debt crisis in Greece and Italy to Europe’s stronger

Addresses G-20 Cannes summit at the Invitation of French President sarkozy

Microsoft Co-Founder Asks Leaders to “Cast Aside” Old Categories of Aid for Development

economies, and the deepening problem of global trade

imbalances between countries with strong current account

balances and those facing persistent trade deficits.

In the face of these dilemmas, Gates countered that,

“There’s a lot of pressure on aid budgets given economic

conditions, but aid is a very small part of government expen-

ditures. The world will not balance its books by cutting back

on aid, but it will do irreparable damage to global stability, to

the growth of the global economy and to the livelihoods of

millions of poor people.” Tempting though it may be for rich

countries to cut their development assistance, Gates noted,

they should not do so. Not only have the rich countries made

promises regarding their development assistance goals, but

also “because important pieces of the development agenda

won’t get addressed without assistance.”

Despite popular myths to the contrary, Gates argued, of-

ficial development assistance (ODA) has worked spectacularly

in the past and has the potential to continue to do so into the

future. ODA, he insisted, “is a small investment that generates

a huge return.” Gates pointed to notable successes over the

last fifty years including such things as agricultural advances

in introduction of new higher yield and disease resistant seed

varieties, which have saved more than a billion people from

starvation. Health care has improved markedly with the wide-

spread introduction of vaccines for such things as smallpox

and polio. More recent efforts have had significant impact on Dan

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suppressing diseases such as measles and AIDS. “ODA,” Gates

observed, “spurs innovation by funding pilot projects that poor

countries would not undertake themselves. It also pays for

global public goods like scientific research. Finally, people in

very poor countries will continue to depend on assistance for

their survival for the foreseeable future.”

Bill Gates, business leader that he is, however, did not

stop at a defense of the importance of development assistance.

Instead he offered the leaders of the G-20 a new vision of

global development assistance in which rich country develop-

ment assistance, in-kind assistance from emerging economies,

the efforts of international organizations, and private initiatives

are melded into a reenergized public-private international col-

laboration. “We can,” Gates said, “cast aside our old categories

of aid, as distinct from private investment, as distinct from

domestic spending. The G-20 countries can pull all of these

levers at once, giving the world a more comprehensive and

cooperative approach to improving the lives of the poor that

we’ve ever had before.”

Gates began his report by emphasizing the importance of

innovation, which he said “fundamentally shifts the trajectory

of development.” The problem, he noted, is that the pace

of innovation has been too slow and often the adoption of

innovations to directly assist poor countries has been even

slower. To improve this situation he suggested drawing on

the successful experience of recently emerged economies to

catalyze innovation through a series of “triangular partner-

ships” among rapidly growing countries, traditional aid

donors, and poor countries.

Tempering his vision with a strong dose of realism, Gates

acknowledged that, “By far the largest supply of financing for

development will continue to come from developing coun-

tries themselves.” While building roads, schools, and health

infrastructure “is a job for governments,” it is critical to help

those governments find more effective ways to raise revenue.

Here Gates advocated for three initiatives: greater transparency

in the terms of contracts negotiated with extractive industries

such as mining and oil; improving revenue systems, particular-

ly with regard to tax collection and budgeting procedures; and,

the development of performance review procedures to evaluate

the effectiveness of government spending programs.

“As countries begin to finance a growing percentage of

their own development,” Gates noted, “the world’s ODA can

be concentrated on a smaller and smaller number of issues

and countries where it is needed most urgently.” Recogniz-

ing, however, that in difficult economic times development

assistance offers an easy target for governmental budget cut-

ters, Gates advocated three innovative tax recommendations.

Tobacco taxes are already ubiquitous, and they have positive

consequences for global health by encouraging people to stop

smoking. Why not follow the World Health Organization’s

recommendation to raise tobacco excise taxes to 70 percent

of the pack price? Then, earmark a portion of the additional

revenues for global healthcare?

Certainly, the most contentious notion Gates put forward

was his support for a financial transactions tax, sometimes

described as a “Robin Hood” tax for its supposed impact of

taking from the rich to give to the poor. Fifteen of the G-20

countries already have some form of securities transaction tax,

proving its feasibility. Modeling suggests that a tax as small as

10 basis points on equities and 2 basis points on bonds could

yield as much as $48 billion on a G-20 wide basis or $9 billion

US President Barack Obama (L) walks to greet the crowd next to French President Nicolas

Sarkozy after arriving at the G20 venue for a bilateral meeting before the start of the G20

Summit of Heads of State and Government in Cannes on November 3, 2011. Ph

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if confined to the larger European economies. [NOTE: One

basis point is equal to 1/100th of one percent.] The vital point

for Gates is that a portion of these revenues should be reserved

for investments in development.

Noting the close relationship between development and

climate change, Gates also considered the complex and con-

troversial issue of more explicit carbon pricing, reflecting the

long-term impact of carbon based fuels on climate change. He

advocated beginning to make necessary adjustments by intro-

ducing a tax on shipping and aviation fuel, estimated to yield

$37 billion and $27 billion in annual revenues respectively. “If

a modest portion of these revenues were devoted to helping

poor countries adapt to climate change,” he noted, “it would

protect the livelihoods of millions of very poor people.”

Critical to the Gates vision of 21st century global devel-

opment, however, is “bringing the private sector in.” Impact

investing designed simultaneously to meet developmental

goals and provide a financial return, Gates noted, is continu-

ing to expand and to encourage innovative business models.

International philanthropy is growing and paying close atten-

tion to the Millennium Development Goals [MDGs] adopted

by the United Nations. A small portion of sovereign wealth

funds held by states, Gates suggested, could be made available

for infrastructure development. Such an infrastructure fund

would need to provide returns at market-related rates even as

it offered concessional terms to borrower countries. Bridging

up the gap between these rates would be the role of multilat-

eral banks and leading donor states.

Diaspora communities, Gates observed, already contribute

to development through remittances to their home countries,

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but this process could be facilitated by lowering the transaction

costs of remittances. And diaspora direct investment oppor-

tunities could be encouraged by the development of national

development bonds issued by the home country. Israel and

India have experience with these bond programs, and several

other countries are planning to follow suit. Public capital can

also be leveraged to incentivize pointedly targeted research and

development. Thus, Advance Market Commitments have been

used to incentivize the development of a pneumonia vaccine

by guaranteeing buyers for a drug that did not yet exist. The

result? A visible market pulled private sector

investment and expertise, and the newly

developed vaccine is now being introduced

in more than three dozen countries.

Many of the Gates proposals are embed-

ded in the Final Declaration of the Cannes

summit, though the participants’ language

reflects commitments both more guarded

and more reluctant to pursue new revenue

sources for official development assistance

than the compendium of development rec-

ommendations Bill Gates offered. Few of the

Gates recommendations were new. Instead,

they reflected a combination of current best

practices and cutting edge ideas generated by

a variety of aid providers and investors. But

Gates gave these ideas cachet, a legitimacy

born of his “legend” – phenomenally success-

ful business leader and fabulously wealthy

philanthropist turned advocate for sustain-

able human development and responsible

economic growth.

What was vital about Bill Gates and his invitation to speak

at the G-20 summit is that he was literally “in the room.” He

might not have dispelled all the controversies that swirl around

development assistance and humanitarian relief programs, but

he reframed the terms of the debate where it counted and he

ensured that critical areas of global development would not be

buried in an avalanche of concern about economic stagnation

and public debt. He offered a new and encouraging vision of

public-private coordination to a summit that threatened to be

blinkered by the fears of recession.

The old binary distinctions of developed world and devel-

oping world, rich nations and poor nations, public and private,

Gates insisted, are becoming increasingly irrelevant. “As long

as we are creative and stay committed, we will spur growth, lift

people out of poverty, and reinforce the sources of strength that

have already generated so much progress.” That’s Bill Gates as

reassuring cheerleader, shaping a message to the comfort zones

of political leaders.

“If poor countries can’t feed, educate, and employ people,

their problems will get worse and they will be a source of

instability and deep suffering.” Robust economic growth, on

the other hand, “will help poor countries provide real oppor-

tunities for their citizens, so that over time these countries will

become a key part of the global supply and demand equation.

On the supply side, they will expand global production capac-

ity and help increase the availability and lower the price of

food and other vital commodities. On the demand side, they

will become important markets for global trade, as their people

live better more productive lives.” That’s Bill Gates as challeng-

ing visionary,

“If we take an appropriately long view, achieving the

MDGs [the Millennium Development Goals set forth by the

United Nations] in poor countries and increasing GDP within

the G-20 are not separate goals but complementary ones.”

Critics might say that this is the work of a magician or a cock-

eyed optimist. But, that’s Bill Gates at the work of reframing

the terms of global economic frictions and reimagining a global

economy focused on sustainable growth, technological innova-

tion, and quality of life. And that’s a message too often lost in

the current economic turmoil. n

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde gestures as she addresses a press conference during the second day of the G20 Summit on November 4, 2011 in Cannes, France.

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Lieutenant-General Guy Thibault, Inter-American Defense Board


There is some irony to the fact that the oldest defense organization in the

world, the Inter-American Defense Board (IADB), is also one of the least known. The IADB was founded in1942 by foreign ministers of 21 states as a collaborative protective effort among countries in the Western Hemisphere during World War II. During the Cold War era, the board’s member states stood as a united front against communism. But after the Cold War ceased being a threat, emphasis shift-ed from military control to civilian control and some people began questioning the relevance of a defense board. In response, the IADB has had to reinvent itself as a civilian-directed defense organization that offers techni-

cal and educational advice on military issues, particularly as they relate to the security concerns of a post 9/11 world. since 2006 the IADB has been an entity of the Organization of American states (OAs) with key areas of expertise in disaster relief, humanitarian assistance, demining activities and the Inter-Ameri-can Defense College (IADC). Representatives from 27 countries in North, Central and south America make up the Council of Delegates, which is the highest representative body of the IADB. With a mandate to foster cooperation through the sharing of information among delegate countries and their collective de-fense ministries and armed forces (army, navy and air), the council is led by a chair,

By Monica Frim


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historically a military officer of the United States until the IADB

joined the OAS, when the ensuing three leaders were Brazilian

officers. Now, for the first time, a Canadian, Lieutenant-Gener-

al Guy Thibault, is at the helm.

Diplomatic Connections interviewed General Thibault

in his office in the Casa del Soldado (House of the Soldier), a

Venetian Gothic style building that, before its military tie-in,

was known as the Pink Palace.

Diplomatic Connections: Over the years, the military

has had to soften its edges and become more civil-minded.

Still, it’s a bit incongruous that you have this beautiful office

with frescoes of cherubs on the ceiling. It just doesn’t go with a

traditional image of defense.

General Thibault: I am certain that in all the Canadian

Forces I am the only person who has a fresco of cherubs in his

office…. But I think that’s a way to think a little bit about the

changing role of the military in the hemisphere. I think quite

a bit about the changes we’ve seen in the Americas from the

Second World War to the Cold War and the influences of the

great powers: Russia and the United States and their stand-off.

In those days this board served very different purposes from

today. In a post Cold War context [we] look at new threats

to national security, whether that be transnational crime,

drugs, illegal migration, poverty, things that really threaten the

security of the states. A board like this also needs to adapt to

change. It’s important for us to make sure that the military and

the armed forces remain attuned to the real threats and chal-

lenges to our collective national security.

Diplomatic Connections: What are the ramifications of

having a military organization working under a civil organiza-

tion, such as the OAS, with civil-directed goals?

