Diplomatic Connections Summer 2010

QUARTERLY BUSINESS • SUMMER 2010

BONO

INSPIRING VOICE Pillar of Humanitarian Excellence

H ome to Princes, Presidents and New Yorkers alike.

FRONT COVER PHOTOS Atlantic Council gives Bono Humanitarian Award for combating extreme poverty and preventable diseases, particularly in Africa, and efforts to eradicate the developing world’s debt.

INSIDE FRONT COVER THE PENINSULA CHICAGO INSIDE BACK COVER THE ELYSIAN HOTEL CHICAGO BACK COVER THE WALDORF ASTORIA | THE WALDORF TOWERS | NEW YORK CITY Amtrak 71 British School of Washington 48 British Embassy 94 Canadian Embassy 44 & 74 Carlyle Hotel 1 Concordia Hotel 49 Dentist, Dr. Tarek Mogharbel 90 Diplomatic Connections May Reception 100 & 125 Dragon Runner 74 Elysian Hotel in Chicago 57 & Insert Estonia, President IIves interview 64 Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts 100, 107 & 119 Germany 38 Grove Dental Clinic 72 Hay Adams 4, 5, 32 & 92 Ireland 18 InterContinental Hotels Group 87 Japan 82 Jim Coleman Cadillac 88 McLean Furniture Gallery 6 Metro Montessori 41, 42 & 43 Netherlands 16 Precise Home Management 14

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Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center 69 & 81 Saudi Arabian Airlines 56 Sofitel Chicago Water Tower 8 & 37 The Fairfax at Embassy Row 12 United Arab Emirates 50

34 23 & 67 Waldorf Astoria 55 & 128 Waldorf Towers 55 & 128 Washington Hospital Center 91 Willard InterContinental Hotel 87 Wings Jets 10 United Nations Foundation

U.S. Sedan Service

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dawn Parker Assistant to the Editor Julie Pomeroy ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Hiam Awad and Gloria Ainey ASSISTANT TO ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Amy Kachelries

Atlantic Council 24

QinetiQ North America

DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS

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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, Chad Fleschner, Gustavo Gargallo, Satomi Kato, Nobutoshi Mizushima 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 2008 by Diplomatic Connections All rights reserved.

Cover photos: Bono Diplomatic Connections/Chad Fleschner Bono, Senator McCain Diplomatic Connections/Chad Fleschner Faded photo of children UN Photo/Marco Dormino

Dear Readers, First, I would like to personally extend my sincerest gratitude to all the Diplomats and Staff Representatives who took the time out of their inundated schedules to attend the Diplomatic Connections’ “Diplomat Appreciation Reception” held in the luxuriously elegant Corcoran Ballroom at the Four Seasons Washington in May! As in previous editions, I would like to emphasize and bring your attention to our featured advertisers throughout this Summer 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 September 30, 2010 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 ~ September 30th! 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 opinion matters to us; thus, we are looking to you, the Diplomat, for the type of articles and advertisements 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

Diplomatic Connections now has Online Classifieds for FREE. There is NO CHARGE for Diplomats and Staff Representatives to post items on the Diplomatic Connections website.

To post your classifieds simply go to: www.diplomaticconnections.com Realizing that there is a great need for an Online Classifieds site because of the transitional lifestyle of a diplomat, we’ve made it easy for you, the Diplomat and Staff Representative, to buy and/or sell directly on the Diplomatic Connections website.

ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS POST YOUR FREE ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS! VISIT OUR WEBSITE www.DiplomaticConnections.com

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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

MCLEAN FURNITURE GALLERY ELEVATES HOME FURNISHING TO AN ART FORM www.mcleanfurniture.com McLean Furniture Gallery's infinite design possibilities and fine furniture options are best described as truly the “stuff that dreams are made of” to quote now- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. As Senator, Mrs. Clinton then wrote this line to Mrs. Tehmina Khan, the President of McLean Furniture Gallery ("the Gallery") in a July, 2000 letter. Today, the ultimate attestation to the Gallery's presence in the Washington, DC area is simply the fact that it has beat out its competition by continuing to thrive during difficult economic times. Founded in 1984, the Gallery is celebrating its 26th year by garnering exclusive licenses to sell several upscale furniture lines to its customers. The Exclusive, sole distributorship this side of New York is a proud position for manufacturers with a global reputation. Housed in their own shopping center the new Fairfax location encompassing nearly 44,000 square feet, is a state of the art building designed by Leo Daly. Customers are able to view approximately 100 different furniture brands in the largest resource room in the Metropolitan Area.

"Catering to different tastes" has been the mantra of the founder and President, Tehmina’s perception was to be a “unique” resource. Never wanting to be categorized as a simply traditional furniture store, Tehmina and her design team have expanded the breadth of home furnishings by including eclectic, contemporary, neo-classic and Franco-Italian, traditional and classic styles to the discerning elite. Not to be outdone by any other showroom, the Gallery has consistently kept its prices down by scaling down on overhead and offering customers a variety of price-points. Also, delivery and installation costs are amazingly low compared to the competition. In house designing includes field visits, auto-cad presentation, 3D sketch and their fabric resource from UK, Italy and the Best of American Fabric makers is outstanding.

Globalization has also benefitted the home furnishings business; along with traditional classic American brands such as Henkel-Harris, Century, EJ Victor, Hickory White, Maitland Smith, Christopher Guy, Francesco Molon, Bernhardt, and others, customers can also peruse classic and famous Italian lines such as Francesco Molon and Rho Mobili. Francesco Molon, the creators of exquisite empire and contemporary Italian furniture made in Venice, Italy. Makers of the finest walnut heritage collection. Francesco Molon supplier of fine furniture to a long list of Heads of State, 150 five and six star Hotels around the world, has selected the Gallery as their exclusive distributor in the Metropolitan area. This is really a "one stop shop" -- our home furnishings, is a turnkey operation, says Tehmina.

Corporate or Residential projects include custom draperies, area rugs, lighting, artwork, fine china and accessories. And, like every successful Washington DC business, the Gallery counts the diplomatic community amongst its favorite clients, innumerable Residences, multiple clubs including Fort Myer and Fort McNair and over 40,000 private homes to boast of and most importantly dozens of Interior design firms that use our resource exclusively. MFG runs a corporate and furniture leasing business for multiple corporations sustaining accounts and Embassies.

Recently has had the honor of designing and furnishing the newly-refurbished historical Wyoming residence of the Libyan Ambassador, in Washington DC, New York and Englewood New Jersey. "This was a project close to my heart", says Tehmina. "Working with the Embassy of Libya was a completely professional and lovely experience, as our design team brought beautiful properties to life", she added. Every job is unique the Kennedy Warren, Canadian project, Brunei, Malaysian projects, Josephine and Quarters Seven are unforgettable experiences.

We are a DC institution, and my team shows the same enthusiasm for locating a hard to find piece as it does for our corporate or embassy clients" says Tehmina. "We pride ourselves on being able to work within a budget and making dreams come true within that budget, be it big or small."

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PRECISE HOME MANAGEMENT LEADS THE WAY IN TRAINING. EDUCATION IS THE KEY TO A PERFECTLY RUN HOME. PRECISE HOME MANAGEMENT TAKES THE WORRY OUT OF HIRING HOUSEHOLD STAFF. Andrew Lowrey, Founder and President of Precise Home Management

ood help is hard to find, as the old saying goes, which is why it’s good to have Andrew Lowrey at your service.

Lowrey is the Founder and President of Precise Home Management, a Baltimore based company which provides domestic solutions to a discerning clientele world-wide. He has had a long and varied career in service and truly understands what it takes to run a household smoothly and efficiently for maximum peace of mind.

Lowrey, who grew up in Cambridge, England, began his career in service to British royalty. He has worked in five star hotels, served aboard the QEII, and owned and operated his own tea shop in Cambridge. After

graduating from the prestigious Ivor Spencer International Butler School in Sydney, Lowrey served as Head Steward aboard a 345 ft yacht privately owned by a Saudi businessman who served as an advisor to the king. After many adventures he settled in the United States where he worked as a butler for one of Maryland’s most prominent families.

In 1998 Lowrey left his position to start Precise Home Management to address a lack of resources he saw for both homeowners and domestic staff. Today, Precise Home Management is a leading Domestic Staffing Agency and Consultancy, thanks to Lowrey’s vast knowledge of domestic affairs, his attention to detail and his dedication to total satisfaction.

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What distinguishes Precise Home Management in the field of domestic staffing is Lowrey’s thorough and painstaking assessment of his clients’ needs. Once he has carefully screened applicants and run detailed background checks on them, he personally oversees their training and is on hand to ensure their seamless introduction into the clients’ home. Whether an estate manager or a housekeeper, a chauffer or a private chef, Lowrey guarantees the suitability of his placements; if a client is dissatisfied with a placement Precise Home Management will find a more appropriate candidate quickly and at no additional charge.

Lowrey has even been known to step in himself, once acting as a chauffer until a suitable applicant could be found and trained. As well as sourcing and placing qualified domestic professionals, Precise Home Management offers in-home training and education for new or existing staff.

For the busy homeowner Precise Home Management provides many home organizational services. Lowrey, drawing on his years of experience in Estate Management will personally draw up detailed protocols for each staff member of daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly duties as well as detailed lists of all the employers preferences, from what scents to avoid to the exact placement of pillows on a chair.

Lowrey will personally oversee the implementation of all protocols in order to en-

maintenance; proper care of couture; use of different cleaning equipment, materials and ecological products; care of antiques; protocol for interacting with family and sure a smoothly run household. He also guests; hospitality; and how to properly offers Household Manuals and Directo- answer the phone and take messages. All ries, which list all pertinent information applicants will take personal instruction regarding the house, its contents and its from Lowrey, with additional lessons from occupants. Invaluable for insurance purspecialists and profesposes, these directories are also an unsional instrucparalleled tool for keeping track of tors in varithe demands of a busy family. This ous fields. year, in a long awaited development, Whether Precise Home Management will be you have a working with Alternet Home Inforlive-in staff of mation Systems, a company which 20 or a single housesince 1997 has worked with the keeper, Andrew Lowrey and Precise Home world’s most prestigious families Management have the tools, expertise and and their estate staffs. Together, Pre- experience to take the worry and stress out cise Home Management and Alternet of training and managing your domestic can create web-based communication, help. Good help, it turns out, is a phone information and management tools for call away. private estates, with services and software for the management and display of fine art collections, facilities, libraries, travel planning, estate architecture, garden and grounds management, and more.

Ever forward looking, in the fall of 2010 Precise Home Management, in addition to continuing to offer in-home training will open a Housekeepers Training Academy.

Lowrey has seen an increasing need for better educated staff as fewer people today are properly trained in the arts of domestic service. The intensive week course will cover, among other things: wardrobe

WWW.PRECI SEHO M E . COM

Transport, Camiel Eurlings, offered three sets of sweeping arms (6 arms in total) and auxiliary equipment to be used to collect oil spilled from the Deepwater Horizon incident, in the Gulf of Mexico.

By Carla Bundy Royal Netherlands Embassy

Dutch Assist in Clean Up of

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National Geographic

At the request of U.S. authorities, the Dutch Minister of

Type of Dutch sweeping arms that will be used in Gulf of Mexico oil spill clean up

D

uring the first week of June, the Dutch Corps of Engineers (Rijkswaterstaat) sent the equipment by plane to the U.S. Coast Guard in Louisiana. Experts from the Dutch private industry flew in as well to assist with the operation of the sweeping arms.

While attached to ships, the sweeping arms skim and collect floating oil from the water and pump it into storage tanks.

Depending on local weather conditions, the sweeping arms have a maximum pumping capacity of 350 m3 per hour. Minister Eurlings stated, “The Dutch offered assistance to the United States as soon as the disaster occurred. We have been working closely on water related issues with the Louisiana region since Hurricane Katrina. It seems no more than natural that now again, we stand together with the people of Louisiana.”

The arms were delivered to the American company, T&T Marine Salvage, which is contracted by BP to assist in cleaning up the oil spill. The arms will remain in the U.S. after being used and Rijkswaterstaat will secure additional sweeping arms for the Netherlands. In case of an unfortunate simultaneous oil spill in the North Sea, the Dutch have enough capacity to handle this. In an emergency situation, its neighbouring countries can assist.

Rijkswaterstaat, a division of the Ministry of Transport, Public Works and Water Management, possesses a great deal of

expertise in oil spill clean up and has assisted in earlier oil spill disasters, such as the oil spill in Prestige, Spain in 2002.

The U.S. and the Dutch are working closely together on water related issues. Immediately after Hurricane Katrina and Rita struck, the Netherlands provided assistance in battling flood waters in New Orleans. Senator Mary Landrieu and EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson recently visited the Netherlands to discuss these issues. The Dutch and American collaboration continues to evolve and makes the Netherlands the U.S. go-to partner for water management solutions, working together on flood protection in Louisiana and other states, mitigating the impact of rising sea levels on America’s coastlines and developing partnerships that prepare our economies for short and long-term water challenges.

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WHEN IRISH EYES ARE SMILING

DESPITE A TEAR OR TWO Washington Celebrates Irish American Heritage Children at Ellis Island 1908 Brown Bros.

R O NAL D REA G A N B U I L D I N G AND INT E R NAT IONAL T R ADE C E NTER James A. Winship, Ph.D. for Diplomatic Connections

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merican Friends of Ireland gathered at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C. to celebrate the arrival of Saint Patrick’s Day and to honor Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The black tie event brought together leaders from all walks of Washington’s political, diplomatic, business, journalistic, and arts communities to honor the long-standing links between Ireland and the United States resulting from the waves of Irish immigrants who were pulled to America to build canals and railroads and pushed from Ireland by the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s toward the promise of fertile, affordable land in America. Beyond the joyful celebration of Irish identity at the heart of this event, there was also continuing concern for the health of the Irish economy in the midst of global recession and strong support for the next steps in devolution of authority and institutionalizing the peace process in Northern Ireland.

Norah O’Donnell, Chief Washington Correspondent for the 24-hour cable news channel MSNBC and included on the “Top 100 Irish Americans” list, served as MC for the evening welcoming guests, introducing a long list of speakers, and tying the segments of the evening before and after dinner together.

Guests of honor alongside Secretary of State Clinton and her 18

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husband, former President of the United States Bill Clinton, were the Irish Taoiseach (the Prime Minister, pronounced Teeshock) Brian Cowen, United States Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney (owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers), Irish Ambassador to the United States H.E. Michael Collins, British Ambassador to the United States Sir Nigel Sheinwald, and U.S. Economic Envoy to Northern Ireland Declan Kelly. Northern Ireland was represented by the Right honorable Peter D. Robinson, First Minister, and Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland.

