The Martin Luther King Tribute
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Tribute and Dinner
Sunday January 25th 5:30 p.m. Hotel Den Haag – Wassenaar (formerly De Bijhorst) Zijdeweg 54 (just off the A-44 at the Bridge) 2245BZ Wassenaar Adults – €30 Children to 12 – €15When one thinks about the Civil Rights Movement, there are no words. A people who were enslaved and freed and then forced to live in segregation or de-facto segregation said we can, we must be free, but the force we use will be “Soul Force.” Dr. King led that movement and the hundreds of thousands who followed him, shared his belief in non-violence and his love and commitment to the United States of America and the dignity of people everywhere.
He did something so American when America is at its best, its most principled and idealistic. He asked, in fact, he forced the nation to begin living out “the true meaning of the Dream” articulated in the Declaration of Independence. “We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal.”
Though he was assassinated on a spring Memphis evening, the 4th of April 1968, the Movement he led still inspires and challenges the way we live and what we teach our children.
Four days after his death, Rep. John Conyers called for the creation of a national holiday honoring Dr. King. In 1983, President Reagan signed legislation designating the third Monday of January as Martin Luther King Day. The first commemoration in the United States was in 1986. Here in the Hague, we have held a Tribute to Dr. King every year.
Over the years many people who were part of the Civil Rights Movement have joined us. This year, we are honored to bring back Professor Timuel Black.
“Tim” from the Southside of Chicago, turned 96 years “young” on December 7th. When I first spoke to him, he remarked “I’m old, but I’m never too old to keep on trying.” Recently, he was honored at the Library of Congress and this fall, he received an Honorary Degree from the University of Chicago, his alma mater. His papers are in the Du Sable Museum of Black History in Chicago. He is an Oral historian and the author of several volumes entitled “Bridges of Memory.” He is a former high school teacher and administrator, professor of anthropology and sociology and Dean of Wright Junior College in Chicago. He is also a Jazz historian.
Furthermore, he is a veteran of WWII – Normandy Beach, the Battle of the Bulge, the Liberation of Buchenwald and of Paris. As a soldier in the segregated US Army, he was profoundly affected by the discrimination he experienced and the human devastation he witnessed in the Buchenwald death camp. He resolved then to devote his life to peace and justice.
On the Liberation of Buchenwald, he said, “ If this could happen here, it could happen anywhere. It could happen to me. It could happen to black folk in America. I guess more than any single event, it was this sight that crystallized my determination to do as much as I could to bring about some sanity in a very insane world.”
Professor Black was the organizer of the March on Washington from Chicago and a colleague and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He helped elect Carol Mosely- Braun, the first and only Black woman to the US Senate and Harold Washington, the first Black Mayor of Chicago. President Obama met with him at the Medici, a University of Chicago coffee house, to discuss his future in politics. At 96, he is still writing, publishing and speaking out. He is a man with a message that neither age nor distance can silence.
We are honored to bring Professor Timuel Black back to The Netherlands.
Reverend Harcourt Klinefelter and Lois Mothershed Pot will also join us. Reverend Klinefelter worked for Dr. King for three years, until his death. After he finished his studies at Yale Theological Seminary, he went down South to find him and became his Public Relations director. He used to sit in the kitchen with him and Coretta!
Lois Mothershed Pot grew up in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her “baby” sister Thelma Mothershed was one of the Little Rock Nine, the young kids who were able to integrate Central High School only after the intervention of President Eisenhower and the National Guard. Lois was the first African-American President of the National Christian Students Union and the first Black student in her university.
We hope you will take time out and bring your children to the 30th Tribute to Dr. King. Adrienne West with David Cameron, Liat Alkan and ‘The Close Shaves” a chorale group from the American School will sing songs of the Movement – “Let Us Break Bread Together, “ “Oh Freedom” and other songs Dr. King would have loved. Jimmy Yarnell and a combo will play jazz and, as always, young people, the “Bearers of the Torch” will speak. Finally, Timothy Broas, the US Ambassador will read the President’s Proclamation for Martin Luther King Day and share his own thoughts and feelings.
So much has changed since Dr. King and all those who first marched with him and “sat-in” with him and went to jail with him demanded the rights guaranteed to every American – indeed every human being. However, we know that today, there is much to be done. Given the events of the last few months, it is more evident and urgent than ever!
It is fitting that the motto of Martin Luther King Day is “Make this a Day on, not a day off!” And by making each day a day on, the words of the anthem of the Civil Rights Movement will become reality “We can and we shall overcome some day.”
Join us for a simple dinner, the kind Dr. King would have enjoyed. Listen to people who were there, lto the singing and the music and wisdom of the young. Roberta Enschede
Sponsored by OAR – Overseas Americans Remember, Anneke Beeuwkes, Roberta Enschede, Michele Fiszbajn, Jessie Rodell
Further Information: Roberta Enschede 070-5118409 robertaenschede@yahoo.com Reservations: oarinnl@yahoo.com MLK RES.
