Ambassador Peter Burleigh

Event Title: Ambassador Peter Burleigh

When: Thursday, September 16, 2010 (Dinner)

Where: Gainey Ranch Golf Club - 7600 Gainey Club Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85258

by PCFR Member Steve MacKinnon and Dr. Claudia Brown

Pre-Paid Members - If you are bringing a Guest or Spouse please use the Member & Guest Registration form.

Diplomacy requires courage, tact, caution, empathy and authority. Our guest, Ambassador A. Peter Burleigh, possesses those qualities in abundance. Worldwide, our Ambassadors are the spokesmen and women for the United States. It is on their shoulders that rests American credibility. Only individuals of impeccable integrity earn the right to the title of Ambassador.

A. Peter Burleigh's distinguished career stands as an example of one man's lifelong dedication to his country. In the most contentious world forum, the United Nations, Peter Burleigh was Charge of the Mission from August 1998 until December 1999, and represented the United States in the Security Council, the General Assembly, and at other major United Nations bodies. During his period in charge, the Security Council considered the Iraq, Kosovo, and East Timor crises along with many African issues.

Immediately prior to his New York posting, Peter Burleigh served as the U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Republic of Maldives (1995-1997). He has held senior positions at the State Department including: Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Personnel (1992-1995), Coordinator of the Office of Counter-Terrorism, with the rank of Ambassador (1991-1992), Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (1989-1991); and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Bureau of Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (1987-1989). In this job Ambassador Burleigh was tasked with responsibility for the Persian Gulf region.

From 1985-1987 he headed the State Department office responsible for Iran and Iraq, and earlier in his career, he was Deputy Director for Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Emirates. In addition, he has served the United States at the embassies in Nepal, Bahrain, and India, as well as Sri Lanka.

Born in Los Angeles, California, on March 7, 1942, A. Peter Burleigh graduated from Hollywood High, and went on to receive his undergraduate degree from Colgate University in 1963, majoring in anthropology and sociology. He became fluent in Bengali, Hindi, Nepali and Sinhalese, and put those gifts to use in the Peace Corps (1963-1965) in Western Nepal.

After spending a year as a Fulbright scholar in Nepal, he went on to join the Foreign Service of the United States in 1967, where he established himself as our eyes and ears in every corner of the globe. A member of the Asia Society, the American Academy of Diplomacy, and the American Foreign Service Association, he retired after 33 years of service in August 2000. Two months later, in October of 2000, he was awarded the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service medal and in December 2000, he received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award.

A resident of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, he became Ambassador in Residence and Distinguished Visiting Professor at the University of Miami in January of 2004 through 2008. In 2009 he was called back to service temporarily to take charge of the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi.

The Phoenix Committee on Foreign Relations is honored to welcome Ambassador A. Peter Burleigh as our guest, and we look forward to hearing his remarks, and to participating in the Q and A with eager anticipation.

Pre-Paid Members - If you are bringing a Guest or Spouse please use the Member & Guest Registration form.