[ INSIDE HAWAII INC. ]

Director brings government
experience to center

John E. Osborn >> Appointed to a three-year term on the East-West Center board of governors. >> Osborn manages legal, intellectual property, and government and public affairs at Cephalon Inc., the suburban Philadelphia maker of the anti-drowsiness drug Provigil >> He has formerly worked in the State Department during the administration of former President Bush. He worked on Bush's failed primary bid in 1980 -- before Bush became President Reagan's vice president -- and on Bush's successful 1988 campaign. Osborn also worked on President George W. Bush's 2000 campaign and is working on Bush's re-election bid this year. >> Osborn has worked for the late Sen. John Heinz (R, Pa.) and Rep. Jim Leach (R, Iowa).

I think by virtue of having served in an appointed position in the State Department I have a reasonably good sense, broadly, of foreign policy interests of the United States. Among other things I would bring to the board an appreciation for the structure of the State Department, which might be useful in supporting the center.

I also have been interested and involved in international affairs in a broader sense for quite some time. Outside of the State Department I have a graduate degree in international affairs as well as a law degree. I've been fortunate to work in various public foreign policy affairs and initiatives for the past 15 years.

I bring that perspective of international engagement to the East-West Center board. I have a real appreciation for the value of effective public diplomacy following 9/11. I think, although the East-West Center has a number of roles, one of its missions is a mission of public diplomacy and working with the Asia-Pacific region cooperatively.

I think that the center is seeking people who have -- in addition to having been politically active -- they're seeking people who appreciate the role a board member plays in an important institution, who understand the importance of research and education, and who has experience and strong interest in international affairs.

What international roles does the center play?

I think that the center has a role to play in connection with efforts to introduce the United States to people of the Asia-Pacific region and particularly Muslims living in the Asia-Pacific region.

There might in fact be a post-9/11 role for the center. I know the center has hosted Muslims from the Asia-Pacific region. People may not be aware there is a substantial Muslim population in the region, as opposed to the Middle East.

The center has a role to play bringing students, research scholars to Hawaii and Washington, D.C. I'm also intrigued by the center's efforts to facilitate economic development in the Pacific islands region. That's an initiative I hope to learn more about.

How well do you rate the decision and process of going to war with Iraq?

I think the Bush administration was courageous in undertaking its effort to depose Saddam Hussein, in so doing to try to change the political dynamic in the Middle East.

It is certainly an extraordinarily difficult set of circumstances that we're facing in Iraq but I believe in the long run this effort will prove to have been worthwhile.

Why?

Those who are inclined to become active in the Islamic terrorist movement are more likely to do so in nation states where there is no political openness, places where there are no meaningful opportunities for political discourse and dissent.

And by changing the political dynamics in the Middle East you will make it less likely that young people will turn to terrorism as means of political expression. I believe that's the larger objective of our action in Iraq.

I think it's completely understandable to be concerned, as I am, about the level of internal disorder in Iraq, about the causalities, both American and Iraqi, but I think that many observers anticipated that this effort would take a significant period of time to realize the objectives that I have outlined.

It is too early to render a final decision on the wisdom of our Iraqi policy.

What could be the long-term impact of the Iraq war on U.S. diplomatic relations?

I do think it's important to remember that the United States during the Clinton administration and early in the George W. Bush administration repeatedly went to the United Nations, and the United Nations adopted a series of resolutions demanding that Iraq disarm and allow inspectors to verify their disarmament.

So while it is true that we did not enjoy the support of a large number of counties with respect to the decision to invade Iraq, it is not true that we did not make substantial efforts to participate in the United Nations process during the years leading up to our invasion. And again, in the long term, I think the United States will remain committed to participating actively in the United Nations and in the Security Council.

How well is the war on terror being won within the Muslim community?

I think we can and should do more to work effectively with the Muslim community, the vast majority of which rejects terrorism and violence as acceptable. Having the East-West Center located in Hawaii at the intersection of the United States and Asia Pacific is critically important because it provides a critical base for constructive dialog and discourse and areas of concern and that really is the basic mission of the center.

I think that is a critical thing, a constructive dialog, even if people don't always agree, that is the essence of diplomacy.