Diplomatic Connections Autumn 2010 by Larry Smith

QUARTERLY BUSINESS â&#x20AC;˘ AUTUMN 2010 $4.95

Unique Coverage of Events Worldwide

Chelsea Clinton marries ~ A Regal Wedding Fergie, Will.i.am and Shakira perform at World Cup Angelina Jolie promotes movie SALT worldwide

FRONT COVER PHOTOS Chelsea Clinton, daughter of US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, marries Marc Mezvinsky in Rhinebeck, New York. Spain and The Netherlands compete in World Cup 2010 Final Match in Johannesburg, South Africa; Will.i.am, Fergie and Shakira perform at the World Cup ceremony celebrations; Angelina Jolie promotes movie SALT around the world. INSIDE FRONT COVER THE PENINSULA CHICAGO INSIDE BACK COVER THE ELYSIAN HOTEL CHICAGO BACK COVER INTERCONTINENTAL THE BARCLAY NEW YORK Admiral Leasing 28 Amtrak 21 British Embassy, United Cerebral Palsy 94 British Embassy, PM Cameron 66 & 70 Canadian Embassy , RAdm GREENWOOD 76 [The ] Carlyle Hotel in New York 32 Chelsea Clinton’s Wedding 100 [The] Corcordia Hotel 85 DC Livery 107 Dentist, Dr. Tarek Mogharbel 98 Diplomatic Connections’ October Reception 123 Dragon Runner 69 Dutch Embassy 44 Elysian Hotel in Chicago 54 & 124 Fergie and Will.i.am at the World Cup 34 & 37 [The] Fairfax at Embassy Row 12 Finland, Interview with Ambassador Lintu 108 Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts 118 Grove Dental Clinic 96 Hay Adams 4, 5 & 46 Helga’s Catering 122 InterContinental Hotels Group 36 Japanese Embassy, Ambassador Fujisaki 86 Jim Coleman Cadillac 8 Jumeirah Essex House New York 35 Malta, Interview with Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia 115 McLean Furniture Gallery 6 Mick Jagger at World Cup 42 Mila 90 Precise Home Management 14 QinetiQ North America 69 Ritz Carlton 105 SALT, Angelina Jolie 52 Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah 60 Saudi Arabian Airlines 64 Shakira at World Cup 38 & 40 Sofitel Chicago Water Tower 22, 23 & 26 United Nations, Actor Ed Norton 48 United Nations, Pakistan 80 UK - US Alliance 66 & 70 US Limo System 117 U.S. Sedan Service 25 Waldorf Astoria 1, 30 & 63 Waldorf Towers 1, 30 & 63 Washington Hospital Center 99 Wings Jets 10 World Cup 2010 16

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DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dawn Parker Assistant to the Editor Julie Pomeroy ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Hiam Awad and Gloria Ainey ASSISTANT TO ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Amy Kachelries ART DIRECTOR Larry Smith DIPLOMATIC CORRESPONDENTS James Winship, PhD and Roland Flamini To contact an advertising executive CALL: 202.536.4810 FAX: 202.370.6882 EMAIL: dparker@diplomaticconnections.com Diplomatic Connections Website Design & Development IMS (Inquiry Management Systems) 304 Park Avenue South, 11th Floor New York, NY 10010 TOLL FREE: 877.467.8721 X701 Website: www.ims.com Marc Highbloom, Vice President marc@ims.ca Maria D’Urso, Project Manager Mariad@ims.ca Contributing Photographers Christophe Avril, Gustavo Gargallo, Huyen Pham To order photos from the events go to: www.diplomaticconnections.com Send any name or address changes in writing to: Diplomatic Connections 4410 Massachusetts Avenue / Suite 200 Washington, DC 20016 Diplomatic Connections Quarterly Business is published Quarterly Diplomatic Connections does not endorse any of the goods and services offered herein this publication. Copyright 2010 by Diplomatic Connections All rights reserved. Cover photos: Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky Genevieve de Manio Fergie and Will.i.am Gianluigi Guercia/AFP/Getty Images Pedro Rodriguez and Dirk Kuyt Lars Baron/Getty Images Shakira Martin Rose/Getty Images Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Dear Readers, Diplomatic Connections Autumn, 2010 issue is unique in that we cover events domestically as well as internationally. Therefore, this edition is extraordinarily differentiating with one reason being that we have magnificent coverage of the monumental and historical World Cup that took place in South Africa this past summer. With our constant coverage of Royal families around the world, we wanted to include photos of the Spanish Royal family, especially when all the excitement was taking place directly subsequent to the match. Thus, this particular publication is filled with a showcase of photos taken of the World Cup as well as the Spanish Royals and the moments they shared with their nation’s team in the locker room directly following the game. Many worldwide celebrities, such as: Fergie, Will.i.am and Shakira performed before and after the event and we have added those to the collection of valued photos for your viewing. In addition, Angelina Jolie stars in the current hit movie “SALT.” Diplomatic Connections covered this story because our nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., was used as a backdrop in selective segments of the film. It has already premiered around the globe and we give you an inside glimpse into the days Jolie spent in promoting the film in several international cities. The daughter and only child of our current US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, was recently married and we’ve published some beautiful photos that reveal how this story-book wedding has already made history. As in previous editions, I would like to emphasize and bring your attention to our featured advertisers throughout this Autumn issue because Diplomatic Connections magazine would not be funded without their valued presence. Many fine establishments and corporations have made an important decision to support the Diplomatic Community via our publication. The merchants and service providers presented here within are representing their companies in a capacity to do business with the Diplomatic and International Arena. They have postured themselves in a significant way that facilitates international commerce and trade. Many of these professionals will be attending our upcoming Diplomatic Connections’ Diplomat Appreciation Reception being held on Wednesday, October 13th, 2010, at the Embassy of Austria in Washington, D.C., so that Diplomats and Staff can have another opportunity to get acquainted with these representatives who encompass a variety of industries. This prestigious Diplomatic Connections’ reception provides a proper platform for an exclusive introduction to perhaps conduct future business in the international market. SAVE THE DATE ~ October 13th! The evening’s cuisine will be provided by Helga’s Catering (page 122). We look forward to seeing you there and covering this wonderful event in one of our upcoming editions. We’d also like to remind you that your opinions matter to us; thus, we are looking to you, the Diplomat, for the type of articles and advertisments your Embassy would like to see featured and to read about. Diplomatic Connections is continuously seeking your professional recommendations for advertisements from your domestic and international business partners. Therefore, any business introductions to further pursue future funding of the magazine would be greatly appreciated. We welcome and invite you to contact us with your submissions and ideas to: dparker@diplomaticconnections.com

Sincerely, Dawn Parker Founder and Publisher

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View of the White House and Washington, DC from the rooftop of the Hay Adams Hotel View of a guestroom at the Hay Adams Hotel overlooking the White House

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THE OCTOPUS WORE RED During lunch at the Spanish Embassy residence in Washington on

THE

July 11, Ambassador Jorge Dezcallar and his wife Teresa served up more

SOCCER [ AKA FOOTBALL ] WORLD CUP

than gazpacho, tortilla de patata and paella: they served up a Spanish

victory over the Netherlands to win the soccer World Cup.

LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images

Spanish players parade through the streets of Madrid on July 12th, 2010, a day after winning the World Cup for the first time, 1 - 0 against Holland. Over one million fans lined the streets of Madrid to watch as the Spanish team parades through main streets on an open bus. 16

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By Roland Flamini

An embassy residence

is almost by definition sedate and well ordered – the ambassador’s refuge from the daily grind. But at the Spanish residence on that historic afternoon, the atmosphere was anything but sedate. Shouts of triumph and shrieks of delight filled the long salon. Diplomats hitherto known for their gravitas hugged each other with abandon. Even the figures in the massive, priceless Flemish hanging wall tapestry of dancing musicians seemed to share in the jubilation. With Iker Casillas Fermandez, Captain and Goalkeeper, leading their team, Spain won their first European Championship in 44 years and a single goal, made by midfielder Andres Iniesta, in extra time had earned Spain the coveted 2010 Championship and first ever FIFA World Cup. And as his 160 or so guests went wild with joy around him in celebration of this great occasion, Ambassador Dezcallar (wearing a red t-shirt, the Spanish team’s regular colors) declared, “It took 120 minutes to make a goal, but I think we played very well, and we deserved to win. It’s a great day for soccer, a great day for Spain, and a great day for Spaniards.” The same scene was doubtless replicated wherever in the world there were Spanish natives, but nowhere more than in Spain itself where the success of La Fuerza Roja (the red force) was a hugely welcome boost to national pride and prestige at a time of serious Europe-wide economic issues. There was even an e-mail circulating with a redesign of the red and yellow Spanish flag adding an octopus in the center – a

Niloufar Ehsassi

Ambassador Jorge Dezcallar with his wife, Teresa celebrating with fans at the Embassy of Spain Residence on July 11, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

tribute to Paul the Octopus who, according to news reports, had been picking winners in the World Cup, and had predicted a Spanish victory. There was no psychic octopus on display at the Spanish embassy residence – except, of course, in the paella. Among the congratulations that poured into Ambassador Dezcallar was a letter signed by 16 members of the U.S. Congress praising the “elegant and electric performance” of the Spanish eleven and expressing “admiration for (the team’s) accomplishment, tinged with a little envy” -- plus a light hearted warning that the U.S. is determined to do better in 2014. “Beware, the Americans are coming,” the letter cautioned. The build-up to what has been called the greatest sporting event in the world began on Aug 25, 2007, when Tahiti played New Caledonia in the first qualification game. Teams from 206 competing nations subsequently played 912 matches, culminating in the final between Spain and the Netherlands in Soccer City, Johannesburg, watched by 84,490 fans, and millions on television world-wide. The Spaniards were heavy favorites, but Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama watches the U.S. vs. Ghana World Cup Soccer game before a meeting at the G20 Summit in Toronto, Canada, Saturday, June 26, 2010.

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Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron trade bottles of beer to settle a bet they made on the U.S. vs. England World Cup Soccer game (which ended in a tie), during a bilateral meeting at the G20 Summit in Toronto, Canada, Saturday, June 26, 2010.

started in the worst way by losing to Switzerland. After that, they found their characteristic, almost balletic style, based on precision passing, and won every game, including a 1-0 victory over the powerful, young German team, another strong favorite. It was a first World Cup title for Spain, which is only the eighth winner of the top championship in 77 years – a reflection of the degree to which a handful of national teams in Europe and Latin America have dominated the contest. Washington’s large diplomatic population was a microcosm of the –usually --friendly rivalry between nations generated by

the FIFA World Cup (to give it its official title, FIFA being the Federation of International Football Associations). Before some of the matches, it became accepted practice for the ambassadors of the two opposing national teams to wish each other luck. (Thankfully, there are no known instances of an ambassador of a winning team calling his counterpart to gloat.) The pervasive competitive spirit also infiltrated the State Department where the different country desks rooted for their respective nations. The U.S. matches also prompted top level wagers. President Obama bet Prime Minister David Cameron an English lager against the best American beer that the U.S. would beat England. The U.S. Ambassador to Britain, Louis Susman, challenged Sir Nigel Sheinwald, his British counterpart in Washington, The terms of that wager: a meal in a DC steakhouse if the English won, and in a London pub if the game went the other way, with the loser in either case picking up the check. The exchange of emails, inevitably, found its way to the Web, including a barbed message from the British Embassy’s Martin Longden to an American embassy official in London. “The (British) Ambassador takes his steak like American soccer victories – somewhat rare,” he wrote. Meanwhile, Congressman Tom Harkin (D-IA), bet Slovenia’s Ambassador Roman Kirn a bottle of Iowa’s Templeton rye whis-

Spain's midfielder Andrés Iniesta (R) shoots and scores a goal during extra time at the 2010 FIFA football World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg, South Africa.