General Thibault: In our democratic system we’ve been

very accustomed to the notion of the military being subject to

civil control, so this is a totally natural relationship. As a mili-

tary officer I am very comfortable with receiving direction from

the civilian authorities, in this case from the General Assembly

of the Organization of American States. But I do recognize

that historically some countries have been through periods of

martial law or military dictatorships and that the trust bond

between the military and the civil authorities there is not where

we would want it to be. Having said that, I think that we’ve got

the right establishment now with the Inter-American Defense

Board as an entity of the Organization of American States. We

need to keep working on the civilian/military relationship, but

we’re on the right track.

Diplomatic Connections: In what ways does IADB add

value to the OAS?

General Thibault: We have the opportunity to bring

together all our different views to try to build towards a better

consensus on defense cooperation. One of the opportuni-

ties for this board in the 21st century is to help build bridges

between the nations, between the regions and the hemisphere

on issues that are increasingly complex. If we can move from

a competitive environment to a collaborative environment

maybe we’ll be helping to address some of the most daunting

security challenges that we face.

Diplomatic Connections: Are there any changes that

you would like to see in the dynamics between the OAS and

the IADB?

General Thibault: For sure. I think that the biggest

change that I would like to see is really the visibility of the

Inter-American Defense Board within the OAS. We are still

pretty much isolated from the OAS, both physically and within

their programs. We need to be more proactive on the IADB

side. I don’t think the OAS really needs to change too much.

They’ve got their hands full… I think it’s up to us to figure out

how we can help them with their problems and challenges.

Diplomatic Connections: What are some of the most

daunting security issues?

General Thibault: The new threats that we face are

non-state such as threats of terrorism, an ability to attack our

democracies in ways that were unthinkable in the past. There

are organizations that are transnational, criminal, ideological…

And we have threats that come from the situations we see in

the hemisphere: poverty, lack of education, lack of sufficient

Mr. Paul Heslop (UN), LGen Thibault (IADB) and Dr. Reyes (Uruguay)


services to provide for the public. And in those circumstances

you have the “Petri dish” of criminal or ideological elements

that take advantage… We see this in terms of evolution of

gangs, of drugs, narco-trafficking, transnational crime. While

we have a relatively peaceable hemisphere in terms of state-

on-state conflict, it is an area of very significant violence and

uncertainty for any citizen.

It’s a multidimensional problem. Defense and armed forces

can’t fix anything by itself. Stronger policing won’t fix anything

by itself. You need to be working on education, justice and

security. You need to be working on development and op-

portunities, and the economy all at the same time to address

these security challenges. I think the idea of multidimensional

security is really to try to characterize the nature of the threats

and then to have a comprehensive approach to dealing with

those threats…. It’s a problem we all need to confront.

Diplomatic Connections: What is the role of the military?

General Thibault: We have capabilities within our armed

forces that need to be brought to bear in support of govern-

ments’ actions—from logistics with planning, for administra-

tion, for the whole context of the discipline that comes from

a group of folks that work together to achieve some very clear

objectives; whether it be in Colombia or Mexico where we can

see operations being employed by the government against the

criminal elements. Brazil is also very active in the favelas in

Rio. This is a demonstration of an evolution in our thinking

about how to use the military and use our unique capabilities

to confront security threats in a new, modern way.

Diplomatic Connections: What about disaster aid?

General Thibault: I think that this is the one area,

perhaps it’s the only area, where there’s actually very wide

agreement among all of the nations about the need for us to

continue to look for and enhance our military response in hu-

manitarian assistance situations after disasters. Every problem

of a certain magnitude becomes beyond the local capacity to

respond. I think that the job for us at the level of the OAS is to

make sure that when something truly is a major disaster that

the coordination mechanisms are well established, that we’ve

got the procedures down pat, that we know how to respond

and how to facilitate that response from across the hemisphere.

I think the board can help bring together the necessary insti-

tutional arrangements — political, operational, and national

— to really make sure that we’re all working together when

a disaster happens. Because when a disaster happens is the

wrong time to actually start working on these things.

Diplomatic Connections: In some ways disaster unites

everyone with a common goal.

General Thibault: That’s exactly right and it’s a great point

to make because when you’re all unified it’s much easier to

work together towards a common goal. The problem for the

D I P L O M A T I C C O N N E C T I O N S B U S I N E S S E D I T I O N | J A N U A r y - F E B r U A r y 2 0 1 2 35

Inter-American Defense Board is the question, what unifies

us? What can we all agree on? The multidimensional aspect to

the threats means that you also have multidimensional ideas

about how to confront those threats. That means we’ve got to

continue to search out those areas where we do have common

ground, where we do agree and use that to continue to build

better cooperation and better linkages between our countries.

Because we do have lots to learn from each other.

Diplomatic Connections: Can you give an example?

General Thibault: Uruguay. On the surface a country

like Canada has very little in common with Uruguay. But,

upon further consideration, we have a very common link in

terms of our peace support operations, the United Nations

peacekeeping missions. Uruguay per capita is the number one

peacekeeping contributing nation in the world. Did you know

that? The peacekeepers in Uruguay—the military—have a very

deep sense of multilateralism, multinational operations, and

peace support operations. So we have lots to learn from Uru-

guay. While we don’t have a unifying set of strategic concepts

here to guide us, we do agree on the nature of the threat. That

should be our motivation to seek out those areas where we can

build cooperation. We need to adapt. We need to continue to

respond.

Diplomatic Connections: What are some other things

the delegates of the IADB can learn from each other?

General Thibault: The thing that I’m very mindful of is

that we all have such different starting points and different

political systems. But we can all learn from the capabilities

that others have developed in response to their own unique

challenges. For example, in 1967 Canada went from 3

separate compartments of the armed forces, navy and air

force to a single unified force, an integrated force, within our

civilian defense ministry. Many countries are still struggling

with this [concept]. Only now are they creating their own

kinds of unified force structures and we’ve been operating in

that model now for more than 50 years. In that perspective,

our experience is useful.

But in Canada we’re very accustomed to working in very

cold climates—we don’t have a lot of experience in tropi-

cal climates. Many countries in the southern cone have very

advanced skills in terms of their ability to work in tropical cli-

mates, in jungle climates. We never know where we are going

to be employed next. So the Inter-American Defense Board also

plays a role in terms of identifying opportunities for each of the

countries to ask questions like: What can we learn from Brazil

and their operations in the favela? What can we learn from

Mexico with respect to the war on the cartels? What can we

learn from Chile in terms of their response to the earthquake?

Learning from each other is one of the most valuable parts of

the network that we have.

Diplomatic Connections: What do you see as your

number one priority?

General Thibault: To raise the profile of the IADB. If I

can raise the profile to stir the imagination of 27 countries in

one permanent place that can bring together all those different

perspectives the rest just takes care of itself.

It’s a very competitive market out there for people’s time,

energy and attention. So I really appreciate the opportunity to

sit down with you. I think it’s important for me to outreach, to

explain. It is such an interesting hemisphere, such interesting

people that I’m getting a chance to work with. It’s a real privi-

lege for me to be a spokesman, a bit of a military ambassador,

not for Canada, but for the Organization of American States

and the Inter-American Defense Board. I never imagined about

a year ago where my life would take me but, I believe I am

very fortunate to have been given this opportunity and I am

really looking forward to my next year and a half as I continue

to work with all the countries to really position this board for

the 21st century.

Diplomatic Connections: Thank you, General

Thibault. nCouncil of Delegates


It’s not always easy to find agreement among 27 dispa-

rate countries where language and cultural diversity

can hinder as much as educate, but when it comes to

humanitarian aid, all the member states of the Inter-American

Defense Board (IADB) have a shared objective: to rid the

western hemisphere of mines.

Today the armed forces are not so much about war as they

are about security and humanitarian aid. Under the aegis of

the Organization of American States (OAS), the IADB is com-

mitted to supporting and enhancing humanitarian demining

programs in the western hemisphere, indeed the world, so that

people everywhere can move safely and live free of fear.

Toward those means the IADB coordinates monitoring

personnel selected by member countries in support of the

safety and international mine-action standards outlined in the

Ottawa Treaty (also known as the Mine Ban Treaty) of 1997.

This treaty called for the safe removal of all anti-personnel

mines, including those stockpiled, and for an end to their

production and development. It also stipulated mutual aid

among countries in meeting their treaty obligations and for

each country to provide assistance to its victims of mines.

The IADB coordinates the military and civilian skills

of its member countries and collaborates with national and

international organizations that have an interest in demining

issues. Through the Board’s support of the Acción Integral

Contra las Minas Antipersonal (AICMA), a program of the

OAS, it assists countries in developing and furthering their

own humanitarian demining programs.

AICMA implements resolutions passed by the 34-mem-

ber states of the OAS on humanitarian demining issues—

from assisting in removing anti-personnel mines, educating

mine-affected communities about the locations of mines,

providing vocational training as well as medical and psycho-

logical assistance to mine victims, to destroying stockpiles

of mines in the Americas. Through the efforts of AICMA in

collaboration with the IADB, the Assistance Mission for Mine

Clearance in Central America and other international and

nongovernmental organizations, Central America became the

first region in the world to be declared free of mines in 2010.

Today Ecuador, Peru and Colombia are the target areas

of demining activities and the job is not easy. All three coun-

tries harbor difficult terrain — mountains, jungles and dense

vegetation — or changeable weather conditions that make

access difficult and dangerous. But despite these formidable

obstacles to transportation of machinery and personnel, mak-

ing the western hemisphere free of anti-personnel mines is,

ostensibly, an achievable goal.

At a recent conference on demining hosted by the IADB,

keynote speaker Walter K. Earle, Principal Director for the

Office of Western Hemisphere Affairs, provided an overview

By Monica Frim


of the IADB’s demining initiative: “The Inter-American Defense

Board has made great strides in the area of demining over the

years, working in coordination with the Group of Inter-Ameri-

can Monitors in Colombia and the Assistance Mission for Mine

Clearance in South America… This has allowed for serious

progress in mine clearance throughout the hemisphere, includ-

ing the border between Ecuador and Peru, and in Colombia.”

Colonel Clevis Pedro Cruz Melo of the Brazilian Army

and Head of the Assistance Mission for the Removal of Mines

in South America concurs. He is proud that since 2003 there

have been no accidents related to the demining processes in

Ecuador and Peru and optimistically envisions those coun-

tries to be free of mines by 2017. It’s a tall order for two

historically feuding countries to lay aside their differences

(the border dispute was settled by the signing of a peace

agreement in 1998), but it’s also a clear demonstration of the

power of collaboration. Through their joint demining pro-

grams, Colonel Cruz Melo says Ecuador and Peru are imple-

menting a mutual confidence in bilateral integration, security,

socio-economic benefits and a consolidation of democracy.

While mine clearance workers in Peru and Ecuador

concentrate their efforts along their common border, Colombia

focuses on its interior. Captain Normando Bona do Nascimen-

to of the Brazilian Navy and Chief of Mission in Colombia, in

his presentation at the IADB conference on demining, spoke of

the widespread laying of mines throughout the country. Even

though Colombia has eliminated its own stockpile of anti-per-

sonnel mines, many areas are still not accessible to mine clear-

ance workers because of the dangers posed by illegal armed

groups who are now concentrating their efforts on improvised

explosive devices (IEDs), which are not included in the Ottawa

Treaty. In addition, Colombia’s three mountain ranges hinder

accessibility and the use of large, laborsaving machines. Even

helicopters are problematic because fog can roll in with very

little warning. And workers have difficulty setting up camp in

areas of heavy rainfall and unstable ground where fallen trees

can impede paths and transportation. So workers often use

donkeys and manual mine clearance techniques—painstak-

ing approaches to a problem that comprises 9,532 victims at

an average of 1.26 victims a day (at the time of the demin-

ing conference in November). While there are more military

victims (0.8 per day) than civilian victims (one every two days)

— largely agricultural workers, children playing,

people taking short cuts and normal traffic

— the sheer number of total victims lends urgency to interna-

tional collaboration on eradicating anti-personnel mines.

