Diplomatic Connections Winter 2009

QUARTERLY BUSINESS • WINTER 2009

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EU SATURDAY MAY 9, 2009 10a-4p The third annual European Union Open House will welcome thousands of visitors on Saturday, May 9, 2009, when the European Commission Delegation and the Embassies of the EU Member States will open their doors to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The success of past years has shown that the EU Open House is a unique opportunity to promote European Union unity and, at the same time, to showcase the diversity and richness of European culture to the Washington public. It is also the single largest celebration of the EU in the world.

Members of the public will be invited to take a rare behind-the-scenes look at the EU Embassies, many of which are among Washington’s historic and architectural treasures. Each Embassy will offer a unique program featuring its country’s

OPEN HOUSE and EUROPE WEEK

art, music, cuisine, and special events, allowing visitors to taste diverse culinary dishes, wines, and beers. The Embassies’ many special programs, including children’s corners, musical performances, and dancers make the EU Open House a festivity for everyone to remember. Last year, over 57,000 people were shuttled free of charge among the Embassies, enabling them to experience the rich diversity of the European Union in one day.

The 2009 EU Open House also kicks off Europe Week, a celebration of European culture across the United States. Centers of Excellence, universities, think tanks, non-governmental organizations, and the Embassies and Consulates of EU Member States around the United States will host programs designed to create a better understanding of the European Union. Europe Week events include speeches, seminars, and workshops on EU issues; film screenings, concerts, and cultural events related to the European Union or to one or more EU Member State and presentations at high schools and universities.

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For more information, go to: www.diplomaticconnections.com

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COVER PHOTO President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama INSIDE FRONT COVER Peninsula Hotels ~ Chicago and New York INSIDE BACK COVER Qatar Airways US BACK COVER Taj Boston ~ Hotels, Resorts and Palaces

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

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Amtrak 35 Atlantic Council of the U.S. 56 Australia, Embassy of 34 Autoluxe Transportation - Chauffeured Service 30 Best Buddies International 58 British Ambassador hosts Illinois Delegation 14 California Pizza Kitchen 26 Classifieds, Diplomatic Connections 49 Council on Foreign Relations 28 Diplomatic Connections Classifieds 49 Diplomatic Connections Annual Trade Show 63 Emperor’s Brand Vodka 27 European Union 1 & 31 George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) 4 & 46 Interfaith Dialogue 18 Ireland, Embassy of 54 Italy, Embassy of 46 Malta, Embassy of 32 Mexico, Embassy of 44 National Council on U.S.- Arab Relations 38 New York Palace Hotel 55

DIPLOMATIC CONNECTIONS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Dawn Parker DIRECTOR OF SALES Washington, DC, JoAnn Pomeroy DIRECTOR OF SALES New York, Neil Collins ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES Kito James, Rueben Martin, Leslie Woods-Hulse, Jacob Resch and Supriya Satpathy ART DIRECTOR Larry Smith MARKETING Traci Allen 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 Laura West, Project Manager lwest@ims.ca Reflections Photography 631 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE Washington, DC 20003 202.204.6700 x202 www.Reflections-Photo.com

Obama, a portrait 64

Joanne Amos, President

Obama’s Cabinet 12

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Orthodontics, Dr. Golden & Rad 48 Park Hyatt Chicago 45 Presidential Freedom Awards 60 Reflections Photography 36 Roger Christopher Interior Design 21 Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center 43 Roomstore Furniture 13 Saudi Arabia, Royal Embassy of 50 & 52 Savannah River Realty 39 South Africa FIFA World Cup 24 Travel Insurance Center 23 Westbrooke Place 13 White House, Freedom Awards 60 Wings Private Jets 23

Reflections Photography Contributing photographers for Diplomatic Connections Gustavo Gargallo Franmarie Metzler, Erin Granzow Paula Morrison 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.

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Dear Readers, The Winter edition of Diplomatic Connections features the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama and his first days in the Oval Office. Beautiful photos of the Inaugural parade are included as well.

Thereafter, you’ll read about some unprecedented diplomatic events Diplomatic Connections covered. Here are some highlights: Saudi King convenes UN high-level meeting on Interfaith Dialogue in New York - many World Leaders attend British Ambassador Sheinwald hosted the Illinois Delegation three days before President Obama’s Inauguration South Africa is hosting the FIFA World Cup in 2010 Tony Blair spoke at a meeting hosted by the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR) in Washington Ambassador Richardson hosted a lovely cultural event at the Embassy of Australia The National Council on U.S. - Arab Relations hosted their 17th Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference After the November elections and before President Obama took office, he met with Mexican President Calderon privately GWUH and the Italian Embassy convened to discuss new technologies and the integration into the medical field Joe Grant, 101 Year Old American Pilot, was presented with the Saudi King Abdulaziz Medal - First Class HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal presented five accomplished individuals with the King Faisal International Prize in January, 2009 H.E. Michael Collins, Irish Ambassador to the US celebrated the Irish Heritage of State Department Goodwill Ambassador Bo Derek The Atlantic Council of the U.S. held the “Christopher J. Makins” Lecture at the Residence of the British Ambassador, H.E. Sir Nigel Sheinwald and the guest of honor was former Secretary of State, Dr. Henry Kissinger Best Buddies International hosted their Miami Gala in the Autumn of 2008 Mr. Tony Blair, Middle East Peace Envoy, Mr. John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe were awarded the Presidential Freedom Awards in January, 2009 at the White House Portrait artist K.M. Harvey painted a wonderful portrait as a tribute to President Barack Obama To feature any upcoming events in the Spring edition of Diplomatic Connections, please submit your written requests to:

dparker@diplomaticconnections.com Diplomatic Connections is integrating an exciting new item into our website ~ Diplomatic Connections Classifieds! Starting in March, 2009, you will NOW be able to post your classifieds on the Diplomatic Connections website! See page 49 for details.

We look forward to featuring your upcoming diplomatic and international events!

Sincerely, Dawn Parker Founder & Publisher

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Diplomatic Connections Salutes

On January 20, 2009 Barack Obama was sworned in as the 44th President of the United States. The photos on the next several pages are of his first days in the Oval Office with White House Chief of State, Rahm Emanuel; Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton; reading the letter former President Bush left for him on the Oval Office desk and his meeting with the National Economic Director Lawrence Summers followed with some beautiful photos of the Inaugural Parade.

www . d i p l o m a t i c c o n n e c t i o n s . c o m

President Obama

President Barack Obama walks into the Oval Office at the White House Wednesday morning, January 21st, 2009, for his first full day in office.

White House photo by Pete Souza

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President Barack Obama meets with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel Wednesday morning, January 21st, 2009, in the Oval Office at the White House.

White House photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama meets with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the Oval Office shortly after she was confirmed and sworn in on Wednesday, January 21st, 2009. White House photo by Pete Souza

During a phone conversation, President Barack Obama reads the letter Tuesday, January 21st, 2009, left on the Oval Office desk for him the previous day by former President George W. Bush. The letter from the previous President to the incoming President has become a White House tradition.

White House photo by Pete Souza

President Obama walking into one of the Inaugural Balls and glancing at his and First Lady Michelle Obama’s official photos.

White House photo by Pete Souza

President Barack Obama is briefed on the economy by National Economic Director Lawrence council 10 www . d i pSummers l o m a and t i cmembers c o n n eofchis t ieconomic ons.co m Wednesday, January 21st, 2009, at the White House. White House photo by Pete Souza

Royal Canadian Mounted Police salute President Barack Obama as he passes the Canadian Embassy, January 20, 2009

Inaugural Parade of the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama

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The White House

Obama Administration

THE CABINET The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginnings of the Presidency itself. Established in Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution, the Cabinet’s role is to advise the President on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member’s respective office.

