February 8, 2002

"Diplomacy and the Fight Against Terrorism" to be Explored at La Salle's Annual Diplomat-in-Residence Conference

Terrorism - fighting it, solving it, reporting it and finding the means to achieve peace will be the topics of La Salle University's 9th annual Diplomat-in-Residence conference. "Diplomacy and the Fight Against Terrorism" will be held April 8th to 11th at the University's main campus. The event is free and open to the public.

"The Diplomat-in-Residence Conference has always explored political issues and problems and the role of the international community in solving them, but because of the events of September 11th the need for understanding the facets of terrorism is imperative," says Dr. Cornelia Tsakiridou, Director of the Conference and a member of La Salle's philosophy department. The conference brings together not only diplomats from the Middle East and the United States, but journalists, doctors and security experts.

In addition to exploring the causes of terrorism and the cost of fighting the current war, Tsakiridou said it was important that the conference address the media's role, and what are the chances for a secure, peaceful Afghanistan now that the Taliban has been toppled. All conference sessions will be at La Salle's Dan Rodden Theatre, located in the university's Student Union Building. For more information, call 215-951-1558.

Monday, April 8, 12:30 - 2:30 PM. - "Covering the Middle East" Ms. Janine Zacharia, Washington Correspondent, Jerusalem Post, Mr. Mouafac Harb, Washington Bureau Chief, Al-Hayat Tuesday, April 9, 12:30 - 2:30 PM - "The Human Cost of War" Ms. Widney Brown, Human Rights Watch, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and the U.S. Department of State.

Wednesday, April 10, 7 - 9 PM - "The Root Causes of Terrorism" Mr. Giora Becher, Consul General, Israel, Philadelphia; Marwan Jilani, UN Deputy Permanent Observer, Palestinian Authority; Dr. Hussein Ibish, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC); Mr. Abderahman S. Abderahman, Minister, Embassy of Egypt; Raghida Dergham, Senior Diplomatic Correspondent of Al Hayat.

Thursday, April 11, 12:30 - 2:30 PM - "Post-Taliban Afghanistan and Regional Security" Maleeha Lodhi, Ambassador, Pakistan; Mr. Koroush Ahmadi, Counselor, Mission of Iran to the United Nations (pending); Representatives from India, Russia and the U.S. Department of State have been invited.