A special thank you to the Public Affairs Office of the US Embassy and Delta Airlines for helping us to bring Professor Timuel Black back to the Netherlands for the 30th Anniversary of the Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Diplomat’s Christmas carol singing at the Plein!
The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs supports 3FM Serious Request and their campaign to stop violence against women and girls in armed conflict
Join us for an international fund raising and Christmas carol singing at the Plein in The Hague on December 24 at 13.00
3FM Serious Request is a nationwide Dutch charity initiative collecting money for ICRC projects. This year, they support victims of violence against women and girls in conflict situations under the motto “hands of our girls”.
Help us contribute to 3FM Serious Request by getting together the international and diplomatic community of The Hague in an international choir to sing international Christmas carols – including a multilingual version of “Silent Night”.
We hope to welcome you all and to combine our voices to raise awareness and money for the cause. This initiative will only be successful with your active involvement and that of your family, colleagues, and friends. The more voices the merrier!
Worldwide one in five women is sexually abused in her life. Sexual violence is a humiliating weapon in conflict. Reintegration of victims is important both from a humanitarian point of view and because women often stand at the basis of recovery.
In the framework of Serious Request, three DJs live in a glass house for six days on a juice-only diet. The Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen, closed the doors of the house on December 18. Bert Koenders, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs will visit the DJs on the evening of the 24th.
Emirati courts in mourning
By Baron Henri Estramant.
The amiri courts of Fujairah and Ajman in the United Arab Emirates decreed three days of mourning following the demise of Sheikha Fatima bint Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. The lady passed away on 13 December 2014 in the Emirate of Fujairah. She was the mother of the incumbent Amir of Fujairah, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi (b. 1948). Likewise sister of the Amir of Ajman, His Highness Humaid II bin Rashid Al-Humaid Al Nuaimi (b. 1931). Sheikha Fatima’s father was the late Amir of Ajman, Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, who ruled the emirate for 54 years between 1928 and 1981. He founded the Ajman Police in 1967. The Personal Representative of the UAE’s President, HH Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, sent a telegram of condolences to the amirs of Fujairah and Ajman. The latter is a common courtesy practiced among the courts of all Gulf ruling houses. Flags were flown half-masted for three days as a sign of mourning in Ajman and Fujairah. The industry of Fujairah consists of cement, stone crushing and mining. The emirate has established its own Free Trade Zone as well as the Fujairah Culture and Media Authority (FCMA) back in 2006. Ajman is the smallest of the emirates surface-wise. Ajman Port and Ajman Free Zone are major contributors to the emirate’s economy. A new international airport is expected to be completed by 2018 after budget of 571 millions dollars was approved by the emirate’s Crown Prince, Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi on 14 September 2014.Diplomat printed magazine
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Thaw in Cuba-US relations
By Emma Moore
Both the US and Cuba have signalled the most significant change in their diplomatic relations for decades. The US has stated that it wishes to open an Embassy in Havana, as well as improving trade links and lifting travel restrictions between the two nations. The US embargo against Cuba dates back to 1960.
The move follows a recent exchange of prisoners between the US and Cuba, including US contractor Alan Gross.
The Cuban President Raul Castro noted the difference in opinions between his country and the US but welcomed proposals to move relations forward. The two presidents are expected to meet at the Summit of the Americas in Panama in April 2015.
107th Bhutanese National Day
By Baron Henri Estramant.
The mission of the Kingdom of Bhutan in Brussels hosted a reception to mark the country’s 107th anniversary of unification into a single kingdom. The Châtelain Boutique Hotel was the venue of the successful celebration which welcomed visitors from The Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, Italy, Cyprus, Hungary, ambassadors of friendly countries as well as governmental officials.
17 December marks the unification of Bhutan through the coronation of King Ugyen Wangchuck as first “Druk Gyalpo” (Dragon King). Large celebrations are held throughout the country including a public address to the nation by The King from Changlimithang Stadium in Thimphu.
Bhutan’s current monarch is the world’s youngest (34), His Majesty the 5th Druk Gyalpo, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck since 2006. His retired progenitor, the 4th Druk Gyalpo is still widely revered albeit he is much discreet since his abdication. King Jigme Singye Wangchuck now serves as “The King Father”. He is attributed with being the master mind behind the Gross National Happiness (GNH) concept.
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Bhutan in Brussels is responsible for relations to Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, Hungary, the UK (though there are no official relations between the two countries as Bhutan does not entertain them with the Great Powers), Germany, the EU, the OPCW and international organisations based in the aforementioned countries.
Head of Mission since 2012 is HE Ambassador Sonam Tshong. The mission moreover oversees an Honorary Consulate in The Hague headed by Mr Cornelis Klein.