The Cabinet includes the Vice President and the heads of 15 executive departments — the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Labor, State, Transportation, Treasury, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Attorney General.

Vice President of the United States Joseph R. Biden http://www.whitehouse.gov

Department of State Secretary Hillary Rodham Clinton http://www.state.gov

Department of Justice Attorney General Eric H. Holder, Jr. http://www.usdoj.gov

Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun L.S. Donovan http://www.hud.gov

Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan http://www.ed.gov

Department of the Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner http://www.treasury.gov

Department of the Interior Secretary Kenneth L. Salazar http://www.doi.gov

Department of Transportation Secretary Raymond L. LaHood http://www.dot.gov

Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki http://www.va.gov

Department of Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates http://www.defenselink.mil

Department of Agriculture Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack http://www.usda.gov

Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu http://www.energy.gov

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet A. Napolitano http://www.dhs.gov

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British Ambassador Hosts Illinois Delegation On January 17th, three days previous to the Inauguration, Ambassador Nigel Sheinwald and Lady Julia Sheinwald hosted a reception in honour of the Illinois Delegation to the Presidential Inauguration. The event honoured a large number of Illinoisians who were in Washington for the Inauguration and provided a wonderful opportunity to continue building on relations between the UK and the United States. Other attendees included U.S. Attorney-General Eric Holder, Arianna Huffington, Judy Woodruff and former Senator John Warner.

The Residence was the perfect venue for this event, Ambassador and Lady Sheinwald were lovely hosts and over 400 guests attended.

H.E. Sir Nigel Sheinwald, KCMG, British Ambassador to the United States

Senator John J. Cullerton, (D) IL and Mrs. Pamela Cullerton

Katty Kay, Washington Correspondent, BBC World News America

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U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post

Christopher E. Isham, VP, Washington Bureau Chief, CBS News and daughter, Darya Isham Ambassador Sheinwald, Arianna Huffington and Lady Julia Sheinwald, wife of the Ambassador

Barbara Harrison, NBC News

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Philip Lader, former U.S. Ambassador to the Court of St. James, 1997 - 2001, Senior Advisor to Morgan Stanley and Dawn Parker, Diplomatic Connections

Neil O’Reilly, Press Officer, British Embassy and Judy Woodruff, Senior Correspondent and Political Editor for The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer

Mr. Dominick Chilcott, DCM, British Embassy and Mrs. Jane Chilcott

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder

Simon Shercliff and Jan Smith Donaldson, journalist and wife of news correspondent Sam Donaldson

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Diplomatic Cultural Events at the Embassies of Canada, Czech Republic and Denmark Stuart A. Bernstein, former US Ambassador to Denmark and Ambassador Petersen

H.E. Petr Kolar, Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the United States and Mr. Eric Edelman, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, DOD

H.E. Friis Arne Petersen, Danish Ambassador to the United States, Ms. Christine Wilhelmsen (daughter), Mrs. Birgitte Wilhelmsen, wife of the Ambassador and Ms. Johanne Wilhelmsen (daughter)

Paul Misener, VP, Global Public Policy, Amazon.com, M. Christina Carter, Esq., Benoit Belisle, Jacques J. M. Shore Partner, Gowling, Lafleur and Henderson, LLP

Homaira Akbari, CEO of SkyBitz Jean-Philippe Linneau, Embassy of Canada, Uday Shankar, SkyBitz and Alexis O’Brien, Embassy of Canada

BG Peter Resch, Defense Attache, Embassy of Austria, LTC Hubertus von Strachwit, Assistant Military Attache, Embassy of Germany and COL Istvan Pasztor, Embassy of Hungary

Nancy Groce, PhD, Jeremey E.A. Adamson, PhD, Michael Taft-all of the US Library of Congress and Sally Southey Public Affairs and Deputy Head of Embassy of Canada

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Saudi King Convenes UN High-Level Meeting on Interfaith Dialogue in New York The United Nations’ High-Level Meeting on interfaith dialogue (Culture of Peace) convened in New York on November 12-13, 2008 called for by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.

Representatives from more than 75 countries participated in the two-day conference, including kings, emirs, heads of government and heads of international bodies.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon delivered a speech welcoming the attendees and expressed thanks to King Abdullah for calling for the meeting.

Subsequently, several leaders expressed strong support for cross-cultural dialogue and praised Saudi Arabia for initiating the process. The speakers included US President George W. Bush, UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Sabah AlSabah, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Israeli President Shimon Peres, Lebanese President Michel Suleiman, Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad Al Thani, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Moroccan Premier Abbas Al-Fassi, Philippines President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Finland President Tarja Halonen and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoan.

“We state with a unified voice that religions through which Almighty God sought to bring happiness to mankind should not be turned into instruments to cause misery,” King Abdullah declared in his address on November 12. “We will continue what we have commenced, extending our hand to all those advocating peace, justice and tolerance.”

Continued to page 21

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H.E. Adel Al-Jubeir

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States

King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King of Saudi Arabia

King Abdullah’s visit was the first by a Saudi monarch to the UN since 1957. On November 13, the King received President George Bush at his guest residence in New York. At the outset of the meeting, President Bush welcomed King Abdullah to the United States and thanked him for initiating the interfaith dialogue. The president underscored the importance of US-Saudi relations, recognizing that the Kingdom has a pivotal role to play in resolving Middle East issues.

Earlier that day, President Bush addressed the UN session on interfaith dialogue.

That evening, King Abdullah hosted a small private reception for Muslim, Christian and Jewish leaders -- most of whom were participants in the interfaith conference held in Madrid in July.

Speaking to the gathering, the King expressed hope that “this dialogue will constitute a beginning for the good of the humanity.”

“Whatever has taken place in terms of killing, enmity and excesses on others’ rights is quite enough,” he insisted. “God Almighty in all religions has urged for mercy and I think that any person who commits a sin against another person will repent and become remorseful to the greatest extent.” The King condemned all types of aggression, insisting, “Religions have nothing to do with such kinds of acts, but it is Satan and politics that have penetrated and confounded religions.”

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Representatives of Islam, Christianity and Judaism delivered remarks as well. Each speaker praised the Saudi interfaith initiative and stressed their religion’s commitment to peace.

Saudi Foreign Minister, HRH Prince Saud Al-Faisal praised the strong international support extended to the interfaith dialogue process initiated by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah. The initiative, he noted, began with a Muslim scholars’ conference in Makkah, continued in Madrid with participants of all cultures and religions and culminated in this week’s UN interfaith conference.

Prince Saud called for the establishment of a committee on interfaith dialogue, a measure proposed by King Abdullah.

Such an effort would increase understanding and encourage people to “work together for harmony and peace and not for confrontation,” he said.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon closed the UN interfaith dialogue conference, reading the final communiqué issued by the participants.

The text condemned the use of religion to justify the killing of innocents. It affirmed that all religions advocate peace, justice and equality and, therefore, cannot support terrorism, violence or coercion. The communiqué also expressed concern over the intolerance, discrimination, hatred and harassment faced by religious minorities. It called for all governments to respect basic human rights and liberties, including freedom of

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques meets with New York Mayor, Michael Bloomberg.

Left to right: President of the UN General Assembly Miquel d’ Escoto Brookman, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques

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belief and expression, without discrimination on the bases of race, language or religion.

