International Relations Council Forms in Kaiserslautern

Paul Rose

By Alita Byrd
Special to FYI Online

Veteran UMUC–Europe political science and history faculty members have been instrumental in reenergizing the International Relations Council in the Ramstein and Kaiserslautern military communities.

"Our purpose is to serve this overseas military community and our UMUC students by providing a unique educational and entertainment experience," said Paul Rose, who teaches history and political science for UMUC–Europe and has been the impetus behind the new International Relations Council.

Currently, the council's primary activity is to bring distinguished members of the international community to speak to its members and supporters on topics in current affairs and of international importance. In mid-November, John S. Habib, former U.S. diplomat assigned to posts in the Middle East, spoke on American foreign policy as a precursor to the September 11 attacks. At the council's very first meeting last spring, Hans Werner Assel, ex-mayor of Kaiserslautern and a young pilot in the German Air Force at the end of World War II, spoke to a group of students and faculty. The students were particularly interested in Assel's descriptions of Kaiserslautern after it was bombed in World War II and a long question-and-answer session followed the presentation.

Meetings are usually held at a popular restaurant in the small German town of Landstuhl. The council does not ask for any membership fees, preferring to keep administration as simple as possible.

"We have no desire to become bureaucrats," said Rose, who maintains a membership list, arranges meetings, and informs the membership of the time and location of events. Any incidental expenses, such as meals for guest speakers, are covered by occasionally "passing the hat."

The council was launched to enliven the history and international relations programs in the Ramstein and Kaiserslautern military communities, Rose said. The popularity of the two ancient disciplines was flagging among a student body more oriented toward business, management, and technology.

The new council is not the first of its kind in the area, however; it is the latest incarnation of what has proved to be a successful tradition. The previous International Relations Council operated from 1984 to 1994 and was managed by the Air Force. Rose served an active part in the original council.

Now Rose hopes that the new International Relations Council can form a closer partnership with the Air Force, allowing the council to tap the stream of VIPs who visit the European headquarters of the U.S. Air Force at Ramstein Air Base. The previous council enjoyed visits from top NATO leaders, members of the U.S. Congress, defense ministers, foreign ministers, and many other visiting dignitaries.

"A partnership with the Air Force would mean that the endeavor would move from that of minor league status to the major leagues or even the World Series," Rose said.