The gala evening was touched by Irish enthusiasm at every turn. Where else in Washington, D.C. but the American Ireland Fund gala would dinner feature smoked trout appetizers and roasted lamb shanks as the main course? And where else would the interlude between welcoming speakers and dinner feature the Sidwell Friends School Chamber Singers performing “Danny Boy?” As the night progressed, the Irish dance group “Keltic Dreams” made up of inner city African American and Hispanic children from New York, taught the dance routines by their classroom exchange teacher from Ireland, charmed the crowd. Toward the conclusion of this year’s celebration, sweets and Irish coffee were served in the rollicking musical

Secretary Clinton addressing The American Ireland Fund Gala audience DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | S U MME R 2 0 1 0

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ing hopes of an earlier decade were being replaced by rising unemployment, growing government deficits, and economic contraction.

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Brian Cowen used the evening to assure the dinner guests that Ireland’s economic recovery was well underway, “and as we recover, we recognize the need to reach out in new and exciting ways to our global Irish family, here in the United States and around the world.”

He acknowledged the special of the American Ireland Fund in “in harnessing our global [Irish] Left to right: Chris Matthews, MSNBC Host; Danny Coleman, Phoenix Park Hotel; Terry McAuliffe, Democratic Party Leader family in a unique network, not just in material terms, but also in terms of your ideas and atmosphere of an Irish pub with music by “Shannon Tide” comexperience, ones that go beyond the corridors of government plete with fiddles, penny whistles and an Irish bodhran frame and reach into many spheres.” To Secretary of State Clinton, he drum. expressed the thanks of the Irish people for her role in encourThe evening’s festivities were sponsored by the American aging and supporting critical steps in the Northern Ireland Ireland Fund whose theme is “the global Irish making a difpeace process that have seen the historic transfer of policing ference together.” The Fund’s mission is “to be the largest powers from London to Belfast. “For the first time,” Cowen emworldwide network of people of Irish ancestry and friends of phasized, “these powers will be exercised by a democratically Ireland dedicated to raising funds to support programs of peace elected cross-community administration in Northern Ireland and reconciliation, arts and culture, education and community with the support of all our people.” development throughout the island of Ireland.” Two themes are The Irish American Fund centered the evening on honoring central to this work: outreach to the peoples of the global Irish Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton “for her sustained, diaspora for moral and financial support and a focus on Ireland energetic, and determined support in advancing peace and as whole, peaceful, and prosperous. The future of Ireland must prosperity on the island of Ireland.” Alongside the Secretary of be an Ireland where “the troubles” between the Irish Republic State was her “escort for the evening, the former President of and Northern Ireland, between Protestant and Catholic communities, have come to an end. An Ireland where poverty has been dramatically reduced, unemployment has been brought down, and where religiously segregated sectarian education is no longer a divider of communities.

Ireland’s economy became renowned through the 1990s as the “Celtic Tiger,” a title intended to parallel Ireland’s economic success in the New Europe to the earlier economic successes of East Asia’s economic tigers – Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and South Korea. Ireland had been a success story of low taxes, high levels of investment, a rapidly growing industrial base, strong employment levels, and population growth fueled by immigration. Even before the 2008 global recession hit, however, Ireland’s booming economy was slowing down and the high fly20

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Norah O’Donnell Chief Washington Correspondent, MSNBC - Gala MC

the United States,” a laugh line that put Bill Clinton in his place and no woman’s lands, social centers and small businesses are and established the Secretary of State as the star of the evening sparking commerce and a shared sense of community.” These and the policymaker at the heart of the Obama administration’s efforts, Secretary Clinton promised, will be assisted by a United Ireland policy. Set to travel to Moscow, Russia the next day, the States commitment “to expand economic, educational, politiSecretary made a point of saying that her trip had been schedcal, and civic opportunities to the young people of Northern uled so that she could land for refueling at Shannon Airport, Ireland.” serving Dublin, Ireland, while it was still St. Patrick’s Day. Finally, Secretary Clinton applauded the work of the AmeriUnderscoring the special relationship between the Irish can Ireland Fund as a model of global cultural mobilization people and the American people, Secretary of State Clinton catdesigned to do more than just celebrate an identity but also to alogued a list of special accomplishments. Ireland was among learn from the past, to contribute to the future, and to assist the first countries to accept and resettle detainees from Guanon the road to peace. She recalled the launch of the American tanamo Bay, a critical first step if that facility is to be closed Pakistan Fund built on the Irish model and noted that efforts at some future date. And, Irish troops are working alongside are underway to similarly engage other American communiUnited States forces to establish security and promote long-term ties with ties to Mexico, Haiti, Kenya, Bangladesh, Nigeria, and security in Afghanistan. Given its own historical experience other countries. To build on these initiatives Secretary of State with hunger and famine, Ireland has made international food Clinton announced that the State Department will organize security a top priority for its foreign assistance budget, despite a conference later this year “to share best practices and smart its own economic challenges. Ireland continues to offer a ideas for engaging global diaspora communities.” model of peace-building in the face of deeply-held communiThough this gala evening was the highlight of Washington’s tarian suspicions and continues to look for ways of creatively St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, it was the beginning of An Taobuilding an integrated, peaceful community on its shores. And iseach Brian Cowen’s working visit to the American capital. His Ireland continues to be dedicated to the cause of global human St. Patrick’s Day work schedule began with breakfast at Vicerights and the international rule of law.

President Biden’s residence, continued on to a bilateral meeting Secretary Clinton also focused her attention on the protractwith President Obama at the White House, from which both ed, hopeful, and yet often backslidden peace process in Northmen went to a Speaker’s Luncheon hosted by Speaker of the ern Ireland. Though the landmark Good Friday Agreement of House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi for members of Con1998 brought the idea of peace and devolution of authority from the United Kingdom to the people of Northern Ireland, it has taken another decade and more to bring that vision sharply into focus. Only now in the spring of 2010 has agreement been reached on the devolution of the administration of justice and policing authority in Northern Ireland.

That process involved the governments in Dublin, London, and Belfast working together to create a Northern Ireland where, “Men and women who were once enemies,” Clinton observed, “now work in unison to right: Eugene Quinn, Department of Commerce; Gerry Harrington, Capitol City Group; Thomas Quinn, Veneble LLP; Andrew to bridge remaining divides in Left Gelfuso, Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center those places that were no man’s DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | S U MME R 2 0 1 0

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gress on Capitol Hill, and ended with a formal dinner and reception at the White House. The Taoiseach was quick to assure his American listeners throughout his visit that despite Ireland’s major economic challenges, a strategy for economic recovery was in place, Ireland’s national deficit had been stabilized, and the country’s banking system was being reformed.

The Ireland Fund, the umbrella organization of which the American Ireland Fund is an integral part, uses as its symbol a stylized three-leaf clover joined at the center by a Celtic knot.

It is an apt depiction of the Ireland Fund’s work of identifying the global Irish community, strengthening its awareness of present-day Ireland, and tapping the diaspora Irish community’s resources to assist in the work of strengthening the Irish economy, stabilizing the peace and unity of Ireland, and contributing to the support of the countries and governments that have historically welcomed waves of Irish emigration. Andrew Gelfuso, Executive Director of the Office for Trade Promotion at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, noted that, “It was an honor to host this 18th annual National Gala celebration of Irish-American heritage, and to encourage the work of the Ireland Fund in mobilizing the capacities and the humanity of the ‘global Irish,’ who share a vision of peace and prosperity and who work together to promote that vision.”

The Ireland Fund seeks to bring Irish culture closer to the Irish people worldwide and to promote “a chance for change” in Ireland that will encourage inclusion, promote prosperity, stabilize peace, and cherish Irish traditions and culture . . . enjoying a song and a bit of craic (conversation) and a wee dram or two along the way. The American Ireland Fund gala dinner was but one marker along that way.

IRELAND GREAT BRITAIN

U.S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton and former President Clinton with Keltic Dreams, Irish Step Dancers from the Bronx, NY

UN Photo/Logan Abassi

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THE ATLANTIC COUNCIL’S ANNUAL AWARDS A Glittering Occasion

By Roland Flamini

Only in Washington could a leading think-tank stage an awards night that honored, all at the same time, a former president of the U.S., a rock star turned global activist, and two generals -- one of them French.

Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, The Atlantic Council of the United States

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Former Senator Chuck Hagel and Chairman of the Atlantic Council; General Jim Jones, National Security Advisor to President Obama; former President Bill Clinton and Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council

Admiral Michael Mullen; General James Mattis; General Stephane Abrial and General Brent Scowcroft

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large gathering that included every foreign policy luminary in the country converged in the nation’s capital for the Atlantic Council’s annual Awards Dinner -- a glittering occasion that turned out to be part mutual admiration, part memorial, and part group tribute.

The mutual admiration was with France, following President Nicolas Sarkozy’s decision to re-integrate French armed forces into the NATO command after an absence of over 40 years.

French Air Force General Stephane Abrial, newly appointed Supreme Allied Commander Transformation, based in Norfolk, Va., was one of the honorees. Barely a year into his job, the French honoree shrewdly saw the award for what it was: a gesture of welcome to his country on rejoining the alliance ranks, rather than a personal tribute to himself.

Paraphrasing President Obama’s Nobel Prize speech, Abrial said, “I am probably being honored for what people hope I will do rather than for what I’ve already accomplished.” The other

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Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, hosts of the MSNBC’s Morning Joe were the MC’s for the gala.

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Bono about to shake hands with Mark Brzezinski, son of former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski and brother of Mika Brzezinski (photo on opposite page).

Former Senator Hagel and former President Clinton with General Jim Jones looking on

military honoree was General Abrial’s predecessor, U.S. Marine General James Mattis, now Commander of the U.S. Joint Forces Command at Norfolk.

The memorial: Radoslav Sikorsky, Poland’s foreign minister, introduced a somber note by remembering Poland’s President Lech Kaczynski and the officials who perished with him in an air crash in Russia in March. Mika Brzezinski, who with Joe Scarborough, her co-host on MSNBC’s Morning Joe, emceed the evening, chimed in solemnly with “We’re all Polish now” – literally true in her own case since former national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski’s daughter is, of course, of Polish extraction.

The group tribute was also the Council’s annual tribute to itself, to NATO and to the remembered sacrifice of the men and women in harm’s way around the world; and in particular NATO’s role in Afghanistan, which doesn’t always get the credit it deserves in this country. NATO deploys 35,000 troops in Afghanistan, mainly in the International Security and Assistance Force, or ISAF. In this respect, the presence in the glittering ballroom of the ambassadors of several NATO countries (such as France, Iceland, Lithuania, among others) was symbolic.

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BONO

INSPIRING VOICE Pillar of Humanitarian Excellence 28

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The award for

the humanitarian “pillar” -- added for the first time this year – went to rock star turned global activist, Bono, for his work in combating extreme poverty and preventable diseases, particularly in Africa, and efforts to eradicate the developing world’s debt.

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According to an Atlantic former foreign heads of state or government, seven current Council statement, the orheads of state or cabinet ministers, 17 members of Congress, 26 ganization’s annual awards chief executives, 41 ambassadors, dozens of U.S. and European go to men and women government officials, and the top American Military. Then he who “make exceptional said, “This really isn’t the Grammys, is it?” and distinctive contribuBono’s message was the importance of more resources spent tions to the strengthenon aid as a component of counterinsurgency. In the latest sign of ing of each of the four a growing alliance between the aid community and the milipillars of the transatlantic tary, Bono paid tribute to U.S. military leaders who have been relationship: political, stressing the need to boost State Department and U.S. Agency military, business, and for International Development (USAID) funds for reconstruchumanitarian.” tion and humanitarian aid particularly in asymmetric conflicts Joseph Ackermann, chairlike Afghanistan, to win the hearts and minds of the civilian General James Mattis man of the management population. board and the group executive committee of Deutsche Bank, When the Senate Budget Committee chairman Senator Kent got the Distinguished Business Leadership Award. Given the Conrad (D-ND) wanted to cut $10 billion in aid money out current state of distrust (not to say disrepute) in which the of the State Department budget, Secretary of Defense William banking profession is currently held, it was a bold move. The Gates joined Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in arguing against Council presumably wanted to send a message that bankers the cut. Bono had his own typical way of bringing this into his could still be good guys, as well as the other kind. acceptance speech. “How about that cat Bill Gates?” he said (Bill The award for the humanitarian “pillar” -- added for the first Gates, who was present, grinned like…well, the Cheshire cat time this year – went to rock star turned global activist, Bono, in Alice in Wonderland). “Who’d have thought he’d be calling for his work in combating extreme poverty and preventable disa budget chairman to fight for the 150 Foreign Assistance aceases, particularly in Africa, and efforts to eradicate the developcount? A secretary of defense who hammers Congress for more ing world’s debt. aid? I mean, are you people on drugs?

The Dublin-born lead singer of the It’s like, what is going on?”

Irish rock group U2 is co-founder of This brought laughter, but Bono the ONE campaign, the Washingtonwas making a point. “Sometimes these based advocacy group. He also started worlds of defense and development are DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa), and inextricably mixed,” he went on. “I’m Product (Red) a clothing company with, not suggesting that we do each other’s as partners, American Express, Gap, jobs; far from it. I’m not suggesting that Converse, and Giorgio Armani. A share soldiers should braid flowers in their of Product Red’s profits goes to fighting Left to right: former Senator Hagel; Bono; Senator McCain; hair and start carrying stethoscopes in Frederick Kempe AIDS in Africa. In 2005, Time magazine their knapsacks. There’s a bright line chose Bono, whose name is Paul David Hewson, as its Person that separates what we do from what you do, and that’s OK. But of the Year, in recognition of his successful efforts in charmour ultimate goals are the same goals…It’s smarter and cheaper ing and cajoling the leaders of the world’s richest countries into to make friends now than [to] defend ourselves against enemies forgiving $40 billion owed by the poorest. later.”

A key part of Bono’s attention grabbing strategy is to turn top Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stars like George Clooney into activists. For his humanitarian and Marine General James Jones, President Obama’s National efforts, Bono has received an honorary knighthood from Queen Security Adviser, joined in the applause.

Elizabeth II and been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.

It says something about the reputation of the Atlantic CounHe was twelve days away from his 50th birthday when he cil’s Awards Dinner that, at a time when the economic downturn took the stage at the Atlantic Council dinner and received a has hit fund raising events across the board the evening drew standing ovation. When the applause died down, he stood in around 800 paying patrons. But in the combination of Bono silence for a while surveying the huge turnout, including seven and former President Bill Clinton, recipient of the Distinguished 30

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Humanitarian Leadership Award and the keynote speaker, the Council had a strong draw.

