Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Georgetown University’s Newspaper of Record since 1920

The Hoya

Negroponte Receives Award for Diplomacy

Director of National Intelligence John Negroponte discussed post-Cold War challenges facing the intelligence community last Friday during an address in Gaston Hall.

Negroponte also received the Jit Trainor Award for Distinction in the Conduct of Diplomacy from the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy during the ceremony.

Negroponte said that intelligence operations have become more difficult after the Cold War because the world is filled with “conflict, contradictions and accelerating change.” He cited the increased influence of non-state organizations such as terrorist groups, proliferation networks and narcotics traffickers.

“The most dramatic change of all is the exponential increase in the number of targets we must identify, track and analyze,” he said.

Negroponte identified three goals that he said are vital to international security: quelling the radical Islamic jihad movement, establishing democracy in Iraq, and preventing nuclear proliferation in Iran and North Korea.

“Al Qaeda will attempt high-impact attacks for as long as its central command structure is functioning and affiliated groups are capable of furthering its interests,” he said.

Negroponte said that most Muslims do not agree with the fanatical agenda of Islamic terror organizations, and may benefit from more political freedoms.

“An increase in freedom will serve as a counter wave to jihadists,” he said.

Negroponte also described the increased fluidity of movement as a challenge for the intelligence community, especially in tracking nuclear material.

“It is more difficult for us to track efforts to acquire those widely available parts and production technologies,” he said. “Yet the potential danger of weapons of mass destruction proliferation are so grave that we must do everything possible to discover and disrupt it.”

The award, named after J. Raymond Trainor, former secretary of the School of Foreign Service, is presented annually to a person or organization that makes substantial contributions to diplomacy. Past recipients include United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and Wesley Clark, a general and former presidential candidate.

“Dedication, loyalty and service certainly are the values that animate Georgetown, which in so many ways influences this capital, and certainly has influenced me,” Negroponte said while accepting the honor.

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