Toward those means and despite geographic and climatic

impediments, Colombia’s internal demining engine, the Presi-

dential Program for Comprehensive Action against Anti-Per-

sonnel Mines (PAICMA – for its Spanish acronym), in alliance

with various non-governmental and international partnerships,

is making headway in all aspects of locating, removing and de-

stroying mines, and providing educational and medical assis-

tance to victims. Thirty-five military bases have been rendered

safe of mines. People are slowly returning to their lands.

As a compelling demonstration of national solidarity, Cap-

tain Bona do Nascimento showed a slide depicting a national

campaign in which people raised one pant leg to show their

support for those maimed by anti-personnel

mines

and for the

ongoing efforts to

eradicate mines. Coupled

with another heart rending

photograph of victims with

missing limbs and the sober-

ing words of “Nuestra mission:

salvar vidas” (Our mission:

to save lives), Captain Bona do

Nascimento left no doubt that

there is a tremendous need

for the member states, indeed

the entire world, to focus and

funnel their efforts towards the

eradication of all anti-personnel

mines. It is the only hope for

peace and security in our

hemisphere. n


“The Belgians care about us,” commented

Battle of the Bulge veteran Robert Bowles, Jr.

to guests at the December 15 reception at the

Belgian Embassy. Bowles, 87, from Fayette-

ville, south Carolina, was among the sixty plus

members of the Battle of the Bulge Association

to attend the holiday buffet hosted by Belgian

Ambassador and Mrs. Jan Matthysen at their

Foxhall Road residence.

Fêting these World War II veterans has be-

come an annual tradition at the Belgian Embassy.

And with good reason. The commemoration of

the veterans’ wartime experiences has become

one of the most important bonds in the Belgian-

American friendship.

The Battle of the Bulge, which lasted from

December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, was

the largest land battle involving U.s. forces in

World War II. More than a million Allied troops

fought in the battle across the Ardennes; more

than 19,000 U.s. troops were killed in action.


Ambassador Matthysen reminisced about this monumen-

tal battle for freedom that took place on Belgian and Luxem-

bourg soil 67 years ago: Those who fought in that long, cold,

fierce battle were so involved in the daunting task of routing

the enemy that they probably did not have time to consider

their role as peace-makers. With hindsight, however, we

know that they did make a significant contribution to win-

ning the war and to creating lasting peace in Europe. He

emphasized the respect in which Belgium holds the veterans,

the country’s gratitude for their accomplishments and the

need to keep alive the memory of the Battle of the Bulge. We

continue to honor the fallen and to celebrate the survivors,

he told his guests.

The stately, 18th century style Belgian residence was

definitely in celebratory mode for the occasion, resplendent

with Christmas lights and red, green and gold decorations,

all positioned with exceptional artistic flair by Mrs. Agnes

Matthysen, wife of the Ambassador.

A highlight of the reception came when the Ambassador

announced that a special Belgian award, the Fourragère 1940,

had been bestowed on three veterans who were part of a unit

cited twice in the Daily Orders of the Belgian Army for heroic

actions during the Battle of the Bulge: Mr. Sossio E. (Pat)

Capasso, Mr. Ted Hauprichts and Mr. Harry E. McCracken.

Joined by Major General Michael Eyre, representing the U.S.

Army, the Ambassador presented the citations along with the

Fourragères — three braided cords of red and green which are

worn over the sleeve of a military uniform. Warm and sus-

tained applause followed. The national anthems of the United

States and Belgium were then sung, the latter rendered in both

Dutch and French by the talented Mrs. Astrid Belliot.

During the reception many guests had the opportunity to

individually thank the veterans for their service. Among the

dignitaries in attendance were Ambassador of Luxembourg

Jean-Paul Senninger, Ambassador of the European Union Joao

de Almeida, former U.S. Ambassador to Belgium Tom Korolo-

gos, General Jim Jones and Major General Michael Eyre.

Upon arrival at the residence, guests were greeted with

holiday songs performed by the Madrigals of Walter Johnson

High School, Bethesda, Maryland, under the direction of Choral

Director, Isabel Hernandez-Cata. Throughout the reception,

the singers, sometimes solo, sometimes in small groups,

serenaded the veterans with songs popular in the 1940’s.

The veterans were treated to a buffet of Belgian comfort

food including beef stew, hunter’s chicken stew, Brussels

sprouts and Belgian endive salad, prepared by residence Chef

Jan Van Haute, who also hand-made all of the chocolate

decorations adorning the dinning room.

The now elderly veterans appreciated the holiday cheer

and, more importantly, the overriding message of the evening:

Belgium will never forget those who fought in the Battle of

the Bulge. n


Last U.S. Armed forces Are Withdrawn from Iraq, Leaving Behind Massive U.S. Embassy and Shifting Responsibility from the Defense Department to the State Department

President and Mrs. Obama recently welcomed U.s. forces

home from service in Iraq at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Their greeting to the forces returning to Fort Bragg repre-

sented a thank you to all the U.s. forces returning home,

often from serial deployments in Iraq, and those continu-

ing to serve in Afghanistan. “For nearly nine years,” the

President recalled, “our nation has been at war in Iraq.

And you -— the incredible men and women of Fort Bragg

” have been there every step of the way, serving with

honor, sacrificing greatly, from the first waves of the inva-

sion to some of the last troops to come home. so, as your

Commander-in-Chief, and on behalf of a grateful nation,

I’m proud to finally say these two words, and I know

your families agree: Welcome home!”

Joining the President in this welcome home, Mrs.

Obama reemphasized the theme of sacrifice and under-

scored the importance of families and loved ones. “I am

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overwhelmed and proud,” she said, “because I know the level

of strength and commitment that you all display every single

day. Whenever this country calls, you all are the ones who

answer, no matter the circumstance, no matter the danger,

no matter the sacrifice.” But, Mrs. Obama did not stop there,

“And I know that you do not do this just as soldiers, not just

as patriots,” she added, “but as fathers and mothers, as broth-

ers and sisters, as sons and daughters. And I know that while

your children, your spouses, your parents and siblings might

not wear uniforms, they serve right alongside you.”

Welcoming the troops home from Iraq was the easy part

of the President’s task. Understanding the lessons of the war

and making meaning of its aftermath is the more difficult,

the more controversial task, and one of critical importance.

“Those last American troops will move south on desert sands,

and they will cross the border out of Iraq with their heads

held high. One of the most extraordinary chapters in the his-

tory of the American military will come to an end. Iraq’s fu-

ture will be in the hands of its people. America’s war in Iraq

will be over.” With these words, President Obama framed

the withdrawal of American forces in terms of a moment of

transition for the American presence in Iraq and a moment of

opportunity for the people of Iraq.

Trying to shape what will be the American memory of this

Iraq War, as distinct from the earlier war waged under Presi-

dent George H.W. Bush that displaced the Iraqi occupation

of Kuwait, President Obama acknowledged a reality that is at

once cliché and easily overlooked. “It is harder to end a war

than begin one.” He continued his remarks by offering his as-

sessment of the American experience in Iraq. “Everything that

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American troops have done in Iraq -,” the President observed,

“all the fighting and all the dying, the bleeding and the build-

ing, the training and the partnering - all of it has led to this

moment of success. Now, Iraq is not a perfect place. It has

many challenges ahead. But we’re leaving behind a sovereign,

stable and self-reliant Iraq, with a representative government

that was elected by its people. We’re building a new partner-

ship between our nations. And we are ending a war not with a

final battle, but with a final march toward home.”

The President recalled the tenuous progress of a war

that seemed continually to teeter on the brink of momentary

success and long-term frustration, able to influence events

in Iraq but never to shape them to America’s vision, able to

encourage the building of a new and united Iraqi nation,

but never able to overcome historical, cultural, and religious

divides among the Iraqi people. He recalled the early days

of the war when American troops broke “the back of a brutal

dictator in less than a month;” the grind of the insurgency

when “your will proved stronger than the terror of those who

tried to break it;” the specter of sectarian violence when, in

the face of ancient divisions, “you stood firm to help those

Iraqis who put their faith in the future;” the Surge and the

Awakening “when the abyss of chaos turned toward the

promise of reconciliation . . . and you helped to turn the tide

toward peace;” and the handing over of responsibility to the

Iraqis when “you preserved the gains of the last four years

and made this day possible.” That is the narrative of the war

through American eyes . . . for the moment.

The final withdrawal of American forces, however, leaves

behind a myriad of controversies. Some of them fueled by

the current presidential election cycle, some of them fu-

eled by political partisanship, and some of them fueled by

deep concerns about the future of Iraq’s government and the

broader questions of regional security in the Middle East and

along the vital energy supply lines that traverse the Strait of

Hormuz. Critical voices worry that the withdrawal of Ameri-

can forces from Iraq leaves behind deep instabilities in Iraq

that will encourage renewed separatist voices of regional and

sectarian conflict that threaten to divide the nation and create

a vacuum that neighboring Iran — with its theocratic rulers

and nuclear ambitions — will fill.

In that scenario a continued American presence would

be necessary, as the U.S. forces transformed from occupying

forces, to peace enforcers, to peace makers, to nation stabiliz-

ers and regional security enhancers. Neo-conservative foreign

policy commentators once envisioned an independent, friendly

Iraq modeled on the post-World War II relationship between

the United States and Germany, where Iraq would allow a

substantial and continuing American military presence at bases

scattered throughout the country that would serve as markers

in any future threat to Iraqi or regional security. That vision

was probably always a reach too far and ignored the reality that

though American forces might be accepted as liberators they

were unlikely to be long accepted as occupiers.

As the last American forces are withdrawn from Iraq, this

controversy has reshaped itself around two questions. First,

why was the United States, or rather the Obama administra-

tion, unable to reach a Status of Forces Agreement [SOFA]

with the government of Iraqi Prime minister Nouri Al-Maliki

that would have permitted a continued American military

presence in Iraq? Second, recognizing that the United States

is leaving behind in Iraq the largest American embassy and

embassy staff anywhere in the world, how will we account

for their safety and security if the situation in Iraq deterio-

rates? And a corollary question, how can those American

personnel charged with helping to build a new Iraqi nation

accomplish their mission barricaded behind fortified walls

and surrounded by contract security personnel whenever

they venture outside the walls of their compound? [NOTE:

There will also be large scale American Consulates in Erbil in

the North, effectively an embassy to the Kurds, and in Basra

in the South, effectively an embassy to the Shia populace and

the oil fields. Both require substantial American personnel

and civilian security details.]

These are questions answered more by hope than by

certainty. And these are the sorts of questions discussed by

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President Obama and Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki dur-

ing the Iraqi leader’s recent visit to Washington. President

Obama characterized the on-going U.S.-Iraqi relationship as “a

normalization of the relationship. We will have a strong friend

and partner in Iraq; they will have a strong friend and partner

in us, but as one based on Iraqi sovereignty and one based

on equal partnerships of mutual interest and mutual respect.”

Both leaders emphasized that the 2009 Strategic Framework

Agreement between the two countries will form the basis for

a productive and collaborative relationship that will expand

Iraq’s economy, shape Iraqi security around close collaboration

with the United States including equipment purchases and

training of personnel, and encourage the growth of Iraq as a

unified state that can provide a model of stability in the region.