It’s hard to say which honoree stole the show, the rock star or the former president, but it was a close call. In a 37-minute closing speech, Clinton was alternately humorous, self-deprecating, and prideful. Today, Clinton is a high profile humanitarian activist, mainly through his foundation. But the award also focused on his work as president to expand NATO, his efforts to end the genocide in the Balkans, his support for the North Atlantic Free Trade Association (NAFTA), and his role in reaching a settlement to the long sectarian conflict in Northern Ireland.

Clinton reminded his audience that almost every one of those decisions had been unpopular at the time, and had been taken despite negative polls and public opposition. But the function of Admiral Michael Mullen and Sunjin Choi leadership was making the right choices -- even against the tide of public opinion.

A case in point was Washington’s action to rescue the Mexican peso. Clinton recalled that in 1995 the Mexican peso lost 40 percent of its value almost overnight and, with Mexico’s economy on the verge of collapse, the issue was whether the United States should step in to assist its neighbor. Polls showed that 79 percent of Americans were opposed to helping Mexico, but Clinton gave the green light for a massive bailout of the Mexican currency. His aides, he said, “thought I should be given immediate psychiatric care.”

His point: presidents are elected “to win for America, to win for the world and to look around corners, and you’re either right or wrong; you got to live with it. But you can’t worry about what’s popular at the moment you do it.”

He drew an analogy with the need to rescue Greece from its current financial woes. “We live in an interdependent world. It has three huge problems: It is too unequal. It is too unstable.

And because of the changes in the climate it is not sustainable,” Clinton declared. Whether the Atlantic Council was honoring Bono or NATO generals – or, by inference, himself – “every one of them is involved in affirming our common humanity and reacting to the realities of the time by trying to make the world less unequal, or less unstable, or less unsustainable.”

H.E. Mark Miceli, Ambassador of Malta to the U.S. and H.E. Hjalmar Hannesson, Ambassador of Iceland to the U.S.

“And that’s why the Atlantic alliance is relevant today. That’s why the Atlantic Council is relevant today,” was Clinton’s conclusion.

Bono and Senator McCain

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AMERICAN IDOL GIVES BACK to Benefit the UN Foundation

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By: Amy DiElsi United Nations Foundation

AMERICAN IDOL Season 8 winner Kris Allen visited Washington, D.C. this Spring as a guest of the United Nations Foundation to meet with students and political leaders to talk about his recent trip to Haiti and joined D.C. area IDOL

Kris Allen

fans at an IDOL GIVES BACK watch party. Allen continues to raise awareness about ongoing relief efforts and his cooperation with the UN Foundation to support the UN’s relief efforts in Haiti.

In February, Kris Allen and Kathy Calvin, CEO of the United Nations Foundation, traveled to Haiti and learned first-hand about the country’s continuing needs following January’s devastating earthquake. During the IDOL results show on February 25, Allen performed The Beatles’ “Let it be” and shared footage of his trip. Allen’s performance was available on iTunes, with all proceeds going to the UN’s Haiti recovery.

“We want to thank all IDOL fans who already donated to help the UN help Haiti,” said Kathy Calvin. “The United Nations’ ongoing relief efforts in Haiti have accomplished significant good but still face significant challenges. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians have received help with access to water, health, and communications. There is still a lot more work ahead, and we want to help the UN as it faces these challenges together with the people of Haiti.”

Left to right: Aaron H. Sherinian, Executive Director of Communications and Public Affairs, United Nations Foundation (also in top left photo); Maura Judkis, US News & World Report; Dawn Parker, Diplomatic Connections; Will Davis, Director, United Nations, Washington Office; Kris Allen, American Idol winner of Season 8; Judith Batty, Exxon Mobil; Christopher McCannell, Chief of Staff, Congressman Michael E. McMahon; Amy DiElsi, Communications Director, United Nations Foundation; Annie Gowen, Washington Post; Andrea Gough, UN Foundation; Nikki Schwab, The Examiner; Lizzie Hardy, 19 Entertainment; Venkateswar Neralla, Priority Placement Director (Congressional), Office of Presidential Personnel,The White House; Michael Clements, Washington Life.

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“It was an intense trip, seeing all the rubble and devastation, although there was a lot of hope as well,” said Kris Allen.

“The Haitians aren’t out of the woods yet, but together we can help keep their hopes alive and help Haiti to build a hopeful future.”

The IDOL GIVES BACK Watch Party with 19 Recordings/ Jive Records artist Kris Allen, hosted by Hot 99.5 and the UN Foundation, took place at the Hard Rock Cafe in northwest Washington. It was free and open to the public. Kris Allen also visited a music class at The School Without Walls (2130 G St. NW, Washington DC 20037) to talk with students about his trip to Haiti.

IDOL GIVES BACK, the Emmy-winning television event and musical celebration developed by AMERICAN IDOL creator Simon Fuller, aired in April on FOX and highlighted the work of the UN Foundation and the United Nations. The show gave viewers the opportunity to donate to featured UN Foundation programs, including Haiti relief and empowering women and girls in Ethiopia. To access resources on how to organize a watch party and how to donate, visit www.diplomaticconnections.com and go to: www.unfoundation.org/idol.

Donations to the UN Foundation are tax-deductible.

The concept for the IDOL GIVES BACK Foundation was the brainchild of AMERICAN IDOL creator and executive producer Simon Fuller. The organization began as a meaningful way for those behind AMERICAN IDOL to give back in a significant way to causes throughout the world. IDOL GIVES BACK was successfully launched as a charity event in 2007. To date, over $140 million dollars has been donated.

Left to right: Kris Allen, Chris McCannell and Ven Neralla.

Above, left to right: Kris Allen, Aaron Sherinian and Jill Chappell, CNN, Editorial Producer, The Situation Room.

About the United Nations Foundation

Left to right: Will Davis, Kris Allen and Amy DeElsi.

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The United Nations Foundation, a public charity, was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic $1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation builds and implements public/private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. Through campaigns and partnerships, the organization connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The campaigns reduce child mortality, empower women and girls, create a new energy future, secure peace and human rights, and promote technology innovation to improve health outcomes. For more information, visit www.diplomaticconnections.com and click on: www.unfoundation.org

Tens of Thousands Flock to EU Open House in Washington Visitors picked up all kinds of informational materials and goodies at the Embassy. The main Chancery building was designed by Egon Eiermann, one of Germany’s most prominent architects in the second half of the 20th century.

Many visitors arrived at the Embassy by bus or by bike. A free shuttle bus service has been provided since the first EU Open House in 2007.

By the German Embassy

Embassies representing all 27 EU member states and the Delegation of the European Union to the US opened their doors to the public on May 8 for a family friendly day of fun activities, live performances, culinary delights and learning experiences with a transatlantic touch as part of the fourth annual EU Open House program.

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The EU Open House provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at European Union embassies, many of which are among Washington’s architectural treasures - and at EU diplomacy in action. Held in honor of Europe Day (May 9), it is also about showcasing different cultures and traditions across Europe.

Visitors could hop from the Seine to the Rhine, across the Alps to the Pyrenees, up the Danube, over the Carpathians, from the Mediterranean to the Baltic, all without leaving the District.

The EU Open House was first held in May 2007 under the aegis of the 2007 German presidency of the European Union.

Taking its cue from the “Tag der Offenen Tür,” when German federal ministries open their doors to the public in Berlin, it was the brainchild of the German Information Center USA, which engages in public diplomacy at the German Embassy. This year’s event, with more visitors than any EU Open House to date, was overseen by the Spanish Embassy, as Spain currently holds the six-month rotating EU presidency.

The Embassy grounds, including the main Chancery building, were decorated with mini EU flag garlands for the day.

Invited exhibitors such as the German National Tourist Office, the Goethe-Institut, the German Historical Institute, the German Language Society and the new German-American Heritage Museum in Washington informed guests about travel, education and many other aspects of life in Germany, while various Embassy departments provided information that afforded a window onto modern Germany.

In the auditorium, visitors took part in 10-minute speed courses on German language, German history, German immigration to the US or research, technology and innovation in Germany.

Participants were able to win a number of prizes, including German language courses offered by the Goethe-Institut as well as at the German School Washington, DC and a VIP-tour of the GermanAmerican Heritage Museum, among other prizes.

Guests also helped create an art project based on the European Capital of Culture Ruhr.2010.

German Ambassador Klaus Scharioth met with visitors of all ages at the Embassy.

For the first time this year, the EU embassies joined in promoting a single common theme - Green Europe: Good for the Economy and the Environment.” They attracted an estimated total of some 80,000 visits, with many taking advantage of a free shuttle bus service to visit several embassies in a single day.

MEET MODERN GERMANY At the German Embassy, some 6,000 visitors wended their way through a self-guided tour past the modern main Chancery building to the ambassador’s airy, angular residence, with its breathtaking views of the city.

Live music was provided by a traditional band known as the Alte Kameraden.

German pop music was also broadcast across part of the Embassy’s grounds, courtesy of Radio Goethe.

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CLIMATE CONNECTIONS, SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING Just inside the Embassy’s front gates, the importance of cooperation between Germany and the United States in business, research and combating climate change was highlighted at the economics department’s booth, which informed visitors about the Transatlantic Climate Bridge initiative launched at the Embassy in 2008.

At the nearby German Information Center USA booth, visitors received a variety of free giveaways ranging from pens to fact-filled publications to scarlet-red reusable shopping bags to transport their newly acquired goods in a chic sustainable fashion.

FOLK FESTIVAL AMBIANCE, FREE GOODIES Across the Embassy grounds, amplified German pop and rock music put everyone in festive spirits, as did live traditional music, inviting people to linger and lounge around folk festival style.

Kids had fun with face painting, soccer, and a moonbounce. Gerolsteiner sparkling water, Bahlsen cookies, Ritter Sport chocolates and Haribo gummi bears were also provided free of charge.

Free samples of treats from pralines to sausages were moreover on offer from regional German-run businesses, including Old Europe Restaurant, Döner Bistro, Kirchmayr Chocolatier and Binkert’s Meat Products.

There is surely hardly a Visitors relax behind the Embassy House better way to travel to Europe building, which houses the German Information Center USA and the Embassy’s without leaving the country! cafeteria.

At the Press booth, guests took a turn at being an “Embassy spokesperson,” going before the camera to deliver their own message or try their hand at the teleprompter.

SPOKESMAN FOR A DAY Guests also lined up at the press section’s booth to spin the wheel for a chance to win cool Germany.info souvenirs, like travel mugs, grill mitts, t-shirts and more. Many also took a turn at being an “Embassy spokesperson,” going before the camera to deliver their own message or try their hand at the teleprompter.

MORE THAN $3,000 RAISED FOR FOOD & FRIENDS Meanwhile at various locations including the military department’s booth and a refreshment station serving up sausages and hot pretzels a total of $3,375 in donations was collected for the local Washington-based charity Food & Friends.

Established in 1988, Food & Friends provides nutrition counseling as well as prepares, packages and delivers meals and groceries to more than 1,400 people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life-challenging illnesses in Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia.

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The German Embassy has offered free facepainting for kids - and adults - since the first annual EU Open House was held in May 2007.

Related Links For additional information go to: www.DiplomaticConnections.com European Union Delegation to the United States of America www.eurunion.org/eu/ Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Washington, DC www.Germany.info

Ambassador Klaus Scharioth greeted two winners in the Germany.info Spot the Bus contest at the EU Open House. Leslie Anderson (left) and Mark McDevitt (right), both of Washington, DC, each sent in a picture of the “Explore Germany� bus. Anderson opted for a Techie prize package, featuring an Acrobot desk toy and a USB Hub Dude. McDevitt had chosen the Environmentalist package, featuring a salt-water clock and reusable shopping bag. They are both among the many people who are spotting the bus around town or online and winning cool prizes each week.

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Metro Montessori international educational consultants

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Global Teachers

Placing Montessori Education Around the World

By Sharon Allen Gilder

The late Italian physician, Dr. Maria Montessori's pedagogy has been a global force for over 100 years and young children are the fortunate benefactors. Savvy parents know the Montessori philosophy and methodology matters in the lives of their children. It gives children the key to the best foundation for their futures – excellence in education.

Metro Montessori's International Consultants are taking Montessori to new places using a proven model based on Montessori's work. Metro's trendsetting programs and well-established courses are educating future Montessori teachers and providing assistance in establishing Montessori schools worldwide. With a regional office in Washington, DC, Metro's International Consultants are building global partnerships and they want to hear from you. Lynn Oboler, co-founder of Metro's network of Montessori schools said, “We’ve got a system and it works and it has always worked. Montessorians can train, coach and mentor other early childhood programs to raise the bar for all children. Montessori is perfect for diplomats. It is a wonderful, mobile education that builds leaders.”

Dr. Montessori believed children learn best within a social environment which fosters, supports and respects the differences that make each child a unique individual leading to the fulfillment of each child's highest potential. Montessori classrooms are environments specifically prepared for self-paced learning to accommodate different abilities and rates of learning.

Metro's Saudi Arabian debut has made a positive impact on the students in the teacher education center there. One adult learner said, “If there’s one hope for a peacefully advanced world, then that would be the children from around the globe. One most important point is the adult’s participation as guardians, stripped of pedagogical prejudices. I wonder how beautiful our world would have been had the people of the world considered the Montessori principles which hold the truth of how children are treated and educated and how education must be designed to sustain man’s endeavor for advancement without himself and his environment being destructed in the process." Another adult learner shared, “My Montessori experience is a great one. I learned a new language, met great people and enjoyed the interaction with the children as their Arabic Montessori teacher.” Course teacher, Debbie Kukielka said, “ Besides the numerous benefits the children get from a Montessori education, Montessori emphasizes cultural awareness, tolerance and peace. Montessori herself said, 'Peace comes through the children.' I am hoping in some small way, I may help to pave that path for the future."

Contracting with Metro Montessori's International Educational Consultants provides the opportunity for your country to provide über-Montessori education. For more information, contact Josh Oboler, Managing Director at Metro Montessori's regional Washington, DC/USA office: (301) 230-0901 or email: josh@metromontessori.com. Also visit: www.metromontessori.com. Written correspondence may be sent to: Josh Oboler, 11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 260, Rockville, Maryland 20852, USA. Author Bio: Sharon Allen Gilder is a freelance writer residing in Maryland, USA. She is an educator with a background in early childhood development.

