FORMER AMBASSADOR WILLIAM ITOH TO SPEAK AT UNM

October 2, 2003

FORMER AMBASSADOR WILLIAM ITOH TO SPEAK AT UNM

University of New Mexico alumnus and former U.S. Ambassador to Thailand William Itoh will discuss the role of diplomacy in international relations in a campus presentation Friday, Oct. 10, from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the UNM Student Union Building, Union Trail/Spirit rooms.

Itoh, currently professor of International Studies and director of the Washington Program of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will present, "Facing Global Challenges: Going Beyond Military Solutions."

Itoh, an Albuquerque native, a graduate of Valley High School, served as a U.S. Air Force Reserve officer and spent 28 years as a Foreign Service officer in the Department of State. During his diplomatic career he served in the United Kingdom and Australia.

From 1996 to 1999, Itoh was the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand. In 1998 he was awarded an honorary Ph.D. in economics from Khon Kaen University, presented by His Majesty the King in recognition of his efforts to support Thailand's recovery during the Asian financial crisis.

Itoh also served as executive secretary to the National Security Council in the White House and staff in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and the Bureau of Congressional Affairs. From 1991 to 1993 he served as deputy executive secretary and acting executive secretary of the Department of State.

Itoh is married to the former Melissa White, also a UNM alumnus and daughter of former UNM Athletic Director George (Blanco) White. Their oldest daughter and her husband are both currently students in the UNM School of Law.

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