Debate over how to contend with Iran's nuclear ambitions continues as the UN deadline for Iran to halt its uranium enrichment passes and the United States raises increasing alarms about the country's activities. Hans Blix, currently chairman of the International Commission on Weapons of Mass Destruction, long-time Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and the chief UN weapons inspector during the Iraq crisis, will draw on his experiences with both Iran and Iraq to discuss a number of issues related to this crisis, including IAEA capabilities, Security Council enforcement measures, prospects for solution, and risks of miscalculation.
What: Breakfast Briefing on Iran Crisis for Media Only
Who: Hans Blix, Chair, International Commission on Weapons of Mass
Destruction, and chief weapons inspector during the Iraq crisis
When: Monday, February 26, 2007
8:15 a.m. - breakfast buffet opens; 8:30 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. briefing
Where: Millennium U.N. Plaza Hotel, 1 U.N. Plaza (44th St. @ First Ave.),
NYC, U Thant Room
Contact: Laurie Ahlrich at ahlrich@tcf.org or (212) 452-7722. Space is
limited and registration is required.
Note: Blix will speak later in the day at a conference organized by The Century Foundation on Weapons Threats to International Security.
Bio: Hans Blix is Chair of the International Commission on Weapons of Mass Destruction. He served as the Executive Chairman of the United Nations Monitoring, Verification and Inspection Commission from 2000 to 2003, a position he was appointed to by the UN secretary-general. From 1963 to 1976, he served in the Swedish foreign ministry, and in 1978 became Sweden's Minister for Foreign Affairs. From 1981 until 1997, he served as Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency. In 2001 he became Honorary Chairman of the World Nuclear Association. Dr. Blix studied at the University of Uppsala, at Columbia University, and at Cambridge University, where he received his PhD. At Stockholm University he attained a doctorate in law and served as a professor in international law. He has written several books on subjects associated with international and constitutional law. In 2004, Blix published a book, Disarming Iraq, in which he gives his account of the events and inspections before the coalition began its invasion.
In 1997, he was awarded the Gold Medal for distinguished service in the field of nuclear affairs by the Uranium Institute, the predecessor to the World Nuclear Association. He received an honorary doctorate from Moscow State University in 1987 and the Henry de Wolf Smyth Award in 1988.
The Century Foundation conducts public policy research and analyses of economic, social, and foreign policy issues, including inequality, retirement security, election reform, media studies, homeland security, and international affairs. The foundation produces books, reports, and other publications, convenes task forces and working groups, and operates seven informational Web sites. With offices in New York City and Washington, D.C., The Century Foundation is nonprofit and nonpartisan and was founded in 1919 by Edward A. Filene.
Contact: Christy Hicks - Phone: (212)452-7723 - Email: hicks@tcf.org SOURCE The Century Foundation
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