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at the Canadian Embassy Glenn Close, Award-Winning Actress and Director of “Pax” at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

By Ariel Garneau Embassy of Canada

T

he GI Film Festival (GIFF) was once again hosted by “Pax.” The documentary features Sgt. Bill Campbell (an Iraq vetthe Canadian Defence Liaison Staff in Washington eran) and Pax, a Dog Tags service dog trained by an inmate at a (CDLS(W)) at the Canadian Embassy on May 11th correctional facility through the Puppies Behind Bars initiative. and 12th, 2010. CDLS(W) hosted and supported the The documentary shows how instrumental Pax is in helping Sgt GIFF by providing a unique location on Pennsylvania Avenue as Campbell cope with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and well as reaching out to its many military and defence contacts in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). the city to welcome the festival. The GIFF, now in its fourth year, Following the documentary, an emotional and in-depth panel is the only film festival to honour the successes and sacrifices discussion was held on PTSD and TBI. The panel discussion was of American and Allied service moderated by the Award-winmembers through the medium ning ABC journalist Bob Woodof film. ruff, the panellists included Ms. To launch the Film Festival on Close, Brigadier General Loree Tuesday, May 11th, an evening Sutton (Director of the Defense premiere for the director’s cut Centers of Excellence for Psyof “To end all wars” was shown chological Health and Traumatic to a select audience. FollowBrain Injury), Sarah Harvey (Coing the film, audience members Director), Domenica Campbell participated in a detailed Q&A (Sgt Campbell’s wife) and Gloria with the writer Brian Godawa.

Stoga (founder of Puppies BeOn Wednesday May 12th, the hind Bars). Film Festival Spirit Embassy hosted a reception Audience members at the private screening of “Pax” held at the Canadian Embassy Award winner Ricky Schroder First row: Domenica Campbell; Sgt. Bill Campbell; Pax (the dog) and Brig. Gen. Sutton just previous to premiering Second row: Gloria Stoga, Founder of Puppies Behind Bars and Glenn Close, Director was also in attendance for the Glenn Close’s directorial debut day’s events.

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Sgt Bill Campbell, Pax, and Brigadier General Sutton talking before the premiere of “Pax” at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C., on Wednesday May 12th 2010, as part of the GI Film Festival.

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Award-winning ABC journalist, Bob Woodruff

Left to right: Sarah Harvey, Co-Director; Gloria Stoga, Founder of Puppies Behind Bars and Brigadier General Loree Sutton, during the panel discussion on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after the premiere of “Pax”

GI Film Festival Spirit Award recipient Ricky Schroder at the premiere of “Pax”

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Director Glenn Close and Ambassador to the U.S. Gary Doer at the Canadian Embassy in Washington D.C., as part of the GI Film Festival on May 12th 2010.

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Sgt Mann of the Pentagon Channel, Director Glenn Close, and Pentagon Channel cameraman, during the premiere of “Pax� as part of the GI Film Festival.

LCol Douglas Martin, Canadian Forces Public Affairs Attache and Director Glenn Close at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

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The Embassy of the United Arab Emirates Celebrates

ARMED FORCES UNIFICATION DAY

By James A. Winship, Ph.D. for Diplomatic Connections

Military attachÊs, members of the diplomatic community, government officials, as well as leaders of business and industry gathered at the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates for a reception honoring the 34th anniversary of the unification of their country’s armed forces.

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Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah Fujairah Umm al-Qaiwain Ajman Ras al-Khaimah

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The country is a federation of seven separate emirates – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Fujairah, Umm al-Qaiwain, Ajman, and Ras al-Khaimah – at the southeastern corner of the Arabian Peninsula. It was born in 1971 as the result of the British decision to withdraw from its historic position in the Gulf region, on the economic foundation of the discovery of large amounts of oil in the emirates, and out of the vision of an exceptional leader – H.H. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayan. Roughly the size of Maine with a population approaching five million citizens, the workforce is swelled by large numbers of immigrant workers from the Gulf region, including Iran, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Slightly less than twenty percent of those residing in the Emirates are citizens of the country. Sheikh Zayed served as President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi until his death in 2004, and he is still revered as his country’s founder and philosophical touchstone. He was succeeded as President of the U.A.E. and Ruler of Abu Dhabi by his eldest son H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan.

The net result of these events is that the United Arab Emirates represents one of the most successful experiments in government by federation that recent history has seen. The model of federation delegates certain powers to the central government and reserves other powers to the individual sheikhdoms. Key to the success of their federation, however, was the move to unify the armed forces of the various emirates into a single unified force. H.H. General Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme commander of the U.A.E Armed Forces noted as part of this year’s anniversary observance that the move to unify the armed forces marked a critical step in the history of their federal system. “Armed with persistence and determination and aided by the other founding leaders,” he recalled, “the late founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahayn set out on this day (May 6, 1976) to build our armed forces to become the defense shield of the nation’s sovereignty, security, and stability, as well as the safeguard of future generations and national achievements.” Sheikh Khalifa, as President of the U.A.E. and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, noted that, “If Gulf Security is central to world security, it is to us an inseparable whole, and any threat to one country is a threat to our entire region.” He continued, “We still hope for further military cooperation with our sister countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in personnel education and training, joint exercises, and the exchange of information to raise the efficiency of our GCC armed forces in order to ready them for any emergency or surprise aggression on any of the GCC countries.”

Though their armed forces are limited in size with approxi-

mately 65,000 troops under arms, they carry out extensive missions and have been engaged in major programs to enhance capabilities and acquire high technology weapons systems.

“These achievements,” the Deputy Supreme Commander Sheikh Mohammed affirmed, “should provide a motive and a catalyst for more tireless efforts to further upgrade the combat preparedness and competence of the armed forces in ways that absorb the best defense developments while maintaining vigilance and creative interaction with the latest regional and international developments.” U.A.E. Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Yousif Al Otaiba recalled that the United States had been one of the earliest countries to extend diplomatic recognition to the newly formed United Arab Emirates, and he hailed the distinguished relations that had developed over the years between both countries’ armed forces.

Starting with the invasion and occupation of Kuwait by Saddam Hussein’s Iraq in 1990 the military assistance and regional cooperation programs between the United States and the United Arab Emirates have taken deep root and have allowed the U.A.E to play a vital role in supporting stability in the Gulf. In 2002, the two governments established a strategic defense dialogue that has resulted in the United States becoming a major defense supplier to the U.A.E. and the U.A.E. becoming a leading regional partner for the United States. Today, the ports of this Middle Eastern country host more U.S. Navy ships than any port outside the United States, and Congress recently approved the country’s request to purchase more than $15 billion in U.S. Left to right: H.E. Yousif Mana Saeed Al Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States; Staff Colonel (Pilot) Waleed Mohammed Abdulla Al Shamsi , Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché, and Lt. Col. Suliman Ali Mohammed Al Kaabi, Assistant Defense, Military, Naval and Air Attaché

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President Obama speaks with H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahayan during a working dinner at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington, D.C., April, 2010.

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Official White House photo by Pete Souza

defense equipment. Purchases include advanced capability air defense missile systems, helicopters, fighter aircraft, and naval vessels. U.A.E. troops have participated in peacekeeping missions to Somalia, Lebanon, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, and Kuwait and they curently serve alongside the United States and other coalition forces in Afghanistan. The U.A.E. is a major export market for U.S. goods, and more than 750 U.S. firms have a presence in the country. In 2009, the U.S.-U.A.E. both signed the 123 Agreement for Peaceful Civilian Nuclear Energy Cooperation designed to serve as a role model for the peaceful development of nuclear energy in the Gulf region while preventing the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology.

This spring, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahayan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E Armed Forces, joined other international leaders in Washington, D.C. to participate in President Obama’s Nuclear Security Summit. A photo of President Obama and Sheikh Mohamed sitting next to each other at a working dinner at the Nuclear Security Summit dominated the U.A.E. press for several days and underscored the close working relationship between the two countries and their armed forces. Marking their Armed Forces Unification Day with the international diplomatic, military, and business communities in Washington, D.C. offered undeniable proof that the U.A.E.’s armed forces are playing a substantial role in assuring a high level defense of their country and its accomplishments, strengthening overall security in the Gulf region, and pursuing defense policies that deploy high technology while developing their human resources.

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H.E. Yousif Al-Otaiba, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to the United States and His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, member of the Royal family

Major General Michael R. Moeller, Director - Strategy, Plans and Policy, Headquarters U.S. Center Command; Colonel D. Jimenez, Embassy of Chile and Lieutenant General William Shelton AF, Assistant Vice Chief of Staff and Director, Air Force Staff 54

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T H E E LYS I A N

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fitzgerald boardroom

this page, clockwise from top left: guest suite terrace; courtyard fountain; wet bar in each room; european style courtyard; the lobby lounge; oversized bathrooms.

With 188 guest rooms and only 10 on

with white Carrara marble and dual

each floor, the Elysian ensures you will

vanities with LCD televisions. To relax,

receive not only privacy during your stay,

cozy up next to the fireplace in the sitting

but also expansive accommodations

room or enjoy an alfresco afternoon on

averaging 890 square feet. Each guest

the private, furnished terrace overlooking

room and suite has been furnished with

the bustling Gold Coast.

classic pieces that have a modern interpretation: king-size beds are lined with 460-thread count Rivolta Carmignani Italian linens, and bathrooms feature both a soaking tub and separate shower

In addition to your comfort, your privacy is of utmost priority; our European style courtyard and secure underground hotel entrance ensure discreet arrival and departure.

the elysian

executive suite

premier gold coast suite

deluxe king premier gold coast suite

T H E E LYS I A N

ria private dining room

ria lounge

bernard’s bar

The cuisine at the Elysian will surely impress even the most discerning palates. Balsan, named after Coco Chanel’s original financier, is a casual yet elegant dining spot focused on seasonal items from local artisanal farms and serves breakfast, lunch, light dinner and late-night bites. Ria kicks it up a notch as Elysian’s signature dinner spot, featuring global influences and an emphasis on the freshest ingredients from around the world. And you can always start or spend your evening

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at Bernard’s bar, featuring creative

From sophisticated wedding receptions

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—here, everyone is a member. Private

for any function, with each room

dining rooms are also available for

displaying the signature 1920’s elegance

cuisine and conversation.

and glamour. If business is your

Escape from the stress of everyday life with a relaxing retreat inside the Elysian’s Spa & Health Club. Spanning a spacious 14,000 square feet, the spa and health club features a mosaic-tiled lap pool, private treatment rooms, Pilates and Gyrotonics studio, and a men’s atelier. At the Elysian, we believe that each treatment should be a purposeful experience that will leave you feeling delighted and restored. Let our

expertly-trained

therapists

and

pleasure, the Fitzgerald Boardroom, which comfortably accommodates up to 12 people, is the ideal escape from the daily doldrums of the office.

Faulkner and Hemingway—with their floor-to-ceiling

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also

available to host smaller gatherings

this page, clockwise from top left: gold coast suite; our luxuriously-appointed bedrooms; ria; balsan; and the elysian spa & health club.

and meetings in a variety of configurations. The Sinclair Ballroom is perfect for any type of occasion—it can hold up to 270 for a reception, 160 for a banquet or 130 for a dinner with a dance floor.

11 east walton, chicago 312.646.1300 elysianhotels.com

H.E. Väino Reinart, Ambassador of Estonia to the United States

James A. Winship, Ph.D. for Diplomatic Connections

T

he road from Tallinn to Mos-

cow goes through Brussels.” Check

any map, and it will immedi-

ately become clear that this is bad

geography. Ask the President

of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves,

however, and he’ll insist that it’s good poli-

tics, better diplomacy, and the best

national security strategy Estonia could have.

To fulfill this geographic jujitsu he has

persistently turned his country away from its

historic involvement with the Russian

and Soviet empires and toward Europe. As part

of that same strategy, Estonia has pur-

sued a kind of new age cyber-diplomacy that has made it one of the most wired countries in the world. In the process, Estonia has served notice that it will deal with the Russian state at its back only from a position of new found strength developed by knitting itself into the fabric of Europe and into the electronic sinews of the worldwide web. Along the way, Estonia’s President is helping 64

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The New, Old

Estonia

Reclaiming Identity Seeking Security

President of Estonia, Toomas Hendrik Ilves

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President IIves being interviewd by Dr. James Winship of Diplomatic Connections

to reshape the post-Cold War geography of Europe by rejecting the ideological confrontations of the old East-West blocs. “I reject the idea that Europe is Western Europe or Charlemagne’s Europe, Catholic Europe, Western and Christian Europe.”

In Washington, D.C. this spring as the guest of the Atlantic Council and its Global Leadership Series, President Ilves is a fascinating combination of politician, statesman, diplomat, and philosopher trying to cement in place a secure independent identity for a country that has spent much of its twentieth century political life under subjugation and often brutal occupation. He is the child of Estonian refugees and never visited the country he now leads until he was thirty-one years old.

Ilves was born in Sweden and raised in the United States. He is, ironically, more a child of New Jersey than of a European upbringing. And that reality is reinforced with degrees from Columbia University and the University of Pennsylvania. Still, he emerged from these experiences as the kind of Estonian nationalist who loved a memory of identity and hated a reality that forced his parents out of their homeland. “Being a child of refugees,” he has observed, “is different from being the child of immigrants. People could not choose to leave, but fled, meaning there was a much stronger domestic connection for me.”

“And,” he adds, “I really hated communism.”

Estonia, often referred to as one of the Baltic Republics Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea - was long included on a list of what the Cold War termed “captive nations,” countries which had either been incorporated into the old Soviet Union or had fallen into its sphere of influence. Geography has been destiny for Estonia for much of its past. Historically, it has been oriented to the sea and trade coming under Danish, German, and Swedish imperial rule and identifying closely with its northern neighbors in Finland.

Part of the imperial Russian empire throughout the eighteenth 66

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and nineteenth centuries and right up until the end of World War I, the defeat of Germany and the Versailles peace process offered Estonia a brief interlude of political independence in between the two world wars (1919 - 1940). Then, fearing a Nazi takeover, Stalin’s Soviet Union stepped in to force Estonia to accept annexation into the Soviet empire. Nazi Germany forced the Soviets out and controlled Estonia as part of the Third Reich from 1941-1944. The Soviet Union, in turn, pushed the Nazi occupiers out of Estonia in 1944 and reoccupied the country for themselves, annexing Estonia to the Soviet empire for a second time. There it remained caught in amber for five decades.

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, however, offered Estonia the space once again to declare its political independence and assert its unique national identity - a task which it has undertaken with zeal, creativity, and an eye to the future even as Estonians seek to remind the world of their country’s twentieth century past under the domination of the Soviet Union. Estonians moved quickly to adopt a new constitution and to reshape their economy. State support to industries was dropped, price controls were eliminated, tariff barriers were removed, and a flat-rate tax for individuals and businesses alike was adopted. The flat tax rate has been repeatedly reduced and is scheduled to drop to 18% for individuals in 2010. Trade was reoriented from heavy dependence on the Soviet Union to deepening integration into the European economy. And, though inevitably impacted by the economic downturns of the global recession, Estonia has remained an economic success story.