Ban concluded, “The challenge now we are confronting is how to go beyond the strong and positive speeches we heard in the last two days . . . I do believe that this meeting was an important step forward.”

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses UN General Assembly at the special high-level meeting on Interfaith Dialogue -- Cultures of Peace

King Abdullah and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques receives former President Clinton - NY

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H.E. Dr. Hussein Hassouna, Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the United States and King Abdullah

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Abdullah visits Islamic Civilization Exhibition at the United Nations HQ

Photos provided by Saudi Press Agency

Directly after the UN meeting, King Abdullah attended the G20 dinner meeting at the White House in Washington, DC along with many other World Leaders

G-20 Heads of State attended dinner at the White House hosted by the then President George W. Bush - November, 2008 Above photo provided by Saudi Press Agency

Photo provided by British Press Mr. Gordon Brown, British Prime Minister attended and spoke at the Interfaith Dialogue Conference held at the United Nations in New York

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2O1O

FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA

In May 2004, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), turned the tide of modern sporting history, and declared that

By AMBASSADOR WELILE NHLAPO

for the first time in its 101 years of existence, the 2010 FIFA World

South African Ambassador to the United States of America

Cup would be staged on African soil, and that South Africa was

Nelson Mandela photo by Matthew Willman © NMF

stands not as a country alone, but rather as a representative of Africa

selected as the country to host this event. As the host, South Africa

and as part of the African family of nations.

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Preparations to ensure that South Africa delivers a truly world-class event, began when South Africa made its first bid in July 2000 to host the 2006 FIFA World Cup. South Africa lost that bid, but went on in 2004 to overwhelmingly win the bid for the 2010 World Cup. Since then, the South African Government, together with its partners, the South African Local Organising Committee, the private sector, and the South African public, have been hard at work to ensure the unprecedented success of the World Cup in 2010. The South African Government views the World Cup as a significant economic opportunity for South Africa as well as for the African continent, and is using the hosting of this event as part of the country’s extensive programme, aimed at pursuing faster economic growth and achieving its development goals. The South African Government is also collaborating with African countries on a number of 2010 related projects, in the context of an African Legacy Programme.

In line with its commitments as the host country, various South African National Government Departments undertook responsibility to provide 17 guarantees to FIFA to ensure a successful tournament. These guarantees were consolidated into Act No. 11 of September 2006, entitled “the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Special Measures Act.” The guarantees cover issues surrounding access to South Africa, a supportive financial environment, intellectual property and marketing rights, safety and security, healthcare services, transport and telecommunications. Concerns have been raised, both within the guarantees outlined above, as well as outside these guarantees. The South African Embassy is pleased to report on progress that has been made in the following specific areas:

1. Crime, Safety and Security South Africa submitted a comprehensive security plan for the 2010 World Cup to FIFA on 30 June 2008.

Stadium construction

Part of this multi-facetted plan includes the deployment of 41,000 police officers specifically for the event.

Recruitment and event-specific training for the police force is under way. The number of police reservists is set to increase from 45,000 members to 100,000 in 2010.

In addition, countries competing in the event will send their own specially trained police officers to assist with language and cultural differences and to support the South African Police Services. South Africa will assign 2010 police stations within close proximity to each of the stadiums, as well as dedicated crime-investigation teams and special courts to investigate and deal with all event-related crimes on a 24 hour basis, seven days a week. A 24-hour multilingual hotline will assist visitors requiring police or medical services. A Regional Southern African Development Community Security Plan has been finalised. Border security and sea and air security strategies are currently in place.

2. Stadium Construction The 2010 World Cup matches will be staged at 10 venues across nine South African cities. Stadium construction and upgrades are on track, and all 10 stadiums will be ready by the end of 2009.

3. Public Transportation System The Department of Transport, in consultation with the transport sector, has developed a far reaching 2010 Transport Action Plan, which aims at revolutionising

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South Africa’s public transport system. A total of R11.7 billion ($1.138bn) has been invested in rail upgrades, bus rapid transit systems, inner-city mobility systems, airport city links, and other public transport and road infrastructure projects. The Airports Company of South Africa has also invested R19,5 billion ($1.897bn) in an airport infrastructure expansion programme, to accommodate the surge of visitors in 2010.

4. Accommodation The Chairman of MATCH Services AG, a professional services company selected by FIFA to provide ticketing and accommodation services for the 2010 World Cup, noted that South Africa offers five-star luxury accommodation, especially with regard to the conventional Bed and Breakfast establishments. The Chairman further noted that it was the diversity of accommodation options, which made South Africa a tremendously affordable destination for people seeking to enjoy the World Cup. Football fans will have the opportunity to see how South Africa will deal with some of these concerns when South Africa hosts the eight-nation FIFA Confederations Cup in June 2009. Hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup is more than just a sporting event. For South Africa, foot-

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ball is intrinsically linked both to the struggle for freedom and democracy and to our national identity. Former President Nelson Mandela once described the game of football on Robben Island as a sport for survival, in that it “helped uphold the values of tolerance, inclusiveness, reconciliation, non-racialism and peace.” These values still hold true for all South Africans today. South Africa stands ready to receive the world for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and to make your visit a wonderfully unique African experience.

Blair Sees Glimmer of Hope for Progress on Israeli-Palestinian Peace Process

Mr. Tony Blair, Middle East Peace Envoy speaking at meeting hosted by CFR in Washington, D.C.

By ROBERT McMAHON Deputy Editor, Council on Foreign Relations, CFR.org

Mideast peace envoy Tony Blair, citing “slender and real grounds for hope,� says an opportunity exists to advance negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians but urged swift and concerted action by international and local actors to restore credibility to the flagging peace talks.

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Blair, the former British prime minister, has served for the past eighteen months as envoy for the Mideast “Quartet,” consisting of the United States, European Union, United Nations, and Russia. He told a December 3 meeting at the Council on Foreign Relations he has been encouraged by some security and economic improvements in the West Bank, controlled by the Palestinian Authority; but, he said broader efforts to improve living conditions must accompany the peace process if it is to make meaningful progress. “The political process and changing the reality [on the ground] have to march in lockstep,” Blair said.

Improving conditions on the ground, he said, could help shore up confidence on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which seeks to reach a comprehensive two-state solution. At the moment, Blair said, “each people has lost faith in the other’s good faith. Israelis don’t believe they’ve got a partner for peace. Palestinians don’t believe Israel is sincere in offering statehood.”

Blair outlined four priorities: Pursuing a serious negotiating process marked by what he called “creativity” and “goodwill” and pursued with “vigor and determination.”

Advancing a comprehensive plan for Palestinian security building on current efforts to train Palestinian forces in Jordan and other moves to set up a competent system of law and order. It is “not just an idle dream,” Blair said, pointing to Palestinian security efforts he has witnessed in Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron in the West Bank.

Bringing economic and social change. Blair said international help is essential and should take note of positive trends in the West Bank like the revival of Bethlehem as a tourist destination, rising housing development, and falling unemployment. “There is plenty to despair of but there are slender and real grounds for hope,” he said.

Providing a new strategy to resolve the Palestinian impasse over Gaza, which has been controlled by the militant Palestinian group Hamas since June 2007. Blair said Palestinian elections expected by early 2010 offer one way toward a solution if moderate politicians from both factions are elected to power. “However much we are tempted to set Gaza to one side because of the chaos it causes to Palestinian cohesion it cannot be. But neither is its predicament inevitable,” Blair said. “It can and it must be reversed.”