Spain vs Netherlands

at World Cup, South Africa, 2010 18

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PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP/Getty Images

Clive Rose/Getty Images

Top row, left to right: Queen Sofia of Spain; Crown Prince Willem Alexander of the Netherlands. Bottom row, left to right: Felipe, Prince of Asturias, Letizia, Princess of Asturias, Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Jan Peter Balkenende enjoy the atmosphere ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between the Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

key that the Americans would be successful against Slovenia. Ambassador Kirn put up a bottle of Slovenian wine. In the event both matches resulted in a draw. The U.S. and England drew 1-1 draw, thus avoiding any awkwardness in the so-called “special relationship” between London and Washington; and the U.S.-Slovenia encounter evened out at 2-2. More than just a sport, soccer is a universal language, and one in which the U.S. is becoming increasingly fluent. The Americans may call it “soccer” – originally an English term, but no longer used in England -- to distinguish it from the local brand of football, but 19.4 million people in the U.S., the number registered by the Nielsen ratings service, watched as Ghana put paid to American hopes. What’s more, only one in four of those 20 million watched on Univision, the Spanish-language network, undermining the widely held equation: soccer equals Hispanic immigrants. Furthermore, the soccer audience amounts to less than a fifth of this year’s record Superbowl viewership of 106 million; however, on average it’s more people than watched last year’s World Series games, even though they were broadcast live in

prime time. As for playing the game, five million American adults are regulars, not counting the children. Give a ball to a boy almost anywhere in the world, and he will instinctively drop it on the ground and start kicking it: in America, children are still divided between those who would kick the ball and others whose instinct is to throw it. Yet more American children play soccer than any other team sport, either informally or in organized leagues. While soccer may be an import, it has introduced “soccer moms” as a key political demographic. And in contrast to those other popular U.S. sports, soccer also broadens our horizons: it’s the only team sport in which America competes internationally. There is an irony in the fact that, while the World Cup unites nations like almost nothing else, soccer’s “labor market” has been globalized, with the best talents holding lucrative contracts to play for clubs in countries other than their own. Predictably, European clubs were the biggest “employers” of participants in South Africa. The Economist magazine did the math and reported that of the 736 players in the 32 participating squads, 545 played for European soccer clubs, with no

DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Sara Carbonero, girlfriend of Iker Casillas, admiringly watches him play during the 2010 World Cup Final match. July 11, 2010

distinction of race, creed or color. For example, nine of the U.S. World Cup squad spend much of each year in Britain, where they play for British clubs. The ill fated French team took the prize for diversity with its large number of players of African and Arab origin: France’s star

player Nicolas Anelka is a convert to Islam as is his teammate Franck Ribery. Anelka, incidentally, was one of a dozen players from Chelsea Football Club all playing for their respective nations in the World Cup event. Brazil’s Kaka and Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo were among the 10 players from Spain’s Real Madrid; its arch rival Barcelona topped the list with 13. Argentina’s Lionel Messi has played for Barcelona since boyhood. Most of the Algerian national team were born in France. For the first time in World Cup history two brothers played in opposing teams. Kevin-Prince Boateng, playing for Ghana, faced his brother Jerome in the German squad – a German victory. Both brothers have dual German and Ghanaian nationality. In the World Cup, expect is the unexpected, and the South African World Cup series had it in spades. To the experts the main shocker was the Brazilian meltdown, and the dismal performance by Argentina, and as a result the championship is back in Europe. But only three of Europe’s traditional big six stayed the course – Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany. Both England and Italy gave uncharacteristically lackluster performances: German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer commented Continued on page 27

Spain's goalkeeper Iker Casillas (top center) jumps up to catch the ball over Spain's defender Carles Puyol (center bottom) as Netherlands' striker Robin van Persie (far left) eyes the ball during the 2010 FIFA football World Cup final between the Netherlands and Spain on July 11, 2010 at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg, South Africa.

STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN/AFP/Getty Images

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Spain’s goalkeeper, Iker Casillas (top center) pulls off a save as Spain’s defender, Carles Puyol (center bottom) falls and Netherlands’ striker Robin van Persie (far right) looks on during the 2010 World Cup football final at Soccer City stadium in Soweto, suburban Johannesburg on July 11, 2010. Pedro Ugarte/AFP/Getty Images

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SPAIN Pedro Rodriguez of Spain and Dirk Kuyt of the Netherlands battle for the ball during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Lars Baron/Getty Images

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Continued from page 20

that the way the English played against America “had very little to do with football.” The French quit South Africa after a less than favorable display of internecine fighting that caused President Nicolas Sarkozy to call a special cabinet meeting. The other World Cup winner was Africa. Firstly, because host country South Africa organized a near faultless World Cup series (the first in an African country), and can thus be forgiven the extremely irritating vuvuzuelas sounding like the unrelenting buzzing of a million bees. The South Africans were excellent hosts. The stadiums were impressive; the restaurants and stores did big business. Moreover, what didn’t happen is as significant as what did: the World Cup was mercifully free of any terrorist incident. Secondly, because the star players of Ghana, on which Africa’s hopes were pinned, played vigorous football, sending the U.S. home with their 2-1 win, but falling to Uruguay in a nail biting penalty shootout in the round of 16. Whether South Africa can turn its success to advantage in building itself a better future is yet to unfold. But while Spain won the championship, the 2010 World Cup tournament will always belong to South Africa.

Nelson Mandela during the 2010 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa

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Spain's goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas (R) shows the trophy to Spain's King Juan Carlos (C) at the Royal palace in Madrid on July 12, 2010, a day after Spain won the World Cup for the first time 1-0 against Holland. Far left: Spain's coach Vincent Del Bosque

Left to right: Joan Capdevila, Fernando Llorente and Princess Letizia of Spain celebrates the victory in the Spanish dressing room after Spanish football team won the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Spanish Royal Press/Borja Fot贸grafos/Getty Images

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Queen Sofia of Spain, Prince Felipe, Princess Letizia and Spanish football team celebrate the victory in the Spanish dressing room after Spanish football team won the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Soccer City Stadium on July 11, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Spanish Royal Press/Borja Fot贸grafos/Getty Images

H ome to Princes, Presidents and New Yorkers alike. 32

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2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa

Crown Prince Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and Crown Princess Maxima of the Netherlands during the 2010 FIFA World Cup at Cape Town Stadium.

Netherlands Team - the 2010 FIFA World Cup - Final match was between Netherlands and Spain

2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa

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Singer Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas performs on stage during the FIFA World Cup Kick-off Celebration Concert at the Orlando Stadium on June 10, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. 34

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US band Black Eyed Peas signer Stacy Ann Ferguson, AKA Fergie (right) and Will.I.Am perform during the FIFA World Cup Kick-off Concert at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa on June 10, 2010 ahead of the start of the 2010 World Cup football tournament. Spain's team celebrates on a stage set up for the team in Madrid on July 12, 2010, a day after they won the 2010 FIFA football World Cup match against the Netherlands in Johannesburg, South Africa.

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Shakira performs a song during the kick-off celebration concert for the 2010 FIFA World Cup at the Orlando Stadium on June 10, 2010 in Soweto, South Africa.

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Singer Shakira performs ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ at the closing ceremony, prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11th, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa

SHAKIRA performs with South African band, Freshlyground, during the closing ceremony, prior to the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final Match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium on July 11th, 2010 in Johannesburg, South Africa. 40

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SHAKIRA

2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee South Africa

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left to right: Doug Band, English Musician Mick Jagger, former President Clinton and Terry McAuliffe together watch England vs the United States at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group C match at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 12th, 2010 in Rustenburg, South Africa.

Clinton Foundation

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Wayne Rooney of England (center, number 10) is surrounded by Michael Bradley (center, number 4), Oguchi Onyewu (far right, number 5) and Ricardo Clark (bottom left, number 13) of the United States during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Group C match between England and the USA at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on June 12th, 2010 in Rustenburg, South Africa. DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

DUTCH EMBASSY HOSTS NEARLY 400 PEOPLE TO WATCH THE

WorldCup Final By Bert Bentsink

Huyen Pham

H.E. Renee Jones-Bos, Ambassador of the The Netherlands to the U.S. (right) and DCM Gerard van der Wulp

For the third time in its history the Dutch national soccer team advanced to the final of the World Cup, one of the biggest sporting events on the planet. In 1974 and 1978, the Netherlands played

against West-Germany and Argentina but unfortunately lost to each country. The Dutch team, coached by Bert van Marwijk, entered the World Cup final ranked fourth while Spain entered as the current European Soccer Champion. To celebrate reaching the final game, the Royal Netherlands Embassy organized a viewing party. Nearly 400 American and International guests along with Dutch embassy staff representatives watched the tension-filled match together.

Huyen Pham

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Guests snacked on traditional Dutch treats and beverages including ‘bitterballen,’ ‘frikandellen’ and Heineken. The American attendees were just as enthusiatic as the Dutch who watched the game. Several guests including a visitor from Latin America proudly proclaimed they were cheering for the Dutch. One guest, Priscilla Villareal stated: “Although I have Mexican roots and my parents are cheering for Spain, I cheer for the Netherlands because I have a lot of wonderful Dutch friends.” Unfortunately, her cheering could not keep the Dutch from their third defeat in a World Cup Final, but a party like this should be an incentive for the players to reach the final again in 2014. As we say in the Netherlands, “Hup. Holland. Hup.”

Huyen Pham

he Royal Netherlands Embassy is tucked away in a residential area off of Connecticut Avenue and it can be challenging to find. However, on the 11th of July, no soccer fan from the greater Washington D.C. area had trouble finding the place. Numerous cars, packed with Dutch supporters dressed in orange arrived at the Embassy blowing their horns to let their presence be known. One could already hear the ‘vuvuzelas’ being blown from miles away. At the gate, the visitors were welcomed by bright orange decorations and a large sacred national flag that hung prominently and proudly on the Embassy’s front wall. Hundreds of people wearing orange hats, beads and feathers to support the ‘Nederlands Elftal’ packed the embassy’s main hall and auditorium. Large screen televisions and a theater size projection screen were carefully positioned as not to miss one second of this historical final match that partly was so monumental because of the fact that South Africa was the first African nation to host this event. The cafeteria was also transformed into a playground for children, where the smallest Dutch soccer fans could gather, watch the game and dream of one day becoming a football player.

Huyen Pham

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ACTOR ED NORTON APPOINTED AS UN AMBASSADOR OF BIODIVERSITY

UN Photo/Mark Garten

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) and actor Edward Norton, newly-appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity, hold up a "2010: International Year of Biodiversity" tee-shirt.

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UN Photo/Mark Garten

Biodiversity

is the vast variety of life forms within a delicate global ecosystem that sustain the planets’ fisheries, rainforests, prairies and wildlife through all of the many changes caused by nature and man-kind. Earthquakes, oil spills, floods, tornadoes and droughts have their potentially damaging effects not just on human beings but the habitat of many species of animals, plants and organisms as well. By studying the adverse effects of these natural and manmade disasters through maintaining biodiversity, we can more efficiently preserve sustainable fisheries and agriculture. The oil spill in the Gulf is a prime example of how humans contribute to creating an unhealthy environment for nature’s ecosystem. The United Nations’ Secretary-General Ban Kimoon is giving much needed attention to this international issue starting with designating Academy Award-Winning Actor Ed Norton as the UN Goodwill Ambassador of Biodiversity. July 8th, Mr. Norton began to make his contribution of creating global awareness by addressing press at the UN just subsequent to his formal appointment. Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Kiyo-

Actor Edward Norton (left) accepts a Goodwill Ambassador lapel pin from SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon as part of his induction ceremony as UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity.

Actor Edward Norton (centre) addresses a press conference shortly following his appointment as UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity. He is flanked by Ahmed Djoghlaf (left), Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity and Kiyotaka Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information.

UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

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Official White House photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama is briefed about the ongoing response to the BP oil spill by, from left, Carol Browner, assistant to the President for energy and climate change, National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen and Senior Advisor Valerie Jarrett, aboard AIR FORCE ONE en route to the Gulf Coast, June 14, 2010.

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Official White House photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama and other officials tour the Theodore Staging Facility in Theodore, Alabama, June 14, 2010, where oil containment boom and other equipment is cleaned, decontaminated and repaired. This was the Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fourth trip to the Gulf Coast to assess the ongoing response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Official White House photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama walks to the Tarmac Field House at Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans, Louisiana, June 4, 2010, with Senator David Vitter, R-LA (left), New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (right) and others, for a briefing on the response to the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

taka Akasaka, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, joined in panel with the accomplished actor to discuss this topic and answer questions about their collective goals. Mr. Norton expressed his hopes to engage the world in real conversation about biodiversity and bringing unprecedented international attention to the subject. The ramifications of the Gulf oil spill are not just being taken seriously by the United Nations, but also our nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Commander-in-Chief. President Obama and members of his staff have made their way to the Gulf several times to calculate the loss of biodiversity and they continue to evaluate what it will take to restore the ecosystem to the pristine state it once was.

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A NGELIN A

JO L IE

SALT

US actress Angelina Jolie attends the premiere of her latest film, the spy-thriller ‘Salt’ in Tokyo, Japan on July 27th, 2010.