Spouses Christmas Lunch by Cyprus
The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus to the Kingdom of the Netherlands organized Spouses Special Christmas Lunch on December 3, 2014.
The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus wishes a Merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year to all Diplomat Magazine’s readers!
ALBA reception held in Brussels
Picture credit: Embassy of the Republic of Nicaragua to the Kingdom of Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg and the EU
By Baron Henri Estramant.
The “Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America” (in Spanish Alianza Bolivariana para los Pueblos de Nuestra América, or ALBA) held a reception on 12 December 2014 at Brussels City Hall to fête another anniversary of its foundation.
This South American-Caribbean alliance is formed by nine member states, that is, Antigua and Barbuda (Commonwealth Realm), the Plurinational State of Bolivia, the Republic of Cuba, the Commonwealth of Dominica, the Republic of Ecuador, the Republic of Nicaragua, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (Commonwealth Realm), the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and St. Lucia (Commonwealth Realm).
The Republic of Suriname holds the status of “special guest member”, the Republic of Haiti is an “observer”. The Republic of Honduras became a member in 2008 but withdrew from the organisation after the coup d’état against President Manuel Zelaya in 2009.
Altogether the 9 member states have a population of ca. 69,513,221 million people. Its terms “Bolivarian” refers to the ideology of regional hero Simón Bolívar, XIX century South American independence who dreamed of unifying the Hispanic Americas as a single “Great Nation”.
Since 2009 there is a further agreement to set up a common currency, called SUCRE, for all of ALBA’s member states, however, as of now the said currency is not a legal tender anywhere.
ALBA came into being on 14 December 2004 as a Cuba-Venezuela Agreement led respectively at the time by presidents Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez.
This year’s reception was organised by the Embassy of Nicaragua in Brussels as Nicaragua is the country currently holding the pro tempore presidency of the ALBA group.
The Caribbean member states of ALBA possess a common diplomatic mission in Brussels also responsible for the Benelux countries and international organisations, the EU, and other jurisdictions. The mission of the “Eastern Caribbean States” is led by St. Lucian geographer, Her Excellency Dr. Len Ishmael.
Dr. Ishmael served as Director General for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) between 2003 and 2013 before taking up her ambassadorial post in Brussels. The OECS’s secretariat is located in Castries, St. Lucia.
Three out of the four countries she represents are commonwelth realms recognising HM Queen Elizabeth II as their monarch but naturally in separate constitutional capacities (i.e. “Queen of St. Lucia”, or “Queen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”). Only the Commonwealth of Dominica is a republic whose incumbent president is Charles Savarin. Dr. Ishmael also represents St. Christopher and Nevis which is not an ALBA member state.
Antiguan and Barbudan diplomatic relations to the Benelux countries are managed by the island’s mission to London, led by Ambassador Dr. Carl Roberts.
Since 2009 there is a further agreement to set up a common currency, called SUCRE, for all of ALBA’s member states, however, as of now the said currency is not a legal tender anywhere.
ALBA came into being on 14 December 2004 as a Cuba-Venezuela Agreement led respectively at the time by presidents Fidel Castro and Hugo Chávez.
This year’s reception was organised by the Embassy of Nicaragua in Brussels as Nicaragua is the country currently holding the pro tempore presidency of the ALBA group.
The Caribbean member states of ALBA possess a common diplomatic mission in Brussels also responsible for the Benelux countries and international organisations, the EU, and other jurisdictions. The mission of the “Eastern Caribbean States” is led by St. Lucian geographer, Her Excellency Dr. Len Ishmael.
Dr. Ishmael served as Director General for the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) between 2003 and 2013 before taking up her ambassadorial post in Brussels. The OECS’s secretariat is located in Castries, St. Lucia.
Three out of the four countries she represents are commonwelth realms recognising HM Queen Elizabeth II as their monarch but naturally in separate constitutional capacities (i.e. “Queen of St. Lucia”, or “Queen of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”). Only the Commonwealth of Dominica is a republic whose incumbent president is Charles Savarin. Dr. Ishmael also represents St. Christopher and Nevis which is not an ALBA member state.
Antiguan and Barbudan diplomatic relations to the Benelux countries are managed by the island’s mission to London, led by Ambassador Dr. Carl Roberts.
Carlton Ambassador: new residences, new suites, new heights of luxury and indulgence
For the past twenty years the Carlton Ambassador hotel has welcomed guests from all over the world to the beautiful city of The Hague. The luxurious boutique hotel has been a special favorite among the diplomat community who value its convenient location near the Peace Palace and the city center, its well-appointed rooms and boutique charm, and its comprehensive business facilities.
With its recent expansion into a neighboring building the hotel now has even more features to please the most demanding traveler. Diplomat Magazine was present at the inauguration of the brand new addition with eight rooms. Although “room” is very much an understatement! Arwin Paulides, General Manager of the hotel, prefers the term “residence” as it evokes more adequately the home-away-from-home feeling he aims to create for his guests.