CFR President Richard N. Haass, who worked closely with Blair during his time as U.S. envoy to Northern Ireland’s peace process, agreed that a cohesive Palestinian “partner” in any talks would be vital.

“Israelis need to see Palestinian institutions and they need to see Palestinian capacities up and working if they are going to take risks and make the sorts of concessions that are going to be necessary if peace is going

Mr. Richard N. Haass, President, Council on Foreign Relations

Mr. Tony Blair

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sharply reduce prospects for a sustainable peace agreement no matter what the outside effort.” The report also emphasized the need to expand talks to include an Israeli-Syrian track, as well as the importance of opening a dialogue with Iran in an final effort to convince that country not to develop nuclear weapons.

Photo provided by the Saudi Press Agency

to happen,” he said. “It is important that these institutions are functioning well and that these capacities are adequate to the challenges they will surely face if a Palestinian state, if and when it comes to exist, is not to become a failed state.”

Blair also praised some members of the foreign policy team that has been appointed by the then U.S. President-elect Barack Obama as being well suited to helping guide a Mideast solution.

“I think there is a consensus now amongst the international community, not just America but everywhere, as to how to deal with this, more or less around the points that I am making,” he said. “The question is now--what people will watch for--is it taken forward with the requisite urgency and determination and I have every confidence that it will be.”

Blair’s comments echoed some of the findings of a new report by the Council on Foreign Relations and the Brookings Institution. The report, coauthored by Haass and Brookings scholar Martin Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, cited an “urgent need for a diplomatic effort to achieve a final peace agreement based on a two-state solution while it is still feasible.” But the report added: “deep divisions within the Palestinian leadership (not to mention divisions within Israel’s body politic), and the Palestinian Authority’s questionable ability to control territory from which Israel would withdraw,

Blair met later that day with Saudi Ambassador, H.E. Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir

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THE LEGACY OF MALTA’S

Three Cities

By Dr. CONRAD THAKE Photographs by Daniel Cilia

Cottonera commonly referred to as the Three Cities, namely Vittoriosa, Senglea and Cospicua, forms an integral part of the Grand Harbour conurbation facing Valletta, Malta’s capital city. Although each of these towns has its own specific identity, the Three Cities have collectively been interlinked due to their common history and unique topography of land peninsulas bordering sheltered inlets set within the environs of the Grand Harbour.

When the knights of the Order of St John were offered Malta in fiefdom by Emperor Charles V in 1530, the maritime town of Vittoriosa was the natural choice for the knights to establish their base. The Order of St John relied heavily on its fleet of galleys and other maritime craft and securing a safe haven was a determining factor in the selection of Vittoriosa as its first home base. The small town set on a peninsula offered excellent berthing facilities. Furthermore, the old medieval Castello a Mare or Castrum Maris, today referred to as Fort Saint Angelo, provided the starting point for setting 32

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an elaborate network of military defences. The knights built their first auberges or hostels within Vittoriosa. Initially their intention was to isolate themselves from the rest of the native population by creating a segregated collachio as they had done when based in Rhodes. However, given the densely populated urban fabric, the knights found it almost impossible to displace the local inhabitants to impose the collachio model and they soon abandoned their original plan.

Fort St. Angelo at the tip of the Vittoriosa peninsula became the seat of the Grand Master of the Order. It was to play a heroic role during the Great Siege of 1565. From its ramparts Grand Master Jean Parisot de la Valette directed all the major battles fought between the knights and the Maltese against the Ottoman Turks. It was from the fort’s cavalier that a shot aimed at the enemy camp in Sliema point caused the death of Dragut, the feared leader of the Turks’ elite corps.

After the victory of the Great Siege, the project of establishing a new city to be called Valletta assumed a high priority in order to better repel any future Turkish invasion. The knights transferred their base from Vittoriosa to Valletta in 1571.

Still, the former town continued to play an important role

for the Order as it hosted its arsenal, ship-building and shiprepair yards and a waterfront lined with Baroque palaces and warehouses that flourished during the late seventeenth century.

The other two towns were Senglea and Cospicua. Senglea was founded by Grand Master Claude de la Sengle on the land peninsula opposite Vittoriosa towards the end of the sixteenth century. Cospicua was developed as a densely populated town at the neck of the inlet of the creek then referred to as Porto delle Galere, or as it is known today as Dockyard Creek. The knights embarked on building highly elaborate fortifications and military defence works around the three cities. Besides the land-front fortifications to Vittoriosa and Senglea, the entire Three Cities were encircled by the massive Margherita and Cottonera fortifications that were built during the late seventeenth century to secure a virtually impregnable line of imposing defense works. To this day the fortified urban enclave of Cottonera represents one of the finest examples of fortified cities in the world.

During the nineteenth century the British colonial authorities established H.M. Victualling Yard and an extensive network of Drydocks and ship-repair facilities to service the British navy. Malta had become a highly strategic naval station and military base at the crossroads of the Mediterranean Sea. The Three Cities continued to increase their resident population as many sought employment at the dockyards or with the Navy. One of the finest architectural developments in the mid-18th century was the construction of the Naval Bakery building which supplied tack or dry biscuits to the whole British fleet within the Mediterranean. Today, the former Naval Bakery has been transformed into a Maritime Museum which displays several artifacts testifying to the town’s centuries-old connection to maritime events.

The Second World War had a catastrophic impact on the Three Cities. During 1942-43, Malta was severely bombed by the German Axis forces and Cottonera suffered the brunt of most of these aerial attacks given its location within the Grand Harbour and the dockyards. A number of historic buildings

and monuments in Vittoriosa were destroyed, Senglea was virtually reduced to a heap of rubble and Cospicua’s dense urban fabric was also severely affected. Anticipating the oncoming onslaught, most of Cottonera’s residents had prior to the war sought safe refuge in the outlying rural areas as far as possible from the Grand Harbour conurbation.

The extent of the war damage was severe with the loss of thousands of houses. In the aftermath of the war, most of the former residents rendered homeless relocated elsewhere.

The population of Cottonera was drastically and irretrievably reduced to its pre-war levels. In spite of its glorious history, the Cottonera region degenerated into a socially depressed area with some neighborhoods characterized by poverty and substandard housing.

Fortunately over the past two decades there has been a sustained interest in the urban regeneration of the Three Cities. A number of historic palaces along the Vittoriosa waterfront were restored to their original splendor, the Order of St John established its seat in the upper precincts of Fort St Angelo and recently the world-renowned firm Camper & Nicholsons has taken over the management of a new yacht marina along the waterfront. There are other urban regeneration projects in the pipeline and certainly more needs to be done. Still, it is comforting to note that the renaissance of the Three Cities is well on its way.

Dr. Conrad Thake is an architect, urban planner and architectural historian. He earned a Ph.D. degree at the University of California, Berkeley, USA.

AUSTRALIA On December 9, the Embassy of Australia hosted a reception to open the exhibition Sublime Symmetries Photographs by

Sublime Symmetries

David Stephenson, presented in association with the Embassy of Portugal. Curated by Jorge Calado, the exhibition was first presented at the Centre Culturel Calouste Gulbenkian, Paris, in 2006.

The exhibition was formally opened by Director of Calouste

Gulbenkian Foundation, Dr João Pedro Garcia. Stephenson, born in Washington DC but resident in Australia since 1982, is one of the world’s foremost contemporary photographers.

Using a long exposure, he reveals the incredible architectural geometry of domes and vaults usually not visible to the naked eye.

The 150 guests, including the Ambassadors of Australia and Portugal, were also able to enjoy the performance of Australian guitarist Rupert Boyd.