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KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/Getty Images

SALT is a 2010 American/French action-thriller film Washington, D.C. was backdrop for movie

+ WHAT IS A SLEEPER AGENT? KGB is an acronym for (Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Bezopasnosti or Committee for State Security). It was the National Security Agency, Soviet Intelligence Service and Secret Police of the Soviet Union from March, 1954 until November of 1991. Our nation’s CIA would be its equivalent. For a more detailed explanation, a sleeper agent, in espionage, is one who has penetrated, acclimated and blended into the society of the country of interest and ‘gone to sleep,’ so to speak. All communication with one’s sponsor or hosting agency will have become virtually nonexistent and no chances are taken as not to reveal the agent’s position of ‘deep cover.’ Assimilation into regular, everyday life as an average citizen is imperative to the operation to precisely develop and maintain the most productive infiltration. The agent who can be financially self-sufficient is the one who is of most value. This is because with the exchange of money, there is always a tangible trail left behind and any overt activity can be more easily detected. Concealment on every level is essential to the progress of the enterprise. Often, natives of the targeted nation, are recruited more aggressively because of their language skills and knowledge of the respective culture. If a person of this caliber is attained, their significance in the operation dramatically escalates and they become known as what’s referred to as an ‘agent of influence.” Historically, it’s a strategy that has proven to be incredibly successful and is a blueprint of brilliant design.

directed by Phillip Noyce, written by Kurt Wimmer and Brian Helgeland, starring Angelina Jolie, Liev Schreiber, Daniel Olbrychski and Chiwetel Ejiofor. The filming took place in our nation’s capitol, Washington, D.C. as well as New York City and Albany (upstate), New York between March and June 2009. CIA agent Evelyn Salt (Angelina Jolie) finds herself on a quest of vindicating the integrity of her name, national duty and patriotic honor when she is falsely accused, by Russian defector, Orlov (Daniel Olbrychski), of being a Russian Spy, a KGB sleeper agent. While she is being investigated, her life becomes a constant race of avoiding apprehension in the process of trying to unsubstantiate his claim. She is her own advocate using the expert skills she learned during the many years of her career as an agent to circumvent capture. The movie begins with Salt interrogating Orlov, who tells her about “Day X,” an operation established, regulated and led by a formidable Russian from the reticent years of the obscure Cold War, and its mission to destroy the United States, the country she swore allegiance to as a child. Orlov manipulates the crossexamination by claiming that Salt is a Russian spy. Her national loyalty is continuously questioned throughout the film while she zealously tries to denounce the allegations. The ending is somewhat ambiguous leaving room for the viewers imagination as to Salt’s true identity.

Jolie traveled the world, Los Angeles, California, USA; Paris, France; London, England; Moscow, Russia; Seoul, Korea and Tokyo, Japan to promote the premier of the movie. People from around the Globe received Jolie with open arms and great enthusiasm. Jolie is also a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador and contributes her time and talents to many worthy humanitarian causes.

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US actress Angelina Jolie exiting the stage after greeting Japanese fans at the premiere of her latest film, the spy-thriller ‘Salt’ in Tokyo, Japan on July 27. The film was released nation-wide in Japan starting from July 27th, 2010. DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

Dave Hogan/Getty Images

Angelina Jolie attends the UK premiere of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Saltâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; held at the Empire Leicester Square on August 16th, 2010 in London, England.

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+ Liev Schreiber plays the role of Ted Winter, Salt’s friend and colleague at the CIA. Naomi Watts is his partner in real-life and accompanied him to the premiere in Los Angeles, CA. They met on the set of the 2006 drama The Painted Veil, have been a couple since then and have two sons together.

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Jason Merritt/Getty Images

Actor Liev Schreiber and actress Naomi Watts at the premiere of Sony Pictures’ ‘Salt’ at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on July 19th, 2010 in Hollywood, California.

Actress Angelina Jolie and actor Brad Pitt arrive at the premiere of Sony Pictures’ “Salt’ at the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on July 19th, 2010 in Hollywood, California. A fan is giving Jolie a bouquet of flowers.

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images

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In late June, President Barack Obama hosted the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud at the White House for high-level discussions about ÂŠ Saudi Press Agency

ongoing peace efforts in the Middle East and throughout the world. The topics of dialogue included Iranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nuclear program, talks between Israelis and Palestinians and the prevention of worldwide extremism. 60

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Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama walks with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and members of the Saudi delegation toward the South Lawn Driveway prior to the King's departure from the White House. June 29, 2010 Directly behind King Abdullah (on left) is Saudi Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Adel Al-Jubeir.

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Left to right: HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal, Minister of Foreign Affairs; The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud; H.E. Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir, Saudi Arabian Ambassador to the United States (slightly back); HRH Prince Muqrin bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud, General President of the General Intelligence Presidency; Mr. Puneet Talwar, Senior Director for Iraq, Iran & the Gulf States, NSC; Ambassador Jim Smith, US Ambassador to the United States; General Jim Jones, National Security Advisor to the President; President Barack Obama; The Honorable Robert Gates, US Secretary of Defense

During the meeting—King Abdullah’s first at the White House since ascending to the throne in 2005—President Obama commended King Abdullah for his leadership in the Arab Peace Initiative. The leaders agreed that it is of utmost importance for Israel to resume joint talks with the Palestinians, Lebanese and Syrians to ensure a sustained peace in the Middle East. These efforts, the leaders asserted, should further the cause of security for years to come.

King Abdullah also expressed his strong support for the United Nations “P5+1” efforts to hinder Iran’s nuclear program. The P5+1 convocation, consisting of China, Russia, Germany, France, the United Kingdom and the United States, has urged Iran to meet its international obligations under UN Security Council and IAEA resolutions. Saudi Arabia is committed to a nuclear-free Middle East, and therefore maintains that all nations in the Region should forego the possession of nuclear weapons. With regard to the leaders’ discussion of joint counterterrorism activities, Saudi Arabia has long been lauded for its proactive efforts to combat international terror financing and money laundering. President Obama took note of this in the meeting and praised the Kingdom for its successful counterterrorism actions against Al-Qaeda. Official ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia date back to when President Franklin Roosevelt and King Abdulaziz first met and established a relationship in 1945. Since then, the countries’ partnership has experienced the continuing expansion of economic, business, scientific and educational ties, including historically high numbers of Saudi students studying in the United States at the present time.

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President Barack Obama and National Security Advisor General James Jones, right, watch as King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia and members of the Saudi delegation depart along the South Lawn Driveway of the White House. June 29, 2010

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BOOST FIGHT AGAINST ROADSIDE BOMBS David Cameron’s first visit to Afghanistan as prime minister in June was a balancing act between warm praise for British forces and talk of an exit strategy. © Crown

Prime Minister David Cameron speaks during a joint press conference with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul, Afghanistan. June 10, 2010

By Roland Flamini

forces are the second largest NATO contingent in Afghanistan after the U.S., and the British and the Americans have borne the brunt of the fighting, though not all of it. Cameron told troops their “great and important work” would never be forgotten. He also announced -- to cheers -- that the government was increasing their combat allowance. And he said Britain would withdraw “with heads held high -- just as soon as the Afghans can take responsibility for their own security.” His reference to this being “a vital year” in the Afghan conflict has a note of urgency, but avoids echoing President Obama’s insistence on a planned deadline for starting a U.S. withdrawal. Downing Street is known to be skeptical about advertising a withdrawal timetable. However, Cameron did say that the Atlantic alliance must move “further and faster” in stabilizing Afghanistan. This has become the prime minister’s mantra, as he faces growing domestic opposition to the Afghan war with its rising toll of British deaths. And the prime minister followed the Obama formula of calling the Afghan conflict “not a war of choice, but a war of necessity: not a war of occupation, but of obligation.” The large British military presence has meant large casualties. To date, 327 British military personnel have been killed in 66

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the Afghan conflict -- 75 percent of them as a result of exploding improvised explosive devices, or IEDs, the Taliban’s weapon of choice. The U.S. military recorded 8,159 IED incidents in Afghanistan in 2009 – a significant jump from 3,867 in 2008. The British Labour administration had been criticized for failing to equip the armed services for the job they were called upon to do. During his visit Cameron announced that his government was spending 67 million pounds ($100 million) to counter the IED threat. The aim is to increase the size of the Counter-Improvised Explosive Device Task Force so as to have specialist IED teams attached wherever UK troops are deployed in southern Afghanistan, and to bolster the available equipment for detecting and neutralizing the insurgent bombs. To drive home the point of government concern over the high mortality rate from roadside bombs, Cameron was filmed and photographed using a metal detector and inspecting a Dragon Runner, a hi-tech bomb disposal robot that fits into a bag-pack already in use by the British army. Like his two predecessors, Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, Cameron spent the night at a British base in Helmand province, the main battleground against the insurgent Taliban where most of Britain’s 10,000 troops are deployed, and shared his morning joe with a group of soldiers. A stream of British officials and

Prime Minister David Cameron recently visited Camp Bastion and was given a demonstration by soldiers who are working to disable improvised electronic devices (IED’s) in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. June11, 2010

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celebrities have recently visited the troops in Helmand, including soccer player David Beckham, and Prince Charles, the heir to the British throne. Cameron read the assembled troops a message from the English World Cup team’s soccer coach, Fabio Cappello, calling him “the most important man in England.” Cappello called the soldiers serving in Afghanistan “the real heroes,” not the star soccer players then about to compete in South Africa. That was certainly true; and after the ignominious defeat of the English soccer team, more so.

Traveling across Kabul by Chinook to the press conference with President Karzai. June 11, 2010 © Crown

The PM visited the Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) where he relaxed with personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. June 11, 2010

Prime Minister David Cameron addresses troops after staying overnight in Camp Bastion in Southern Afghanistan. June 11, 2010

The Prime Minister met Robert M. Gates, the US Secretary for Defense, at Downing Street to discuss the situation in Afghanistan before traveling there to visit the troops. June 7, 2010

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President Barack Obama talks with Vice President Joe Biden while walking throught the Red Room of the White House on their way to meet and greet the British Prime Minister, David Cameron. July 20, 2010

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

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AN ESTABLISHED ALLIANCE Are Anglo-American ties a “special relationship” or just a “partnership of choice”?

Standing beside British Prime Minister Cameron at the White House in July, President Obama hailed what he called the “truly special relationship” between Britain and America. The two countries, he said, shared a common heritage, a common language “most

By Roland Flamini

of the time,” and common values. When the U.S. and the U.K. stand together “our people and people around the world are together, and they are more secure and they are more prosperous.”

DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

British Prime Minister Cameron with US President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden inside the White House. July 20, 2010

In The

British Prime Minister Cameron and Barack Obama walking through the White House. July 20, 2010 72

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White House

It’s a relationship that goes beyond politics, impacting business and culture. Confidence in each other’s financial institutions generates a lot of trans-Atlantic business. For example, U.S. investment in the U.K. is worth $400 billion, which is more than in France and Germany combined.

DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

Lavish praise from a president who until recently has been criticized for being indifferent towards Europe, and Britain in particular. But U.S. presidents waxing lyrical about AngloAmerican relations when British prime ministers come calling is a ritual designed to reassure the British that all is well in the relationship. Only up to a point, on this occasion: Cameron was continuously grilled by American senators as well as reporters about the BP oil spill, and whether the oil giant had played a role in the 2009 release of Abdelbaset al-Megrahi from a Scottish prison, the only person convicted of the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 in 1988. The U.K. as a veto-wielding member of the U.N. Security Council and a key member of NATO, is useful to Washington. It provided troops for Iraq and Afghanistan, and the two countries share intelligence. They both hold largely common views on issues such as the possible threat of a nuclear Iran. However, whether this amounts to a special relationship in which U.S. bi-lateral ties with Britain matter more than ties with Germany or France has been the subject of trans-Atlantic debate for years, including a recent hearing by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons, and even a movie was produced with this very topic addressed. Former British Ambassador to the U.N., Sir Jeremy Greenstock, told the Commons committee “British officials don’t use the term ‘special relationship.’ We might have to respond to it in public if it is thrown at us by Americans, but we don’t regard it as special: we regard it as an asset that has to be nurtured and worked at.”

