TRACHTENBERG TAKES ON TOPICS IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
By Mark Abramson – Deputy Campus News Editor

Daily Colonial, DC
The George Washington University
April 17 2007

President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg discussed the role of the
University and the U.S. in foreign policy with the Delta Phi Epsilon
fraternity Monday night.

Trachtenberg began with a prepared speech before opening up the foor
to audience questions.

During the first part of the session, he touched upon the importance
of multilingual skills.

"Speaking English is an advantage in the world," said Trachtenberg,
who also acknowledged the need to learn other tongues. "My father said
‘You better know how to sell something in a customer’s language’."

Tying language skills into careers relating to international affairs,
Trachtenberg said that studying abroad during college is important
because it allows students to experience a foreign country first hand,
rather than just research and study it without ever seeing it.

"For the next few foreseeable years I see you (the audience) succeeding
in foreign service careers," he said. "To succeed in foreign policy
and international affairs we have to refresh our experiences and
build upon them by setting up increasing scholarships and study abroad
programs. Everyone is in competition with everyone, especially in the
global market. But there will be work and opportunities for everyone
for now."

The evening’s conversation then switched gears when the event was
opened up to questions from the audience.

One question posed to Trachtenberg concerned the University’s role and
membership in the American Turkish Council; GW’s membership promotes
business and international relations for the University, even though
the Council supports lobbying against the Armenian Genocide.

"I don’t understand why the Turks don’t acknowledge the Armenian
Genocide," said Trachtenberg. "And I don’t think we should be hesitant
to tell the Turks where we (the U.S) stand."

He said that relations with Turkey remain important, because despite
certain cultural differences with the U.S. regarding free speech,
the country has progressed into a secular nation while maintaining
its Muslim roots. America’s relationship with Turkey could thus serve
as a potential role model among predominantly Muslim, Middle Eastern
political interests, Trachtenberg said.

The GW President also answered questions about the U.S.’s seemingly
declining popularity on the international stage.

"The truth is that I think people abroad like Americans and like
America," said Trachtenberg. "I feel very free to be critical of the
U.S at home more than when I’m abroad. There are issues that I don’t
agree with, but to condemn the nation as a whole is absurd. People
understand though that this is a marvelous place and that we have more
freedom and economic opportunities than anywhere else in the world."

Trachtenberg went on to discuss the war in Iraq and its relation
to the U.S.’s international image. He said that the money put into
funding the war could have been better spent by giving incentives
to Israelis and Palestinians to start joint companies for farming,
which he said could lead to very prosperous outcomes.

Trachtenberg went on to compare the Iraq and Vietnam War.

"We’ve all become spectators," he said.

Trachtenberg said that creating a draft would spread the responsibility
rather than having a voluntary paid army. He also said that parents
would have to get past the idea of their own kids having to fight.

"What I want is for there to be more discussion…There’s not enough
discussion. The people fighting over there in Iraq are your age,
they are your peers," he told the audience.

Toward the end of the night, Trachtenberg focused on the new Square
54 plan and the opening of new facilities to allow the science and
engineering programs to grow along with the International Affairs
School.

"The choice is not faculty over facility, or vice-versa, the choice is
– which comes first," said Trachtenberg, referring to the allocation
of funds.

At the end of the night, students seemed satisfied with the topics
the President touched upon and how he approached them.

"I was happy that he spoke frankly about the Armenian Genocide," said
Alison Tahmizian Meuse ’09. "It’s something that’s very important
to me."