Amr Moussa to speak at BIPP Jan. 31

Amr Moussa to speak at BIPP Jan. 31

BY B.J. ALMOND
Rice News staff

The secretary general of the Arab League will present his 2005 outlook for U.S.-Arab relations at the James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy at 5 p.m. Jan. 31.

Described by Time magazine as “perhaps the most adored public servant in the Arab world,” Amr Moussa was appointed in 2001 as secretary general of the Arab League, a voluntary association of independent African and Middle East countries with mainly Arabic-speaking populations. Formally known as the “League of Arab States,” the association was founded in 1945 by Egypt, Iraq, Jordan and Yemen to strengthen ties among the member states, coordinate their policies and promote common interests. Moussa’s appointment to the league’s top position was approved unanimously by the member states.

A native of Cairo, Egypt, Moussa studied law at Cairo University and then began his career in the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. He served as Egypt’s ambassador to India in 1967 and was appointed as a permanent representative to the United Nations in 1990.

He served as Egypt’s foreign minister from 1991 until he became secretary general of the Arab League.

According to Aljazeera.com, Moussa’ popularity is due to his sharp criticism of U.S. support for Israel and his criticism of Israel’s aggression against the Palestinians. Moussa is considered one of the main designers of the Arab policy toward Israel.

Rice students, faculty and staff who want to attend Moussa’s lecture in James A. Baker III Hall should R.S.V.P. to BIPPRSVP@rice.edu or by fax to 713-348-5993.