Arkansas Native to Explain Her Difficult Decision
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by
Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change:
WHAT: 10/15 Speech by Mary Ann Wright, former US diplomat, at Arkansas
State University, Jonesboro; 10/17 Speech in Little Rock
WHO: Ann Wright was a US Foreign Service Officer from 1987 until 2003,
when she resigned in protest over the Iraq war. In 1997, Wright managed the
evacuation of the U.S. embassy in Sierra Leone and of Americans living there
when a coup d'etat took place, and later she was given the State Department
Award for Heroism for her work. In December 2001, Wright helped reopen the
U.S. embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ms.
Wright began her service in the U.S. Army/Army Reserves, attaining the rank of
colonel during 26 years of military service. Ms. Wright is originally from
Bentonville, Arkansas and graduated from the University of Arkansas in
Fayetteville. She now lives in Honolulu.
WHEN: Friday, Oct 15, 3:30pm in Room 157, ASU Museum, Jonesboro; Sunday,
Oct 17, 1pm, First Presbyterian Church, 800 Scott St, Little Rock.
BACKGROUND:
In March 2003, Ann Wright sent a letter of resignation to Secretary of
State Colin Powell, telling him that "this is the only time in my many years
serving America that I have felt I cannot represent the policies of an
administration of the United States."
"There is no doubt Saddam Hussein is a despicable dictator," Wright told
Powell. But, "In our press for military action now, we have created deep
chasms in the international community and in important international
organizations."
Wright belongs to Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change, which is
sponsoring her visit to Arkansas. DMCC is a coalition of 27 career chiefs of
mission and retired four-star military leaders, including Republicans as well
as Democrats, who believe the Bush Administration has made America less safe.
Many of them served under President Reagan and President George H.W. Bush.
SOURCE Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change
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Related links:
http://www.diplomatsforchange.com
CONTACT:
Peter Moor of Diplomats and Military
Commanders for Change, +1-202-408-4998, cell: +1-240-418-3715; or
Nancy Dockter of the Arkansas Coalition for Peace & Justice,
+1-501-244-0872
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