With a population of only 1.4 million people and a total territory slightly smaller than Vermont and New Hampshire combined, Estonia has made a conscious decision to invest heavily in the hardware, the software, and the human-ware of information technology and has become a world leader in e-government. Over seventy percent of the population uses the Internet, so much so that the right to use broadband technology is now considered virtually a fundamental human right. Ninety-two percent of Estonians file their income taxes electronically, ninety-eight percent of banking transactions are carried out electronically, and voting in national and local elections can be done on the Internet. All of this is made possible by a self-conscious national policy designed to invest in both the functional computer network architecture needed to provide a working backbone for e-government and the legal framework needed to make an increasingly electronic national life safe and widely accepted.

At the heart of the system is a compulsory national iden-

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tification card that provides both visually and electronically accessible information. The card conforms with the provisions of Estonia’s Digital Signatures Act, which allows electronic signatures to assume the same validity as handwritten signatures. Other laws have tried to protect personal data processing rights, establish a national administrative system where all databases and information networks should be registered, and put in place a national computing infrastructure that includes an e-government portal for all Estonian government agencies.

Fears that such deeply embedded technology might encourage the development of cyber-authoritarianism are assuaged by making the government networks transparent and susceptible to interrogation by the Estonian people. Citizens can actually query the systems to find out whether any civil servant has requested information about them, find out the name of that official online, and then contact the official for an explanation.

President Ilves is deeply invested in the European project to build an integrated community of democratic, market-oriented economies, and regional security. At the same time, he understands that Europe is schizophrenic in its identity, often torn between the security and economic emphases of the European Union and the collective defense emphases of the expanded North Atlantic Treaty Organization. While the membership of the European Union overlaps with that of the NATO alliance, the two rosters are not identical. Several countries are members of one and not the other, and – as its name implies – NATO includes countries on both sides of the North Atlantic, notably Canada, the United States, and England. The result of these diverse patterns of European integration is as often cacophony as cooperation, more often tensile collaboration and tentative cooperation, than harmonious policy coordination, especially where security matters are concerned.

Recalling his training as a graduate psychologist, President Ilves draws an analogy from his neuroanatomy textbooks. “You have the left side of the brain, and the right side of the brain, and they communicate through this thing called the corpus callosum. And, if you cut through it, then you basically can’t communicate between the two sides of your brain. And this is the situation that all EU ministers of defense and all ministers of foreign affairs that are in NATO and all NATO ministers of defense and foreign affairs that are also in the EU face because they can’t talk to themselves fundamentally. It really comes down to fundamental blockage on certain bilateral issues. This is a problem that keeps the EU and NATO from talking to each other. This duplication is ridiculous.” It weakens Europe, contributes to what Ilves calls “expansion fatigue,” and undermines the broad-based security architecture that the Estonian Presi68

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

Frederick Kempe, President/CEO, Atlantic Council and President IIves

dent sees as his country’s primary line of defense.

Ilves is justifiably concerned about how Estonia can not only escape Russia’s shadow but also avoid the penumbra of its economic, military, and nationalistic resurgence. Estonia seeks to secure its freedom, its independence of action, its economic growth rate, and its outward orientation in many ways. Beyond membership in the United Nations, the European Union and NATO, Estonia is also a member of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which now includes more than fifty states in Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, and North America. Estonia, despite its small size has involved itself in international peacekeeping operations from Iraq and Afghanistan to Kosovo and the Golan Heights. Contingents are small but – on a per capita basis – represent a substantial investment in the fledging mechanisms of international security that Estonia hopes will assure it a “Get Out of Jail Free” card from the international community that it will never have to use.

Does Estonia have that much to fear from a resurgent Russia? Certainly President Ilves thinks that caution is the better part of wisdom where his country’s security is concerned. In the past he has noted that, “Some wish to bring the Soviet Empire back to life as a kind of restored Russian empire, forgetting that the time of empires is over, as is the politics of force, at least among those countries that consider themselves part of a civilized Europe.”

Estonia, he fondly reminds his audiences, is really a Nordic country tied to its European heritage. At his most rhapsodic, Ilves will refer to Estonia as part of “Yule-land” – “the area where one and the same word refers signifies both the birth of Christ as well as the solstice, the return of the sun . . . a symbol of warmth and light at the darkest and coldest of times.” This area sweeps from Iceland through Britain to Scandinavia, including the Nordic Finland and Estonia. The point may be legendary, but it serves to weave Estonia into the fabric of

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Europe and remove it from the tarnished past of the post-communist countries.

At the level of realpolitik President Ilves has much harder evidence of a Russian threat to the security, independence, and electronic identity of his country. The Soviet Union, he notes, intentionally moved large numbers of Russians into Estonia in a pattern that can only be described as cultural imperialism.

Ethnic Russians rose from one-tenth to one-third of Estonia’s population. Estonians, forced to integrate ethnic Russians into Estonian life by accepting an almost complete ban on the Estonian language and the adoption of Russian as the primary language of public life and educational instruction, inevitably harbored resentments. Ironically, Estonia has adopted on of the world’s most liberal citizenship laws, and the United Nations as well as other international organizations has judged it to be one of the most tolerant societies on earth. Yet, Russia has repeatedly sought to introduce ethnic tensions into Estonian politics, seemingly in order to maintain a measure of political presence and influence in the former satellite country.

While there have been many provocations on both sides, matters came to a head in 2007 when the Estonian government opted to move a bronze statue of a Soviet soldier, honoring Soviet troops who gave their lives to end the Nazi occupation of Estonia, from a public square in central the capital city to a public cemetery. The move included the exhumation and the relocation of the bodies of fallen Russian soldiers from the site of the public memorial to new gravesites in the same cemetery.

Ethnic Russians staged street protests against the removals that were met with hundreds of arrests, and the Russian government authorized “the toughest possible measures against Esto-

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nia.” These actions fueled Estonia’s deepest fears for the safety of the republic and its achievements.

In the midst of the dispute over the relocation of the bronze monument, Estonia came under severe cyber-attack designed to assault its electronic infrastructure and disrupt every phase of Estonia’s e-commerce, e-government, and e-defense. Estonian networks were paralyzed with highly coordinated broadcasts of spammed messages designed to flood the system. Key sites were hacked into and defaced, and Estonia’s most critical systems seemed to be targeted for attack. Evidence points directly to Russia as the source of these highly coordinated attacks, but it remains unclear the degree to which there was direct government involvement in these acts that were described by one expert as “more like a cyber-riot than a full-fledged coordinated assault.” Even without full attribution to the Russian government the point was clear, Estonia was vulnerable to this new kind of attack and so was much of the world.

The lasting effect of this warning has been an increased emphasis on cyber-security and the creation of the NATOsponsored Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence (CCDCOE) housed in Tallinn, Estonia and dedicated to develop electronic defense policies and research cyber technologies.

President Ilves, in his recent visit to the United States, sought to put these attacks into a broader framework of collective defense by suggesting that NATO should examine whether such cyberattacks constitute a breach of Article 5 of the NATO Charter, which states that an attack on any member of the alliance shall be considered an attack upon all. “My question,” posed President Ilves, “is that [if] a missile attack knocks out one-third of your electrical system [that] is clearly an Article 5 situation. If it is done by a computer, is that an Article 5 case?”

Estonia is not merely an identity for President Toomas Ilves, it is his intellectual home, and his passion. Despite Estonia’s small size, he believes his country plays far above its weight in Europe. Estonia has taken the lead in areas where Europe’s greater powers have fallen behind. It has not only joined the EU, it has taken the lead in economic reform by adopting stringent measures that make it one of the strongest of expanded Europe’s economies. In 2010 alone, Estonia has reached two historic landmarks. After three years of negotiations, it has just been invited, along with Israel and Slovenia, to become a member of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the organization of more than thirty of the world’s leading economies that seeks to promote global economic development and to encourage the establishment of high standards in key areas of the emerging global economy such as the environment, anti-corruption, and intellectual prop-

erty rights. And, though it has been a member of the European Union since 2004, Estonia has now been officially approved as ready to fully enter the Euro currency zone, adopt the Euro as its national currency, and fully accept the supervision of the European Monetary Authority and its Central Bank.

There are few better measures of Estonia’s deepening integration into Europe and its broadening role as a leader in the global economy than these latest accomplishments. But for all of these efforts to reshape Estonia’s destiny and guarantee its security, it is also President Toomas Ilves who speaks to the Estonian people from the heart as well as from the head. “Ever since it dawned on our 19th century forbears that Estonians are equal to other nations, we have found our path strewn with obstacles.” “What is more important,” he asked his people, “700 years of serfdom or 92 years of statehood? . . . 50 years of occupation or 20 years of statehood built in common cause?”

“A hundred years ago, people said that Estonia ‘anyway’ would never win the War of Independence or get on with the responsibility of independence. But we did.

Twenty years ago: we heard that Estonians ‘anyway’ would not regain their freedom or succeed in being a viable free na-

tion. But we did.

‘Anyway’ we were never supposed to get into the European Union or NATO. But we did.

Those words touch the emotional core of the Estonian experience. They are not the little nation that could. They are the little nation that does.

FINLAND RUSSIA F E D E R AT I O N SWEDEN

ESTONIA B A LT I C SEA

L AT V I A LITHUANIA

BELARUS POLAND

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Maqsood A. Chaudhry, DDS Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.

Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or Periodontist - a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!

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implants 72

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The Consumers’ Research Council of America recognized Dr. Maqsood Chaudhry as one of “America’s Top Dentists” in 2006 in the areas of cosmetics, implants, and family dentistry.

A 1991 graduate from West Virginia University’s school of dentistry, Dr. Chaudhry also completed a 2-year training program in Orthodontics at the US Dental Institute, and a 1-year certificate program at Howard University in Implantology.

Always looking to harness the latest and best in dental technologies for his patients, Dr. Chaudhry recently completed training in Sedation Dentistry. Grove Dental Clinic is staffed by five general dentists, one orthodontist, and one periodontist. A staff of three administrators makes sure patients are given the best experience a dentist offi ce can provide.

With its multi-cultural staff, Grove Dental welcome speakers of Spanish, Urdu, Arabic, Farsi, Bosnian, and Russian.

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They are excited about dentistry, have high standards for quality and integrity, and are motivated to achieve the best result for our family of patients. We pride ourselves on patient communication.

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Our dedicated staff has one primary goal - your utmost comfort! They are all able to answer any questions regarding the latest in dental care. Please feel free to contact them at any time.

Dr. Maqsood A. Chaudhry DDS Maqsood A. Chaudhry, D.D.S. is highly experienced and qualified in the fields of general and family dentistry. His eclectic abilities range from surgical placement of implants and restorative procedures to installing modernized ways of teeth straightening such as Invisalign and Ceramic Braces.

With over ten years of practice in cosmetic dentistry, Dr. Chaudhry is exceptional in the implantations of porcelain veneers, metal free bridges, ceramic crowns, inlays and on lays, composite veneer, belly glass, and instant straightening of the teeth with bonding.

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Combining technology, acuity, and meticulous handling, Dr. Chaudhry ensures comfort for his patients during anesthetic administration or nitric oxide sedation.

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Invisalign® – Invisalign aligners are favored by many adults because they are both removable and invisible to onlookers. Invisalign® aligners are clear trays, and should be worn for the recommended amount of time each day for the quickest results. Invisalign® aligners are more comfortable and less obtrusive than traditional braces, but also tend to be more costly. Not all patients are candidates for Invisalign®.

Reasons for aligners: * Reduction in general tooth decay * Decreased likelihood of developing periodontal disease * Decreased likelihood of tooth injury * Reduction in digestive disorders Fortunately, orthodontic braces have been adapted and modified to make them more convenient for adults. There are now a wide range of fixed and removable orthodontic devices available, depending on the precise classification of the malocclusion.

Implants Dental implants are a great way to replace missing teeth and also provide a fixed solution to having removable partial or complete dentures. Implants provide excellent support and stability for these dental appliances.

Dental implants are artificial roots and teeth (usually titanium) that are surgically placed into the upper or lower jaw bone by a dentist or Periodontist - a specialist of the gums and supporting bone. The teeth attached to implants are very natural looking and often enhance or restore a patient’s smile!

Dental implants are very strong, stable, and durable and will last many years, but on occasion, they will have to be re-tightened or replaced due to normal wear.

Reasons for dental implants: * Replace one or more missing teeth with out affecting adjacent teeth. * Resolve joint pain or bite problems caused by teeth shifting into missing tooth space. * Restore a patient’s confident smile. * Restore chewing, speech, and digestion. * Restore or enhance facial tissues. * Support a bridge or denture, making them more secure and comfortable.

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DRAGON R E N N U R SUGV James A. Winship, Ph.D. for Diplomatic Connections

Medieval mapmakers depicted unknown and potentially dangerous places on the map by putting serpents, dragons, and other mythological creatures in those locales to warn unsuspecting travelers away. In the twenty-first century the dangers come not from the unknown but from the very real threats of street crime, communal violence, military force, and terrorist extremism.

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a r r e T s i s o l u Peric Dangerous Land here be dragons hic sunt dracones

left to right: Martin Foley, QinetiQ- North America, Anti Terrorism Manager, J.D. Crouch, President, Technology Solutions Group, QinetQ - North America and Shawn Thayer, QinetiQ - North America, Regional Product Manager at the Canadian Embassy in Washington, D.C.

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Far from being a threat in an unknown place, the modern-day Dragon Runner is an explorer and a rescuer - a small, portable robot that can be used by the military, police, and security forces to reconnoiter potentially dangerous places. This “dragon” ventures into unknown territory, seeks out potential threats, and exposes their nature.

Dragon Runner received a unique introduction to the Washington, D.C. defense attaché community at a Symposium on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) hosted by the Canadian Embassy under the auspices of the Department of National Defence and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The symposium assembled a group of Canadian-based companies whose technological expertise seeks to provide a new margin of safety in dealing with the violence of the battlefield and the spillover of terrorist tactics to population centers.

The range of technologies being applied covered everything from protective bomb disposal suits to a CBRN “protective ensemble” designed to deal with chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear materials and from aerial surveillance systems deployable in the battle zone to thermal and optical imaging systems designed to detect snipers in hiding.

As the assembled audience settled into place, Dragon Runner made its entrance by climbing the front stairs of the embassy, maneuvering through a series of doorways, down the theater aisle, and up the

stage steps where it jauntily greeted the Canadian Ambassador, Gary Doer by waving a Canadian maple leaf flag. In a remarkable demonstration of its dexterity, Dragon Runner used its manipulator arm with a rotating shoulder and wrist as well as opposable grippers to drop a ceremonial hockey puck into the Ambassador´s hand. Pretty impressive stuff, eh! Perhaps there´s a secondary market for Dragon Runner in sparing hockey referees from the contained violence of face-offs on the ice?