H.E João de Vallera, Ambassador of Portugal to the United States and H.E. Dennis Richardson, Ambassador of Australia to the United States All photography by Paul Morigi

Ruth and Sam Alward; Ambassador de Vallera

Jane Hardy; Paul Kang; Lauren Pasternack

David Stephenson; Elizabeth Stephenson; Ambassador Richardson

Ambassador de Vallera, David Stephenson; Jane Scott, Director of Cultural Relations, Embassy of Australia

Jorge Calado

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The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations The National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations convened its 17th Annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference on October Dr. John Duke Anthony, President and CEO of the National Council on U.S. Arab Relations

30-31, 2008 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.

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More than 800 participants representing the diplomatic, governmental, military, business, think-tank and academic communities turned their attention to the conference theme: “Transitioning the White House: Challenges and Opportunities for Arab-U.S. Relations.” Coming just days before the presidential election in the United States, the conference examined a wide range of issues confronting Arab-U.S. relations. Participants considered how the new American president might seek to deal with the regional chalAmbassador Dr. Imad Moustapha, Ambassador of Syria to the lenges and objectives he will United States inherit upon inauguration, how the global economic slowdown could impact the United States and Arab countries, and how the transition might present opportunities for reordered priorities and new directions in U.S. policies regarding the Arab world.

Conference speakers included former NATO Commanding General Wesley Clark (Ret.), dealing with Arab-U.S. strategic relations; United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Trade Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, examining regional developments and commerce between the United States and the Arabian Peninsula; media personality Ms. Mona Abu Sulayman, renowned co-host of Kalam Nawaem (“Softly Speaking”) and Managing Director of the HRH Prince Awaleed Bin Talal Kingdom Foundation, offering perspectives on the changing demographics and cultural dynamics across generations; The Hon. Chas. W. Freeman, Jr., Middle East Policy Council President and former Assistant Secretary of Defense, who reexamined the successes and failures of U.S. foreign policy in Ambassador Ford Fraker, Ambassador of the United States the region in recent years; and to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Arab League Ambassador Dr. Hussein Hassouna, who examined how U.S. policies have been viewed in the Arab world and suggested steps forward that might be taken by the new U.S. administration.

A special highlight of the conference was a roundtable discussion with current U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia,

Ford Fraker, and three of his predecessors – Ambassador Walter Cutler (1984-1987), Ambassador Wyche Fowler (19962001), and Ambassador Robert Jordan (2002-2003). H.E. Houda Ezra Nonoo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States, hosted an evening embassy reception for conference participants. Additional speakers included HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Sa’ud, former Ambassador to the Court of St. James and to the United States of America; H.E. Marwan Muasher, Senior Vice-President for External Affairs at the World Bank and former Foreign Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan as well as a former Jordanian ambassador to the United States; H.E. Imad Moustapha, Ambassador of Syria to the United States; and H.E. Ali Suleiman Aujali, Libyan Ambassador to the United States. Other sessions examined Arab and U.S. interests HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal, Chairman, King Faisal Foundation; former and key foreign policy objectives Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United States pertaining to Lebanon, Syria, Israel,

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Palestine, Iran, Iraq, Arab-U.S. defense cooperation, developments for the energy industry in a changing global economy, and the dynamics of the presidential campaign in the United States as seen through the eyes of Arab media specialists.

Dr. John Duke Anthony, Founding President and CEO of the National Council, served as host for the conference and moderated the proceedings. The Council is celebrating its 25th Anniversary (1983-2008) of promoting a relationship between

the United States and its Arab world strategic partners, friends, and allies that rests on as solid and enduring a foundation as possible. The annual Arab-U.S. Policymakers Conference is a central part of the National Council’s mission to educate Americans about U.S. interests and involvement in the Arab countries, the Mideast, and the Islamic world.

Ambassador Wyche Fowler, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Dr. Nadia Hijab, Senior Fellow, Institute for Palestine Studies

Mr. Daniel Levy, Director, Prospects for Peace Initiative, The Century Foundation

Ms. Muna AbuSulayman, Managing Director, HRH Prince Awaleed bin Talal Kingdom Foundation

H.E. Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister for Foreign Trade, United Arab Emirates

Hon. David Bohigian, Asst. Secretary for Market Access and Compliance, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

General Wesley K. Clark (USA, Ret.), Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Europe

Dr. Kenneth Katzman, Senior Middle East Affairs Specialist, Congressional Research Service

Ms. Nablah M. Al-Tunisi, Ras Tanura Integrated Petrochemical Project, a joint venture of Saudi ARAMCO and Dow Chemical

Mr. Ryan M. Lance, President, Exploration and Production - Europe, Asis, Africa and the Middle East for ConocoPhillips

Mr. James Burkhard, Cambridge Energy Research Associates Managing Director, Global Oil Group

Ms. Karen Harbert, Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Institute for 21st Century Energy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce; former Assistant Secretary for Policy and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Energy 40

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Mr. Jay M. Pryor, Vice President for Corporate Business Development, Chevron Corporation

Rear Admiral Harold J. Bernsen, (USN, Ret.) − Chairman, Board of Directors, National Council. on U.S.Arab Relations

Dr. Anthony H. Cordesman, Arleigh Burke Chair in Strategy, Center for Strategic and International Studies

Mr. Jeffrey C. McCray, Vice President International Marketing, BAE SYSTEMS

Amb. Edward W. “Skip” Gnehm, Jr., Elliot School of International Affair, George Washington University

Ambassador Barbara Bodine, Diplomat-in-Residence, Woodrow Wilson School of Public Affairs, Princeton University

H.E. Dr. Marwan Muasher, Senior VP of External Affairs, The World Bank; former Foreign Minister of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Ambassador Walter Cutler, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; President Emeritus, Meridian International Center

Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft (USAF, Ret.), President and Founder of the Scowcroft Group

H.E. Houda Ezra Nonoo, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States

Mr. David D. Arnold, President, American University of Cairo

Ambassador Chas. W. Freeman, Jr., President, Middle East Policy Council and former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

H.E. Ali Suleiman Aujali, Ambassador of the Great Socialist Libyan Arab Jamahiriya to the United States

Dr. Abderrahim Foukara, Washington Bureau Chief, Al-Jazeerah International

Mr. Hisham Melhem, Washington Bureau Chief, Al-Arabiya

Ms. Dalia Mogahed, Senior Analyst and Executive Director of the Gallup Center for Muslim Studies

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Mr. Mohamed Elmenshawy, Editor in Chief, Taqrir Washington

H.E. Dr. Hussein Hassouna, Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the United States

General Joseph P. Hoar (USMC, Ret.), former Commander in Chief, U.S. Central Command

Mr. Patrick Mancino, Vice-President and Director of Development, National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations

THE RONALD REAGAN BUILDING AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE CENTER

NonationalCouncil rab S U A elations R eagan onald R R B uilding enter I nternational rade T C held this event at the

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This is the start of a very close, constructive relationship between the two administrations.

President Calderón

BILATERAL MEETING Between Mexican President Calderón and President Barack Obama

President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon

P

resident-elect Obama didn’t waste any time after the November elections and took the opportunity to meet with Mexican President Calderon in the Autumn of 2008. President Calderon hosted this very private meeting at the Mexican Cultural Institute to discuss issues of interest for both countries, such as the economy, the environment and security. “It is an honor for the Mexican Government to receive President elect Barack Obama in this Mexican Institute,” said President Calderon. He also stated the meeting was the start of a very close, constructive relationship between President Barack Obama’s and his administration.

