Professor Roger
Fisher, Harvard Negotiating Project: “I support (these) recommendations
that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hold hearings on “Public
Talks.” original letter
Mr. Chris Bronk, PhD, James A Baker Institute
for Public Policy, Rice University:“I sincerely hope the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee will hear your concept, as well as others,
as it collaborates with the U.S. Department of State, U.S. Institute for
Peace and other agencies of the foreign affairs community . . . “
original letter
Senator Akaka, Hawaii: "The idea of Public Talks is intriguing and warrants further discussion. Rest assured I will keep your thoughts in mind should the Senate consider legislation related to this issue.”original letter
Huffington Post: "A Truly Original
Foreign Policy Idea: Public Talks" original
article
Gordon Feller, Urban Age Institute: “Public
Talks is an approach to conflict resolution that is entirely different
and far more expansive than anything else in the field.” original letter
Professor Patrick Hatcher, UC Berkeley, Political
Science: “ . . . It is unique in that (the Institute) suggests
using the media to make public a set of terms before, and while, they
are negotiating, hence reaching a larger audience who can use public opinion
for peace.” original letter
David Smock, Vice-President of the Center for
Mediation and Conflict Resolution, United States Institute of Peace, a
non-partisan institution established by Congress: “The notion
of Public Talks is a very interesting idea and worthy of further exploration.” original letter
Professor Mirta Mulhare, State University of
New York: “The strategy you suggest would represent an evolutionary
summit, bringing out negotiations into the open and introducing the people
into the process. The possibilities for use are endless.” original letter
Professor E. Phillip Morgan, Monterey Institute for
International Studies: “ . . . your proposal to the Senate Foreign
Relations Committee for a new form of dialogue (“Public Talks”) represents
a serious, innovative departure from past practice by which political conflicts
are represented, defined and treated (or not) in the public arenas of the US
and multilateral organizations.” original letter
Joel Hefley, Republican member of the House from Colorado
(1987- 2007) Chair of the House Ethics Committee: " I know how frustrating
it can be to have the normal diplomatic process break down with no place else
to go . . . I feel that it (Public Talks) should be fully explored. I would
therefore encourage the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign
Affairs Committee to hold hearings to explore the viability of Public Talks."
original letter
The following letters were drafted at a much earlier time when
this project was first being developed. There has obviously been a
long gap between efforts now and then, but the careful observer will
see, even starting with the first letter from Mr. Holden in 1987,
the idea for the process of Public Talks has remained entirely the
same.
Mr. Doug Turner. Republican gubernatorial candidate for New Mexico and formerly
an International Affairs Fellow for the Council on Foreign Affairs: “I
am intrigued and excited about the new concept for public diplomacy that your
organization has outlined in its proposal for ‘Public Talks.’ . .
.” original letter
Congresswoman Woolsey, Democratic member of the House
Committee on Foreign Affairs: “Public Talks is an interesting proposal
that should be looked at closely and discussed as an alternative to conflict.
. . . Innovative thinking, like that of the Institute, is essential to moving
towards a stable and secure future for all the world’s people.” original letter