Depending upon the generation in which you were born, your vision of a robot may range from the rusty-jointed mechanical Tin Woodsman of the Wizard of Oz, to Isaac Asimov’s 1939 science fiction character “Robbie,” to R2D2 and C3PO of Star Wars fame, to the “Transformers” – where high performance vehicles turn themselves into even higher performance fighting machines, to Star Trek’s Commander Data – a humanoid drone designed with artificial intelligence that longs to develop human emotions. Perhaps because human beings designed them, our image of robots is humanized; the age of electronic games and virtual images has turned such figures into “avatars,” realistic depictions of an imagined reality that take on a life of their own in the virtual world in which they exist.

If you are among the handful of moviegoers who have actually seen The Hurt Locker, winner of the 2010 Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Director, you may remember hearing the members of the EOD

QinetiQ Dragon Runner delivering a Canadian Hockey puck right directly into Ambassador Doer’s hand.

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Dragon Runner, SUGV

(Explosive Ordnance Disposal) Team featured in the film refer to “the Bot,” a remote controlled vehicle that the team trailered to the site of suspected IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).

In military parlance “The Bot” is referred to as an SUGV, a small unmanned ground vehicle. This robot looks more like the creation of an old-fashioned, but high tech, erector set than the humanoid robots that have become the stock in trade and, frequently the nightmare, of Hollywood studios over decades.

It is all tracks, mechanical arms, cameras, microphones, and sensors custom designed to accomplish everything from under vehicle searches, to gathering intelligence in hostage-taking situations, to rendering harmless unexploded IED’s. It was this sort of robot that was recently used in New York City to inspect and determine the nature of the home made but potentially lethal car bomb placed in Times Square.

The Dragon Runner robot, produced by QinetiQ-North America (Kinetic) is neither humanoid nor intelligent. It is a very sophisticated tool that is heavily dependent on its human operator and the operational team that accompanies Dragon Runner in the field. A highly capable combination of radiocontrolled vehicle, sophisticated sensors, digital imaging, and power tool kit operated by an unusually dexterous and clever “Do It Yourselfer” Dragon Runner can take on a variety of missions that could be life threatening for a human being. It is a machine that can take risks in order to gain information, obtain visual images of potentially dangerous situations, and – in some circumstances – take positive action to render an explosive device harmless.

The single most important characteristic of the Dragon Runner is that it is not human. It approaches locations and attempts jobs that consistently put the robot in peril and at risk of destruction. Dragon Runner is capable of performing many of the most dangerous tasks undertaken by military, security, and police personnel without putting the human operator and the support team in danger. Because the robotic capabilities of Dragon Runner allow it to be controlled remotely, the opera78

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tional team can stand-off (up to 500 meters) from potential threats, reducing lethal dangers without taking human operational and situational judgment out of the loop. Dragon Runner cannot go where it is not directed to go. It cannot take actions it is not directed to take. Dragon Runner is an extension of its operator and the command hierarchy within which that operator functions; it is never a substitute for the human operator. Dragon Runner is exceptionally capable tool, but it is not an automaton.

The youngest and smallest sibling in Talon family of unmanned vehicles Dragon Runner has a remarkable range of capabilities. Its unique characteristics are its small size, light weight, field portability – it can be back packed into the field by a single soldier, and its compact video-game styled electronic controller. In fact, Dragon Runner has already made its way into the Guinness World Records 2010 where it is listed under “Engineering and Technology – Weapons” as the “Most Durable Military Robot.” Originally developed for the United States Marine Corps, Dragon Runner is now in the field with American, British, Canadian, and Australian forces and is doing duty in both Iraq and Afghanistan. While other larger robots have been battlefield deployed for several years, Dragon Runner´s portability makes it especially suitable for the harsh terrain of the mountains or the dense vegetation of the jungle.

In an interview with Dr. J.D. Crouch, former Ambassador

J.D.Crouch (right), President of QinetiQ North America, being interviewd by Dr. James Winship of Diplomatic Connections

of the United States to Romania, former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Policy, and now President of the Technology Solutions Group for QinetiQ North America, he noted that ¨in Afghanistan you have more dismounted operations where it´s impossible to trailer a vehicle into an area. You have to be able to carry things in. With the portability of Drag-

on Runner a man or two can bring the robot into dismounted operations and use it where and as it’s useful. The real question is the trade-off between weight and capability. We´re working on an even smaller class of robots that can still do something.

But, as you get smaller, you sacrifice mobility, you lose capabilities, and you lose range because of the power constraints imposed by the need for smaller batteries. Finding the sweet spot that balances weight and capability against portability and range is really what we´re trying to do.”

Current interest in Dragon Runner has focused on its bomb identification and disposal mission, especially its ability to deal more safely with the IEDs – Improvised Explosive Devices – that have become a weapon of choice in the asymmetric warfare and terror tactics that have dominated the situations in Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years. But this small robot has a far wider range of potential missions depending on how it is equipped. Equipped with a battery of cameras it can be used for checkpoint security and under vehicle inspections. Its small size allows Dragon Runner to conduct reconnaissance inside buildings, sewers, drainpipes, caves, and to conduct painstaking vehicle inspections of buses, trains, planes, and trucks.

Its mobility allows it to be used for perimeter security when mounted with onboard motion and sound detectors as well as cameras and other imaging devices. Mounted with speakers and listening devices as well as cameras, Dragon Runner can conduct hostage barricade reconnaissance and even engage in direct negotiations with hostage holders.

But with all the versatility and capability of robots in the field there come some concerns. Robots have human capabilities heightened to the nth degree. They see and hear with superhuman acuity. They are often stronger and more mobile.

And they come with none of the inevitable human foibles.

They don´t get hungry, thirsty, tired, and scared. They don´t forget or disobey orders; neither do they question orders. They don´t panic amid carnage; neither do they feel any human sympathy for the perceived enemy. They cannot be swept up in the hysteria of national pride and presumed historical insult; neither can they feel the guilt, shame, or questioning promoted

by Gandhian non-violent resistance or principled antiwar movements. The advantage of robots is not only that they save lives, but that they will do a better job on the battlefield than can human beings.

These very same qualities lead some critics to question the desirability of the robotic battlefield. If real human lives are no longer at risk, they ask, will wars seem less costly and therefore become easier to start . . . and harder to end? The critics fear that wars waged by remote control will come to seem too easy,

too far away from people’s lives, and too tempting. Some even suggest that all the remote imaging generated by robots will result in a sort of voyeuristic “war pornography” where the images of distant war make killing seem thrilling . . . and unreal, where the line between combat and virtual battle is blurred with inhuman results. P. W. Singer, author of Wired for War, suggests that, ¨Robots may entail a dark irony. By appearing to lower the human costs of war, they may seduce us into more wars. Nations often go to war because of overconfidence.¨ A closely related version of this concern worries that robots will encourage warriors to take human beings out of the loop.

As robotic warfare becomes more sophisticated and technologically adept, human beings will be the weak link in decision-making and response time. The farther removed from battlefield decision-making human beings become, the easier it is to distance ourselves from the ugly realities of war. The safer warfare by remote becomes for human beings the easier it is to inflict deadly force on another population and the less will be the emotional baggage of responsibility or guilt.

J.D. Crouch of QinetiQ North America, however, insists that he would make exactly the opposite argument. “If a 19-year old is standing there with a weapon and he comes across someone who is threatening to him, what will he do? He´s trained to protect his comrades and to defend himself. If that person makes a furtive movement and reaches inside his coat to pull out his identification, the soldier´s operating procedure is that if the J.D. Crouch, QinetiQ-NA man does not immediately stop his actions when ordered to do so, then the soldier has the right to use lethal force to protect himself. And, in a sense, he would be a fool not to do that. With a robot, the robot is being operated by a human being at a distance, which gives the operator the luxury of time. He doesn´t have to make a split-second, life or

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LCol Douglas Martin, Embassy of Canada and Dr. James Winship, Diplomatic Connections

death decision motivated by fear more than judgment. He can wait to see whether a gun comes out of that pocket or a wallet.”

What seems abundantly clear is that battlefield robots on the ground, in the air, and on the sea are here to stay, and their capabilities are growing. There´s no question that robots like Dragon Runner are saving lives today that would have been lost only a few years ago. Like most human inventions, technology is agnostic; it cannot know or believe that it is fighting for the right. Neither can it question whether its violence is excessive or its cause in the wrong. Technological innovation has repeat-

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edly changed the face of warfare over the centuries, and it is doing so again. In the process it poses old questions of ethics in new and more challenging ways, and it imposes new questions of ethics that can be dealt with only by human insights based on experience and critical analysis drawing on fundamental moral principles.

Technology is always a two-edged sword offering great advances and perverted uses. It is never the province of one side in a conflict, and what is one combatant´s advantage today will soon enough become the other combatant´s leveler. The same technology that can discover and disarm an IED can be used to carry the wounded from the field of battle . . . or stealthily place an explosive device where it can do great damage. The difference is not in the technology; it is in ourselves.

Perhaps the strongest endorsement of ¨Dragon Runner and other similar robots comes from commanders in the field, the one’s who have lost soldiers to IEDs, booby trapped doorways, and landmines.

“At least,” a Navy Chief Petty Officer who has lost more than one soldier to these devices observed, “When a robot dies, you don´t have to write a letter to its parents.”

Celebrated at the Willard InterContinental Hotel

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In

the summer of 1860, before the Civil War

erased all thought of international affairs from America’s mind, a remarkable encounter of cultures took place. May 2010 marked the 150th anniversary of the first Japanese diplomatic mission to the United States in 1860.

By Melissa Chasse Embassy of Japan

Courtesy of the Library of Congress 3 Samurai: The three plentipotentiary members of the first Japanese diplomatic mission to the U.S. from left to right: Muragaki Norimasa, Shimmi Masaoki, and Oguri Tadamasa.

Navy Yard: Samurai diplomats at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C.: Senior Envoy Shimmi Masaoki (third from left), Vice-envoy Muragaki Norimasa (middle), and Inspector Oguri Tadamasa.

Left: President Buchanan receives the Japanese Ambassadors in the White House on May 17, 1860

In commemoration of that historic occasion, described in the June 11, 1860 edition of The New York Times as “…an event which, if it have any significance at all, involves consequences the most momentous to the civilization and the commerce of the world for ages to come,” the Embassy of Japan partnered with several local organizations to present Samurai Week in Washington, D.C. From May 22-28, a number of events were held at various venues throughout the district, giving residents and visitors alike an opportunity to reflect on the little-known origins of the strong relationship shared by Japan and the U.S. today.

Samurai Diplomacy When Commodore Perry’s steam-powered “Black Ships” lowered their anchors in Edo Bay in 1853, Japan’s policy of national isolation, which had been followed for over two centuries, came to an end. The Tokugawa Shogunate slowly began to open its doors to the world. Then in 1860, a group of 77 samurai was sent to Washington, D.C. to exchange the instruments of ratification of the Treaty of Amity and Commerce (1858).

Led by Senior Envoy Shimmi Masaoki, Vice-envoy Muragaki

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Norimasa, and Inspector Oguri Tadamasa they became the first Japanese diplomatic mission not only to the United States, but to any nation outside of Asia. Bearing the honor and responsibility of ushering Japan into the modern era, the samurai set sail on a trip around the world.

This momentous event was not only a first for Japan, but for the West as well. Before the Japanese Embassy’s arrival on American shores, no Western country had ever received a diplomatic mission from East Asia. The significance of this great honor was not lost on the fledgling American republic.

Congress adjourned for their arrival at the Navy Yard, while a crowd of 5,000 gathered to greet the samurai at the docks.

Another 20,000 Washingtonians cheered along their route to the Willard Hotel (Washington’s population at that time was about 75,000), where the samurai would lodge during their stay. Men and boys climbed trees to get a better look as ladies tossed flowers from crowded, second-story windows. Urchins broke through the struggling lines of crowd control, swarming the samurai’s carriages to shake their hands.

Vice Envoy Muragaki described the scene in his private journal: “What immense crowds there were! The streets were like seas of human beings; the windows and balconies were thronged with people eager to get a glimpse of the procession.

I could not help smiling at the wonder in their eyes, which reached a culminating point when they caught sight of our party wearing costumes that they had never seen before or even dreamt of. I might say that the whole procession seemed to the people of Washington to be a scene out of fairyland, as, indeed, their city appeared to us.

A Victorian lady tries to cope with chopsticks as she enjoys Samurai Tea at the Willard Hotel.

It was however, not without a feeling of pride and satisfaction that we drove, in such grand style, through the streets of the American metropolis, as the first Ambassadors that Japan had ever sent abroad, and that we witnessed the enthusiastic welcome accorded to us by the citizens.”

150 years later, the bilateral alliance shared by Japan and the United States is the cornerstone of a relationship that enriches people on both sides of the Pacific and around the world. As we reflect on the historical impact of the samurai who crossed the ocean in 1860, laying the foundations for the strong friendship we enjoy today, perhaps we can gain some insight into what the next 150 years will hold.

Samurai Sword Soul sword fighting performance group takes the stage before a standing-room only audience at the JICC

Akira Iriye, the Charles Warren Professor of American History at Harvard University speaking before a full house at the Samurai 150! commemorative lecture.

Ronald P. Toby, Professor of East Asian Language and Culture at the University of Illinois explains the significance of the mission’s historic visit to both countries 84

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Yoshi Amao is surrounded by fellow members of Samurai Sword Soul during their performance at the JICC.

Commemorative Events Samurai Tea at The Willard Hotel Over the weekend of May 22-23, the Willard InterContinental and the Embassy of Japan teamed up to recreate the atmosphere that filled the hotel during the embassy’s visit 150 years ago. Performers dressed as Edo period samurai and Victorian ladies were on hand to mingle with guests as they enjoyed authentic Japanese tea, savories and sweets served on china from the residence of the Ambassador of Japan.

Opening Lecture at the Library of Congress Featuring three of the most highly regarded scholars in their field, spaces for the commemorative lecture Samurai 150! The First Japanese Diplomatic Mission to the U.S. in 1860 filled up almost overnight. After enjoying a display of historic items from the library’s collection, guests were treated to a shakuhachi, or Japanese bamboo flute, performance by musician Dan Gutwein.

Moderated by Michael Auslin, director of Japan Studies at the American Enterprise Institute, and featuring keynote speakers Akira Iriye, the Charles Warren Professor of American History at Harvard University, and Ronald P. Toby, Professor of East Asian Language and Culture at the University of Illinois, the

Gentlemen in Victorian era dress enjoy the sounds of the koto played by Kyoko Okamoto at the Willard Hotel.

