CANOVA AWARDED 'DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES' FELLOWSHIP

May 15, 2003

CANOVA AWARDED 'DEFENSE OF DEMOCRACIES' FELLOWSHIP
LAW PROFESSOR WILL TRAVEL TO ISRAEL TO STUDY TERRORISM DEFENSE

University of New Mexico School of Law Professor Tim Canova has been named a 2003-04 academic fellow by the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies (FDD), a non-profit, non-partisan think-tank based in Washington, D.C. seeking to educate Americans about the terrorist threat to democracy.

Only 20 U.S. professors received the prestigious fellowship. They will travel to Israel in late May for an intensive 10-day course, "Defending Democracy, Defeating Terrorism," taught in conjunction with the Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University.

The course of study features lectures by academics, diplomats, military and intelligence officials and politicians from Israel, Jordan, India, Turkey and the United States. It also includes "hands on" experience through visits to military bases, police, customs and immigration facilities and border zones to learn the practical side of deterring and defeating terrorists.

"I look forward to taking part in this unique program, and I appreciate the efforts of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies to study the Israeli experience of dealing with terrorism," said Canova, who served as a legislative assistant to former U.S. Senator Paul Tsongas and later practiced law in New York City prior to teaching.

Canova also worked as a volunteer on a kibbutz -- a collective farming and industrial community -- in northern Israel. "It was a secular kibbutz," he said. "Part of the Israeli labor movement, and largely supported a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians, an exchange of land for peace. Many members of the kibbutz were part of the Peace Now movement. But after two years of constant suicide bombings and terrible bloodshed, few are talking about peace now. It is very sad. It shows how terrorism and violence undermines the conditions for dialogue and peaceful compromise."

"The threat of terrorism," Canova said, "requires strategic responses at all levels, including military, diplomatic and even economic strategies. For instance, we must defend democracies and promote political stability by strengthening our economies and developing civil society through the rule of law. The United States needs to be strong at home to play a constructive and positive role throughout the world. This will require educating our citizens in the sciences, foreign languages, politics and culture."

"I appreciate the efforts of the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, and its support for this program on the theory and practice of defending democracy against terrorism, and I am looking forward to sharing my experiences and insights with others at the University of New Mexico," Canova added.

For more information about FDD programs, contact Travis Clark at 202-207-0186 or travis@defenddemocracy.org.

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