The Strategic Framework Agreement includes a Joint Co-

ordination Committee which will oversee the work of, in the

words of Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, “building

a self-reliant Iraq with a government that is able to serve the

needs of the Iraqi people.” “Our new beginning,” she contin-

ued, “is founded in mutual understanding, shared interests,

and mutual respect for each other as sovereign equals. Iraq

is in charge of its own security, and it stands as an important

example of democracy in a region experiencing historic trans-

formation and democratic transition.” Her Iraqi counterpart,

Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, insisted that, “Iraq is com-

mitted to an enduring partnership with the United States on

the basis of the Strategic Framework Agreement, which is very

comprehensive. It provides both countries ways for mutual

cooperation in the future in many fields.” He added, “Madam

Secretary, we think the withdrawal of American forces in Iraq

does not mean the withdrawal of U.S. presence and friendship

and influence in Iraq. We believe that will continue but in

different forms, not through military or security means, [but]

through civilian and diplomatic means.”

Words are thin reeds on which to base international

security and economic relationships, but they are the stuff of

diplomacy . . . to be backed up by deeds. The longest war

in Iraq has left the United States with many lessons and even

more questions. We have developed whole new vocabular-

ies of warfare beginning with the catastrophic consequences

of IEDs [Improvised Explosive Devices] and the difficulties of

defending against them, learning new means of troop protec-

tion in the field and discovering new ways of dealing with the

outrages of amputation and head trauma to the human body,

shifting some of the exposure of highly trained forces to danger

by developing drone aircraft and robots to carryout dangerous

missions of reconnaissance, interdiction, and bomb disposal.

And, we have learned in new ways the extraordinary costs of

war, not just in dollar terms but also in human terms.

The lessons of the Iraq War will be long debated and

much questioned, as they should be. Questions about the

necessity of the war and its conduct, not to mention its after-

math, will be endless. The future of Iraq will be very much

in question for years to come, and alternative futures will

be much discussed. There will be understandable fears that

violence might flare yet again, that Iraq will disintegrate into

separate regions each seeking its own sovereignty, that United

States forces might again be called to intervene. Uncertainty

will abound. But the last U.S. military forces have been with-

drawn and a new era of relations between the United States

and Iraq has begun. There will be many frustrations and

fears on both sides, but a corner has been turned. A peculiar

episode of Iraqi and American history has come to an end . . .

and a new beginning.

Borrowing a poetic pattern from T.S. Elliot’s poem, “The

Hollow Men,” which dealt with the chaotic and unstable

aftermath the Allied victory ending World War I in Europe,

and applying it to the long American involvement in Iraq:

This is the way the war ends, not with shock and awe,

But with an acknowledgement of mistakes past and a bevy of unanswered questions,

With a deep appreciation of the sacrifices our forces and their families made,

With only a partial awareness of how the social order of Iraq was torn by war, and little acknowledgement

of the loss of Iraqi lives and livelihood,

With a growing recognition that though a dictator was toppled, a stable government and a functioning

democracy is not the inevitable result;

With a reminder that it is difficult, if not impossible, for a superpower to impose its will on an

independent people with different historical experiences and cultural norms;

With the fresh insight that there are unseen wounds of war that affect not only the physical but the

mental health of warriors and non-combatants caught in combat alike;

With a heightened sense of irony and a new respect for unintended consequences;

With the renewed discovery that power has its limits;

Not with shock and awe, but with a sense of relief that, for the moment at least, this war is over. n


The British Embassy in Washington welcomed a group of

schoolchildren and their families to the Embassy for a

ceremony celebrating Hanukkah, the Jewish festival of lights.

British Ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald thanked the

students and their parents for joining Embassy staff to observe

the second night of Hanukkah, and read a statement from

Lord Jonathan Sacks, the Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew

Congregations of the Commonwealth.

“Unlike the Jews living centuries ago,” the message read,

“today we are blessed to live in a society that allows us to share

our light instead of trying to suppress it. We are fortunate to be

able to practise our Judaism in public, and to light our Chanukah

lights at the heart of the capital city of a nation of tolerance.”

The students in attendance are fourth-graders at the Jewish

Primary Day School of the Nation’s Capitol. They are studying

cultures of all nations, and performed a variety of traditional and

international songs at the Embassy.

Hanukkah began on 20 December and continued through the

night of 27 December. nBritish Ambassador Sir Nigel Sheinwald speaking about Hanukkah at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.


Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge

with Prince Harry attended the Annual sun Military Awards

in December at the Imperial Wax Museum in London. They

were eager to attend as to properly acknowledge and pub-

licly display their utmost respect towards the British men

and women who so strongly and bravely serve the armed

forces. They were greatly humbled by the stories told of

sacrifice, immeasurable strength, valor and courage while

continuously and unwaveringly sustaining unimaginable

psychological & emotional endurance. Facing the every-

day unknown circumstances that war so readily brings, sto-

ries were told that brought the Princes and Duchess to the

brink of great emotion. The royal couple along with Prince

Harry expressed their complete admiration and gratitude of

the steadfastness and unyielding fortitude of their nation’s

bravest men and women. n

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Britan’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, arrive with Prince Harry to attend ‘A Night of Heros’ — the annual Sun Military Awards, to honor members of the British armed forces in London.


Government enjoyed an opportunity not only to tout the virtues of scotland as investment opportunity and tourist destination but to enlist the loyalties of Americans in its efforts to revitalize scot-tish identity for a new century. The st. Andrew’s Day celebration — officially designated as November 30 — has been intentionally revived and energized by the scottish Government as a celebration of all things scottish and as part of the effort to build scotland’s national identity and strengthen its economy. scottish pride abounded as in Robin Naysmith’s, scottish Government Counsellor in North America’s, greeting: “Those of you who have been subjected

Washington scots and friends of scotland were piped into the Museum of Women and the Arts

as they gathered recently to celebrate st. Andrew’s Day, scotland’s national day honoring st. Andrew as patron saint of the scots. The evening produced a daz-zling display of tartans rakishly worn as highland clan dress in the form of kilts or creatively woven into evening cocktail attire. Those gathered enjoyed a wide selection of scottish foods, modern ver-sions of traditional scottish music, and a scotch tasting that reminded the gath-ered of the virtues as well as the varieties of one of scotland’s most lucrative and pleasurable exports. And the scottish

By James A. Winship, Ph.D.


Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and

External Affairs in the Scottish Government of

First Minister of Scotland


to one of my speeches before will know that I would normally

use this occasion to shamelessly promote how Scotland invent-

ed the modern world and everything in it. I’m talking about

the steam engine, the television, the telephone, fax machines,

radar, penicillin, anesthetics, ultrasound and MRI scanners,

the decimal point, the ATM, Dolly the sheep, James Bond (the

best ever James Bond), Harry Potter, golf, and of course our

national drink. But, I’m not going to do that!”

Scotland’s national flag, a diagonal white cross against a blue

background, recalls the martyrdom of St. Andrew, an apostle

of Jesus Christ who is said to have brought

Christianity to large parts of Asia Minor and

Greece. Saint Andrew’s bones

were entombed by the Emperor

Constantine in his capital city,

Constantinople. Legend has it,

however, that a Greek monk —

St. Rule — was told in a dream

that Saint Andrew’s bones were

to be removed from Constanti-

nople. In order to protect the

memory of St. Andrew,

the monk was told to

remove the bones from

the tomb and take them

as far away as possible.

That place turned out to

be Scotland. The tradition

of St. Andrew’s presence in

Scotland grew to a point

where the town of St.

Andrews, which saw the

building of the Cathedral

of St. Andrews in 1160,

became a Christian pilgrimage site and center of education and

culture. Though tradition has long recognized St. Andrew’s Day,

it was only in 2007 that the Scottish Parliament designated it as

an official bank holiday and encouraged the widespread flying of

the Scottish flag on public buildings.

It was the theme of Scottish national identity that guest of

honor, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External

Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, picked up in her formal remarks. She

began by acknowledging greetings sent by U.S. Secretary of

State, Hillary Rodham Clinton, who noted how the United

States has been enriched by Scottish influences since its found-

ing. “For more than two centuries,” Secretary Clinton recalled,

“we have enjoyed strong ties of kinship, commerce, culture,

and discovery. Today, we are working together to develop

scientific breakthroughs, promote business, encourage energy

security, and expand educational opportunities. As you

celebrate this special day, know that the United States is a

partner and friend.”

To build on this Scotland-U.S. friendship and to un-

derscore her multiple messages regarding Scottish national

identity, Ms. Hyslop used the occasion to announce that she

would present the U.S. National Archives with a rare copy

of Scotland’s Declaration of Arbroath, which was signed in

1320 as a statement of Scottish identity and

a call for Scottish independence from English

dominion. She noted that

several scholars believe

that the Declaration of

Arbroath, which included

an early statement of the

idea of popular sover-

eignty, wherein the power

of a king is seen as deriv-

ing from the consent of a

people, and an assertion

of freedom as a natural

right, served as one of the

models for the American

Declaration of Indepen-

dence. “Never will we be

brought under English

rule,” the Declaration of

Arbroath avers. “It is in

truth not for glory, nor

riches, nor honors that we are

fighting, but for freedom – for that

alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself.”

Maintaining a lighter tone for the evening, Ms. Hyslop

observed that, “Our history is, in part, your history. These two

documents shared common sentiments, values, and aspirations

for our two nations. Now, interestingly, where our Scottish

declaration of 1320 talked of life and liberty, it wasn’t until

1776 that America thought to add, ‘the pursuit of happiness.’

So thank you very much, America!” Using these historic

documents as a bridge between past and future and between

national identities, Ms. Hyslop continued, “Noting our shared

history, Scotland’s sights are now firmly fixed on the future.

My government believes that future should be in the hands of

the people of Scotland. And, our number one priority must be

to increase sustainable economic growth. As our single largest

John Bellassai, St. Andrew’s Society of Washington, DC

and Donald Draper Campbell, Society of Scottish Armigers

Carolyn Wakulchik and Angus Sutherland


overseas and tourism market, worth nearly £5 billion per annum,

the USA is vital to Scotland’s future and our prosperity.”

The Scotland Act of 1998, approved by the Parliament of the

United Kingdom (Westminster) created a Scottish Parliament for

the first time since 1707. The new Scottish Government, though

limited primarily to control over domestic policy, moved rapidly

to develop Scotland’s unique national identity and to move toward

creating a sustainable and growing Scottish economy. Initially

fueled by the discovery of North Sea oil in the 1970s, calls for

greater Scottish autonomy or even national independence originat-

ed in the feeling that, “It’s Scotland’s oil.” In the ensuing decades,

however, Scotland has carefully developed its national identity in

ways that deemphasize oil revenues and emphasize cultural iden-

tity and broad based economic growth instead.

The symbols of Scots national identity – the flag of St.

Andrew and St. Andrew’s Day, the legacy of Robert Burns, the

wearing of the tartans, the symbolism of the Declaration of

Arbroath – have received new life as emblems of Scottish energy,

aspiration, and accomplishment. Cabinet Minister Hyslop’s St.

Andrew’s Day visit to Washington underscored these themes

with an understated but real political message, a joyful celebra-

tion of Scottish culture and heritage, and a wee dram of the

Scotch whisky that makes Scotland renowned and contributes

substantially to the Scottish economy. Don’t doubt it for a sec-

ond because the export of Scotch whisky — 1.1 billion bottles

worth over $5.5 billion in 2010 — contributes $175 per

second to the Scottish economy!

It will be years before the world knows whether Scot-

land is to become a sovereign nation-state in its own right

or whether the politics of a referendum on independence

“scotches” that idea. What is eminently clear, however,

is that Scotland’s national identity is being strength-

ened substantially by the combination of historic pride;

cultural creativity; a significant resource endowment

strongly skewed toward the continuing development of

energy resources – old, North Sea oil, and new, tapping

wind and tidal potentials; technological advancements;

strengthened export industries and inward foreign investment;

and devolved political power.

