Conference on the 50th anniversary of the Truman Doctrine

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From: "HR-Net News Distribution Manager" <dist@hri.org>

Originally From: n.klonaris@ahiworld.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 1997

The American Hellenic Institute Foundation (AHIF) will sponsor a major conference on March 12-13, 1997, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Truman Doctrine. The conference will be held at The Capital Hilton Hotel, 16th & K Streets, N.W., Washington, DC.

The program coordinators for this event are Dr. Van Coufoudakis, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University-Purdue University and Professor of Political Science, and John O. Iatrides, Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Southern Connecticut State University.

Conference chairman, Eugene T. Rossides, called U.S. aid to Greece in 1947-1949 "a turning point in world history which has not been adequately recognized or studied as such."

The format of the conference will involve four key-note addresses and four panels of experts presenting papers on various facets of the Truman Doctrine and its legacy.

A dinner on March 12, 1997 will feature Professor William H. McNeill who will speak on "American Perceptions of Greece, 1944-1947: Reminiscences of an Eyewitness." A luncheon on March 13, 1997 will feature General Andrew J. Goodpaster who will speak on "The Truman Doctrine: a Turning Point in World History."

The conference will focus on the following points:

1. The Truman Doctrine's critical role in the formulation of the U.S. policies of Soviet containment and European recovery which, built on a national consensus, remained in place until the collapse of the U.S.S.R. and the end of the Cold War;
2. Greece's key role in the inception and implementation of the policy of containment of the U.S.S.R. and the European recovery policy;
3. The Truman Doctrine's generally constructive and positive impact on Greece, keeping that country from being absorbed into the Soviet camp and preserving it as an integral part of the Western World; and
4. The Truman Doctrine as a case-study of successful projection of U.S. values, organizational skills and problem solving.

The conference will feature an outstanding list of speakers which include:

• General Andrew J. Goodpaster (Ret.);
• Professor William H. McNeill, Professor Emeritus of History, University of Chicago;
• Ambassador Monteagle Stearns (Ret.);
• Ambassador George C. McGhee (Ret.)
• Professor Alonzo Hamby, Professor of History, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio,a recent biographer of President Truman;
• Hon. Lawrence Korb, Brookings Institution former Assistant Secretary of Defense;
• Admiral Henry Mustin (U.S. Navy Ret.), who will discuss Greece's strategic importance then and now;
• Larry J. Hackman, Director of the Truman Library;
• Dr. Paul F. Braim, Professor of History, Embry-Riddle University, a biographer of General James A. Van Fleet;
• Dr. Larry I. Bland, Editor of the Marshall Papers, Marshall Foundation;
• Professor Demetrios Caraley, President of the distinguished Academy of Political Science and Professor of Political Science, Barnard College, Columbia University;
• George Elsey, Truman speechwriter;
• Admiral Photios Metallinos (Ret.), Hellenic Institute of Strategic Studies;
• Professor Athanassios Platias, Professor of International Relations, Panteion University;
• Professor Theodore Couloumbis, Professor of Political Science, University of Athens;
• Professor Basil Kondis, Professor of History, University of Thessaloniki and Director, Institute of Balkan Studies;
• Dr. Van Coufoudakis, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Indiana University-Purdue University and Professor of Political Science and program coordinator;
• Professor John O. Iatrides, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Southern Connecticut State University and program coordinator;
• Mr. James Warren, member of U.S. Economic Aid Mission to Greece; and
• Eugene T. Rossides, Senior Counsel, Rogers & Wells, former Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury, and President of the AHIF.

  In addition to commemorating the historic Truman Doctrine, an aim of the conference is to demonstrate Greece's importance then and now to the strategic interests of the United States and the West.

  For more information and to register for the conference, please contact the AHI at (202)785-8430 or (800) 424-9607.

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  American Hellenic Institute, Inc. 1220 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202)785-8430/ (800)424-9607

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