Official White House Photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron talk on the South Lawn of the White House. July 20, 2010

Still, the special relationship is not entirely the result of British self-delusion. Whatever it’s called, that asset is the undisputed special status Britain enjoys in Washington. What one British official describes as “a certain weight in the system” gives the British exceptional access, which they use to try to influence U.S. decisions on issues of interest to themselves. Tony Blair 74

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also tried selling the European Union the idea that the special relationship made Britain the ideal intermediary between the U.S. and Europe – a role the European Union didn’t appreciate and the U.S. didn’t consider necessary. U.S. officials are less convinced that the relationship is holy writ; they generally argue that the arrangement benefits the Brits more than the U.S. Although, they don’t hesitate to invoke it whenever seeking London’s help. It’s a relationship that goes beyond politics, impacting business and culture. Confidence in each other’s financial institutions generates a lot of trans-Atlantic business. For example, U.S. investment in the U.K. is worth $400 billion, which is more than in France and Germany combined. London theater productions are imported to Broadway wholesale. British television is a source both of inspiration and actual shows for its U.S. counterpart – more, in fact, than the reverse. To some French politicians, the special relationship amounts to “the Anglo-Saxons” (a favorite French term) ganging up on the rest of the world. True, the common heritage and the common language help generate trust. But British officials maintain that bi-lateral ties with the U.S. work best when Britain has something to offer. 10,000 British troops – far more than from any other ally -- didn’t deploy in a relatively safe area of Afghanistan, with instructions not to fire unless fired upon. They are stationed in southern Afghanistan, a hotbed of Taliban insurgency, fighting and getting killed. “The substance of the bi-lateral relationship is extraordinary – whether it is the investment relationship, the trade relationship or what we gain from intelligence and military relationships,” Sir David Manning, former British Ambassador to Washington, told the Commons committee. “There are all sorts of payoffs, but they are so because we bring something important ourselves. It is objectively in our interest and in (U.S.) interest.” Because it was first used by Winston Churchill in World War II to define his relations with Franklin D. Roosevelt, the personal rapport at the very top continues to be regarded as a public measure of the state of relations – Maggie Thatcher and Ronald Reagan, Tony Blair’s remarkably dexterous feat of being close to Bill Clinton and then George W. Bush, the earlier rapport between Harold Macmillan and John F. Kennedy. According to political folklore, it was Thatcher who stiffened President Bush Sr.’s determination when he was having second thoughts about launching Desert Storm I. “Don’t go all wobbly on me now, George,” she is reputed to have told him. The reverse, getting off on the wrong foot and staying there, is also true: Barack Obama and Gordon Brown – the ridiculous gift of 25 DVDs that can’t be played on the British system,

The Prime Minister and President Obama walking into the Oval Office. July 20, 2010

the five refusals before Brown was granted a one-on-one with Obama. All of which feeds into British sensitivity about where they stand with their historical ally. But meanwhile, the people lower down the food chain, the government ministers, military officials, ambassadors and spooks are managing the relationship and making it work. Still, following the public perception of a Brown-Obama debacle, Prime Minister Cameron seems cautious about trying to establish a cozy relationship with Obama. Let’s not get hung up on the special relationship, he said before his U.S. trip. The alliance should be a hard headed “partnership of choice” serving national interests on both sides. Which, despite the rhetoric, is what has always been. Washington sources confirm David Manning’s contention that intelligence swapping is an unpublicized benefit from this more than routine bi-lateral cooperation. The U.S.-Russian spy swap in July offered a rare public glimpse of the close working relationship between the U.S. and British intelligence services. Two of the jailed agents released by the Russians in exchange for 10 Russian spies were flown directly to the U.K., not to America. At least one of them had been spying for Britain, and the U.S. agreed to include them in the swap package. The British claim – justifiably, according to knowledgeable U.S. officials – that Tony Blair’s close ties with Washington enabled him to initiate secret exchanges between Libyan leader Moammar Gaddafi and Washington that eventually led to Libya giving up its plans to produce weapons of mass destruction. It was also the British who worked hard on the Americans to think about a different relationship between NATO and Russia. The result of this was the NATO-Russian Council. But U.S.U.K. ties have had some major setbacks since World War II. Reagan’s friendship with, and admiration for, Thatcher did not stop the U.S. from voting in the U.N. to censure the British

decision to confront, and eventually defeat Argentina’s invasion of the Falkland Islands – the Malvinas to Buenos Aires. The British government openly distanced itself from the U.S. war in Vietnam. President Clinton’s decision to grant Jerry Adams, leader of the pro-IRA movement Sinn Fein, a U.S. visa was bitterly – but unsuccessfully -- opposed by the British government. The worst clash, though, was in 1956, when President Eisenhower tried to stop Britain, France, and Israel from going to war against Egypt to prevent President Gamal Abdel Nasser from taking control of the Suez Canal. Without U.S. support, though, the three nations faced an impossible challenge to take and hold the canal; and they were forced to abandon the fight. It’s a measure of the strong ties between the two countries that within six months it was business as usual. Prime Minister Macmillan wrote to Eisenhower, saying: “Your government and many of your people think we acted foolishly and precipitately and illegally. Our government and many of our people think you were too hard on us – and let us down. Well, that’s over – spilt milk. Don’t let’s cry over it –still less wallow in it.” The two leaders met in Bermuda and the special relationship – or whatever it is -- was restored.

President Obama bids farewell to PM Cameron as he departs the White House. July 20, 2010

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NEW ATTACHÉ AT THE HELM Rear Admiral

RICHARD GREENWOOD Rear Admiral Richard Greenwood, Defence Attaché – Canada at the Canadian Embassy Officers’ Club on August 6th 2010.

Rear-Admiral Richard Greenwood, Incoming Defence Attaché – Canada, and his wife Monika; Janet and Paul Bergson, Bergson & Company – Government Relations Consultants; Major-General Doug Langton, outgoing Defence Attaché -- Canada.

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By Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas Martin Embassy of of Canada Canada Embassy

Summertime is always bitter-sweet for diplomats and attachés throughout Washington DC. That’s because roughly one third of the diplomatic corps changes every summer. Friends say goodbye to colleagues from nearly 200 countries represented in the Greater DC area, and as moving vans carry away the furniture and belongings of so many people, more moving vans invade the city with new diplomats. The Canadian Embassy is no different. In July and August, scores of Canadians made the trek back to Canada including Major-General Doug Langton, Canada’s Defence Attaché to the United States. “My wife Pepper and I will miss the many new friends we have come to know from around the world, during our posting here,” says MGen Langton, “and of course working at the Embassy, and especially in the heart of DC, has given us a unique view of American culture and politics.” MGen Langton retired from the Canadian Forces after 35 years of service and moved to Canada’s capital, Ottawa. On August 6, 2010 the Canadian Embassy’s Officers’ Club hosted a special luncheon to say farewell to MGen Langton and his wife Pepper Mintz and to welcome Canada’s new Defence Attaché, Rear Admiral Richard Greenwood and his wife Monika. More than 100 well-wishers from a dozen countries attended the buffet lunch. Commander Doug McDonald, Assistant Canadian Forces Naval Attaché offered toasts to the incoming and outgoing Defence Attachés. “To RAdm Greenwood…I’d like to welcome you to Washington and congratulate you on your appointment as Canadian Forces Defence Attaché,” says Cdr McDonald. “A posting here is not only a great opportunity, but it is also a great honour to represent our country here in Washington DC.” DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS BU U SSINESS QU UA AR R TTE R LY LY || A AU U TT U UM MN 20 01 10 0 D I P L O M AT I C C ONNECTIONS B INESS Q ER N 2

77 77

Graham Webber, Second Secretary Defence Strategy – UK; Christine Jutzi, Canadian Embassy; Magnus Nordenman, Associate Director, Program on International Security – the Atlantic Council of the United States; Kevin Adams, First Secretary of Defence – Canadian Embassy Mr. Chuck Scaperotto, Boeing Corp., and Kathryn Cross, President for the State of Connecticut – American Gold Star Mothers Inc.

Captain (Navy) Richard Bergeron, Canadian Forces Naval Attaché; Captain John Stubbs, U.S. Navy; and Hal Neal, Office of Naval Intelligence

Colonel Michel Duhamel, Canadian Forces Military Attaché, Michael Colman, Deputy Chief, U.S. Defense Foreign Liaison; Major April Tunyavongs, U.S. Air Force Vice-Admiral Carlos Gamarra, Peru; Commander Charles-Marie Matte, Canada; Rear-Admiral Mauricio Caucho, Peru; Commodore Eric Fraser, UK; Rear-Admiral Roberto Pereyra, Argentina

“To MGen Langton,” continued Cdr McDdonald, “your leadership style and openness have made for a very pleasant work environment. You will be missed. We wish you well in your retirement.” Before coming to Washington, RAdm Greenwood was Director General Maritime Equipment Program Management, the Canadian Forces senior naval engineer. He is no stranger to the area as he served as an exchange officer at the David Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center in Carderock, MD in the mid-1980s. “I’m looking forward to continuing the relationships Doug Langton has established in the past few years,” says RAdm Greenwood. “The United States-Canada relationship is quite unique. Our capital cities are less than 10 hours apart by car, we are the world’s largest trading partners and our militaries have an extraordinarily high-level of interoperability.” That interoperability is clearly demonstrated by Canada’s Navy with the United States Navy. The Canadian Navy has been extremely active over the past 20 years. Global operations dur78

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ing the 1990s included active duty in the first Gulf War, enforcing the arms embargo in the Adriatic Sea during the war in the former Yugoslavia and international humanitarian missions. More recently, the Navy has deployed numerous war ships in support of efforts in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, deterring pirates off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden and closer to home, relief efforts after Hurricane Katrina and the earthquake in Haiti. In short, Canada’s Navy is an effective partner in global security. In conjunction to his duties as Defence Attaché to the United States, RAdm Greenwood is the commander of more than 400 Canadian Forces members serving throughout the United States as liaison and exchange officers, students on advanced education courses and military attachés and support staff at the Canadian Embassy. RAdm Greenwood is Canada’s 25th Defence Attaché. The first dates back to Air Vice Marshall H.L Campbell in October 1949. Coincidentally, RAdm Greenwood takes over Defence Attaché duties during the Centennial year of Canada’s Navy.

Lieutenant-Commander Robert D’Eon - Canada; Commander Doug McDonald, Asst. Canadian Forces Naval Attaché, Captain Jaakko Savisaari, Naval Attaché – Finland; Major Gilbert DMeza, Military Legislative Assistant to Congressman Zach Wamp (Tennessee); Captain Andrew Graham, Legislative Fellow to Congressman ‘Buck’ McKeon (California)

Colonel David Erickson, Defence Cooperation Attaché – Canada; Ted Hack, General Dynamics Lieutenant (Navy) Suzanne Thistle presents a set of Navy Centennial marble coasters to Mr. William McKeever, Deputy Chief, Americas Division – USAF International Affairs

Captain Jaakko Savisaari, Naval Attaché - Finland, and Pepper Mintz, wife of Major-General Langton

Lieutenant Colonel Aldo Ferrari, Argentina; Lieutenant-Colonel Diego De Las Casas, Peru; Vice-Admiral Carlos Gamarra, Peru; Captain Jose Aguayo, Mexico

Lieutenant Colonel Keith Osmond, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces Liaison Staff (Washington), and Lieutenant-Colonel Pat McAdam, Assistant Canadian Forces Military Attaché

Left to right: Hiam Awad, Diplomatic Connections; Lorraine Martin; LCol Douglas Martin, Canadian Forces Public Affairs Attaché; Ken Martin; Alexandra Martin and Major Benoit Proulx, Staff Officer, Training and Doctrine, Embassy of Canada

DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s helicopter flies over monsoon flood waters in Punjab Province, near the city of Multan, Pakistan.

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UN Photo/Evan Schneider

UN Secretary-General Reacts to

Catastrophic Flooding in Pakistan UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon travelled to Islamabad on August 15th to witness, first-hand, the impact of the recent catastrophic flooding that unfortunately hit Pakistan.

hile there, he met with Pakistani leaders to convey the message that the devastation has gained international attention and to express the full support of the United Nations and the global community.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (left) meets with Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan, at the Presidential Palace in Pakistani capital, Islamabad.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

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UN Photo/WFP/Amjad Jamal

Pakistanis affected by their country’s widespread, torrential floods receive wheat flour and other provisions from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Alipur, in the Muzaffargarh district of Punjab Province, Pakistan.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks to a group of women in Sultan Colony, an encampment of people displaced by Pakistan’s potent monsoon floods, in Punjab Province, near the city of Multan.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre, white shirt) arrives by helicopter in Sultan Colony, an encampment of people displaced by Pakistan’s heavy monsoon floods, in Punjab Province, near the city of Multan.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

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water tapers, a more accurate assessment of the damage can be measured. The World Health Organization expressed its concern for the potential increase in medical care the Pakistani citizens may require due to the diseases that may result from the contaminated water of the flooding. If you wish to donate, go to: www.un.org for additional information.

UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras

Hussain Haroon, Pakistan’s Envoy to the UN, joined the Secretary-General upon his arrival and accompanied him as he was received by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Interior Minister Rehman Malik at the Chaklala military air base near Islamabad. The UN recently catapulted the appeal for the nations of the world to lend a financial helping hand and contribute to the victims of this cataclysmic event. Twenty percent of the 460 million dollars that was requested has already been collected according to Press Secretary Elisabeth Byrs of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). The donations came fairly expeditiously, this being attributed to the acute timeliness of the Secretary-General’s efforts to visit Pakistan shortly after the flood actually happened. US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, joined the General Assembly meeting at the UN in New York subsequently to discuss how the capital raised would be allocated for necessities that were of imminence to the Pakistani people, for instance: the basics - water, food, shelter, medical equipment and provisions. This is one of the worst disasters to ever hit Pakistan. Nearly 20 million people were affected by the disaster and once the

Hillary Rodham Clinton (right), Secretary of State of the United States of America, meets with Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Minister of Foreign Affairs for Pakistan, shortly before a General Assembly meeting on emergency relief for victims of Pakistan’s torrential flooding, at UN Headquarters, New York.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (right) meets with Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State of the United States of America on August 19, 2010 at the United Nations in New York City after the Secretary-General’s trip to Pakistan.

UN Photo/Mark Garten

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UN Photo/WFP/Amjad Jamal

Pakistanis affected by their countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s widespread, torrential floods receive wheat flour and other provisions from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) in Alipur, in the Muzaffargarh district of Punjab Province.

UN Photo/WFP/Amjad Jamal

Pakistanis displaced by heavy monsoon floods cheer on SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon as he arrives to visit their camp in Punjab Province, near the city of Multan.

UN Photo/Evan Schneider

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A Japanese Tea Ceremony

Tea Master Soin Sen (inset), future head of the Omotesenke family, prepares tea for Ambassador and Mrs. Fujisaki

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Chigusa

abundance of varieties

chanoyu simplicity and humility

kotobuki auspicious

Soin Sen By Susan Laszewski

n June 22nd, a new chapter was added to a cen-

ly acquired by the Freer Gallery of Art and generously lent for

turies-old story from Japan. The story is that of

display at Yuyu-an tea room. Chigusa, meaning “abundance of

chanoyu, the Japanese tea ceremony. The chapter

varieties,” possesses a rich history that is deeply entwined with

is the Eastern Region, USA chapter of Omotesenke

that of chanoyu. Like the tea ceremony, Chigusa first traveled to

Domonkai tea society, the fourth U.S. chapter, which will cover

Japan from China and it has been watching over the tea ceremo-

territory from New York to Florida. Its inaugural ceremony

ny like a guardian spirit ever since, looking over the shoulder

was held at Yuyu-an tea room within the Residence of Japanese

of history’s greatest tea masters, a silent witness to significant

Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki, overlooking a pond of playful

moments in chanoyu. In addition to the historical documents

carp. To conduct the ceremony, Soin Sen, the future head of

that came with the jar, Chigusa bears the initials of four of its

the Omotesenke family and the 15th descendent of the “father

legendary former owners to attest to its history. It is a history, as

of tea ceremony,” Sen no Rikyu, made the journey from Kyoto,

Deputy Director of the Freer Gallery and recipient of the Order

Japan.

of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette, Dr. James Ulak put

Omotesenke refers to one of the “three Sen houses,” or san-

it, of being “admired and caressed by a who’s who of Japan’s

Senke, of tea. Sen no Rikyu’s grandson had three sons, each of

cultural giants.” The initials include those of tea enthusiast Ju

whom became the founder of a school of tea. In contrast with

Soho, who hosted the 1573 tea ceremony at which Chigusa and

the slightly more prevalent Urasenke, the Omotesenke school

Sen no Rikyu himself crossed paths.

prepares less frothy tea, leaving a foam-free “lake” in the middle

A fifth marking can also be found on the jar. The origin

of the cup. Many practitioners point to another difference

of the character “sho,” meaning auspicious, inscribed on the

between these two major schools of tea: the utensils. It is said

bottom of the vessel is unknown, but one would like to imag-

that where Urasenke wants to show off more intricate pieces,

ine its presence at the inaugural ceremony of the Omotesenke

Omotesenke values simplicity and humility in design.

Domonkai’s Eastern Region, USA chapter as an omen of a bright

Nowhere is this more evident than it was at the June 22nd

future for chanoyu in the United States. At the very least, Chi-

ceremony in the presence of Chigusa, a large earthen jar recent-

gusa is a vessel to carry the spirit of chanoyu across the Pacific.

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Tea Master Soin Sen, Ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki and his wife, Yoriko, prepare for the ceremony in Yuyu-an tea room overlooking the carp-filled pond and tea garden.

Japanese Ambassador's Residence

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DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

omega3s INTRODUCING THE

â&#x201E;˘

REVOLUTION The Miracle Seed is the highest and safest natural source of omega threes in the world. Milaâ&#x201E;˘ has the fiber, protein, omega three fatty acids, anti-oxidants and phytochemicals to deliver the missing ingredients to the diets of millions around the world.

fiber protein antioxidants phytochemicals UN Photo/Marco Dormino

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By Dr. Bob Arnot recently attended a dinner with some wonderful new friends from the Middle East at Fahrenheit in the fabulous Ritz-Carlton, Georgetown. The topic quickly turned to diabetes which is reaching epidemic proportions in the Middle East and elsewhere in the world. Why? The traditional diet was high in fiber and low in fat and cholesterol. That shifted radically to a more Western diet, high in fat, sugar, sodium and cholesterol in recent years. Fat intake increased from as little as 13.6 % in Sudan to 143.3 % in Saudi Arabia, while whole grains, vegetables and fruit consumption plummeted. The rates of diabetes and obesity soared. Why? The most intriguing theory is that peoples survived tens of thousands of years in the harshest of environments like the deserts of the Middle East because they had a “thrifty gene,” which processed the few foods it could find with incredible efficiency. However, in modern times, faced with plenty, especially diets high in sugar and fat, these populations gained enormous amounts of weight because that gene helped to store those extra calories with terrifying efficiency. The solution? A return to the diets of their ancestors. This worked incredibly well in Hawaii where native Hawaiians lost over 100 pounds embracing the foods of their forbearers. The same approach is likely to reap enormous rewards in the Middle East as more and more people take pride in their past and return to the foods of their forbearers. The topic then turned to super foods which could help people around the world regain their health. The most powerful of them is the prized food of the ancient Aztecs. The Aztec warriors were some of the bravest and boldest in history. They were blessed with amazing foods which gave them the strength, energy and determination to build one of civilization’s most famous empires. The greatest of these foods was a super seed named Chia. Also called “the running food,” Aztec warriors often survived on Chia alone during their many battles. I have personally used it for the last four months and lost 18 pounds. Chia was so fundamental to the Aztec’s success and beliefs, that the Spanish burned the large Chia production fields to destroy their civilization, after which Chia largely disappeared from large scale production for the last 500 years, which is why you may not have heard of it. Chia has the fiber, protein, omega three fatty acids, anti oxidants and phytochemicals to deliver the missing

ingredients to the diets of millions around the world, including populations in the Middle East. As good as the seed was, even five hundred years ago, the Aztec realized they had to grind their Chia to get its maximum nutritional value. Today, the Chia with the highest bio-availability is called MILA, which is also ground with a high-tech micro slicing technique which cuts Chia into the precise size and shape required to deliver the highest nutritional value possible to our bodies. The benefits are amazing. For patients trying to lose weight, Mila forms a gel in the stomach which cuts hunger and gives tremendous control over appetite. Since it is loaded with protein, fiber, minerals, vitamins and omega 3s, it satisfies much of the bodies cravings for nutrients. Beyond weight loss, Mila may help patients with diabetes because it slows the absorption of sugars from the stomach, blunting the rise in blood sugar after a meal. But more than anything, I’m a huge Mila fan because it starts patients, friends and family on the road to hugely improved nutrition. Once they start to eat Mila, they regain control of their appetite and embrace other amazing foods rich in fiber and nutrients. With over 100 different strains of Chia grown around the world, the fundamental question is: What makes Mila the best? The best way to understand why the proprietary blend in Mila is so good, is to look at the production of Mila right from the farm to the table. Chia grows in a diverse group of countries. It’s native to Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina. Australia now has the greatest production capacity. Mila is a careful and scientific blend of the world’s finest strains of Chia, which gives Mila the highest in all five nutritional categories: Protein, fiber, antioxidants,

DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINE SS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

phytonutrients and Omega 3s of any Chia product currently on the market. For instance Mila’s anti oxidant score is 1157 Orcs versus 750 for some other Chia products Mila’s seeds are carefully selected for this high nutrient value and then planted in fields with the best possible combination of sun, cloud, rainfall, elevation and soil quality. A Nutrition Comparison

8x more Omega-3 than Atlantic farmed or wild salmon

more Calcium than milk

more Iron than spinach

more Potassium than bananas

15x

more Magnesium than broccoli

more Fiber than bran flakes

more Protein than kidney beans

more Selenium than flax seed

more Phosphorus than whole milk

Antioxidants than blueberries

Mila™ is not intended to treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information provided is intended for educational purposes. It is not to be construed as providing medical advice or substitution for professional services. All information provided is general and not specific to individuals. We endeavor to state the case properly and educate our associates appropriately. Lifemax © does not, in any way, represent treatment, cure or mitigation of disease. Persons experiencing health problems should consult a medical professional.

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major independent laboratory concluded tests comparing the very best USDA grade Chia with Mila. They found that Mila had substantially more Omega 3 fatty acids, 41% more protein and 41% more fiber. Before shipping from the field, Mila’s Chia is cleaned twice, using air and then a mechanical cleaning techniques to maximize the cleanliness. … 99% or better. Jim Wear oversees the engineering behind the production of Mila. The five step cleaning process continues at its facility in Orlando, Florida with further mechanical, ozone and ultraviolet techniques. Up to two years worth of Chia, worth tens of millions is stored in a climate controlled warehouse to meet the demands of rapidly expanding distribution. Mila is processed in this $400,000 food grade room, specially constructed for Chia with a specialized ventilation system and HEPA filters. Every precaution is taken. A proprietary micro slicer, built after months of tests that precisely cuts the Chia seeds into the size and shape that makes the greatest amount of nutrients available to the human body by creating the greatest surface area, thus preserving the omega 3 content. Larger sizes fail to grind the hard shell, smaller sizes squeeze out the omega 3s. Traditional milling creates heat and presses the precious Omega 3s out and to prevent the product from becoming rancid, specially cooled water is used to keep the proper temperature during the slicing process. Finally Mila is packed by carefully pouring it into these special bags so that no damage is done to the final product. A food safety specialist even oversees the production of Mila. Lifemax who produce Mila, also employs and adheres to the same GMPs (good manufacturing practices) required of pharmaceutical products and medical devices. Mila production is already into the tens of millions of dollars ...right down to the final packing process. That means you can count on the quality, safety and nutritional benefits of Mila, bag after bag. As our lovely dinner ended, I pledged to help fight the scourge of obesity and diabetes that the Western diet has played such a large part in. Please e-mail: MILAREVOLUTION@gmail.com if you are interested in knowing more about MILA or purchasing MILA.

T HE

M I L A™ R E V O L U T I O N

About the author Dr. Bob Arnot is a TV Emmy

Healthy Breast Cook Book. As a

award winning medical corre-

wellness enthusiast and world-

spondent who was a hit on CBS

class fitness expert, Dr. Bob is

This Morning, the CBS Evening

a former Olympic physician who

News, The NBC Nightly News,

is now an ardent skier and Iron

Dateline NBC, the Today Show;

Man competitor. His bestselling

he is now a regular mainstay

wellness and fitness titles in-

on the Discovery Channel as

clude Sports Selection, Dr. Bob

Dr. Danger. As a medical cor-

Arnot’s

respondent, Dr. Bob has cov-

Control Program, and Wear and

ered groundbreaking epidem-

Tear: Stop the Pain and Put the

Revolutionary

Weight

ics around the world, including Ebola in Central Africa; AIDS in

Spring Back in Your Body. Now as the Chief Executive Officer of

Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Malawi; and cholera in Bangladesh,

Bob Arnot Productions, Dr. Bob Arnot produces and distributes

Somalia, and Turkey. Dr. Bob is also a bestselling author for

premium online medical content across America’s top-watched

titles on today’s most pressing health issues, including his most

channels, offering breakthrough scientific insight into disease

recent, Seven Steps to Stop a Heart Attack, The Breast Cancer

prevention, health awareness and nutrition education.