The expansion project had an ambitious deadline and faced quite a few challenges. Much of the credit for the remarkable result goes to Gino Hoes and the creative team of IPRO Interior Design. They masterly succeeded to marry the charm of a 130-year old building with modern-day conveniences and a thoroughly Dutch character. Many of the fixtures, such as the carved wooden banister of the staircase, the tiled fireplace with delicately carved figurines in the wooden mantel, and the molded high ceilings, are considered protected historic patrimony and had to be restored and preserved. They were put into context by adding details drawn from the rich Dutch folk art heritage.
The overall color scheme of the rooms is based on the famous Delft blue and incorporated in the carpets, furniture, curtains and wall paper. Typical flowers from the Hindeloopen paintings popular in the Netherlands at the beginning of the 17th century were enlarged and woven into the wall-to-wall carpets. Antique American wardrobes made of solid oak add a touch of timeless elegance. But the most stunning feature that immediately commands your attention when entering the rooms is the oversized enlarged print of a Delft blue motive on the glass walls that separate the bathrooms. It is the center piece of every room. The dramatic design supports all the other elements and pulls them together brilliantly.
The new wing provides space for six residences, two on each floor, as well as two larger suites on the ground floor. Especially the suites have been designed with the needs of longer-stay business travelers in mind. With a private entrance and parking, meeting rooms and all modern amenities the Ambassador Residences & Suites are the perfect solution for high-level executives and diplomatic dignitaries on assignment in The Hague.
However, what sets the hotel truly apart is the dedication to customer service that Arwin and his staff demonstrate at every opportunity and that already have earned them two World Luxury Hotel Awards. It is this willingness to go the extra mile and be a flexible and creative partner that has attracted Diplomat Magazine to the hotel and made it our club house, so to speak, for our monthly Meet & Greets and many other activities. We very much appreciate our partnership with Arwin and wish him all the best with the new addition. Congratulations on a job well-done!
The new wing provides space for six residences, two on each floor, as well as two larger suites on the ground floor. Especially the suites have been designed with the needs of longer-stay business travelers in mind. With a private entrance and parking, meeting rooms and all modern amenities the Ambassador Residences & Suites are the perfect solution for high-level executives and diplomatic dignitaries on assignment in The Hague.
However, what sets the hotel truly apart is the dedication to customer service that Arwin and his staff demonstrate at every opportunity and that already have earned them two World Luxury Hotel Awards. It is this willingness to go the extra mile and be a flexible and creative partner that has attracted Diplomat Magazine to the hotel and made it our club house, so to speak, for our monthly Meet & Greets and many other activities. We very much appreciate our partnership with Arwin and wish him all the best with the new addition. Congratulations on a job well-done! Denmark claims large areas of the North Pole
By Baron Henri Estramant
Denmark’s Foreign Minister, Martin Lidegaard, has officially lodged a substantiated claim at the United Nations in New York on 15 December 2014 to ca. 900,000 km of the North Pole; extending beyond the coasts of Greenland, an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark.
The North European kingdom has spent 12 years, and $55 millions in gathering data justifying its territorial claim. The latter largely lies on the 1,800 km-long Lomonosov Ridge (a strip that extends from off the coast of Canada and Denmark to the waters above eastern Siberia) being connected to Greenland.
All countries’ borders currently end 200 nautical miles from their coasts in the Arctic, leaving a vast patch of land as Nobody’s Land. Denmark is following Norway, Russia and Canada in submitting a claim under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea to a portion of the Arctic, which allows it under a period of ten years after the convention’s ratification.
The rationale behind the claims are the enormous, untapped oil, gas and minerals believed to lie under the Arctic. According to US estimations up to 30 per cent of the world’s undiscovered gas, and 13 per cent of its crude oil may lie in the Arctic region.
Technically Denmark can only profit from the natural resources accorded to Greenland if the latter remains a constituent entity within the kingdom. A new status since 2009 granted Greenland much more autonomy, and fueled the desire to become independent from Denmark should it become economically self-sufficient through oil and gas revenues.
Greenland’s foreign policy is still handled by Denmark proper yet Greenland has an representative office in Brussels working with EU trade and relations. A few week ago it opened a similar office in Washington D.C. seeking closer ties to the USA to Denmark’s detriment.
According to common legend, Denmark already missed out enormously on oil revenue from the North Pole after Foreign Minister Per Hækkerup agreed to give Norway the oil-rich Ekofisk area in the North Sea in the 1960s. The apocryphal story even claims that Per Hækkerup was drunk when he inked the covenant.
The Kingdom of Denmark is Europe’s oldest monarchy. Its current Sovereign is Queen Margrethe II since 1972.