Whether that adds up to political independence, greater

regional autonomy, or a stronger voice within a renewed United

Kingdom remains the object of speculation. What is undeniable,

however, is that Scotland is emerging as a valued economic part-

ner, a unique voice in United Kingdom and European politics,

an important player in the development of renewable energy

resources alongside its hydrocarbon endowment, and a critical

partner in regional security in the North Sea region and beyond.

Scottish band Barluath from The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland


Fiona Hyslop is Cabinet Secretary for Culture and

External Affairs in the Scottish Government of First Minister

of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party, Alex

Salmond. Since Scotland is a part of the United Kingdom

and not currently a sovereign state in its own right, Ms. Hys-

lop is the closest thing Scotland has to a Minister of Foreign

Affairs or Secretary of State. Her dual portfolio including both

culture and external affairs makes Ms. Hyslop custodian of

Scottish identity – past, present, and future - and a strong

advocate for Scottish independence.

Ms. Hyslop is currently a member of the Scottish Parlia-

ment for Linlithgow. She was born in Irvine, Ayrshire and

was educated at Alloway Primary School and Ayr Academy. A

graduate of the University of Glasgow with an MA (Hons) in

Economic History and Sociology, Ms. Hyslop also completed

a post-graduate degree in industrial administration from the

Scottish College of Textiles. She joined the Scottish National

Party in 1986 and was active in the party’s youth wing, Young

Scots for Independence. She stood as an SNP candidate in

District and Regional Council elections and as a candidate in

the 1992 and 1997 UK general elections.

Ms Hyslop first stood for election to the newly consti-

tuted Scottish Parliament in 1999. When the SNP formed

a minority government in 2007, Ms. Hyslop was appointed

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning. She

was named Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs

in 2011.

We are grateful that the Cabinet Secretary saw fit to set

aside time in her whirlwind Washington schedule to meet

with Diplomatic Connections.

Diplomatic Connections: Please tell us about your

portfolio as Minister of Culture and External Affairs. As you

say, you work both ways, reaching out to North America and

to Europe.

Ms. Hyslop: Culture and external affairs have always

been together in our government because we see culture very

A Cabinet Secretary With a Brief for Telling Scotland’s Story

and Promoting Scotland’s National Government . . . Within or

Without the United Kingdom

much as part and parcel of who we are as a nation. It’s part of

our identity. And external affairs is where we are as a player

in the world. So, I have the best job in the government. It’s

about who we are, where we are, and where we want to be.

Culture is not added on extra, it’s about sense of identity that

can be expressed in many of different ways. But, in terms

of the work that I do internationally, culture is very much a

part of it. It’s heritage: sharing that heritage we have with the

Archives here in the United States. We’re very conscious of

our past, but we’ve got our eyes on the future.

Diplomatic Connections: Your party [the Scottish

Nationalist Party] and the government of which you’re now

a part won it’s election decisively back in May, after serving

previously as a minority government, in part by promising a

referendum on Scottish independence or a greater degree of

regional autonomy (“devolution plus”) apart from or under

the broad umbrella of the United Kingdom. Why indepen-

dence for Scotland?

Ms. Hyslop: Well, Scotland has always had a distinct

identity. It’s been an independent nation in the past. But,

more importantly now, we [the SNP government] think that

independence is really the best solution to drive forward

economic growth and to deliver the type of country we want.

We’re a creative nation. We’re rich in heritage. We’re contrib-

uting to the world, and we want to do more. We are primed

James Winship, Ph.D., Diplomatic Connections interviewing Cabinet Secretary Hyslop


to be a modern independent state.

Were it to be an independent state, Scotland would

be the sixth state in the world in terms of GDP per capita.

We’ve got tremendous economic options, and we want to

contribute to things like climate change legislation. We

always have ideas we want to share, and we think we can

do that best as an independent country. And, it’s also about

self-respect. You know the States wanted its independence,

Canada got its independence, India, Syria wanted their inde-

pendence. I think some forty-seven different countries have

achieved their independence from what was the old British

Empire. There’s a time to stay in the past, and there’s a time

to move forward. And, we think that the Scottish people are

ready to move forward.

Diplomatic Connections: The Scottish MPs in the

Westminster Parliament have been more hesitant about the

idea of separation, haven’t they?

Ms. Hyslop: The Scottish people voted for the Scottish

National Party decisively in May 2011, and our elections

have given us a mandate. They liked our

record as a government. They thought we were

very, very competent. They liked our team.

We were very collegial in our approach. But

also, they liked our vision. We have a vision

for Scotland. And, when difficult times come

in a recession, our goals and some of Scotland’s

key industries will help drive us through . .

. areas like renewable energy. We have 25%

of Europe’s off-shore renewable energy, and

substantial wave or tidal power. There are

fantastic opportunities for economic growth.

We’re quite positive about the viability of

the case as to why Scotland should be indepen-

dent. And, unfortunately, there are some who

are willing to settle for the status quo and have

been somewhat negative in their approach.

And, I think some people are responding to

these negative concerns or fears. They want

to make sure that we present a positive case

for independence, and we’ll do so. But, many

things will stay the same; there will be continu-

ity in lots of different areas. But, there’s a new

chapter. You can’t simply look to maintain the

past, you have to be moving toward the future.

Diplomatic Connections: What about

the referendum itself? Has it been scheduled,

or when will it be scheduled?

Robin Naysmith, Scottish Government Counsellor,

North America


Ms. Hyslop: Before the election, which we

won so decisively and gave us a mandate, our

First Minister said that the referendum would be

in the second half of our five year term. So, we

were elected in May for a five-year term (2011-

2016). It will be in the second half of that term.

Diplomatic Connections: Any sense of

what the question or questions might be in the

referendum?

Ms. Hyslop: Well, it’s clear that we want to

put forward the case for Scottish independence,

and other people might want to put forward the

case for enhanced powers. But, interestingly,

nobody has come out in support of the status

quo quite yet. The Scotland Bill currently in

the UK Parliament seeks to add more powers

to the Scottish Parliament. And, we are trying

to improve that bill. But, until that comes out

through the legislative process sometime next year, we don’t

even know what the status quo is.

We know what our proposals are. The SNP published a

White Paper — Choosing Scotland’s Future - when we were

a minority government that set out what the questions could

be, including full union with the UK, enhanced devolution of

powers, and full independence. So, we’re very open. We’re

working with people to clarify the situation. But, that paper

gives some indication of what could be asked.

Diplomatic Connections: There’s some feeling in Lon-

don that, constitutionally, there’s a question of whether you

can have a referendum at all.

Do you think there will be a

conflict between Westminster

and Holyrood?

Ms. Hyslop: The Prime

Minister, David Cameron,

when he was first elected,

made it quite clear that he rec-

ognized the right of the Scot-

tish Parliament to order a refer-

endum. That’s very important.

Both the UN Charter and inter-

national law recognize the right to national self-determination,

that people should have the right to express themselves. In

terms of the politics of the situation, we know the referendum

will be welcomed by the Scottish people. We know we have

many friends who want to see Scotland succeed.

Diplomatic Connections: And, what difference will it

make for Scotland to be independent?

Ms. Hyslop: In terms of our economic situation, we think

it will allow us the opportunity to use the levers of economic

growth to be to a rapidly growing economy and a modern

democracy. Our focus has to be about growth and jobs and

helping people through difficult times. The European con-

tinent used to be a continent of large countries. Now, it has

become a continent with many small countries, and many of

the small countries have actually come through the current

economic difficulties a bit more nimbly than some of the

larger countries.

Diplomatic Connections: Let me take you back to

the cultural brief for a moment. Tells us about St. Andrew’s

Day… how is it being adopted? Why is it being adopted?

Ms. Hyslop: We, as a government, have promoted St.

Andrew’s Day very vigorously. What we’d like to do is to

have festivals right the way through from St. Andrew’s Day

through the Christmas and New Year’s holiday to Robert

Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop; Mads Stockwell, Senior Manager, Membership and Food & Agriculture, US-ASEAN Business Council; Rachel Moncure


Burns Day on January 25th. You know, Robert Burns wrote

the words for Auld Lang Syne, that’s sung round the world . .

. the most popular song in the world after Happy Birthday.

We have suggested menus that allow people to share a

truly Scottish St. Andrew’s Day meal. That’s not something

that has traditionally happened, but we’re introducing that to

encourage family celebrations of our Scots ancestry. Our big-

gest selling tabloid newspaper had a pull-out section of lots

of different visitor attractions and things you can do for free,

not only on the day itself but also on the previous weekend

to make it a week of celebration. So, there’s a lot of program-

ming in our schools so that children learn about St. Andrew

as an individual. Of course, we share the day with Russia,

Ukraine, Greece and other countries that regard St. Andrew

as their patron saint.

Diplomatic Connections: Your previous portfolio was

education and obviously there’s an overlap between cul-

ture and education. What programs are at work to deepen

awareness of Scottish heritage for the new generations who

have not grown up with an awareness of the St. Andrew’s

Day festival and a full appreciation of the richness of Scottish

history?

Ms. Hyslop: We have instituted a program of Scottish

studies across the curriculum in our schools. And, bizarrely,

the opposition parties have complained about this. In what

other country in the world would you have people complain-

ing about being asked to learn about their own history? We

simply believe that people should be encouraged to learn

about their own country. Actually, there is a national curricu-

lum in Scotland, and we trust our teachers to deal with these

topics in a way that does not favor any political party.

It gives people confidence to understand who they are,

where they come from.

One of the best books that’s been written about Scottish

history in recent years is by Professor T.M. Devine, and it’s

called To the Ends of the Earth: The Scottish Diaspora from

1750 to 2010. It tells the story of how Scots spread across

the world, and how they helped to shape various countries

around the world. It’s a wonderful story of how Scots came

back and forth and cross-fertilized several different civiliza-

tions, including their own.

Diplomatic Connections: One last question. How

do you see Scotland’s future? Through the 1980s, and even

now, so much of the focus has been on North Sea oil and that

North Sea oil income as rejuvenating Scotland’s economy.

Where does the future go, especially in terms of energy?

Ms. Hyslop: We have been blessed with the resources of

North Sea oil, but we also have a second natural windfall in

terms of renewables – wind and tidal energy. So in terms of

where we’re going, as I mentioned earlier, Scotland has 25%

of Europe’s potential in terms of tidal and wind energy. We

already have begun to tap the wind resources, and we’ve

talked with a number of countries about a North Sea power

grid that would allow the transfer of energy from the North

to the South. In the next year or two we will be deriving 31%

of our energy from renewables, and moving toward 80% of

our energy from renewables by 2020.

Diplomatic Connections: Do you think Scotland is

capable of handling not just the foreign affairs but also the

national defense portfolio? That question is always raised

when the topic of Scottish independence comes up.

Ms. Hyslop: I think international cooperation will certain-

ly include aspects of national security in many different ways.

We are very conscious of our obligations and our responsibil-

ities. Indeed, in terms of the most recent UK defense review

we’ve been very cooperative with the UK government. But,

obviously, the defense organizations to which the UK is party

will have strong motives to include an independent Scotland

in that defense community, even if it is separated from the

UK and a nation-state in its own right.

Diplomatic Connections: The issue has come up with

several members of the Scottish National Party. Would an

independent Scotland be a non-nuclear Scotland?

Ms. Hyslop: That’s certainly the official position of our

party. We see no useful purpose served by nuclear weapons

in the resolution of disputes between countries. But, we

are also very much conscious of our inherited obligations,

inherited from a number of organizations of which the UK is

a part. We are very conscious of our friends and allies, and

how we have to work responsibly with them in any transition

to Scotland’s independence.

Diplomatic Connections: Thank you very much for

granting us this interview in the midst of what has been a very

long day and an excruciatingly busy, travel-filled week for you.

