10-08-09

Ambassador of Spain Jorge Dezcallar to give Manatt-Phelps Lecture Oct. 26

AMES, Iowa - President Obama has vowed to strengthen American diplomatic relations with long-time European allies. And the ambassador of one of those close allies -- Jorge Dezcallar, ambassador of Spain to the United States -- will present the eighth annual Manatt-Phelps Lecture in Political Science at Iowa State University on Monday, Oct. 26.

Dezcallar will present a lecture titled, "U.S.-Spanish Relations in the 21st Century," beginning at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Durham Great Hall. The lecture is free and open to the public.

A member of the diplomatic corps since 1971, Dezcallar became ambassador of Spain to the United States on Aug. 21, 2008. He previously served as general-secretary of the International Strategy Council of Repsol (2006-08), ambassador to the Holy See and the Sovereign and Military Order of Malta (2004-06), director of the Superior Center of Defense Information and later the National Center of Intelligence (2001-04), as well as Spain's ambassador to Morocco (1997-2001).

He additionally served in various posts in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including special mission ambassador for foreign policy and common security (1996-97), general director of political affairs (1993-96), general director of foreign policy for Africa and the Middle East (1985-93), and deputy general director of North Africa and the Near and Middle East (1983-85).

"I look forward to Ambassador Dezcallar's lecture," said James McCormick, ISU professor and chair of political science. "His extensive diplomatic experience and his knowledge of Spanish and European affairs should provide us with real insights into future political and economic relations between our two countries -- and Europe more generally. His background and expertise wholly fit with the kind of distinguished speakers that the Department of Political Science seeks to bring to Iowa State with this lecture series."

Dezcallar is a law graduate with a degree in international studies from the Diplomatic School in Spain.

Thomas and Elizabeth Phelps and Charles and Kathleen Manatt established the Manatt-Phelps Lecture in Political Science in 2002. The annual fall lectures focus on significant developments in international political economy during the previous year, and how the issues affect and are affected by Iowa.

Charles Manatt, recipient of ISU's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008 and former U.S. ambassador to the Dominican Republic, gave the first lecture in 2002. Other speakers have included Frederick Smith, founder, president and CEO of FedEx; now Vice President Joseph Biden (D-Del.); U.S. Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.); Jan Eliasson, Sweden's ambassador to the United States; Luis Ernesto Derbez, Mexico's secretary of foreign affairs; and Lloyd Axworthy, former Canadian minister of foreign affairs.

The event is sponsored by the Manatt-Phelps endowment to ISU's Department of Political Science, with additional support from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Committees on Lectures, which is funded by the Government of the Student Body. For more information, visit www.las.iastate.edu/newnews/manattphelps/home.shtml.

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