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program began with an introduction by Japanese Ambassador to the U.S. Ichiro Fujisaki. The scholars discussed the historical significance of the mission to both countries before taking questions from the audience.

An Evening with Samurai New York based performance group Samurai Sword Soul presented their mix of beautifully choreographed sword fighting, comedy and drama to full house at the JICC. Imbuing traditional Japanese swordplay with a contemporary edge, Samurai Sword Soul brought bushido, the way of the samurai, to life, even inviting lucky audience members on stage for their Samurai Boot Camp. *Muragaki Awaji no Kami Norimasa, The First Japanese Embassy to the United States of America, trans. Miyoshi Shigehiko (Tokyo: America-JapanSociety, 1977) 38-39.

Left to right, Mrs. Yoriko Fujisaki, Mrs. Hong Le Webb, wife of Senator Jim Webb (D-WV), her daughter, Georgia Webb, and Ambassaador Ichiro Fujisaki enjoy Japanese sweets, savories and tea the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C..

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Samurai Drawing by Kseniya Nelasova

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THE BREATHLESS PACE OF BRITAIN’S ELECTIONS 10 Downing St. Flickr channel

David Cameron was appointed Prime Minister on 11 May 2010.

By Roland Flamini

H

Leading Washington politicians, journalists and other guests spent the night of May 6 at the British Embassy watching the results of the British general election on several large screens set up by the BBC in the main rooms of the ambassador’s residence and its spacious terrace.

olding an (invitation hostess, British Ambassador only) open house to Sir Nigel Sheinwald and follow developments on his wife Julia, the race was election night has long been still undecided, in itself an a British Embassy ritual, but unprecedented situation in this year there was more post-war British elections. suspense to the occasion because it was a very tight race with The Conservatives, led by David Cameron, had won the most no clear winner in sight. parliamentary seats (306) in the House of Commons, but short Guests watched as the ruling Labour Party and the opposiof a clear majority (326). Malcolm Brown’s Labourites had lost tion Conservatives alternately elbowed each other out of the badly (258); Nick Clegg, the photogenic Liberal Democrat lead, with the Liberal Democrats trailing behind. Commentators leader who had emerged from the debates as the media hero, had called the election the most Americanized ever: U.S. style failed to live up to his promise, and his party also lost seats television debates were introduced for (57). Smaller, mainly Scottish Welsh the first time; American pollsters and Nationalist groups gained 28 seats. campaign experts were imported to adNick Clegg’s diminished numbers vise all three parties. But the differences didn’t mean diminished importance; he remained greater than the similarities: remained pivotal to either of the two the entire election campaign lasted one larger parties if they hoped to form a month at an estimated coast of less than government with a working majority, $100 million. The 2008 U.S. presidenWith the United Kingdom steeped in tial race cost $1.7 billion. economic problems, there was a sense of Well after midnight, when the last urgency – not to say near panic -- about 10 Downing St. Flickr channel guests took leave of their host and forming a government quickly, and Right to left: Prime Minister David Cameron and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg

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the political horse trading was intense. After showing signs of clinging like a vine to 10 Downing Street his official residence, defeated Prime Minister Brown announced his resignation, thus in effect opening the way for a Conservative-Liberal Democrat Vernon Jordan, his wife Ann and Ambassador Sheinwald alliance, the first coalition in more than half a century.

On the face of it, Cameron’s right-of-center party and Clegg’s more left-inclined Liberal Democrats were far from a perfect the new identity cards launched by the Labour government and fit. For example, opposed by the Conservatives. changing the More central to the new government’s ultimate success or British electoral failure is the Liberal Democrats’ decision to swallow their camsystem from the paign opposition current “firstto immediate past-the-post” cuts in governformula to a ment spending, so-called proporand accept the tionate represenbudget cutElizabeth Kucinich, Deputy Ambassador Dominick Chilcott, tation, with gains the British Embassy’s Richard Rodgers and Congressman ting that has Dennis Kucinich in seats based been Cameron’s on the party’s percentage of the popular vote, is almost religion hallmark. And for the Liberal Democrats, who are also committed Europeans. no sooner had The White House’s Ben Chang with Marcus Brauchli, the The Conservatives, on the other hand, want to keep the current William Hague Executive Editor of the Washington Post electoral system, and, while formally pro-European, include (a former leader Euroskeptics in their ranks. of the Conservatives) been appointed Foreign Secretary that he But Cameron and Clegg set aside their more divisive differwas off to Washington to meet his American counterpart, Secreences to join forces in cobtary of State Hillary Clinton, bling together an alliance, and underline – and, in the with Cameron as Prime view of some, repair – biMinister and Clegg as Deplateral ties. A formal visit to uty Prime Minister. Their the European presidency in coalition program includes Brussels, Hague said, would such Liberal Democrat pet come later. projects as cutting back Shifts of power in Britain on Britain’s street surveilare swift: if you’re going out lance cameras, considered of power the going is fast. an invasion of privacy, and Unlike U.S. presidential elecscrapping the new biomettions, there is no long transiric passports -- as well as tion period. For one thing, if Congressman Ed Markey (second to left), Deputy Ambassador Dominick Chilcott (far right) in conversation.

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Ambassador and Lady Sheinwald with Shaun Donovan, Secretary for Housing and Urban Development

United States Secretary of Energy, Dr. Steven Chu and Ambassador Sheinwald

Ambassador Sheinwald with Indian Ambassador Meera Shankar

Lady Sheinwald with Danish Ambassador Friis Arne Petersen

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and his wife Joanna with Lady Sheinwald Deputy Secretary of Defence William Lynn and his wife pose in front of a door from 10 Downing Street

Bill Burton, Deputy Press Secretary at the White House, with Andrea Mitchell and Alan Greenspan

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you live in Downing Street one of your first calls after losing an election is to the movers.

Gordon Brown left Downing Street with his family on the same day that he announced his resignation. And once the broad lines of the new political partnership were set, David Cameron moved in as the new prime minister. Less than three weeks later, on May 25, Queen Elizabeth II traveled by horsedrawn carriage to Westminster for the official opening of the new parliament with all the panoply of royal ceremonial. It was the queen’s 56th opening of parliament in her 58-year reign, but the first with a coalition government in office.

Seated on a throne in the House of Lords, the upper house of the British parliament, with her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, by her side, the queen read a speech written for the monarch by the new government: it promised economic austerity to reduce Britain’s ballooning deficit and restore growth. Elizabeth II wore a crown and a long, erminelined cape. A dazzle of robes and military uniforms surrounded her, shades of a bygone splendor brought briefly to life for the occasion.

Prime Minister David Cameron, the cause of all this pomp and circumstance, listened to the speech standing with members of 10 Downing St. Flickr channel his new government barely inside Traveling from Buckingham Palace after visiting the the entrance to the Queen, PM David Cameron arrives at 10 Downing House of Lords cham- Street, May 11th, 2010. ber. This too is traditional. No British monarch has set foot in the House of Commons since 1642 when King Charles I tried to arrest members of parliament – and ended up deposed, tried and beheaded.

So the queen delivers her speech in the upper house, surrounded by the peers of the realm, the senior judges, and the senior bishops of the Church of England; as part of the ceremony, a parliamentary official is sent to the House of Common chamber to summon the elected members of parliament, and they traipse across to the Lords to hear her. But for them it’s standing room only.

Queen Elizabeth arrives in her horse drawn carriage for the State Opening of Parliament.

10 Downing St. Flickr channel

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The Duke of Edinburgh listens as Queen Elizabeth II delivers the Queen’s Speech in the House of Lords.

Seated on a throne in the House of Lords, the upper house of the British parliament, with her husband Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, by her side, the queen read a speech written for the monarch by the new government: it promised economic austerity to reduce Britain’s ballooning deficit and restore growth. Elizabeth II wore a crown and a long, ermine-lined cape. A dazzle of robes and military uniforms surrounded 10 Downing St. Flickr channel

her, shades of a bygone splendor brought briefly to life for the occasion.

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Diplomatic Connections hosts an exclusive reception every year just for Diplomats and their staff, however, this year we’re hosting two. Previous venues have been the Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations in New York City as well as the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, George Washington University and the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia here in Washington.

Although, the most recent event took place on May 12th at the lovely and sophisticated venue of the exquisite Corcoran Ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel in the prestigious location of Georgetown in Washington, D.C.. Other fine establishments accepted the invitation to participate and be represented: The Elysian Hotel in Chicago; The Sofitel Chicago Water Tower; Wings Jets; The Concordia in Washington and U.S. Sedan Service.

This year, several very distinguished officials were in attendance, such as: Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH); H.E. Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador of Japan to the U.S.; H.E. Hunaina Sultan Al-Mughairy, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the U.S. and H.E. Ilhom Nematov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the U.S. Several hundred Diplomats and staff representatives from 100

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the Embassies and International Organizations also attended this unprecedented reception at the Four Seasons Washington. Our events are extraordinarily unique in that Diplomatic Connections is able to continuously facilitate personal and proper introductions to some of the most “hard-to-reach” clientele in Washington by hosting this gala. Diplomatic Connections provides an exclusive and unparalleled platform where private businesses, both Domestic & International, gain the opportunity to meet “face to face” with the Diplomat in one grand setting. Our main objective is to create a warm, inviting environment that sets the stage for businesses, who cater to the Diplomatic / International arena and their needs, to network and get acquainted with this highly-esteemed community with the potential of conducting future business.

Please enjoy viewing the next several pages as they give a slight glimpse into the evening’s events. If you attended and you’d like to have an event of your own at the Four Seasons Washington DC, contact: Mr. Joseph J. Richter (photo on page 102), Director of Catering, at: 202.944.2020 or email: joseph.richter@ fourseasons.com. Our next Reception will be held on September 30th, 2010 and we look forward to seeing you there!

H.E. Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador of Japan to the U.S.; Craig Clayton, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts - Worldwide Sales and Mary Spellerberg, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Los Angeles

Dawn Parker, Diplomatic Connections; Congressman Kucinich and his wife, Elizabeth; Sherry Cooper, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia and Chris Chapman, British Embassy

Ambassador Fujisaki and Chris Gleeson, Director of Diplomatic Affairs, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel

Craig Clayton, Regional Director of Sales, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts; Congressman and Mrs. Kucinich

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Shahla Izadi Rassuli, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia and Craig Clayton

Craig Clayton and H.E. IIhom Nematov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United States Ambassador Al-Mughairy, Joseph Richter and Craig Clayton

Holger Frehde, Director of Sales, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Houston and Ambassador Al-Mughairy

Ms. Amal Atieyah; Jacqueline Moutran (center), Ambassdor’s Office, Embassy of the State of Kuwait and Joseph Richter, Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Washington, D.C.

Joni Rose Jankie, Director of Diplomatic Affairs, Four Seasons Hotel New York; Ziad Soubra, Embassy of the State of Qatar and Hilary McMahon , Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Joseph Richter, Director of Catering, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Washington, D.C.; Craig Clayton, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts-Worldwide and H.E. Hunaina Sultan Al-Mughairy, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States 102

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Sherry Cooper, Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia and Ghizlane Boukhnif, Director of Diplomatic Affairs, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, Washington, D.C.

Megan Conlin, Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, California and Hilary McMahon, Director of Government and Diplomatic Sales, Four Seasons Hotel Boston

Saud Krisawan, Embassy of Indonesia; Hilary McMahon, Four Seasons Hotel Boston; Yusron Ambary, Embassy of Indonesia

Congressman Kucinich and Carley Spenla, Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia

Mary Spellerberg, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles and Faten Faraj, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates

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Succulent Shrimp was served with ravishing side dishes made with the freshest olive oil, such as: grape leaves, tabouli, hummus and incredibly fresh pita bread

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An array of photos giving a glimpse into the grand presentation of several beautiful international food displays at the Diplomatic Connections’ Diplomat Appreciation Reception throughout the Corcoran Ballroom hosted by the Four Seasons Hotel Washington, D.C. on May 12th, 2010.

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Delectably different international cheeses were conveniently and abundantly displayed throughout the entire Ballroom.

Megan Conlin, Four Seasons Hotel Silicon Valley, California and Pia Ulrikke Dahl, Cultural & Information Officer, Royal Norwegian Embassy

Left to right: Tan Weiming and Adeline Wong, both with Embassy of Singapore; Debbie King, Four Seasons Hotel Hawaiian Resorts and Geraldyn Chen Man Yi, Embassy of Singapore

Congressman Kucinich; Tai Velasquez, Sales Manager of Diplomatic Affairs, Four Seasons Hotel Seattle and Holger Frehde, Director of Sales & Marketing, Four Seasons Hotel Houston 106

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The Royal Suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC. Beautifully appointed offering contemporary furnishings, crystal fixtures, rich wood and iridescent shell details. For information, contact Ghizlane Boukhnif, Diplomatic & Middle East Region Sales Manager Phone: 202-944-2017 Email: ghizlane.boukhnif@fourseasons.com View of the Penthouse Living Room at the Four Seasons Hotel New York, rising over Manhattan’s premier shopping and business district, between Park and Madison Avenues. For information, contact Joni Rose Jankie, Director of Diplomatic Affairs Phone: 212-350-6609 Email: joni.rose.jankie@fourseasons.com

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Pan seared, savory thick steak flavored-packed with unbelievable International spices was cooked directly in front of our guests during the event.

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Flowers were given to the guests as the gala came to a conclusion.

Ali Mohammed Al Salahi, Embassy of Yemen and Mandi Rumski, Four Seasons Houston

Katarina Bergkvist, Economic Advisor, Liberal Party of Sweden and Carley Spenla, Four Seasons Philadelphia Different fresh fruits and vegetables were nicely presented in authentic rustic baskets to create a “green� and ascetically pleasing environment rich in colors.

A complete array of different cheeses with a variety of crisp crackers and the freshest fruits were wonderfully displayed.

Inga-Lena Moore, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

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The aroma of fresh, gorgeous flowers filled the Ballroom.

Luscious and amazingly colorful fresh fruits were in beautiful bushels throughout the entire room.

Chocolates and strawberries were a nice sweet after eating the main course.

Individual delicious rich deserts were abundant.

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The Ballroom was a sea of various flowers and plants.

Scrumptious Shrimp was being served in stainless steel pans, a truly exquisite presentation.

Chicken was moist and tender, simply cooked to absolute perfection.

