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                         April 26, 2002

VIPs tour academy during International Week

By Pfc. Nate Jastrzemski
Staff Writer

The International Celebration Week at the U.S. Military Academy began Monday with scores of foreign delegates and West Point graduates participating together in activities, ceremonies and cadet learning experiences.

Lt. Col. Mark English of the Department of Foreign Languages here explained, "ICW is an opportunity to expose cadets and other West Point community members to the diversity of our engagement with other countries culturally, linguistically and socially."

Events included roundtable discussions between visitors and community members, dealing with issues of import to the visitors’ parts of the world and plenty of interaction between foreign delegates, foreign cadets and USMA cadets and staff and faculty members.

English said bringing back graduates that had gone on to other countries or fields dealing with international relations was important to propagate the sharing of diverse viewpoints -- they would serve to enhance cultural linkages that exist between different countries.

"We are celebrating 200 years of history at West Point right now, and it is full of relations with other countries," said English. "The academy was founded principally on a system Col. Sylvanus Thayer absorbed during his travels in France. Our bicentennial is connected to many countries that have helped us get to this point."

English said the weeklong event was proceeding successfully. "Our very first roundtable discussion Monday was of Middle-East matters that seemed to typify how well things have been going.

"In the discussion, we had representatives from five Middle-East countries -- four Arab countries and Israel. Our cadets asked very direct questions, and even though you might expect some contentious interactions -- considering the current situation in that part of the world today -- while there were different perspectives between the countries, everyone was willing to recognize there has to be an understanding between them to make things work.

"If we can do that with the Palestinian/Israeli perspective -- one of the hottest issues today -- it set the tone for a very good start to ICW," English added.

"This is a great opportunity to visit West Point," said Brig. Gen. Khalid Marshoud, commander of the Jordanian Military Academy. "I last visited here in 1991, but it was only for one day -- I did not have so much time to enjoy my visit.

"I’m very delighted to have this visit. It will give me things to learn and take back to my academy -- many people can benefit from the established experience and accumulation of knowledge of West Point’s 200 years."