For additional information on Scotland contact:

ScottiSh AffAirS officeThe British Embassy3100 Massachusetts Avenue, NWWashington, DCwww.scotland.gov.ukwww.scottish-enterprise.presscentre.comwww.scotland.org


House and Senate leaders hold a Congressional Gold Medal ceremony to honor astronauts John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin at the US Capitol rotunda on November, 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. From left: Astronaut Michael Collins, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson(D-TX), Rep. Nancy Pelosi(D-CA), Rep. Ralph Hall(R-TX), astronaut Neil Armstrong, Rep. John Boehner(D-OH), Sen. Harry Reid(D-NV), and astronaut and former Senator John Glenn.


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Musical artist Norah Jones steps off stage after singing ‘America the Beautiful’ during the Congressional Gold Medal ceremony in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol on November 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. The gold medals were presented to the crew of the Apollo 11, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin; and to astronaut and former U.S. Senator John Glenn (D-OH), the first American to orbit the Earth.

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Leaders of Congress gathered together with representatives

from NASA in the Capitol Rotunda to award the country’s

highest civilian honor to Apollo 11 crewmembers Neil

Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. Astronaut-

turned-Senator John Glenn, who became the third American

in space and the first to orbit earth in 1962, also received the

Gold Medal.

“America is only as strong as the citizens we produce and

here are four of the best,” Senate Republican Leader Mitch

McConnell stated at the ceremony.

Glenn, Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins are the first

astronauts to receive the Gold Medal, bestowed by Congress

for the highest expression of national appreciation for

distinguished achievements and contributions. The medal

was first awarded in 1776 to George Washington.

“The Apollo 11 crew is honored to receive the Congres-

sional Gold Medal, and accept on behalf of our fellow Apollo

teammates,” said Neil Armstrong, the first person to set foot

on the moon. Armstrong, now 81, continued by thanking “all

those who played a role in expanding the human presence

outward from earth, and all those who played a role in expand-

ing human knowledge of the solar system — and beyond.”

For his part, John Glenn spoke of the unique opportu-

nity afforded his generation in the 1960s. “We must consider

ourselves the most fortunate of all generations for having

lived at a time when the dream became a reality,” he said.

Singer-songwriter Norah Jones sang “America the

Beautiful” at the ceremony. A nine-time Grammy winner,

Jones released her fourth album, The Fall, in 2009.

Recently, Jones has appeared in support of several charity

and humanitarian events not only in Washington, but across

the country. On November 9, she appeared in New York

alongside television comedian Stephen Colbert for the Fifth

Annual Heroes Gala for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of

America (IAVA).

The 32-year-old musician also performed at the 8th

Annual Black Ball, a gala fundraiser organized by fellow

singer Alicia Keys in support of her charity, Keep A Child

Alive. Hosted at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York,

the event saw Jones take to the stage with Usher, will.i.am

and Richie Sambora, among others.

Following November’s congressional gold medal cer-

emony, Jones also partnered with NASA and astronaut Piers

Sellars to produce Public Service Announcements about some

of the organization’s latest technological development. n

More than 40 years after he

took one small step for man,

ASTRONAUT NEIL ARMSTRONG,

ALONG WITH THREE NASA

counterparts, was awarded

the Congressional Gold Medal

on November 16, 2011 at a formal

ceremony on Capitol Hill.

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Norah Jones and Alicia Keys perform on stage at Keep A Child Alive’s 8th annual Black Ball at Hammerstein Ballroom on Novem-ber 3, 2011 in New York City.

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(L-R) IAVA Founder and Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, TV personality Stephen Colbert, Veteran Leadership Award recipient Aaron Mankin and musician Norah Jones attend IAVA’s Fifth Annual Heroes Gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on November 9, 2011 in New York City.

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Actress Sienna Miller arrives at the 2011 Annual International Medical Corps Awards Celebration at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on November 8, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California.

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Looking polished in a black romper and chic updo,

actress sienna Miller took to the red carpet at the

Beverly Wilshire Four seasons Hotel on November

8, 2011 like a Hollywood veteran. But this wasn’t

just any star-studded tinsel town event. Instead,

Miller was being honored for her global humanitari-

an work at the International Medical Corps’ Annual

Awards Celebration.

since 2009, the 29-year-old actress has traveled

to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Haiti and

Ethiopia as part her role as Global Ambassador for

the Los Angeles-based organization.

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An ‘orphan of war’, this innocent baby is another example of ‘man’s inhumanity to man’. Ndosha Camp, Zaire

By Meghan Lawson


“This is an organization that is very close to my heart,”

Miller said before the awards ceremony.

Actors joined philanthropists and business leaders at

the famous Beverly Hills Four Seasons hotel to pay tribute to

Miller and a select group of dedicated supporters of Interna-

tional Medical Corps, a nonprofit that provides humanitarian

relief to millions in some of the most calamitous conditions

around the world.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to honor

these remarkable individuals and organizations, whose efforts

have been critical to our lifesaving work,” said Nancy Aossey,

President and CEO of International Medical Corps, in the

lead-up to the event.

“During a tremendous and challenging year that saw

dramatic and often devastating change throughout the world,

they all stepped forward and enabled us to respond to disaster,

conflict, and disease, helping those most vulnerable to heal

and rebuild,” Aossey continued, referencing the organization’s

recent efforts during disasters such as the Japanese earthquake.

Business magnate Andrew Barth received the Humani-

tarian Award for his long-time support of the organization,

while telecommunications giant Research In Motion (RIM)

was honored with the Global Impact Award for the role

BlackBerry smartphones played during the Corps’ response to

the Haitian earthquake.

“We are pleased to see BlackBerry smartphones involved

in global relief efforts and to know that they are making a

difference to the staff and volunteers of International Medical

Corps in their heroic efforts around the world,” said Richard

Piasentin, Managing Director at RIM.

Although less recognizable than fellow medical nonprofit

Médecins Sans Frontières, International Medical Corps has

been delivering emergency healthcare relief to millions for

nearly three decades. Founded in 1984 in response to the

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Actress Joanna Krupa arrives at the International Medical Corps 2011 Annual Awards Celebration Honoring Sienna Miller at the Beverly Wilshire

Four Seasons Hotel on November 8, 2011 in Beverly Hills, California.

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need for medical services and training in

war-ravaged Afghanistan, the organiza-

tion has fielded staff to the frontlines of

some of the most catastrophic humani-

tarian disasters in recent memory.

When genocide engulfed Rwanda

in 1994, Corps members traveled to the

country to establish makeshift hospitals

where doctors and nurses had been

murdered by machetes. Soon after, dur-

ing the Bosnian war, Corps staff became

targets for snipers.

Despite the dangers, International

Medical Corps has been able to work in

areas few others have the capacity — or

the nerve — to go because of the organi-

zation’s commitment to a strict nonpo-

litical banner. Recently, Corps staff have

been amongst the few relief workers

permitted to deliver medical assistance

in Afghanistan’s Taliban strongholds.

In 2010, the organization’s officials

estimated that they had trained approxi-

mately 1,500 Afghan health workers.

This commitment to so-called “capacity

building” — to implementing long-term

and locally based solutions to health

crises — was a principle pioneered by

International Medical Corps at its incep-

tion, and continues to drive the organi-

zation today.

When asked about her involvement

prior to receiving her award, Miller

drove home her admiration for Corps

staff and volunteers.

“After seeing International Medical

Corps’ courageous work up-close I was

determined to become more involved.

These people work in the toughest con-

ditions imaginable, saving lives every

single day, and bringing self-reliance

and hope to the world’s most vulnerable

people. I am honored to be their ambas-

sador,” she said. n Fraz

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20035376 Diplomatic Connections.indd 1 10/14/11 1:29:40 PM

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Events that dazzle. But no one shines brighter than you.

68

Events that dazzle. But no one shines brighter than you.

69


Pamela Marzban, DDS, FAGD, PC


In the classic American western film there’s often a scene where some two-bit cattle puncher insults the cowboy hero of the story, who turns to his nemesis

and returns the insult with a gentle challenge: “Smile when you say that partner.” Roughly translated that means say it again and there’ll be consequences; back away now and we’ll forget about it. In some ways diplomacy is like that classic confronta-

tion. It is the art of delivering and receiving sometimes dif-ficult messages in a manner pleasant or formal enough

that the message will be heard and understood while a working relationship between states and their

representatives is maintained. The diplomatic equivalent of this cowboy confrontation is the démarche, defined by the Foreign Service Institute of the United States as “a request or intercession with a foreign official, e.g., a request for supportof a policy, or a protest about the host government’s poli-

cy or actions.” The respected British diploma-tist, Sir Harold Nicholson, defined diplomacy

as “the management of international relations by negotiation, focused on official ambassadors and


envoys.” It is, he continued, “the ordered conduct of relations

between one group of human beings and another group alien

to themselves.” Diplomacy, in other words, begins with en-

gagement, and that means articulate communication between

human beings that is comprehended by both parties, if not

always pleasing to both.

Engagement, of course, does not diplomacy make. Neither

do smiles guarantee either good feelings or effective commu-

nication. But, smiles can convey respect. Smiles can convey

self-confidence in presenting and receiving difficult messages.

Smiles can soften hard edges and, at the same time, increase

the acuity of hearing, absorbing, and taking account of pointed

communications. Smiles convey a sense of humor and, most

importantly, a self-critical ability to laugh at oneself. Smiles are

no substitute for the hard work of diplomacy, but they are a

vital complement to the often difficult substance of diplomacy.

Where do the arts of diplomacy and dentistry interact?

Meet Dr. Pamela Marzban — a dentist as charming and poised

as the most accomplished diplomat, as exquisitely trained as a

planetary physicist, as creative and dexterous as any artist, as

articulate about her profession as an orator, and as passionate

about her work and compassionate toward her patients as the

most sensitive counselor. Dr. Marzban and her highly trained

team work together with patients to protect, fine tune, and

rejuvenate smiles . . . the end product of good dental health

and a vital tool of self-confidence and positive presentation of

self in a world where technology complements but can never

replace human relationships.

Diplomatic Connections met with Dr. Marzban in her high

tech but patient friendly offices in Burke, Virginia. The décor is

modern but not in the least cold. The technology that fills the

office is twenty-first century state-of-the-art, and it is deployed

in the hands of a skilled team that is continuously honing its

skills. Most important, the team works together to provide the

highest quality dental care in a manner that is warmly human,

gently caring, and painstakingly understanding. Cutting edge

technology in the hands of a skilled and concerned dental team

serves the purposes of soothing pain, maintaining health, and

building happier more self-confident smiles . . . not to mention

the more self-assured people behind them.

Diplomatic Connections: Dr. Marzban, why did you

choose dentistry as your profession?

Dr. Marzban: My entire family is in the health professions,

and my older brother was the first one to go through dentistry.

I remember getting close to the end of college, and I was think-

ing about going into medicine like my father. But, it was my

older brother who said: “You’re my sister. You’ve got a creative,

artistic flair. You like to spend your time with people. Why

not dentistry?”

So, I went to different dental offices, and I just honestly

fell in love with that patient contact. In dentistry you get to

sit down and speak with your patients and get to know them.

You see them over and over again through the years. That’s

really why I became a dentist. I love the people contact. I like

doing the art of it.

Diplomatic Connections: There are hundreds of

dentists out there. What makes your practice, your office dif-

ferent from other dentists?


Dr. Marzban: Our philosophy is making sure that each

person has a unique experience in the office. Whether it’s some-

thing as simple as a hygiene appointment or a smile rejuvenation

patient, every person is unique. Every experience is unique.

