Thailand ambassadors visit Bangkok campus
By: Alex Bates
Ricardo Ortiz, professor and head of the international relations department in Bangkok, organized the "Ambassador Forum" specifically for his Topics in Foreign Policy class.
Russian Ambassador Nuritdin R. Inamov, Iranian Ambassador Homayoun Roustaei Khoshkebijari and Kenyan Ambassador S. M. Nakitare spoke at the forum.
"It was humbling to listen and speak with political figures who hold such power, not only within their own nations, but in the global community as well," said Sarah Bendtsen, a student in the class and a junior legal studies and human rights major studying abroad in Thailand.
Inamov discussed how Russia has joined forces with the United States to fight terrorism and how recent elections in Russia have caused a breakthrough in U.S.-Russian relations. During the Q-and-A session, he explained that by updating its nuclear program, Russia is not resorting back to the Cold War era, but it is getting rid of outdated equipment.
Khoshkebijari read from an essay he wrote that talked about Iranian foreign policy. In his presentation, which focused mostly on the United States, he said if strong relations between Iran and the United States were possible, it would have already happened. It is up to the U.S. to resume relations with Iran, he said.
Nakitare talked about President Obama - his loyalty and his ties to Kenya.
"I do not see anything changing just because President Obama is African American, specifically with ties to Kenya," he said. "His loyalty is to the U.S. We are excited and refreshed by Mr. Obama's election, but we aren't placing all our eggs into one basket."
Bendtsen said she gained insight into Russia's nuclear program.
"Overall, the event was insightful and provided our class with a fortunate opportunity to gain a more rounded and globalized perspective on many pressing issues," she said.
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