Prevention Diet, The Prostate Cancer Protection Plan, and the

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Arnot

Dr. Arnot; Carolina Gonzalez; former President Clinton The Miracle Seed is gluten–free, trans-fat free, sugar-free, high in fiber and protein, has no taste or smell and can be deliciously combined with many foods! Its supreme biological properties are not diminished by heat in the baking process, therefore making it easy to incorporate into your favorite recipes. Mila™ is a mixture of Salvia hispanica L. seed which has been carefully selected to maximize its nutritional value. The mixture is mechanically processed using a proprietary system that optimizes the bioavailability and increases its nutritional value. Nothing is added to the product – it is a pure form of Salvia hispanica L. and is simply the best available today.

EMPOWERING THE DISABLED United Cerebral Palsy & Capability Scotland Celebrate Efforts to Advance Rights for People with Disabilities at British Ambassador Embassy Residence

Actor & United Cerebral Palsy Board Trustee Cheryl Hines Helps Commemorate Anniversaries of Americans with Disabilities Act & Disability Discrimination Act

H.E. Sir Nigel Sheinwald, British Ambassador to the United States and American Actress Cheryl Hines

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son, Chief Executive, Capability Scotland; Stephen Bennett, President & CEO, United Cerebral Palsy; and Michael Burke, Jr., Chair of the United Cerebral Palsy Young Benefactors. “The excitement generated at the Embassy event hosted by the British Ambassador and Lady Sheinwald is a critical step in our global movement to achieve a Life Without Limits for people with disabilities,” said Stephen Bennett, President & CEO, United Cerebral Palsy. “Celebrating historic pieces of civil rights legislation that radically changed the lives of all people with disabilities – the Americans with Disabilities Act and the UK’s Disability Discrimination Act – Connie Cochran, CEO of Easter Seals UCP of North Carolina; Alan Dickson, Chief Executive, Capability Scotland; Bruce Fried, United Cerebral Palsy Board of Trustees; Michael Burke, Sr., United Cerebral Palsy Board of Trustees; Stephen Bennett, President & CEO, United Cerebral Palsy

compound how far we have come in the last 60 years since United Cerebral Palsy was founded. We should use the 20th and 15th anniversaries of this legislation as benchmarks for the key landmarks that will come next for people with disabilities. We must sustain

was a perfect evening on Thursday, June 18 at the

a movement with a single goal: ensuring a life without limits for

Embassy Residence of the British Ambassador and Lady

people with disabilities.”

Sheinwald in Washington, DC. Leaders who are advancing rights for people with disabilities and VIPs flocked

Founded more than 60 years ago by parents of

together for an evening of celebration and to look towards a future

children with cerebral palsy,

of life without limits for people with disabilities. United Cerebral

today UCP is a leading ser-

Palsy (UCP), a leading service provider and advocate for children

vice provider and advocate

and adults with disabilities, and UCP affiliate Capability Scotland,

for children and adults with

brought this group together to commemorate the 20th anniversary of

disabilities.

the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 15th anniversary of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) in the United Kingdom. The event drew quite the crowd. In addition to the hosts, British

The UCP mission is to advance the independence, productivity and full citizen-

Ann Cody, Blaze Sports America; John Kemp; Desiree Filippone, US Olympic Committee; James Sterns, Former Chair of UCP and currently President of International Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation

Ambassador & Lady Sheinwald, attendees included Actor and UCP

ship of people with dis-

Board Trustee Cheryl Hines; Alan Dickson, Chief Executive, Capabil-

abilities through an affiliate

ity Scotland; Stephen Bennett, President & CEO, United Cerebral

network. This includes approximately 100 local service providers

Palsy; Bruce Merlin Fried, Chair, Board of Trustees, United Cerebral

reaching over 176,000 individuals daily in the U.S., Canada, Scot-

Palsy; Joe Stettinius, President, Cassidy Turley, the event’s Transatlan-

land and Australia. The national office in Washington, DC advocates

tic Underwriter; Linda, Jack and David Maguire; current and former

on behalf of individuals with disabilities; advances federal disability

legislators; government officials; corporate leaders; advocates; mem-

public policy (Disability Policy Collaboration); and develops forward-

bers of the media; Embassy staff and members of the United Cerebral

thinking programs like Life Without Limits and My Child Without

Palsy Board of Trustees, the majority of whom are people, or part of

Limits. Additional information is available at the UCP website at

family, impacted by disabilities. Also in attendance were the United

www.ucp.org.

Cerebral Palsy Young Benefactors, a newly formed group of young

Like United Cerebral Palsy (UCP), Capability Scotland was

men and women who support, communicate and extend the vision

founded more than 60 years ago by parents of children with cerebral

of Life Without Limits for people with disabilities and transform the

palsy. Today, the organization campaigns with, and provides educa-

cause to bring this vision closer to reality.

tion, employment and support services to, children and adults with

After guests made their way

Actress Cheryl Hines with members of the Young Benefactors Organization

disabilities across Scotland in order

through the receiving line, they

that they achieve equality and have

enjoyed a garden party reception

choice and control in their lives.

in the first floor public rooms of

Additional information is available

the residence, garden and pool area

at the Capability Scotland website

while a jazz trio played in the back-

at www.capability-scotland.org.uk.

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U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and former U.S. President, Bill Clinton’s only child and daughter, Chelsea Clinton, 29, was wed to Marc Mezvinsky, 32, on July 31st, 2010 in a small, quaint upstate New York town called Rhinebeck at the Astor Courts estate, a Bueaux Arts Mansion.

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was one of the last buildings designed by the famous architect, Stanford White who together with his firm, McKim, Mead and White were the pre-eminent classical American architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The estate is one and a half hours from New York City proper and situated directly on the picturesque Hudson River. Marc and Chelsea have known one another since her teens. Mr. Mezvinsky is the son of former members of Congress ~ Rep. Ed Mezvinsky, D-Iowa and Rep. Marjorie MargoliesMezvinksy, D-Pennsylvania. Although, they met in our nation’s capitol, Washington, DC, they would actually become closer friends when they both attended Stanford University. The wedding ceremony was conducted in a modern-day mixed-fashion as Reform Rabbi James Ponet, Yale University’s Jewish chaplain since 1981 (Mezvinsky is Jewish) and Rev. William Shillady of New York’s Park Avenue Methodist Church (Clinton is Christian Methodist) shared in the blessing of this union. They were married under a chuppah (literal Hebrew meaning “covering”) , a canopy under which a Jewish bride and groom stand while exchanging their wedding vows. It is also commonly practiced and recommended in Judaism to have an open sky directly above the Chuppah as it symbolizes the blessed home the pair will build with one another. During the ceremony friends and family recite the seven (7) traditional

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blessings and a Ketubah (literal Hebrew meaning “document”), a special type of a formal wedding contract; it’s considered to be an established intricate and necessary part of a conventional Jewish marriage. In addition to these customs, the wedding took place on a Saturday evening just previous to the conclusion of the Jewish Sabbath. The groom wore a yarmulke and prayer shawl to signify and honor his heritage. Security was at an all time high especially with Hillary Clinton being the US Secretary of State under the current Obama administration. The roads to or near the exclusive estate were secured and a no-fly zone was implemented. Additionally, all modern technological devices of any and all kinds were not permitted to be used by the guests.

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Hillary Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State and mother of the bride (left), Dorothy Rodham, grandmother of Chelsea & mother of Hillary Clinton with Chelsea Clinton

Chelsea wore a Vera Wang gown and Wang, an American designer and family friend of the Clinton’s also attended the wedding. While Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, wore a gown by Oscar de la Renta in a rich wine-color shade. The reception was in a stately and stylish tent magnificently transformed into a sea of floral brilliance with blue, pink and violet hydrangeas and roses arranged as a center piece for each and every table where the 400 guests would be sitting. The interior was majestic and elegant with rich fabric draperies decorating the entire room from the ceiling to floor. The poles supporting the tent were adorned with wreathes of luxurious flowers. The lighting was imperative considering the reception was during the evening hours and perfectly positioned

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throughout the entire tent were gorgeous chandeliers radiantly illuminating the room magically creating a soft and yet glittering ambiance. This wedding marks a very important historical and monumental time in that Chelseaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mother, Hillary Clinton, is very much in the political arena representing the United States in the capacity of Secretary of State continuously meeting with World Leaders and Foreign Dignitaries around the globe. And her father, former President of the United States, Bill Clinton, is

still very much in the public eye in that he is continuously and selflessly helping in a variety of humanitarian causes, especially one near and dear to his heart, Haiti, as heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the United Nations Special Envoy for Haiti. This wedding will rank and be recorded as one of the most noteworthy and highly significant historical social events not just in America but around the world in the 21st century. It will interest and fascinate people universally for generations to come.

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Finnish Embassy Becomes to Win Environmental Certification “I t ’s n ot e asy b e i n g gr e en . . . but it’s w or th the ef for t ! ”

H.E. Pekka Lintu, Ambassador of Finland to the United States

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For decades the Muppets character, Kermit the Frog, has entertained the children of the world with his persistent identity crisis. Being a talking frog in a human world, not to mention being green, is a struggle . . . and it’s sometimes painful. But Kermit’s plaintive song reflects a voyage of discovery and growing self-confidence: “I’m green and it’ll do fine. It’s beautiful. And, I think that’s what I want to be.” James A. Winship, Ph.D.

ermit’s song might be a parable for the environmental movement in the United States and across the globe. It’s not easy being green because it requires people to change

their energy and resource use habits . . . and, besides, who knows whether all this concern about global warming, pollution, resource depletion and carbon footprints is for real or not? Change might have been the theme of the last presidential election in the United States, but the global economic slowdown has scared people into thinking that change is something they’re not sure they want to make. If environmental change is going to come it requires pioneers – people and institutions who are willing to make change themselves in order to provide models for the rest of us. And that is exactly where the Embassy of Finland on Massachusetts Avenue has decided to take the lead. The modernistic Finnish embassy built in 1994 is a rectangular steel building placed so deeply on its odd shaped lot, wedged between Massachusetts Avenue and Fulton Street on the verge of Normanstone Park, that it almost disappears into the trees. Inside the structure the spaces are vast and open, and the back wall of the building is made almost entirely of glass such that the boundary between indoors and outdoors virtually disappears. Transparency, a fundamental principle of the Finnish government, provides a thematic link between the structure and its official functions. Natural light on blond wood and chrome creates a lightness that makes the building almost seem to float in its natural environment. By its appearance no embassy in Washington could look more environmentally appropriate for its setting, and by analogy it

This photo was taken at the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C. The image reflects how the country of Finland has truly incorporated the concept of establishing a truly "green" environment. Behind the Ambassador is an entire wall that is constructed of all glass that looks out upon the gorgeous woodlands that are still currently preserved right in the center of the city. The structure of the building lends itself to a very atrium kind of atmosphere and gives an unrestricted, peaceful feeling of being close to nature.

would be easy to assume that the Finnish embassy was the very model of ecological correctness. And that assumption would have been wrong. Not that the building was an energy eating, carbon spewing monster, but there was room for improvement . . . lots of improvement.

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the personification of that spirit and those policies. Pekka Lintu has been the Ambassador of Finland to the United States since January 2006 and previously served as Finland’s Ambassador to Japan for six years. It was there that he met his wife Laurel Colless, a New Zealander working in Tokyo at the time. Much of his diplomatic career has been focused on trade issues representing Finland at the 133-Trade Policy Committee of the European Union and in that capacity participating in the World Trade Organization’s Doha Development Round. Dr. James Winship of Diplomatic Connections interviewing Ambassador Lintu

The embassy staff committed to reexamining their “built”

Ambassador Lintu shares his country’s love for sports and fitness, but there is an artistic side as well. Few other ambassadors can say that they are the translators of Edmond Rostand’s Cyrano

environment with the goal of bringing it into conformity with the

de Bergerac from the original French in Finnish, all the while

newest standards of environmental responsibility and sustainabil-

retaining the original’s rhyming verse scheme. It was that play

ity for existing buildings. Electricity use was cut more than fifty

that introduced the word “panache” into the English vocabulary,

percent and natural gas consumption was reduced by sixty-five

referring to Cyrano’s way with words and his persuasive skills,

percent. By cutting its energy demands and saving resources such

not to mention a flare for the dramatic.

as water and paper, the embassy is now preventing greenhouse

And that is the way that Pekka Lintu represents his country

gas emissions equivalent to the energy consumption of ninety

in diplomacy – with great confidence, quiet but focused energy,

average American households.

the courage of his country’s views, thoughtful fervor, a zest for

Finnish Ambassador Pekka Lintu has described the project as giving the embassy and Finland’s diplomatic representatives “street credibility that will, I believe, help my country to promote her environmental agenda here in Washington. We practice what we preach.” In the process, the embassy is being a good neighbor to the surrounding community, setting the example that investing

entertaining, and just a touch of personal verve . . . that is with a soupçon of panache.