My entire team has extensive continuing education and

dental training background. All the ladies who work for me

have been in the field for a long time. Our state of the art

facilities allow them to have a lot of tools in their tool box. So,

for example, if you came in for a cleaning appointment, you’re

not just going to get the random cleaning. The team members

will know you, because they prepared for you. They will have

read your chart. They’ll know what they need to use for that

appointment, and they’ll follow up to find out how things are

working for you.

What makes us unique? It’s the level of detailed, person-

alized preparation we bring to every patient. It’s the genuine

care and concern that I and my entire team provide to every

patient. That’s what sets us apart.

Diplomatic Connections: Can you tell us a bit about

your professional training and also about the role of continu-

ing training. Just getting that diploma on the wall doesn’t end

your dental training.

Dr. Marzban: No, far from it. I went to dental school

at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, and dental

school does a great job of giving you a good base. Then it’s re-

ally up to each dentist to start exploring things that they want

to know more about. Our team and I go to at least three or

four seminars a year. Whether it’s here in the Washington, D.C.

area or across the country, we go if it’s relevant for our patients.

After I finished dental school, I spent the next three,

almost four, years in additional study because what was im-

portant to me was people who need large esthetic care, who

are suffering from grinding, who have headaches, and who

we’re constantly giving night guards to protect their teeth from

damage. I chose to go to the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced

Dental Studies. It is an esthetic center and neuromuscular

center of training. That’s where I spent many years taking

course after course, taking patients out there, learning how to

rehabilitate somebody’s bite that’s just completely ground down

or someone who suffers from migraines.

I see patients, who come in with a lot of pain. They’ve

been to medical doctors. They’ve been tested for cancer.

They’ve had batteries of medical tests, all of which have

been negative or inconclusive. They finally get put on anti-

depressants or pain medications because no one knows how to

handle them. It was frustrating for me to see this, and I know

that each of these symptoms can be related to jaw posturing.

Diplomatic Connections: On your website your practice

is described as “cosmetic and family dentistry.” Most of us,

when we think about cosmetic dentistry think primarily about

the look and having a beautiful smile. But, your answer to

the previous question suggests that there’s a link between the

visual look of a smile and the physiology of the bite, of the way

people’s teeth are formed. How do those two things interrelate

with each other?

Dr. Marzban: When people come in for cosmetic work,

someone who is truly unhappy with their appearance wants

a change, if they have an unbalanced bite, you can’t just put

porcelain on their teeth and make it work. It’s like building a

beautiful house on top of an uneven foundation. The house is

going to fall apart. No one’s going to feel good. Even if it looks

good, if it starts falling apart, no one’s going to feel happy. So

you have to find a position or a balance with that bite before

you can start really looking into the esthetics of it. That’s how

the science marries the art to its techniques.

Diplomatic Connections: Why are smiles important?

Dr. Marzban: I can’t tell you how it impacts someone’s life

when they’re uncomfortable with their smile. Imagine

that every time you met someone you were self-

conscious about your smile, and its impact

on your appearance bothered you.

When you change some-

one’s smile, you can change

their entire well-being.

You change their

confidence. You

change the

way people


feel. People cry. I mean we make people feel great. On those

days when we do that my whole team is emotional. We’re just

elated that we can have that kind of impact on somebody’s life.

Diplomatic Connections: What about the family part

of your practice? Do you deal with entire families of patients?

Do you deal with the full range of ages?

Dr. Marzban: Yes. We see people from three years old and

up. I love my family practice. Cosmetic is one of our areas

of expertise, but the family is truly the base of my practice.

Although this doesn’t look like an old practice, it is actually a

40-year old practice. So, I have had the pleasure of seeing kids

grow up through my office. Some go through college, some

get married. I’ve seen the kids and I’ve seen the grandparents.

We still see whole families. We love that. That’s our biggest

support in the community.

Diplomatic Connections: What’s a “smile makeover,”

and why is it important?

Dr. Marzban: What happens is that as adults we’ve

allowed our smile to sometimes fall apart. Our smile gets

darker, or we may develop a little bit of crowding where the

teeth get jumbled up. As you get older the teeth start to get

more and more crowded, to a point where people have an

unbalanced bite that’s causing them problems, or they’re just

really unhappy about the way they look.

So, if a patient comes in for a “smile makeover” or “rejuve-

nation,” I have to first find out what it is that they’re unhappy

with. I have to examine them and make sure that we’re thor-

ough about the whole thing. It depends on what the patient

wants. Sometimes they just want whitening, sometimes they

just want straightening. Sometimes they need porcelain to

cover up what’s happened through the years. So, what we

mean by a “smile makeover” can cover a very wide range of pro-

cedures involving all aspects of dental health as well as cosmetic

procedures.

Diplomatic Connections: How have computers changed

dental practice in your professional lifetime?

Dr. Marzban: Computers have been absolutely fantastic. We

use it so often for patient education. There are different pro-

grams that you can actually go through and show people what’s

needed and what’s going to happen with their procedure. One

of the best advances to come out has been digital impressions.

That’s what we use in our office. We take a special camera and

actually scan the mouth. That detailed scan is what gets sent to

our ceramist. The whole process gives us a far more accurate

reading; you get a nicer better looking crown.

Diplomatic Connections: You do sedation dentistry.

Can you tell us about that, how it works, and what difference it

makes for patients?

Dr. Marzban: Sedation dentistry is dramatically on the rise.

Many people had early bad experiences in the dentist’s chair or

heard stories from parents and relatives that put them off the idea

of going to the dentist. So what we do, after a thorough medical

examination, is to give patients medication for their visit that

helps them relax, gets them through the door. And, of course, in

that situation, they must be brought in with a companion who

will drive them home after the appointment is completed.

We can tailor the patient’s sedation so that when they come

in they’re comfortable. They have little to no memory of the

entire visit. They feel like they just slept through it. And, it is

completely safe because they’re not put out. They think they’re

dead asleep, but they’re not. They’re just relaxed. They can

breathe for themselves. So, they’re comfortable, and it’s

completely safe. That’s what we use it for. People love it!

It gives them an option to know that, “If I need dental work,

I can do it now.”

We don’t always need sedation for fearful pa-

tients. My team and I can reassuringly and

comfortingly talk patients through

each step of many procedures,

and patient comfort is al-

ways our first priority.


Diplomatic Connections: What are some of the other

amenities you have available to enhance patient comfort?

Dr. Marzban: Let’s face it, nobody likes being in a dental

office. We have things like “My View” glasses where we’ve

downloaded different movies and television programs so that

people can sit back and watch a show like “30 Rock” while

they’re getting their teeth cleaned. We have Pandora, which is

internet music with big noise trapping earphones so that the

patient doesn’t have to hear the drill or any of the sounds of the

procedure we’re doing. We also have blankets and neck pillows,

even scented oils so that it doesn’t smell like a medical or dental

office. Those are things that just help to put people at ease.

Diplomatic Connections: The term “neuromuscular

dentistry” is mentioned frequently on your website. What is

that all about?

Dr. Marzban: That’s the area where I focused most of my

training at the Las Vegas Institute. It’s more of a West Coast

concept. If you think of your mouth area as an equilateral

triangle, there’s a balance there. At the top of the triangle is

your jaw — the temporomandibular joint. On another point

are the muscles that posture your jaw in space. And on the last

point are the teeth. Now, the teeth dictate — when you put

your teeth together — they stop this jaw in space.

So, what neuromuscular dentists do is to find out where

to position the teeth to keep the muscles that posture your jaw

in space comfortable. It is an identifiable physiologic position.

It is a healthy position. That’s all it is. Find a place to keep the

muscles happy and then put the teeth

there. And then the balance is complete.

The joint articulates correctly; the muscles are comfortable;

and the teeth are where they need to be.

Diplomatic Connections: How does neuromuscular

dentistry tie to things like migraines, to headaches, back pain,

neck pain, and other forms of discomfort?

Dr. Marzban: The muscles that posture your jaw in space,

are the same muscles that posture your head and neck. For

every inch your head is postured forward – and so many of

us have this forward head posture – it’s ten pounds of extra

weight on your neck. You can imagine how much stress that

puts on your shoulder and neck area . . . all day long. But, if

your jaw is postured in the correct position, your overall pos-

ture is better so you have less neck and back pain.

In regards to the migraine, it’s all about the muscles. That’s

the neuromuscular background. Muscles are made out of fibers.

If a muscle is over-constricted or over-lengthened, it chokes

the circulation that provides oxygen to the muscle. That’s why

we have pain. We get lactic acid build-up. People who get

migraines that start in the back or side of their head, those are

all jaw posturing muscles. If you can get those muscles in an

equilibrium where they are in the right or correct posture, the

circulation improves and magically the pain disappears.

Diplomatic Connections: That said, do you work with a

patient’s other doctors, say their internist or primary care phy-

sician, will you work together on these kinds of conditions?


Dr. Marzban: Before I get started with a patient, I’ve

already discussed things with their doctors, and — ideally —

we’re trying to wean these patients off their pain medications

and antidepressants. If there’s no clinical reason for them to be

on it, we should be able to get them off these medications.

Diplomatic Connections: Let’s turn that question

around. When do you refer patients to another dental special-

ist or to another doctor? What don’t you do?

Dr. Marzban: I always feel if someone can do it better than

I can, they should be the one doing it. If there’s something,

whether it’s a root canal or an extraction, something that I

think I’m going to struggle with, I shouldn’t be doing it. And

that’s when I refer.

I’ve got a great group of surgeons I work with for implants

or wisdom teeth extractions, and a great group of endodontists

for root canal extractions. Things that are truly outside my

expertise, I will absolutely refer patients out.

Diplomatic Connections: We hear so much about tooth

whitening. What’s the difference between going to the drug

store and buying the out-of-the-box whiteners and the treat-

ments available in your office?

Dr. Marzban: Going to the drug store and getting the out-


of-the-box treatment is good if you have very little staining of

the teeth. Most of those products help remove external stains,

like coffee or red wine, but they cannot permeate or get into

the enamel, break down the stain molecules, and actually allow

the tooth to whiten.

When you have whitening done in a dental office, a

dentist gets a chance to look at your teeth and determine the

best treatments for your specific situation. In our office we

can devise treatments that are more custom-tailored for the

specific patient’s mouth. Then, the material we use is not even

comparable to what is available in the drug store. It’s so much

stronger. It gives the dentist the ability to get into the enamel

and breakdown the stain molecules in a way that will give the

best whitening results.

Diplomatic Connections: Veneers . . . another term we

hear all the time. What are veneers? When do you opt for

veneers versus just whitening the existing tooth?

Dr. Marzban: Whitening is used if you have nice look-

ing teeth already, but they’re just darker and need lightening

for whatever reason. Veneers can be used when people have

unattractive shaped teeth, worn down or cracked teeth, or

gaps at the gum line, or people who already have a lot of

restorations in their mouth that make their smile look like a

potpourri of different products. These are situations where

the teeth actually need facing, something that will cover up

the anomalies in the patient’s mouth, something that goes

over the enamel and covers it up.

There are so many types of veneers out there. You have to

look at the person and see what that individual needs.

Diplomatic Connections: A related question, what I

guess would be the next stage beyond veneers — implants. Is

that something you do? When do you opt for implants?

Dr. Marzban: I never like having to tell a person, “You’re

going to lose a tooth.” But, I love telling them that, “You can do

an implant and not a denture.” Dental implants are something

we absolutely do. It is one of the best developments to have

come out of dentistry in the past twenty years. It’s actually a

very simple process, once you can get over the fact that you’re

going to lose a tooth. In our office we use computer programs

to give you an idea of what the process will be like. And, quite

often I do use the help of specialists — an oral maxillofacial or a

periodontal surgeon — and I work with them as a team.

We’re using a titanium post that does go into the bone.

