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By Brian Gibel, MALD '01 Editors Note: The editorial staff of this publication strongly supports the decision to appoint Stephen Bosworth as the next Dean of the Fletcher School. We print below Brian Gibel's response to a critical commentary published last month in the Tufts Daily. We wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Gibel's comments. Craig Waldman's article "Lesson in Diplomacy" [published in the Tufts Daily on September 15, 2000] accurately depicts the layman's ignorance of international affairs. Waldman's assertion that Ambassador Stephen Bosworth is an "obscure" choice for the new dean of the Fletcher School and represents a "step backward" for the graduate school of Tufts University reflects the ignorance of international affairs in America today. I do not know Ambassador Bosworth personally, I only know him by his reputation. After working in Washington, DC at the State Department this summer, I learned that Ambassador Bosworth is also one of America's most respected statesmen both inside and outside the Department. He is one of the few career foreign service officers who succeeded in receiving ambassadorial positions with his appointment by the President. Ambassador Bosworth currently serves the U.S. Government in a nation considered to be of vital U.S. national security interest. And no, I am not referring to Tunisia, which Waldman mentions in his article and where Bosworth also served as ambassador, but the Republic of Korea. The Office of Korean Affairs is one of the largest and most important country desks at the State Department, and is responsible for handling U.S. policy and affairs within a nation that contains over 37,000 U.S. soldiers on a border that is considered the most dangerous area in the world. Not to mention that South Korea rests among China, Russia, and North Korea—three nations the U.S. has either fought wars with or has often been on the verge of war for the last fifty years. But I suppose the average American does not know that. This "no-name diplomat", as Waldman refers to Ambassador Bosworth, has proved his worth not only through his role as ambassador. In addition to serving three ambassador posts (also not mentioned in Waldman's article was Bosworth's ambassadorial post in the Philippines), Ambassador Bosworth served as the Executive Director of KEDO, known as the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organization. KEDO, in short, was established to prevent war with the North Korea by delivering $5 billion of energy to the "state of concern" in return for its dismantling of their nuclear program—clearly not a "minor" organization with a "limited" role in world affairs and American national security. As the Executive Director of KEDO, Ambassador Bosworth proved he could handle the difficult task of fund-raising. Can one imagine a more difficult group to ask for money and resources from than the U.S. Congress? Ambassador Bosworth handled his role with KEDO effectively and earned strong nonpartisan praise and support. Along with serving high level U.S. Government positions, Ambassador Bosworth also understands the more "mundane" needs of students and professors through his own tenure as an adjunct professor at Columbia University's School for International and Public Affairs. He also served eight years as President of the United States Japan Foundation with extensive programs in education, leadership exchange, and policy studies. During this period he chaired and co-authored several studies on U.S. relations with Asia. But I suppose the average American is not aware of Ambassador Bosworth's achievements and experience. It is true that when I return home to Arizona, very few people know of the Fletcher School. But if my summer working in Washington, DC taught me anything, it was that "Fletcher" commands respect from the people that know about international affairs. In addition to the State Department, the word "Fletcher" commands instant respect in places like The World Bank, The U.S. Senate, The Federal Reserve, The New York Times, Exxon Corporation, The International Court of Justice, The White House, The Chinese Foreign Ministry, and The United Nations. But I suppose the average American does not work in those institutions. Ambassador Bosworth has a list of credentials and accolades too long to mention in this short article. Those that do know about international affairs however, recognize Ambassador Bosworth and the rich contributions he has already made to the field of international affairs. He is without a doubt, a statesman of high standing and importance and this Fletcher student is proud to have him as the new dean of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
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