Ambassador Marc Grossman
CIR News:
Join the Citizen Diplomats of the Santa Fe Council on International Relations at the CIR Benefit Banquet 2014 at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 23 at the Palace Ballroom of the New Drury Plaza Hotel, 228 East Palace Ave. in Santa Fe.
This is the kick-off event for CIR’s upcoming 50th anniversary year of hosting international visitors and bringing greater knowledge of world affairs to the community of Santa Fe.
Festivities will begin at 6 p.m. with cocktails in the garden of the new Drury Plaza Hotel, followed by an elegant dinner in the Palace Ballroom.
The cost to attend the CIR Benefit Banquet is $125 for non-members, which includes a complimentary one-year membership to CIR. Cost for CIR members is $100; full tables are available at a discounted price. A donation of $100 will enable a local student to attend this special event.
For more information about CIR’s Benefit Banquet, go to the Council’s website at www.sfcir.org or telephone the office at 505.982.931. Reservations must be made by Friday, Sept.12.
The evening will feature a timely talk by Ambassador Marc Grossman entitled, “Does the Transatlantic Relationship Still Matter?”
The transatlantic relationship is one of the most profound and successful pillars of America’s global engagement. Some argue that the rise of Asia, the challenges posed by global issues, such as the fight against extremism, climate change, promoting economic growth and the relative success of creating a Europe whole, free and at peace means that the United States will pay less attention to its transatlantic ties.
Russia’s recent annexation of Crimea and attempted destabilization of eastern Ukraine reminds us that Europe and the NATO alliance still matter; NATO’s leaders will meet in Wales in early September. The European Union’s struggle to maintain economic progress and common currency also has profound implications for the United States. And President Obama’s call for a transatlantic trade and investment partnership – a U.S. – Europe free trade area – could affect all of our lives.
Ambassador Grossman served as the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, the State Department’s third ranking official, until his retirement in 2005 after 29 years in the U.S. Foreign Service. As Under Secretary, he helped marshal diplomatic support for the international response to the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. He also managed U.S. policies in the Balkans and Colombia and promoted a key expansion of the NATO alliance. As Assistant Secretary for European Affairs, he helped direct NATO’s military campaign in Kosovo and an earlier round of NATO expansion. In Turkey, Ambassador Grossman encouraged vibrant U.S. – Turkish economic relations.
In February 2011, President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton called Ambassador Grossman back to service as the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. He provided U.S. backing for an Afghan peace process designed to end thirty years of conflict and played an important part in restoring U.S. ties with Pakistan.
CIR’s mission is to offer Santa Fe and Northern New Mexico a “window on the world.” Since 1965, CIR has been the premier local organization promoting the understanding of world affairs, global issues and cross cultural relations through the following educational programs: International Lecture Series, World Affairs Discussions, Student Outreach Program, Special Events, Travel Programs, Book Club, and the U. S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program.
The International Visitor Leadership Program brings opportunities for CIR members to engage in “citizen diplomacy” with foreign visitors. In 2012, CIR hosted 231 international visitor leaders sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. This program involved an estimated 10,300 hours of local volunteer service and a total economic impact for Santa Fe of $474,290.
In 2014, CIR has more than 500 members, mostly local residents and includes many of Santa Fe’s more influential and civic-minded citizens.