And, my belief is that you need to let that titanium heal, and

then you can put a prosthesis, like a crown or a bridge on top

of it. If you’re missing one tooth and you have two perfectly

healthy teeth on either side of it, we no longer have to whittle

down those teeth and put a bridge on it.

Having a family practice, I get to see a patient now and

think of what they’ll be like when they’re in their eighties . . .

when their dexterity might not be there, or when they might

be afflicted with Alzheimer’s. Implants are things that they

don’t have to worry about because it’s easier to keep clean. You

can’t get decay around it. It’s not a magic bullet; you have to

keep it clean. But, it’s a big improvement.

Diplomatic Connections: Dentistry is not inexpensive.

How does your office help people handle those costs?

Dr. Marzban: Dentistry hasn’t changed that much in terms

of expense. You can still find a dentist who will do an $85.00

mercury filling for you. The reason that it seems so expensive

is because our options are just so much wider. We could not

do a $25,000 implant supported titanium denture before. You

just got your $2,000 denture instead. It’s really the variability

of the options that has made dentistry seem so expensive.

But, with the economy the way it is, not everybody has

that much money to spend on their health. We try to work

with patients to split up payments. Other people, who have

extended treatment plans that need to split it up over a long

period of time, can use third party financing that targets dental

procedures because they know that people need dental health

and continuing dental care.

Diplomatic Connections: Let’s go back to the impor-

tance of smiles and dental health. Why do you think those

things are so impactful on people’s lives? Cardiologists, after

all, work with our hearts. Cancer specialists extend people’s

lives. Smiles and oral hygiene aren’t necessarily the first things

we think about when we think about longevity and life threat-

ening conditions. Why do you think they’re so important?

Dr. Marzban: If someone has a nice smile, they tend to

take better care of their oral health, and your oral health does

affect your cardiovascular health. If your mouth, if your gums

are constantly inflamed, it causes the same hardening of your

arteries as cholesterol does. And, we do spend a lot of time

teaching our patients that. So, whether you want to just feel

good about the way you look and improve your self-esteem

and self-confidence, which to me are among the most im-

portant attributes for anybody, or whether you just truly care

about your well-being and health, it goes hand-in-hand.

Diplomatic Connections: Thank you so much Dr.

Marzban for sharing your thoughts about the importance of

dentistry and how it’s changed over the years. n

For additional information or appointments please contact:

Dr. Pamela marzBan 8996 Burke Lake Rd., Suite 101, Burke, VA 22015 Telephone: 703-323-8200 • Fax: 703-978-3679 Website: www.marzbandds.com


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uring talks with Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al

Said, the ruler of Oman, in October Secretary

of State Hillary Clinton formally thanked him for the

Gulf sultanate’s help in securing the release of three

young American hikers jailed in Iran on espionage

charges. Oman had not only helped negotiate their

release with the Iranian authorities, but had report-

edly paid $500,000 bail for each. In 2009, Sarah

Shroud, Joshua Fattal, and Shane Bauer had been ar-

rested when they strayed across the border into Iran

while hiking in the Turkish mountains. Sarah Shroud was

released in September of last year and flown first to Muscat,

the Omani capital, and then home. Omani intervention

helped free her two male companions exactly one year later.

The Gulf Sultanate’s role in helping free the hikers re-

flected Sultan Qaboos’ ability to influence Iranian decisions

through his policy of maintaining good relations with Iran,

his powerful neighbor -- and at the same time the Oman’s

close cooperative ties with the United States. Those ties were

celebrated in Washington in November when a group of

distinguished friends of Oman came together to present

Sultan Qaboos with the Eagle Freedom Award in recognition

of his enlightened vision. Retired U.S. Navy Vice-Admiral

Albert (Bert) Calland, in presenting the award cited the

Sultan’s “generous donations to education in the U.S. and

other support of our country and those around the world.”

Sheikh Salim bin Hamood bin Said Al Hashmi, a senior

Omani official, received the Eagle on behalf of Sultan Qaboos

at a lunch hosted by Scott Reed, senior adviser to the U.S. John

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Sheikh Al Julanda bin Salim bin Hamood Al Hashmi; Sheikh Salim bin Hamood bin Said Al Hashmi; Douglas Baker, son of former Secretary of State, James Baker and Admiral Albert Calland III, U.S. Navy SEAL (Retired)


Chamber of Commerce. Guests included Sheikh Al Julanda bin

Salim bin Hamood Al Hashmi; former Texas Democratic Lt.

Governor Ben Barnes; editor and columnist Arnaud de Borch-

grave, and his wife, the poet Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave;

Juleanna Glover; former Washington Redskins player Lonnie

Sanders; Shireen Abdul-Qadir Yousif Said; Fred Maas; Doug

Baker; Robert Dunn; Lt. Commander James Papineau U.S.N.

(Ret.) — a Navy Seal — Andrew McKenna; Wayne Fraizer; Jim

Whitehead, and other well-known Washingtonians.

Alexandra Villard de Borchgrave, who started the Light

of Healing Hope Foundation bringing comfort to the sick and

those in need, read one of her own poems, entitled Peace.

It reads in part: On this half way path to angelic heights,/When

the light and dark dissolve into mist,/Hatred and jealousy are cast

aside/And shades of love find reason to exist. A. de Borchgrave

introduced Admiral Calland, a former Navy Seals commander

in Afghanistan, and one-time deputy director of the Central

Intelligence Agency; The Navy Seal Foundation was one of

the sponsors of the occasion.

In his 40 years reign, Sultan Qaboos has given high pri-

ority to education. Meanwhile, a central development strategy

of the sultanate is the “Vision 2020” plan. Its main objective

is to reduce the contribution of Oman’s oil and gas sector

from 41.5 per cent of Gross National Product in 2007 to 9

per cent of GDP in 2020, and part of the plan is to develop a

hi-tech industrial sector. The sultanate is also expanding its

cultural reach. In October, the Royal Opera House of Oman,

the first of its kind in the Arabian Peninsula, was officially

opened by Sultan Qaboos, himself a music enthusiast. Super

tenor Placido Domingo conducted the premier performance

of Turandot.

Relations between Oman

and the United States have

strengthened in recent years

in light of the Sultanate’s stra-

tegic position in the Straits of

Hormuz. U.S. forces use mili-

tary bases in Oman on an ad

hoc basis. At the same time,

Oman has maintained its ties

with Britain — a diplomatic

and military connection go-

ing back to the 18th century.

Queen Elizabeth II has visited

Muscat on two occasions,

most recently in 2010. n

LTCDR James Papineau, U.S. Navy SEAL (Retired); Admiral Albert Calland III, U.S. Navy SEAL (Retired); Alexander Villard de Borchgrave, President, Light of Healing Hope Foundation; Arnaud de Borchgrave and Tony Watson

Right to left: J. Edward Whitehead, President, LandMatters and Shireen Abdul-Qadir Yousif Said, Commercial Attache, Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman

Right to left: Evan Strianese, Diplomatic Connections and Kate Nelson


Omani Minister Responsible for

Foreign Affairs Yussef bin Alawi bin

Abdullah welcomes US Secretary of

State Hillary Clinton in Muscat on

October 19, 2011, as the US Secretary of

State paid a brief visit to Oman for talks with

Sultan Qaboos on rising tensions with Iran.

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The Omani Royal Cavalry ride a carriage pulled by 29 horses, a world record, as they parade during an equestrian event attended by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Oman’s leader Sultan Qaboos bin Said at Madinat al-Hidayat on November 27, 2010 in Muscat, during the second leg of the British monarch’s Gulf tour.


The Omani Royal Cavalry parade during an equestrian and race event

attended by Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and Oman’s leader Sultan Qaboos

bin Said at Madinat al-Hidayat on November 27, 2010 in Muscat,

during the second leg of the British monarch’s Gulf tour.

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Queen Elizabeth II walks towards her plane with the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, before she and the Prince Phillip,

Duke of Edinburgh depart Muscat Airport for home, after a five day State Visit to the Gulf region on November 28, 2010 in Muscat, Oman. Jo

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By Meghan Lawson

‘You can’t understand until you walk a mile in someone else’s shoes,’ is an

oft-heard expression, but rarely is it more fitting than with actor Matthew Perry. For more than a decade, 42-year-old Perry has battled drug addiction in the public eye. But now the comedian, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on the long-running television series Friends, is turning from actor to activist as spokesman for the National Association Kr

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of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP). On October 27, 2011, Perry lobbied members of the Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus on Capitol Hill to raise awareness about the alternatives to imprisonment for addicted individuals. As members of Congress look to trim spending across the board, Perry defended the drug court system as a budget effec-tive solution. “I’m here, of course, to talk about


NADCP CEO West Huddleston and Matthew Perry speak during

the Drug Courts and Veterans Treatment Courts: A Proven Budget

Solution Serving Our Veterans event at

the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC.

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From left, former Rep. Jim Ramstad, R-MN, Matthew Perry, actor and spokesman for the National Association of Drug Court Professionals, and Rep. Pat Meehan, R-PA, talk in Meehan’s Cannon Building office before a meeting to discuss legislation that will give communities ‘access to federal assistance to create Veterans Treatment Courts in their area, and improve existing Veterans Treatment Courts.’

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drug courts because they save money. They

save lives. They save prison space. They save

families. They save veterans,’’ Perry said.

The comedian’s plea struck a chord with

Rep. John Sullivan (R - OK), who attended the

briefing as co-chairman of the Caucus.

“We lose about $400 billion a year in the

U.S. from loss of productivity in the workforce

due to alcohol and drug addiction,” said Sul-

livan. “It’s an elephant in the room that we need

to address.”

While it costs an average of $23,000 to

house a single prisoner in the traditional justice

system, that average cost drops below $7,000 for

drug court participants, according to the NAD-

CP. Currently, the drug court system receives

$80 million in funding – a figure the NADCP is

hoping will rise to $86 million for 2012.

Part of that additional funding is targeted

at military veterans who suffer from mental

illness and substance abuse. While in Washing-

ton, D.C., Perry also met with Rep. Pat Meehan

(R-PA) and former Rep. Jim Ramstad (R-MN) to

discuss legislation that would deliver more fed-

eral aid to drug treatment courts for veterans.

According to NADCP CEO West

Huddleston, the need for veteran treatment

courts is needed now more than ever; the num-

ber of veterans diagnosed with mental illness

and substance abuse has spiked 38 percent

since 2004.

Drawing on personal experience, Perry

also reached out to those battling addiction

while speaking during his Capitol Hill briefing.

“Follow your heart. It takes work to

do the right thing but if you get yourself into a

drug court and into the programs you have a

chance to follow your true destiny,” he said. n

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Th e F a i r f a x at E m b a s s y Ro w

Nestled among the stately

mansions of Massachusetts

Avenue, The Fairfax at Embassy

Row, A Starwood Luxury

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D.C. landmark with a rich history

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years. With its legendary restaurant,

The Jockey Club, The Fairfax at

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of international discussion and

American politics. It is the place to

be in Washington, D.C.

Traditional and elegant

in style, the 259 guest

rooms and suites feature

elevated beds dressed in

crisp duvets, 300 thread

count linens, adorned

with rich gold embroidery.

The luxurious marble

bathrooms allow for

tranquil rejuvenation and

quiet contemplation.

The Fairfax at Embassy Row,

a Starwood Luxury Collection

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Embassy Row in Washington,

D.C. The Fairfax offers superior

accommodations, amenities

and services to all of its

international travelers.

Shirley Phull, Director of Diplomatic

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serves the needs of the city’s

embassies exclusively through the

partnering and the processing of all

communication between the

embassies and The Fairfax. Ms. Phull

brings experience, talent, commitment

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Diplomatic Connections January-February 2012

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