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Photos by Embassy of Mexico/Sergio Ochoa

They spoke generally about several issues ranging from security to the regional competitiveness of North America, including Mexico and Canada. Issues were discussed in which common concerns such as the environment, the Green Fund and the need to collaborate in dealing with the critical situation the world is facing in the economic sphere. President Calderon expressed his wish to work together for the principles and values he and President Barack Obama share. President Calderon proposed to President Obama that they form a strategic alliance between the American and Mexican governments to manage common problems, such as Homeland Security for both nations. “I think that the safer Mexico is, the safer the United States will also be. The idea is that we will have to fight the common problem of organized crime, terrorism and drug trafficking, which is an international problem, together,” said President Calderon. Lastly, they discussed the importance of promoting far more constructive relations in the international sphere and participating in the groups to which they belong: the G-20, the G-8, the G-5, the APEC Forum and the United Nations Security Council. “Although, our conversation was extremely general, I am certain it will be the start of an extraordinary period of relations and cooperation between the United States and Mexico,” President Calderon concluded.

President Barack Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon at the Mexican Cultural Institute

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TELEMEDICINE Forging International Connections

By EKENE OKOBI

George Washington University Hospital (GWUH) hosted a delegation from the Italian Embassy on 4 February, 2009. Hospital staff demonstrated new technologies being used to train doctors and discussed how such methods can be integrated into a U.S.-Italian partnership on science and technology.

Professor Vittorio Daniore, MD, Embassy of Italy and Mr. Trent Crable, CEO of George Washington University Hospital (GWUH)

The meeting was organized by Dr. Borjanka OljacaLeiboff, Director of the GWUH International Medicine Program. Hospital CEO Trent Crable, Chief Information Officer Gretchen Tegethoff, ER doctor Neal Sikka and neurology resident Dr. Mateja de Leonni met with Dr. Vittorio Daniore, Science Attaché for the Italian Embassy, Dr Michele Iorio, President of Italy’s Molise region, and Dr. Nelida Ancora, External Relations Attache to discuss how rural and remote areas in Italy may benefit from the hospital’s burgeoning telemedicine program.

Dr. Michele Iorio says he came to build “an alliance for today and for tomorrow,” by implementing a professional collaboration between GWUH and the University of Molise. He also says that such a partnership would provide low-cost, readily available medical expertise to trainees and doctors at healthcare facilities in his region and possibly for developing nations worldwide.

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Professor Vittorio Daniore, MD, Scientific Attache, Embassy of Italy, Dr. Michele Iorio, President of Italy’s Molise region

Dr. Mateja de Leonni Stanonik, Neurology resident, GWUH and Dr. Daniore

Dr. Borjank Oljaca-Leiboff, Director, GWUH International Medicine Program, Dr. Daniore, Mr. Trent Crable, CEO of GWUH, Dr. Iorio and Dr. Nelida Ancora, Embassy of Italy

Also known as “remote medicine,” telemedicine allows skilled and experienced physicians to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of patients in distant locations. “I do an X-Ray today, here in Washington. I’m in doubt about my diagnosis—and then about my therapy—then I consult—maybe the best expert is in India, or in Italy—and I and the expert in Italy or India will have a dialogue, and give the right therapy to the patient. It’s a kind of brainstorming,” explains Dr. Daniore.

By electronically transmitting photos, video and data like X-Rays, EKGs and MRI results, a physician can get a second opinion and provide the best treatment possible for his or her patient without anyone ever having to step on a plane. Telemedicine is already in use on some cruise ships and by the U.S. military. “The civilian use of telemedicine will improve medicine,” says Dr. Iorio.

“I think this is something that we definitely want to explore. It would be a great step in our International Medicine Program,” says Gretchen Tegethoff when asked about the likelihood of GWUH expanding its nascent telemedicine program beyond the boundaries of on-site classroom instruction. During their visit, the delegation got the opportunity to glance into an experimental Integrated Operating Room and witness the program in use. The program is so new that Tegethoff is not at liberty to discuss specifics on the network, or plans to further integrate it into the general medical school curriculum.

Dr. Daniore says that he hopes plans for telemedicine programs are included in a bilateral U.S./Italian MOU partnership on science, technology and healthcare that was signed under the previous administration and must now be renewed with the Obama White House. “GWUH is the most advanced, technologically speaking, for long-distance diagnostic therapy,” and so, Dr. Daniore says he hopes that the hospital will take a leadership role in any telemedicine partnership agreements between the U.S. and Italian governments. The best part of deal would be providing “the best services at the lowest price,” to any patients the partnership serves, according to Daniore, who hopes to see it implemented within a year.

Ms. Gretchen Tegethoff, CIO, GWUH and Dr. Borjank Oljaca-Leiboff, Director, GWUH, International Medicine Program

Above: Dr. Daniore, Dr. Iorio and Dr. Ancora

Dr. Neal Sikka, ER physician, GWUMFA and Ms. Tegethoff

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King Abdulaziz Medal

First Class

HRH Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz

King Abdulaziz Al-Saud

101 Year Old American Pilot Honored On January 28, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the

United States Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir presented the King Abdulaziz Medal - First Class to Mr. Joseph W. Grant, a U.S. World War II pilot, on behalf of King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud at the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia.

“Mr. Grant’s contributions to helping foster Saudi-U.S. relations are deeply appreciated to this day,” said Ambassador Al-Jubeir.

“We are pleased to honor such a longstanding friend and wish him happiness and continued good health.”

Joe Grant, who turns 101 years old in March, is the pilot who in 1945 flew a Douglas-DC3 aircraft to Saudi Arabia to be delivered as a gift to King Abdulaziz Al-Saud from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, following their historic meeting onboard the U.S.S. Quincy on February 14, 1945. Subsequently, Captain Grant served two years in the Kingdom as the first pilot to King Abdulaziz, founder of the modern Saudi state. Captain Grant was also instrumental in the establishment of Saudi Ara-

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King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz

bia’s first national airline and the training of its pilots. In the fledgling years of the airline, Grant flew routes between Riyadh, Jubail, Khafji and other more populated cities in Saudi Arabia. “We started the airline before we had the airports,” Grant said. “Sometimes, we’d just find a little strip of desert to land on when we picked up our passenger loads.” Returning to Riyadh two years ago aboard a Saudi Arabian Airlines 747, Grant marveled at the country’s transformation into an oil-rich powerhouse since World War II. “They are a great people,” Grant said. “What was once desert is now fertile farms.” “This is a really big honor for me and I couldn’t be happier,” Grant said of the award. “I feel quite surprised and grateful, and it is a wonderful thing to have been part of the start of such a terrific airline.”

Aviation has been Grant’s lifelong passion, but his time in Saudi Arabia inspired him to master the craft of jewelsmith after he became an admirer of a silversmith who designed “puzzle rings,” a series of bands that fit together to form one ring.

In 1968, after a 20-year-career as a pilot with TWA, Grant opened Jose Grant Fine Jewelry, in Stamford, Connecticut, where he still works today and continues to design puzzle rings, which include elaborately worked metals embedded with jewels and semi-precious stones. “I love designing jewelry for people and designing something beautiful,” Grant said.

The King Abdulaziz Medal is awarded in recognition of significant contributions made by an individual to the Kingdom.