Interview with the Ambassador of Finland to the United States – H.E. Pekka Lintu Diplomatic Connections: Thank you very much ambas-

in green technology results in long-term savings, supporting the

sador for letting us come to the embassy and sit down with you

creation of green jobs, the transition to a greener global economy,

for a few minutes today. It’s always a privilege. The embassy has

and increasing awareness of how global environmental issues can

gone green. You’ve received the Energy Star rating awarded by

become local energy and resource saving initiatives.

the Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] for meeting strict

As acknowledgment of the embassy’s accomplishments it has

energy performance standards, and you’ve received the LEED

received “Energy Star” certification from the Environmental Pro-

[Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] certification of-

tection Agency identifying it as among the top twenty-five percent

fered by the U.S. Green Buildings Council. Why did you decided

of facilities in the United States in energy efficiency. Earlier this

to undertake this green project?

year the embassy also achieved the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental [LEED] certification. Appropriately, the LEED Gold plaque presented to Ambassador Lintu was fabricated from recycled glass bottles. If embas-

environmental issues and climate change are important in my country’s agenda, domestically, but also here in the US and globally. So this is why we do this, it is important. Secondly, people like the architecture and they appreciate the way the building fits into the surrounding nature and they think that this must be a green building. Since it was not built as one, I thought it really deserved to become a green building. Thirdly, we wanted to be

sies are icons of

a good corporate citizen in Washington, D.C. Fourth, it made

their country’s

good economic sense for us. We are saving money by being

spirit and policy

green and by being more energy efficient.

initiatives, then ambassadors are 110

Ambassador Lintu: Four reasons I would say. First of all,

w w w. d i p l o m at i c c o n n e c t i o n s . c o m

Diplomatic Connections: Has there been a great deal of interest from other embassies in following your model?

Ambassador Lintu: I know that there are several embassies

will, this little world of greening the embassy translate into the

which are at one stage or another of taking a similar path. To

larger diplomatic issues of environmental politics ~ the Kyoto

speak about our experiences we organized a meeting here at our

Treaty as well as cap and trade systems? What is Finland’s posi-

embassy for all the embassies together with the State Department.

tion on several of these broad environmental initiatives to reduce

We invited everybody. We had about sixty or seventy embassies,

carbon emissions?

and they came here to ask us questions. We also introduced them

Ambassador Lintu: Finland’s position is largely formulated

to our partners - the US Green Building Council, the EPA, and

as part of the European Union policy, because as you know the

the Chicago Climate Exchange - and they told the audience what

European Union is a leading activist in this case. Finland does

they can do in order to help them. So, of course, we think that it

her own share but that is part of first formulating EU policy and

would be good if there would be more and more embassies going

then implementing it. Our objectives, our targets, our policies

green in the future.

are part of the bigger EU policy which has been very much for-

Diplomatic Connections: What were some of the things you actually did, some of the changes that have resulted in these high ratings and the accompanying savings?

ward looking in the last two years. Diplomatic Connections: The embassy building is actually engaged in carbon trading to offset your remaining carbon

Ambassador Lintu: First, we started with rather common sense things, which were not that sophisticated in the beginning

footprint at this point. How does that work? Ambassador Lintu: The embassy has become a zero emis-

because quite clearly we saw that we were using way too much

sions activity site, and to accomplish that we are members of

energy. So, the first things were to check what we could do with-

the Chicago Climate Exchange. There is always some carbon

out disrupting our operations too much, regulating the use of our

footprint remaining even though we try to be cleaner and cleaner.

heating, our lighting and our water consumption. We switched

There is also the carbon footprint left by our business travels.

to using these systems only when we needed them and not run-

What we have committed ourselves to doing is that as a member

ning them all the time. Then from there, we developed more and

of the CCX we are paying to offset these remaining emissions.

more sophisticated energy management systems and retro-fitted

So whatever emissions we have here are reported yearly to the

equipment to dramatically improve energy efficiency. We were

Chicago Climate exchange. They calculate how much we should

able during a few years time to cut down our energy consumption

then pay to offset these carbon emissions. That money is then

by more than half in this building.

used for environmental progress somewhere else. So the net ef-

Diplomatic Connections: Was making all these changes and achieving certification a painful process?

fect then becomes carbon neutral. I was just visiting Chicago a few weeks ago and I also visited

Ambassador Lintu: I wouldn’t say so. You could say that

the CCX, and I asked, “Where is our money going now and

there was a lot of paper work to fill in because the building has so

why?” I found out that we are supporting projects in India.

many systems, but I wouldn’t say it was painful and I don’t think

Diplomatic Connections: It is helpful when people see that

that it has made our work here more difficult in any way. I think

there is a link between their contribution and a specific project, as

that, on the contrary, by thinking through this process we have

opposed to just the general efforts in environmental progress.

found ways of both being more efficient and also enjoying the environment we work in more.

Ambassador Lintu: I think it’s good for the ownership thinking.

Diplomatic Connections: And are you a model not just for the embassies here in Washington? Is there a similar policy in Helsinki for public buildings? Are they trying to go greener as well? Ambassador Lintu: As a matter of principle the Finnish government says that this is what we should do. How we are accomplishing the goals varies depending on the place. The LEED certification system is an American system, and in Europe there are other certification systems. Even in Finland there is one which we are following but it is not exactly the same as the LEED system is here. Diplomatic Connections: How does this microcosm, if you DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

111

Diplomatic Connections: Speaking of ownership, let’s bring

and things should continue to improve a little next year as well.

these issues down to the immediate Washington, D.C. metropoli-

Basically, our economy has been in good shape and it has been a

tan area. The embassy recently sponsored an event that put the

very competitive economy for a long time. At first we thought we

problems of the Chesapeake Bay alongside the problems of the

might just weather the storm, but it has been a severe disturbance

Baltic Sea. How are the two bodies of water similar, and what

for us.

lessons might be drawn from trying to reduce the pollution that threatens both? Ambassador Lintu: That was part of the question that we

Once the global crisis became big enough and our international markets started to decline, we began to feel the pinch. Our exporting companies started to lose the market and investment

posed ourselves, so what is similar? What would be the best

flows were drying up. So we came to a halt quite suddenly and

practices that we could learn from each other? The similarities

last year was quite difficult.

are that both areas are in-land seas. In each case you have several

I would still say that the basic structures of our economy are

states, the littoral units, literally bordering the sea and forming

quite solid. But we will need an orderly international recovery so

the watershed that drains into it. In your case they are states, in

the trade and investment mechanisms can start to work.

our case they are nation-states. We are nine nation-states around

Diplomatic Connections: Do you think that the Euro sector

the Baltic Sea, and in your case there are six states plus D.C. So

can survive? Can the Euro survive? This is the first real test that

what is needed is cooperation by all of these parties.

the Euro is in a serious down turn.

A third crucial issue is that both are in trouble. And that is

Ambassador Lintu: The Euro is down, and that has been an

precisely because these are inland seas. That means that the

additional challenge now with the news coming from Greece as

water does not flow as freely as it does in an ocean without these

well as some other countries. That shows me that there are some

close boundaries. We may be in even more trouble in the Baltic

challenges that we have to think more carefully about, and this

Sea because it is also rather shallow. Research shows that the wa-

is what our political leaders have been doing for several months

ter in the Baltic Sea changes only every twenty-five years, so it is

already. I think that they have come out with rather strong an-

a very slow process. Everything, all kinds of pollution, accumu-

swers, but it will certainly take some time to get back to where we

lates and concentrates there.

were. It is perhaps a bit harder to restore confidence than people

Diplomatic Connections: We both share concerns with things like agricultural runoff.

expected when the monetary union was created. Diplomatic Connections: Let’s return to the energy ques-

Ambassador Lintu: Yes, that is a big factor in both areas.

tion but in a different way. We’ve seen the return of Russia to an

And there are other pollution sources. Urbanization around the

increased position of power after its lowest ebb following the col-

area, new development areas and the changing landscape all im-

lapse of the Soviet Union. Finland imports a good deal of natural

pact the water quality and the marine life in these inland seas. I

gas and electrical capacity from Russia but there is also a newly

found this session very useful. All that we heard was not positive,

stated policy of becoming self sufficient in electrical generating.

but there is growing public awareness of the risks we face and a

Does that mean that Finland is about to go nuclear in its power

recognition that we have to do something.

generation? And how does that decision mesh with your green

Diplomatic Connections: Certainly as people look at the declining crab population and the oyster populations in the

emphasis? Ambassador Lintu: Well yes it is true, we are importing a lot.

Chesapeake Bay it brings environmental concerns home in a very

We are importing not only gas and electricity but also oil from

personal way. The richness of the Bay was so much a part of

Russia. That is because we don’t have any hydrocarbon resources

people’s economic and social life that it was taken for granted for

of our own so we have to import everything. We don’t have very

much too long.

much energy resources indigenous to us, the only thing that we

Turning to some larger questions, Finland like the United

have abundantly is bio-mass, that means wood, and we are us-

States has experienced the global economic slowdown in severe

ing a lot of that. So that means that our portfolio in renewable

ways. If I am reading the reports correctly you have actually had

energies is rather big compared to other countries because we are

negative GDP growth this year. How is Finland trying to deal

using bio-mass, but that’s about it. We don’t have a lot of hydro;

with these issues within the limits of the European Union but also

we don’t have a lot of wind, yet.

within the possibilities of the EU? Ambassador Lintu: Well, to be precise I think that we had negative growth last year. But this year we are in positive growth 112

w w w. d i p l o m at i c c o n n e c t i o n s . c o m

So we have to find a solution if we want to be serious with our obligations to cut down on emissions. That is why we have seen that nuclear energy for us is the means, at least for the time

Inside the Embassy of Finland in Washington, D.C., Ambassador Lintu standing on the very modern-looking, grand staircase that leads from the entrance of the building to the elegant event space where many diplomatic and cultural receptions are held.

being. This is why we are basing part of our energy needs on

Diplomatic Connections: It’s fascinating to see that the

nuclear. And that means that if the parliament approves new

return of nuclear power to the world stage after the fears that

nuclear power plants, then we could become a self-sufficient state

were generated by the disaster at Chernobyl and the accident

in electricity. We will not be importing on a continuous basis. So,

at Three Mile Island here in the United States. For a long time

yes, we are depending on nuclear energy for the time being.

people were quite leery of nuclear power. Suddenly it’s back on

Diplomatic Connections: Has the nuclear waste issue

the drawing board in a very, very big way. And, of course, France

entered in to the discussion at all from the point of view of the

has generated over 40% of its electricity with nuclear for a very

green environmental concerns about how it’s handled?

long time.

Ambassador Lintu: We have legislation in place that says

Ambassador Lintu: We have already some 30 years of

clearly that we can neither export nor import nuclear waste. That

experience, and the reliability of our nuclear plants has been very

means that we have to take care of it ourselves. And there is a

good.

plan which also has come to the legislative process to deposit the

Diplomatic Connections: Let us turn to some more specific

nuclear waste in the bedrock. That facility is under construction

foreign policy questions. The first one, because obviously it’s

and should be ready in 2020. It is located in the vicinity of our

important to readers here in the United States, is Finland’s role

biggest power plant in western part of Finland, and it is about

in the Afghan effort and the international security force. Could

1.5 miles into the bedrock. We think that is safe because our

you tell us a bit about the size of that effort and how it works

bedrock is very solid and we don’t have any movement. Then,

alongside the presence of the United States in Afghanistan? How

of course, we have to make new decisions and see whether new

you might see the future playing out? How long will Finland stay

licenses are approved. But this basic capacity of waste deposit

in Afghanistan?

should take care of what we have currently and what we are now about to approve.

