WATERVILLE — Mid Maine Global Forum’s “America’s Refocus on Asia: Why, How, and Why it Matters” will be presented by Ambassador Raymond F. Burghardt at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the REM Center, 93 Main St., according to a REM press release.

A former ambassador, Burghardt is a career diplomat who has served as Ambassador in Vietnam, the director of the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the American Consul General in Shanghai, deputy chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassies in Manila and Seoul and as political counselor in Beijing, according to a news release.

Burghardt remains actively involved with the U.S. Government’s interests in Taiwan representing the current Administration in periodic visits to Taiwan and participating in U.S. policy decisions concerning Taiwan.

Burghardt began his Foreign Service career in Vietnam in 1970, where he first worked for the Agency for International Development as refugee affairs officer in Gia Dinh Province and then as a political officer at the American Embassy in Saigon. He later was responsible for Vietnamese refugee issues in Hong Kong during his assignment there from 1977 to 1980. In March 1982, he represented the State Department in the first U.S. Government delegation to Hanoi to negotiate resolution of the issue of American servicemen missing in action.

In addition, Burghardt has served on the National Security Council staff as special assistant to President Reagan and senior director of Latin American Affairs. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Colombia before joining the Foreign Service.

To register, email bsammons829@yahoo.com or call Bonnie Sammons at 404-9017. Lunch is catered by Barrel’s Market for $10. Those who attend are asked to pay at the door. Registration is required no later than 1 p.m. Monday, June 3. Please mention whether or not buying lunch. Please indicate lunch choice: vegetarian quiche, roast chicken sandwich,or hummus/veggie sandwich. Lunch includesa choice of sandwich, side salad, cookie, coffee and tea.

Copy the Story Link