Left to Right: Mannal Farid, Shahla Izadi, Iman Aboulhosn, Sherry Cooper, Joe Grant, Lisa Grant, Ambassador Adel Al-Jubeir, Edward Grant, Muhammad Mustafa, Nada Moukalled, Thamir Al-Faheid, Ismat Gabbani. Front (kneeling): Tarik Allagany

Mr. Edward Grant, son of Joe Grant

Left to Right: Mr. Khaled Al-Nabhani, Mr. Joe Grant, Ambassador Adel Al-Jubeir and B. Gen. Ahmed Al-Qahtani

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HRH, Prince Khalid Al- Faisal

King Faisal Foundation THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE

King Faisal

nternational I P rize

By Mr. SULIMAN AL SHUAIBI & DR. HOWAIDA HASHIM

Saudi Health Mission, the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia

Abd Al-Aziz Nasir Al-Manie

Sir Richard Henry Friend

Ronald Levy

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Rashid Alievich Sunyaev

Abdessalam M. Cheddadi

www . d i p l o m a t i c c o n n e c t i o n s . c o m

The King Faisal Foundation was established in 1976 by the sons of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. The Director-General is HRH Prince Khalid Al-Faisal. The Foundation is thought to be one of the largest philanthropic Foundations in the world.

The foundation presents an annual award, King Faisal International Prize, to “dedicated men and women whose contributions make a positive difference” in one of the following areas: • Service to Islam • Islamic studies • Arabic Language and literature • Science • Medicine Each of the five prizes, awarded annually, consists of a certificate hand written in Diwani calligraphy summarizing the laureates work; a 24 carat 200 gram gold medal -- uniquely cast for each winner; and a cash prize of SR 750,000 (US $200,000). The prizes are awarded at an annual ceremony in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, by the King of Saudi Arabia.

The winners of the King Faisal Award for the year 2009 were announced in January. The award was given to five recipients

from Saudi Arabia, the UK, the United States, Morocco and Russia. Egypt’s Principal Shari’ah Society for Qur’an and Sunnah Scholars was also honored.

The winners were announced by Prince Khaled Al-Faisal, the director of the King Faisal Foundation.

In the Science category, the prize was awarded jointly to Sir Richard Henry Friend of the UK, chairman of the Council of the School of Physical Sciences and Cavendish Professor of Physics, University of Cambridge, and Rashid Alievich Sunyaev of Russia, chief scientist of the Space Research Institute at the Russian Academy of Science and director of the MaxPlanck Institute for Astrophysics in Germany.

Friend pioneered the physics and engineering of semi-conductor devices made of plastic materials. The fabrication of these devices and circuits by ink jet printing that he has introduced is radically different from the traditional manufacturing technology and has paved the way for the development of a wide range of applications of plastic electronic and photonic devices.

Sunyaev has made pioneering and fundamental contributions to astrophysics and cosmology. His theoretical work on the cosmic background radiation laid the foundation for the observational exploration of the structure of the universe. His work on black holes and binary stars was critical in advancing the field of X-ray astronomy.

In the category of Medicine, the prize was granted to Ronald Levy of the US, the head of the Division of Oncology at Stanford University Medical School’s Department of Medicine.

Levy has been recognized for his pioneering studies in cancer immunotherapy. Almost 30 years ago, he developed antibodies that could distinguish between malignant and benign tumor cells. This created a tool for diagnosis and therapy. He showed in 1980 that monoclonal antibodies against a tumorassociated antigen could be employed to treat patients with B cell lymphoma. Many of these patients responded well to the treatment. In the last 11 years the drug he discovered has been used to treat a large number of lymphoma patients with remarkable remission and survival results. In his more recent work Levy has used the patient’s immune system to mount immune responses against the patient’s own cancer cells. The ability of a patient to elicit immune responses against his or her own tumor cells by vaccinating the patient against the malignancy is likely to become a more effective way for longer lasting and more efficient therapy.

In the category of Arabic Language and Literature, the prize went to Abd Al-Aziz Nasir Al-Manie of Saudi Arabia. The professor emeritus of Arabic Literature at King Saud University in Riyadh, Al-Manie was commended for his distinguished efforts in editing, verifying and elucidating several Arabic literary works of the third and seventh century Hijrah.

The prize for Islamic Studies went to Abdessalam M. Cheddadi of Morocco. The professor at the University Research Institute of Mohammad V University in Rabat has been recognized for his studies on the works of Ibn Khaldun, a leading authority in Islamic thought and perceptions of Imran.

Cheddadi elucidated the basis, concepts, terminology and types of Imran as conceived by Ibn Khaldun, comparing them to modern social theories and addressing a wider international audience through his writings in different languages.

The prize in the category of Service to Islam has been awarded to the Principal Shari’ah Society for Qur’an and Sunnah Scholars in Egypt in recognition of its outstanding services to Islam and Muslims, which include nearly 100 years of dawa, using the Qur’an and the Sunnah in extending real Islamic teachings and calling for unity among Muslims.

The society has also been carrying out a range of social services such as sponsoring orphans, procuring income-generating work for widowed women, in addition to building more than 5,000 mosques and numerous, well-equipped medical centers that provide free medical services. The society’s achievements abroad are primarily focused on helping underprivileged Muslims, especially in Palestine and impoverished Muslim countries in Africa and Asia.

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C E L E B R AT I O N O F

The Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Michael Collins, and Mrs. Marie Collins hosted a reception in celebration of the Irish heritage of State Department Goodwill Ambassador Bo Derek.

Ms. Derek was also known as Mary Cathleen Collins. To mark the occasion on 15th January, Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Micheál Martin T.D., wrote to Ms. Derek noting that she is part of the wider global Irish community and recognising Derek’s work in relation Bo Derek, State Department Goodwill Ambassador

to raising public awareness about

Bottom left: H.E. Michael Collins, Irish Ambassador to the United States, Bo Derek, Ambassador Paula Dobriansky, former U.S. President’s Special Envoy for Northern Ireland and Mrs. Marie Collins, wife of Ambassador Collins

wildlife trafficking, and on behalf of veterans. Following some

Bottom center: Susan Hurley Bennett and Judge Michael Conroy, Dist.

Ct. of Maryland Bottom right: Congressman Dan Lungren, (R), California and Bo Derek

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Myles Geiran, Embassy of Ireland and Bo Derek

welcoming remarks by Ambassador Michael Collins, Ms. Derek and other guests spent the evening in informal conversation.

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Tr ansAtlantic Relations

M

Christopher J.

akins

LECTURE Dr. Henry Kissinger, former U.S. Secretary of State

H.E. Sir Nigel Sheinwald, KCMG, British Ambassador to the United States

Left to right: The Honorable Brent Scowcroft, Chairman, Atlantic Council International Advisory Board, Dr. Henry Kissinger and Ambassador Sheinwald

Frederick Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council

H.E. Michael Wilson, Canadian Ambassador to the United States and H.E. Aziz Mekouar, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco to the United States 56

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By PETER CASSATA The Atlantic Council of the United States Dr. Henry Kissinger delivered the Atlantic Council’s third annual Christopher J. Makins Lecture on transatlantic relations at the British Ambassador’s residence in Washington, DC, hosted by the UK Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Sir Nigel Sheinwald, KCMG. Kissinger, an Atlantic Council Board Director, served as National Security Advisor under President Nixon and Secretary of State under Presidents Nixon and Ford.

Kissinger’s comments addressed the challenges and opportunities facing the strategic Atlantic alliance during the Obama administration and beyond. He first spoke about the emergence of transnational sovereignty pooling as traditional nation-states realize they are no longer capable of conducting global foreign policy. The nation-states of Europe, he said, are in the process of ceding much of their sovereignty to the EU; but, this process of transition is still ongoing and is sometimes unintentionally trumped by national interests. Kissinger noted that transnational trends also have also emerged in the

Air Vice-Marshal Mike Harwood, Head of the British Defense Staff in the US and Air Commodore Graham Wright, UK Chief of Defence Staff Officer to the CJCS

Middle East; but, since the nation-state concept never established itself in the region, the unifying element became a universalist Islamist philosophy.