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Faten Faraj, Public Relations Dept., Embassy of United Arab Emirates and Holger Frehde, Four Seasons Hotel Houston

Toni Frangie, Embassy of Lebanon and Debbie King, Four Seasons Hotel Hawaiian Resorts Nahlah Al-Jubeir and Shahla Izadi Rassuli, Ambassador’s Office - both with the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia

Craig Clayton, Holger Frehde and Jose Santacana, U.S. Department of State

Michelle Ray, Four Seasons Hotel Boston (left)

Pernielle Brosten, Royal Norwegian Embassy and Susy Suescun, Four Seasons Westlake Village

Pauline Habr, Embassy of the UAE and Dr. John Duke Anthony, President, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

Rina Hirano, Embassy of Japan; Manuela Giordano and Nancy Dammassa, both with the Embassy of Italy 112

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H.E. IIhom Nematov, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the United States and Joe Aguilera, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, The Elysian Hotel in Chicago

H.E. Hunaina Sultan Al-Mughairy, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the U.S. and Joe Aguilera, The Elysian Hotel in Chicago

Reception display for The Elysian Hotel in Chicago

Katrin Florek-Avril, Ambassador’s Office, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany and Sarah Bundy, Sales Manager, The Elysian Hotel in Chicago

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Luis Gutierrez, U.S. Sedan Services and Jo McKeegan-Brown, OBE, Deputy Civil Secretary, British Defense Staff, British Embassy

Reception display for U.S. Sedan Service

Rosemarie Edwards, IMF; Vicky Rabess, British Embassy; Lisette Felix, European Union Amy Kachelries (left), Diplomatic Connections

Jeanette Moutran and Shirin Momtax, both with the Embassy of the State of Kuwait

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Sarah Pomeroy, Diplomatic Connections and Kate McAllister

Reception display for Wings Jets

Pauline Habr, Ambassador’s Executive Assistant, Embassy of the United Arab Emirates and John Rusinak, Wings Jets

Amir Faizal Ahmad, Nor’aini Abd Hamid, DCM; Suhaimi Tajuddin, all with the Embassy of Malaysia

Felicity Amos; Elin Kylvag, Personal Assistant to the Norwegian Ambassador; Odd Inge Kvalheim, Minister Counsellor, Royal Norwegian Embassy; Tom McCammon; Pia Dahl, Cultural and Information Officer, Royal Norwegian Embassy

Right to left: Mr. Nabeel Al-Dakheel, Counselor, Deputy Chief of Mission; Jacqueline J. Moutran, Accountant; Ms. Amal Atieyah, Defense Office - all with the Embassy of the State of Kuwait

John Rusinak and John Moore

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H.E. Hunaina Sultan Al-Mughairy, Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States and Cristina Gospodin, Sales Manager, Sofitel Chicago Water Tower

Patrick Mancino, National Council of U.S.-Arab Relations and Mary Spellerberg, Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles

Emma Cornevaux and Ann-Marie Paccagnella - both with the Embassy of France

Mr. Rudolfs Bremanis, Political and Economic Attache, Embassy of Latvia and Mrs. Gabriela Bremanis

Captain Daniel Aguirre, Chilean Naval Mission, Embassy of Chile and Mrs. Agnus Aguirre

BrigGen Premysl Skacha, Embassy of the Czech Republic and Mrs. Skacha

Maj Gen Mitsuru Nodomi, Defense & Military Attache, Embassy of Japan and Mrs. Keiko Nodomi 116

Angelito Nayan, Embassy of the Philippines

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Adrian Ciprian Miron; Luana Gagu; Tudor Aposteanu - all with the Embassy of Romania

Mattias Sundholm, Deputy Spokesperson, Press and Public Diplomacy, European Union (right) and Katatrina Bergkvist, Economic Advisor, Liberal party of Sweden (far right)

Mohamad N. Alshaikh, Asst. Director for Congressional Affair and Abdulmohsen F. Alyas, Ph.D., Deputy Director, Media & Public Affairs - both with the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia

Felicity Amos, Grove Partners; Liam Murphy, Information Coordinator, United Nations Information Centre; Craig Matasick, Development Innovations Group

Left to right: Chris Chapman, Simon Phillips, Bob McKeegan-Brown, Alison Groves and Jo MCKeeganBrown - All with the British Embassy

Cai Jianing, Counselor and Zhao Junjie - Science and Technology - Embassy of China Andrew Lowery, Precise Home Management

Mrs. Maya Regmi; Gaurishwor Regmi, Embassy of Nepal and their daughter, Asha

Bela Gedeon, Cultural Attache; Judit Kozenkow, Andras Szorenyi, Public Affairs Officer - all with the Embassy of Hungary

LCol Rafal A. Nowak and Col. Andrzej Kopacki - both with the Embassy of Poland

Boieprav Petro, Attache, Embassy of Ukraine

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Holger Frehde, Four Seasons Houston; Mandi Rumaki, Four Seasons Houston; Mrs. Schaffhauser; Michel Schaffhauser, Consul General, Embassy of France

Chris Gleeson, Director of Diplomatic Affairs, Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel and Naris Ahimbisibwe, Protocol Officer, U.S. Department of State

Ahmed Kamal, Medical Officer, Embassy of Egypt Elisa Colicchia, Attache PCM Office, Embassy of Italy

Elie Abdel Hour, PR Officer, Embassy of State of Qatar

Kerstin Ehser, Karen Karstens and Katrin Florek-Avril - all with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany

Salim Dogru, Embassy of the Republic of Turkey

Daniele Dragon and Christine Carson - both with the British Embassy

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Liudmyla Ugnivenko; Yurii Ugnivenko, Counselor, Embassy of Ukraine; Oksana Ugnivenko

View of the Penthouse Library at the Four Seasons Hotel New York, rising over Manhattan’s premier shopping and business district, between Park and Madison Avenues. For information, contact Joni Rose Jankie, Director of Diplomatic Affairs Phone: 212-350-6609 Email: joni.rose.jankie@fourseasons.com DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS B U SINESS Q U A R TE R LY | S U MME R 2 0 1 0

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View of the recently renovated Four Seasons Hotel Boston. Located at 200 Boylston Street ovelooking the famed Public Garden and Beacon Hill. For information, contact Hilary McMahon, Director of Diplomatic & Government Relations Phone: 617-351-2178 Email: hilary.mcmahon@fourseasons.com

Suite at the Four Seasons Hotel Boston

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Four Seasons private dining room at Bourbon Steak restaurant. To book small, medium, to large private catering events, please contact Joseph Richter, Director of Catering Phone: 202-944-2020 Email: Joseph.Richter@fourseasons.com View of the fabulous Penthouse Bathroom at the Four Seasons Hotel New York. For information, contact Joni Rose Jankie, Director of Diplomatic Affairs Phone: 212-350-6609 Email: Joni.Rose.Jankie@fourseasons.com

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The Four Seasons Hotel Houston, located within the city’s vibrant central business community and 4 kilometers north of the world-renowed Texas Medical Center.

View of recently renovated and redesigned Four Seasons Hotel Houston Suite. For information, contact Holger Frehde, Director of Sales & Marketing. Phone: 713-652-6245 Email: holger.frehde@fourseasons.com

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The Master Bedroom of the Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC Royal Suite, with a silver and cream colour scheme and featuring an elegant hand-knotted carpet and cream millwork.

View of the Royal Suite bathroom at the Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC. Featuring white marble, a sculptural bathtub, and a crystal fixture elegantly draped overhead. For information, contact Ghizlane Boukhnif, Diplomatic & Middle East Region Sales Manager. Phone: (202) 944-2017 Email: ghizlane.bouknif@fourseasons.com

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View of the magnificent lobby at the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills, located at the corner of Rodeo Drive and Wilshire Boulevard. For information, contact Chris Gleeson-Director of Diplomatic Affairs Phone: 310-858-2381 Email: chris.gleeson@fourseasons.com View of Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire, Beverly Hills Presidential Suite Master Bedroom

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9.30 SAVE THE DATE Diplomatic Connections is Hosting Another

D iplomatA ppreciation Reception on September 30, 2010 in Washington, D.C.

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‘‘

The Diplomatic Connections’ Diplomat Appreciation Reception from the

Viewpoint

“Oh, what a memorable evening. From Members of Congress to Ambassadors to our many friends from the Washington, DC diplomatic community - all gathered in the same room at the same time! Thank you again to Diplomatic Connections for a great event. Fantastic to be a part of your success!”

Chris Gleeson, Director of Diplomatic Affairs Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel Phone: 310-858-2381 (direct) Cell: 310-498-5092 Email: chris.gleeson@fourseasons.com

“The event was a true success, well attended! Diplomatic Connections is the venue for invaluable connections and I am so happy to have been a part of this occasion.”

Joni Rose Jankie, Director of Diplomatic Affairs Four Seasons Hotel New York Phone: 212-350-6609 (direct) Cell:917-407-8089 Email: joni.rose.jankie@fourseasons.com

“Dawn, Thank you for hosting another wonderful event, it was such an amazing opportunity to network with this savvy crowd and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have been included for this event! Four Seasons Hotel Boston has been working with the diplomatic market for many years and after seeing the great turnout and support at the event, I am confident we will continue to do so for many more.

Thank you, Diplomatic Connections.”

of our Business Partners

“Wings Jets appreciated the opportunity to continue support of the Diplomatic Connections events, as a ‘Thank You’ to the Washington, DC and Foreign Embassy communities. It was great to spend such an enjoyable evening at The Four Seasons Hotel in DC with our Washington based clients. Each event seems to surpass the previous ones. We look forward to the upcoming Fall 2010 event. “ John Rusinak, Jr. Managing Member Wings Private Jets, LLC office 781-452-7100 cell 781-956-7778 Email: jr@wingsjets.com www.WingsJets.com

“Dawn, Thank you again for another great Diplomatic Connections Trade Show. The Four Seasons Houston has been a first choice of foreign dignitaries and VIPs in Houston for many years, and it’s not only because of the extraordinary service, newly renovated rooms or our luxurious suites, but in large part due to long lasting relationships that I am able to foster at great events like yours. Thank you!”

Holger Frehde, Director of Sales & Marketing Four Seasons Hotel Houston Phone: 713.652.6245 (direct) Cellular: 832.477.5227 Email: holger.frehde@fourseasons.com

Hilary McMahon, Director of Government and Diplomatic Sales Four Seasons Hotel Boston Phone: 617-351-2178 (direct) Cell: 617-777-9627 Email: hilary.mcmahon@fourseasons.com

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“The Diplomat Appreciation Reception was a wonderful event that was very wellattended. I am thrilled to have attended on behalf of the Four Seasons Hotel Seattle, and look forward to next year’s event.”

Tai Velasquez, Sales Manager - Diplomatic Affairs Four Seasons Hotel Seattle Phone: 206-749-3904 (direct) Email: tairea.velasquez@fourseasons.com

“Thank you, Diplomatic Connections, for allowing our hotel to be a part of such an incredible event. The reception was a great success and we look forward to being a part of more events such as these in the future!”

Thank you again, Susy Suescun, Director of Sales Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, California Phone: 818-575-3091 Email: susy.suescun@fourseasons.com

Carley J. Kelly, Sales Manager of Diplomatic Affairs Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia Email: carley.kelly@fourseasons.com Direct: (215) 963-2712 / Cell: (267) 242-5920

Cristina Gospodin Sales Manager Sofitel Chicago Water Tower, Chicago, IL Phone: (312) 324-4014 Email: cristina.gospodin@sofitel.com

“Chicago’s newest luxury hotel, The Elysian, attended the prestigious diplomat appreciation reception hosted by Diplomatic Connections in May. This unique event facilitates the exclusive opportunity to meet and do business with this highlyesteemed community “face-to-face.” We look forward to participating in the upcoming October reception as well.”

Sarah Bundy, Sales Manager The Elysian Hotel, Chicago, IL Phone: (312) 646-1326 Email: SBundy@ElysianHotels.com

“The Diplomatic Connections Magazine reception was a great success. Clearly the Magazine has a loyal and influential audience that enjoys attending your events.

Partnering with Diplomatic Connections was a great idea that resulted in a very successful reception and tradeshow. The Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC couldn’t be more thrilled to have been selected as the venue for this event!”

Ghizlane Boukhnif, Diplomatic & Middle East Region Sales Manager Four Seasons Hotel Washington, DC Phone: 202-944-2017 (direct) Cell: 202-251-1899 Email: ghizlane.boukhnif@fourseasons.com

“Met some fantastic people, and really enjoyed the event! Thank you Diplomatic Connections!”

Edrisi Cardenas The Concordia Hotel Phone: (202) 557-2000 www.TheConcordia.com

“Diplomatic Connections’ May event at the Four Seasons was excellent! This reception continues to provide an unprecedented business platform where the marketplace successfully merges with the World of Diplomacy.”

Luis Gutierrez Phone: (888) US-SEDAN lgutierrez@ussedan.com

“It was a memorable evening thanks to the great partnership with Diplomatic Connections Magazine. Thank you for creating the perfect atmosphere with the most wonderful clientele. A true success!”

Debbie King Four Seasons Resorts Hawaii Phone: 410-573-1835 Email: debbie.king@fourseasons.com

“The event was a display of class and very well produced, it was an honor to be a part of it!”

Bridget Garcia The Concordia Hotel Phone: (202) 557-2000 www.TheConcordia.com

“Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts was honored to partner with Diplomatic Connections and host the Spring Diplomat Appreciation Reception. Our North American hotel sales representatives were thrilled with the attendance and the networking opportunity it provided.

And Joseph Richter, our Four Seasons Hotel Washington DC Director of Catering, welcomed the opportunity to show our abilities to host prestigious events such as this with style and elegance.

Whether looking for a local venue to host important diplomatic events, such as a National Day, or for a ‘home away from home hotel’ when traveling to cities such as New York, Boston, Houston, and Los Angeles, Four Seasons welcomes the opportunity to work with the diplomatic community and thanks all who attended the event. Most important, thanks again to you Dawn and Diplomatic Connections for this wonderful opportunity.”

‘

“Partnering with Diplomatic Connections created the perfect blend for a hugely successful event. I am very grateful to have been in attendance among the loyal audience of Diplomatic Connections.”

“It is always a real pleasure to participate in the Diplomatic Connections Trade Shows. They are exceptionally organized and consistently have an outstanding attendance. I highly recommend participating in these shows as a great way to be introduced to the Diplomatic world and make invaluable connections. Thank you, Dawn, we are looking forward to an ongoing relationship with you and Diplomatic Connections!”

Craig Clayton, Regional Director-Worldwide Sales Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Phone 202-333-7141 Email: craig.clayton@fourseasons.com

To view the websites of all of these fine establishments, visit:

www.diplomaticconnections.com

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some say travel is not what it used to be. we look forward to proving otherwise.

Once, hotels were synonymous with a style of life as it

two distinctive restaurants and an incomparable

should be lived. Today, one of these landmarks stands at

spa and health club. And a hotel stay is once again

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JASMIN HOWANIETZ, 1-212-872-4619

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