Twitter
Facebook
Reddit
Digg
Tell us what you think!Send a letter to the editor about this or any other article in The Maine Campus.
Two experienced U.S. diplomats specializing in Middle East Relations will give a conference at the Buchanan Alumni House Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Their presentation, titled “The Middle East Conundrum: Diplomacy or Military Solution?” is sponsored by the University of Maine’s new School of Policy and International Affairs.
With more than five decades of combined diplomatic experience, the two ambassadors will address their views on the problems facing one of the most politically volatile regions in the world as well as their possible solutions.
Ambassador Marcelle M. Whamba is currently the State Department’s Foreign Policy Adviser to the Air Force Chief. Before that, she served as an ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. She has also served in Cairo, Egypt; Nicosia, Cyprus and Amman, Jordan.
“Serving overseas has always been challenging and rewarding but after Sept. 11, I think many of us feel that the work we do has a direct impact on our most vital interests,” Whamba said. “For that reason, I feel very fortunate to be serving as an ambassador at this critical time. All relationships are complex to manage, and those between nations all the more so.”
Ambassador Philip C. Wilcox is the president of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, an organization that hopes to alleviate the strain between Israelis and Palestinians. He entered the Foreign Service in 1966 and retired after 31 years of service, during which he held many positions, including Director for Israeli and Arab-Israeli Affairs and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Middle Eastern Affairs.
Professor Bahman Baktiari, director of research and academic programming at the Cohen Center, will moderate discussions, after a brief address by UMaine President Robert Kennedy.
Bangor Daily News