Edward Peck

For the British ambassador, climber and author, see Edward Peck (British Civil Servant).

Edward L. Peck (b. 1928/9)[1] is a retired career United States diplomat who served thirty-two-years in the U.S. Foreign Service (from 1956 until 1989).

Early life and career

Born to immigrant parents, Ambassador Edward Peck served as Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs in the Nixon Administration, January 1971.[2][3] He was Chief of Mission in Mauritania and in Iraq, and later held senior posts in Washington and abroad. He also served as a Foreign Service Officer in Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt. At the State Department he served as Deputy Director of Covert Intelligence Programs, Director of the Office of Egyptian Affairs. He served as Deputy Director of the White House Task Force on Terrorism in the Reagan Administration. He is president of Foreign Services International, a consulting firm that works with governments, businesses and educational institutions across the world.


Concerns overs plan to invade Iraq and of Middle East policy

Edward Peck argued against invading Iraq, asking "when you take out Saddam Hussein, what happens after that? Nobody knows, but it's probably going to be bad. A lot of people are going to be very upset, because our role in this world does not include deciding who rules Iraq."[4] Peck believes U.S. Middle East policy should be more balanced and even-handed. He urges a dialogue with and between all parties as the most productive way to resolve the region's problems, which are large, numerous and contentious.

Jeremiah Wright statement and PBS Ombudsman rebuttal

In the 2008 U.S. Presidential campaign, Barack Obama was affected when videos of sermons by the Reverend Jeremiah Wright, his former pastor came to media attention. On September 16, 2001, Wright claimed that Peck had stated on Fox News that "America's chickens are coming home to roost." PBS Ombudsman Michael Getler refuted that claim, stating that, "Peck never used the phrase about chickens coming home to roost. His answers were more nuanced."[5]

Gaza flotilla

Main article: Gaza flotilla raid

In May 2010, Peck was among numerous, multi-national, pro-peace participants attempting to bring non-military supplies and medicines to Gaza. The small, Greek flagship on which he was sailing was captured by Israeli soldiers and he reported being brought to Israel "at gunpoint." He was expelled the same day for "having illegally entered Israel";[6] he flew to Newark, New Jersey.[7][8]

References

  1. ↑ Muskus, Jeff (2010-05-31). "Israel Sending Edward Peck, Former U.S. Ambassador, Home From Seized Ship, Wife Says". Huffington Post.
  2. ↑ Foreign Relations of the United States: Persons
  3. ↑ Approval of letter regarding post-Apollo cooperation
  4. ↑ http://www.counterpunch.org/peck1.html
  5. ↑ http://www.pbs.org/ombudsman/2008/05/too_much_reverence_for_the_rev.html
  6. ↑ "Interview on Democracy Now!". 2010-06-02. Retrieved 2010-06-02.
  7. ↑ Muskus, Jeff (2010-05-31). "Israel Sending Edward Peck, Former U.S. Ambassador, Home From Seized Ship". HuffingtonPost.Com. Retrieved 31 May 2010.
  8. ↑ "Fmr. U.S. Amb. Peck Describes His Experience Aboard Gaza Aid Ship Seized by Israel". MSNBC. 2010-06-01. Retrieved 2010-06-02.

External links

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