Because of the continuing financial crisis, Kissinger urged governments to bring their political and economic policies much closer together in the future. A realignment of priorities is required to reform the international economic system.

Without arriving at compatible priorities, countries will be acting as individuals rather than collectively at a time when no country really believes that it alone can solve either its own or the world’s economic woes. A new international economic system that respects the 21st-century global realities of interdependence needs to be established.

The three largest challenges for the Atlantic community going forward, Kissinger stated, will be relations with Russia, Iran, and Afghanistan. While the U.S. should never abandon its belief in the importance of democracy, it must set realistic time frames for democracy promotion that span many years.

He stressed that it is in the interests of Tehran and Moscow to engage in dialogue with the U.S. and was optimistic about the prospects for such action in the coming years.

Dr. Kissinger and Ambassador Sheinwald

Dr. Kissinger and H.E. Klaus Scharioth, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the United States

Commander James Easaw, U.S. Navy, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council Alexia O. Huffman, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO of Atlantic Council, Dr. James H. Joyner, Jr., Managing Editor, Atlantic Council Colonel Christopher Harness, USAF, Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council

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BEST BUDDIES INTERNATIONAL

MiamiGala Eric Matthis and Brett Banford

Nearly 800 people attended the Twelfth Annual Miami Gala: La Fiesta Espa–ola on Watson Island in the Autumn of 2008. The event raised more than $1.5 million for Best Buddies International, a vibrant organization founded in 1989 by Anthony Kennedy Shriver to enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment. Celebrity attendees included: actor Verne Troyer; actresses Vivica A. Fox; Meagan Good; Maureen McCormick; Miami Heat Point Guard Mario Chalmers; Miss USA Crystle Stewart; Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza and Olympic gold medalist Carl Lewis.

Clint Eastwood and Maria Shriver

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Fact Sheet Name: Best Buddies International Founded: 1989, by Anthony K. Shriver International Headquarters: Miami, Florida Web Site: www.bestbuddies.org Our Mission: To enhance the lives of people with intellectual disabilities by providing opportunities for one-to-one friendships and integrated employment.

Vision: Best Buddies International envisions a world where people with intellectual disabilities are recognized for their abilities, embraced by society, and valued in the workplace.

Verne J. Troyer, a.k.a. Mini-V, is best known for his role as “Mini-Me,” in the hit comedy -” Austin Powers”

Who We Are: Best Buddies® is the world’s largest nonprofit organization devoted solely to providing opportunities for friendships and jobs for people with intellectual disabilities.

Our 2009 annual budget is $22 million. 91% of all revenue goes directly to Best Buddies programs for people with intellectual disabilities, while only 9% is spent on admini tration and fundraising.

History of Service: Best Buddies was born when founder Anthony K. Shriver recognized that people with intellectual disabilities lacked opportunities to socialize with their non-disabled peers. Believing that friendship is key to building the self-esteem essential to a happy and productive life, Anthony incorporated Best Buddies as a nonprofit 501(c)(3)organization in 1989. Today, Best Buddies offers six programs: Best Buddies Middle Schools, Best Buddies High Schools, Best Buddies Colleges, Best Buddies Citizens, e-Buddies® and Best Buddies Jobs .

Participants: With more than 1,400 chapters around the world, Best Buddies positively impacts the lives of 400,000 participants with and without intellectual disabilities, as well as their respective network of family, friends, and employers.

Actress Vivica A. Fox and US Olympic Gold Medalist and co-chair Carl Lewis

Countries: Best Buddies operates accredited programs in 42 countries: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Curaçao, Denmark, Ecuador, England, Egypt, Finland, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Ireland, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Panama, the Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States; with additional country programs in advanced phases of development.

2010 Initiative: By the conclusion of the present decade, Best Buddies aspires to operate program offices in all 50 States, expand our international programs to 50 countries, and impact 500,000 people worldwide each year.

Anthony Kennedy Shriver with family and Best Buddies

Below: Alina and Anthony Kennedy Shriver

Below: Actress and producer Meagan Good

Anthony Kennedy Shriver, Bret Banford, Miss USA Crystle Stewart, Eric Matthis and Miss Universe Dayana Mendoza

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The highest civilian award in the United States

Presidential

Mr. Tony Blair, Middle East Peace Envoy for the Quartet

Mr. John Howard, former Australian Prime Minister

Colombian President Alvaro Uribe

Awards

T

he Presidential Freedom award is designed to recognize individuals who have made “an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors.�

President Bush presented the recipients with the Award during a ceremony that took place at the White House in January, 2009. The three leaders have been strong allies of the United States.

Mr. Blair, who stepped down as British Prime Minister in 2007, is now the Middle East peace envoy for the Quartet - Russia, the United States, the EU and the United Nations.

John Winston Howard was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia from 1996 to 2007. In a 2009 poll, he was voted as Australia’s favorite prime minister since World War II. He is currently with a prominent speaking agency called the Washington Speakers Bureau.

President Uribe is the 39th (2006 - 2010 term) President of Colombia and is currently serving his second term in office. During his presidency he has been credited with starting to restore peace to Colombia and for his support in the war against drugs.

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Left to right: Mr. Tony Blair, Middle East Peace Envoy for the Quartet and former British Prime Minister, Mr. John Howard, former Australian Prime Minister and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe

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Presidential Freedom Awards

Mr. Tony Blair, Middle East Peace Envoy for the Quartet and former British Prime Minister

Left to right: Mr. John Howard, former Australian Prime Minister, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, Mr. Tony Blair, Middle East Peace Envoy for the Quartet and former British Prime Minister and President George W. Bush at the White House

General Colin Powell, former U.S. Secretary of State

Former U.S. Senator Trent Lott, (R) Mississippi Mrs. Cherie Booth Blair, QC, wife of Tony Blair

Colombian President Alaro Uribe

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Mr. John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia and President George W. Bush

www . d i p l o m a t i c c o n n e c t i o n s . c o m

Did you know...

Foreign missions employ a total of 9,681 workers in

Annual Tradeshow October 15, 2009

the District of Columbia with an annual payroll, inclusive of housing allowances, estimated to total $292.5 million.

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Consumer spending by

services to the Diplomatic Community by

foreign mission employees

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million with this spending.

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Non-payroll spending by

Foreign Dignitaries/Diplomats Staff representatives of the World Bank

foreign missions is estimated

IMF, WHO/PAHO

to total $257.7 million with

OAS

36.5 percent of these outlays

IDB EU

captured by District-based

Pentagon

businesses.

and local United Nation representatives

Foreign missions attract a

all at one venue.

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and business visitors staying overnight; these visitors whose stay in the District is directly linked to services of almost 900,000 hotel-room nights annually and spending totaling $183.4 million in the city for lodging, food, retail purchases and other services.

Findings from: “The Economic and Fiscal Impact of Foreign Missions on the Nation’s Capital”, prepared for the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) by Stephen S. Fuller, Ph. D., a Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University.

June 6, 2002.

PORTRAIT ARTIST K. M. HARVEY - A TRIBUTE TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA Mr. Harvey specializes in portraits primarily in oil on linen. His illustrious resume is based on his ability to accurately paint portraits that capture the personality of his subjects. For more information, go to www.kmharveyfinearts.com