Ambassador Lintu: We are one of the 46 countries which form the ISAF [International Security Assistance Force], and to

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113

look back Finland already has more than fifty years of experi-

War has been over and Finland joined the EU, we don’t speak

ence in international peacekeeping. These days you speak not

about neutrality anymore. In the strict sense of the word, we are

only about peacekeeping but also about crisis management, so

not neutral anymore because we are a member of the European

this is a crisis management operation under NATO. This is one

Union. But we are still militarily non-allied because we are not a

of our biggest missions; we have another one which is rather big

member of any military alliances.

in Kosovo, also under NATO. International crisis management

Diplomatic Connections: But Finland is a member of the

is a continuing part of the Finnish international effort not only in

Partnership for Peace, related to NATO, and you have been very

military terms but in civilian affairs as well.

active in the OSCE [Organization for Security and Cooperation

I could say that in Afghanistan, Finland has a three-pronged

in Europe] as it has developed. Before that, Finland was active in

approach. One is that we have the ISAF troops which total less

formulating and gaining acceptance of the Helsinki Accords and

than 200 altogether. Then we have the civilian side including

subsequently in the formation of the CSCE. How does Finland

the EUROPOL [European Police Office]. We have a rather big

fit into these structures, to use the technical term, the security

share of that effort with almost thirty officers there already, which

architecture, of Europe? How do you balance the principle of

makes us one of the biggest contributors. Not long ago, I’d like

non-alignment with involvement with NATO, the OSCE, and

to add, a Finnish person was named commander of EUROPOL.

the possibility of a common defense policy within the EU in the

And then we have our aid package which is considerable by

future? Ambassador Lintu: First of all, NATO and OSCE are quite

Finnish standards. What we anticipate to happen of course is the same as ev-

different types of organizations. NATO is a political-military

erybody who is participating. ISAF expects to contribute to the

alliance and OSCE is rather an organization for improving the

Afghan state by helping to reestablish security and stability of the

security and promoting democracy of human rights in Europe.

country in order to turn it back over to the Afghanis themselves.

So, their memberships are quite different; OSCE has twice the

How long will that take? We don’t know. We haven’t set any

number of members. Finland is not a member of NATO, though

time limit to our own ISAF participation, but that will be reevalu-

we are working in close cooperation with them. We maintain the

ated constantly. We strongly believe in this cooperation, and we

option to become a member one day if it is deemed appropriate,

think that all three elements of it are important.

but for the time being this is not the case.

Diplomatic Connections: Recently the newspapers carried

We are members of the OSCE. Although, that is a different

headline stories about billions of dollars of mineral wealth in Af-

type of organization. It is a larger process and it seeks larger solu-

ghanistan. Knowing that this mineral wealth is there and getting

tions to the European security. We just held the chairmanship of

at it are two different questions. One of Finland’s great specialties

the OSCE back in 2008.

has been the development of mineral resources. Does Finland

Diplomatic Connections: Before departing, Mr. Ambassa-

see a role for itself in the development of mineral resources in

dor, we have to note that a substantial majority of your profes-

Afghanistan?

sional staff here at the embassy are women.

Ambassador Lintu: It’s certainly too early to say anything

Ambassador Lintu: I mean if you think of Finland today I

about that but one basic factor is certain, we are interested in

think that maybe that is something you can note in your article,

supporting elements in the Afghan economy that could help

that is what Finland is. We have a female president, we are go-

them to develop themselves.

ing to have a female prime minister in a couple of days and the

Diplomatic Connections:

Historically as people looked

at Finland, they learned about Finland as a neutral power, as

majority of the cabinet members are women. It is not only because of the numbers, but I happen to believe

much by the necessities of geographic proximity to Russia and

that the large number of women in Finland’s work force is very

the Soviet Union as by choice. Finnish policy documents refer to

much behind our success in many areas like education, welfare

a policy of “active neutrality.” How does that idea translate into

and society. Much of that success comes from women having

foreign policy? How does Finland see its diplomatic role in post

ownership and fully participating in society.

Cold-War Europe? Ambassador Lintu: Our foreign policy has always adapted itself to the country’s needs and to the circumstances. During the Cold War, it was the appropriate policy to stay neutral as it was for many other countries in Europe. However, since the Cold 114

w w w. d i p l o m at i c c o n n e c t i o n s . c o m

Diplomatic Connections: Thank you, Ambassador Lintu.

Sophia Backlund

alta M

Winemaking Connections

Sophia Backlund

An interview with H.E. Mark Miceli-Farrugia, Malta’s Ambassador to the United States of America.

Josette, Chris and Ambassador Mark Miceli-Farrugia

mbassador Miceli-Farrugia is also the founding

grapes do not possess adequate sugar-acidity ratios, these produc-

partner with Marchese Piero Antinori of the bou-

ers first supplement their wines with sugar, then tartaric acid, and

tique Meridiana Wine Estate in the exotic Mediter-

often dispense with grapes altogether.

ranean archipelago of Malta. He recently explained the birth of his passion for winegrowing. Diplomatic Connections: Mark, how did a diplomat like you get involved in winemaking?

Diplomatic Connections: What about the other factors? Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: The fourth factor is viticulture: the need to husband and train one’s vines on trellises – man-made supports. I mentioned that Maltese farmers never trellised their

Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: It was really the other way

vines due to the strong winds gusting over the islands’ relatively

around. I was already a winemaker when I was offered the oppor-

flat landscapes. Vine-trellising is essential to reduce humidity

tunity to practice my second passion – diplomacy – on graduating

and avoid disease. Besides, all vineyards are affected by winds.

from Malta’s Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies. My

The solution is to plant one’s vines in the direction of the prevail-

passion for winemaking dates back to 1985 when I was market-

ing wind. The first vines will protect those behind them….Even

ing Italian wines and met a French oenologist who enquired: “You

more important though, is the fifth point: “vinification technol-

must make good wine in Malta?” I looked at him cynically. Malta

ogy.” Temperature-controlled fermentation is costly but permits the

then produced lackluster wines. He persisted: “There are essen-

production in central Mediterranean islands not only of excellent,

tially six factors that determine wine-making. Malta already has

robust, red wines but also of the more

them or can acquire them.”

delicately flavored white wines.

Diplomatic Connections: What were these factors? Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: “You come from the Mediterranean wine zone which produces some 65% of the world’s wines.

Diplomatic Connections: And what about the sixth point? Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: The sixth point is ‘The luck of the year’.

dusa, and west - in Tunisia. Secondly, you must have soil, and

Firstly, damaging strong winds are rarely

wine doesn’t require a particularly rich soil. Thirdly, it is neces-

experienced during the flowering season.

sary to plant suitable wine-grape varieties. Certain Mediterranean

Secondly, with having a favorable climate,

islands make ‘wine’ out of table grapes – eating grapes. Since eating

we don’t face ruinous frost or hail during

Sophia Backlund

Good wines are made north of Malta in Sicily, south - in Lampe-

Fenici Wines shortly to be launched in Washington DC

DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | A U T U MN 2 0 1 0

115

ally acclaimed wines grown exclusively in Malta. And then, yes, the rest was history. Diplomatic Connections: Did the market take to your wines immediately? Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: To our astonishment, the more upscale customers bought out our first vintage in weeks. They were clearly motivated by a sense of national pride as well as product satisfaction. Progressively, as government drew up regulations in conformity with the EU, the whole winemaking sector converted to the new quality-oriented philosophy. Diplomatic Connections: But why would Marchese Piero the harvests: we can easily pick grapes in the peak of summer.

Antinori - already owning several wineries throughout Italy and

Therefore, one will also enjoy good quality of fruit.”

the New World - be interested in investing in a relatively unknown winemaking country like Malta?

Diplomatic Connections: So, the idea was sown? Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: Yes, the idea was sown, but I

Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: For two reasons essentially:

needed to confirm the project’s feasibility. This I obtained through

firstly, because every wine zone produces wines possessing their

a Maltese oenologist – Roger Aquilina - who had studied winemak-

unique character. A chardonnay grown in Malta will have a dif-

ing with Germany’s best – in Geisenheim. Roger, who subsequent-

ferent consistency to one grown in Burgundy, Tuscany or the Napa

ly became our oenologist, explained why Malta had never seriously

Valley. Secondly, because Marchese Piero was convinced that

developed its winemaking potential. Prior to our entry into the

Malta’s climate was more favorable to quality viniculture than tradi-

EU, Malta’s winemaking sector had lacked the all-essential regula-

tional winegrowing areas.

tory framework. We, therefore, set out to test our Frenchman’s

Diplomatic Connections:

theory and successfully grew 10 different varieties grafted onto

Why did you choose the name

three different rootstocks on a small piece of land loaned to us.

‘Meridiana’? Ambassador Miceli-Farru-

Diplomatic Connections: And the rest is history? Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: Almost. In 1989, we success-

gia: For marketing purposes,

fully tendered for a lovely piece of agricultural land – 47 acres (19

I believed that it was neces-

hectares) – flanking what had been a World War II fighter air base

sary to put our wine estate on

at Ta’ Qali, the center of Malta’s main island. However, we still

the international wine map.

needed the critical start-up capital – 3 million dollars - to build

‘Meridiana’ means ‘South of

our farmhouse winery at the heart of our vineyard. And our finan-

Europe.’ Furthermore, ‘Meridi-

ciers were as skeptical about Malta’s winemaking potential as I had

ana’ also means sundial in Latin;

been originally. The only way we finally got the project going –

hence, the sundial logo embodied

five years later in 1994 – was when a respected friend and pioneer

in Meridiana’s façade.

in his own right – Marchese Piero Antinori of Tuscany agreed to put both his capital and technical support behind our project. We planted the white varietals - Chardonnay, Vermentino, and Viognier - and the gnon, Merlot succession

red varietals – Cabernet Sauviand Syrah. We organized a of wine-tastings at our

Sophia Backlund

Diplomatic Connections: What inspired you to name your wines Isis, Bel…..? Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: Marketing considerations dictated this. Now that we had, thanks to the name of Meridiana, put Malta on the Southern European map, we needed to project Malta’s distinctive character. And Malta is distinguished amongst

winery

to promote our mission

its European partners by its unique Semitic language – a language

statement:

“World-Class Wines of

bequeathed to us by the Phoenician traders who dominated the

Maltese

Character” - internation-

Mediterranean between 1,000 – 200 BCE. Hence Isis – the Phoenician goddess of navigators, Bel - the Phoenician god of Fertility. In fact, the name Fenici pays tribute to the Phoenicians who originally spread winemaking culture throughout the Mediterranean.

Sophia Backlund

Diplomatic Connections: However, not all of your names

nier) and Fenici Red (Syrah & Merlot). In due course - subject to availability - we may also ship some out of our other wines as well.

represent Phoenician deity, do they – Nexus, Mistral?

Diplomatic Connections: I’ve heard you refer to the similari-

Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: Yes, you’re right. I needed names that were as pronounceable as they were original and

ties of conducting diplomacy and marketing wine. What do you

identifiable. And I was eventually obliged to resort to names of

mean exactly? Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: Few people in North America

fantasy. Nexus represents the marriage between Malta’s Old World geographical location and Meridiana’s New World vinicultural

know much about Malta. Whether you are conducting diplomacy

technology, Mistral is inspired by the prevailing cool, North West-

or marketing wine, you are constantly seeking to convey two mes-

erly wind which favors wine-growing on our islands. We explain

sages to your publics. On the one hand, you are trying to help

these names on our website: www.meridiana.com.mt

them identify with you by focusing on similarities in values and

Diplomatic Connections: As you yourself stated, here in

cultures – our people’s struggle for political freedom and the rule

Washington you are practicing your other passion – diplomacy. In

of law; our businessmen’s quest for product quality. On the other

the meantime, who’s looking after your first passion in Malta?

hand, you are trying to generate interest by highlighting appeal-

Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: Thankfully, I have a team of

ing differences. The diplomatic challenge is to demonstrate what

committed, equally passionate staff overseeing Meridiana. I’m

makes Malta so unique to American legislators or businessmen:

obviously in regular communication with them.

our central Mediterranean location serves to bridge the EU with

Diplomatic Connections: Is it true that your wines are repre-

North Africa. Likewise, the winemaker’s challenge is to spotlight what makes Maltese wine stand out from the competition: our

sented in Washington? Ambassador Miceli-Farrugia: Yes, Meridiana has just shipped

central Mediterranean climate characterizes our agricultural produce with unparalleled flavor!

its first order to a fine wines store in DC and one can find further

Diplomatic Connections: Thank you, Ambassador Miceli-

information concerning where to obtain our wines on our website.

Farrugia.

This first shipment consists of Fenici White (Vermentino & Viog-

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