Brief biography of barack obama

Giandomenico Picco

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs (–)

Giandomenico Picco (8 October – 10 March ), also known as Gianni Picco, was an Italian diplomat and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who negotiated the release of 11 hostages held by terrorists in Lebanon, earning him the epithets "chief troubleshooter" and "unarmed soldier of diplomacy" from United Nations Secretary-GeneralJavier Pérez de Cuéllar.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]

Background

Giandomenico Picco was born on 8 October in Udine, Italy.[7][8][9][10] He studied at the Liceo Classico Jacopo Stellini in Udine, Italy, BA in political science at the University of Padua, MA in international relations and comparative politics at the University of California at Santa Barbara (via the U.S.-Italy Fulbright Commission), the University of Prague, and a diploma in European integration studies at the University of Amsterdam.[4][6][7][8]

Career

United Nations

Picco began a year career with the United Nations in and served there until [1][3][4][5][6][7][8] In , Picco began working with Pérez de Cuéllar in Cyprus, where Picco was serving as political affairs officer to the United Nations Force in Cyprus who reported to its head, Pérez de Cuéllar.[2][8] In –86, Picco represented Pérez de Cuéllar (who had succeeded Kurt Waldheim as UN Secretary-General) in negotiations between France and New Zealand over the sinking of the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior.[2][6][7][8] In , he helped negotiate the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistant.[8]

Picco's efforts were extremely sensitive: "His trips are often shrouded in mystery, and United Nations officials have tried to keep his current movements even more secret." Often, the only news of his whereabouts or activities were "on mission".

Pérez de Cuéllar was known to deny Picco's involvement in some active hostage negotiation, while journalists might happen to sight him in places like Damascus, Syria.[2]

Peace negotiations

Picco led or participated in peace negotiations including:

Hostage negotiations

Picco served as Pérez de Cuéllar's personal representative to negotiate release of hostages.[11] and may have instigated them.[12] Among those with whom Picco negotiated was Mohammad Javad Zarif.[9][10]

Picco led hostage negotiations including:

(Among hostages Picco could not save were American soldiers William Francis Buckley and William R.

Higgins.[9])

Private negotiations

In , Picco left the UN In , he formed the international consulting firm GDP Associates for business negotiations, based in New York City.[1][3][4][5][6][7] He also became president of the Peace Strategies Project, based in Geneva, Switzerland,[6] and US Equity Partners Holdings, LLC.

He also served as director of Levcor International, Inc., and the Carlyle Group.[16]

The Pio Manzù International Research Centre's International Scientific Committee included Picco as vice president and Mikhail Gorbachev.[17] On their behalf, he presented an award to Diana, Princess of Wales.[18]

Picco also spoke to the World Affairs Seminar and gave a keynote address to the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in [19]

Dialogue Among Civilizations

See Dialogue Among Civilizations

In , UN Secretary General Kofi Annan appointed Picco as Personal Representative for the UN Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations, proclaimed in [1][6] Members included Chinese philosopher Tu Weiming.

Personal life

Picco married twice, firstly to Elena Carretta Toth[20] and secondly to Kate Glucksman.[21] His son Giacomo Picco is an investment banker.[7][8]

Picco served on the Ambassador's Council of the United Nations Association/USA, the European-American Chamber of Commerce, and the International Peace Academy.[22]

Giandomenico Picco died on 10 March , at the age of [7][8] The United Nations noted the passing of Picco as "a legendary UN staffer" who played "a major part in many key hotspots admired by many" on 13 March [23] Former Italian diplomat Marco Carnelos called Picco "a great Italian diplomat" who "unfortunately for my home country did not work for the Italian foreign service."[24]

Awards

On 12 December , US President George H.

W. Bush presented the Medal of Freedom to Pérez de Cuéllar and the Presidential Award for Exceptional Service to Picco, while welcoming home American hostages Thomas Sutherland, Alann Steen, Jesse Turner, Joseph Cicippio, and Terry Anderson. Of Picco, President Bush said, "In his years as Special Envoy at the United Nations, Assistant Secretary-General Gianni Picco has sought always to serve peace and to resolve conflict."[25][26][27][28][29]

Works

Picco's principal work, Man Without a Gun (), received favorable notices.

Kirkus reviews wrote, "A must-read for anyone who wants to know what the UN really does."[31]Publishers Weekly wrote, "This memoir of an extraordinary career reads like a combination of a thriller and a textbook on the delicate and dangerous art of diplomacy in an often explosive region."[32]

The documentary film, Dawn at Midnight () by Cetywa Powell draws in part from Picco's memoir Man Without a Gun ().

Books (English)
  • Lessons of the Iran-Iraq War ()[33]
  • International Solidarity and National Sovereignty (Giovanni Delli Zotti, co-editor) ()[34]
  • Man Without a Gun ()[9]
  • Crossing the Divide: Dialogue Among Civilizations editor/contributor with others ()[35]
  • The Fog of Peace with Gabriel Rifkind ()[36]
Books (Italian)
  • I labirinti del presente with Antonio Torrenzano ()[37]
Articles
  • "The UN and the Use of Force: Leave the Secretary General Out of It," Foreign Affairs (September/October )
  • "A New Afghanistan in a New International Construct," Carnegie Council's U.S.

    Global Engagement Initiative (USGE) ()[38]

Interviews from the United Nations
  • Giandomenico Picco, Director of the UN Office for Special Political Affairs
  • Giandomenico Picco, Director and Assistant to the UN Secretary-General for Special Assignments
  • Giandomenico Picco, UN Assistant Secretary-General
  • Giandomenico Picco, Personal Representative of the Secretary-General to the United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations

See also

References

  1. ^ abcd"Giandomenico Picco to be Secretary-General's Representative for 'Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations' in ".

    United Nations. 6 August Retrieved 16 January

  2. ^ abcdefgGray, Jerry (16 August ). "U.N. Troubleshooter: Shuttling to Free Hostages".

    New York Times.

    Biography of barack obama early life Barack Obama undoubtedly possesses one of the most complicated — and fascinating — backgrounds of any former president of the United States. And yet, in hindsight, his political ascent makes almost perfect sense. Because his presidency ended so recently, and due to his young age, it could be three decades or more before the definitive biography of Obama is written. To wrap up this six-year journey through the best biographies of the presidents I read three books on Barack H. Unfortunately, the degree of satisfaction a reader achieves by patiently navigating its ten chapters is inadequate compensation for the persistently tedious experience.

    pp.&#;A8. Retrieved 16 January

  3. ^ abcdSemprini, Francesco (20 December ). "Giandomenico Picco, UN Negotiator and Freer of Hostages Now Needs Our Help". La Voce di New York. Retrieved 16 January
  4. ^ abcd"Publisher-supplied biographical information about contributor(s) for Man without a gun&#;: one diplomat's secret struggle to free the hostages, fight terrorism, and end a war / Giandomenico Picco".

    Library of Congress. Retrieved 16 January

  5. ^ abcdef"Giandomenico Picco". Carnegie Council. 17 December Retrieved 16 January
  6. ^ abcdefghijklm"United Nations Year of Dialogue among Civilizations: Giandomenico Picco".

    Seton Hall - School of Diplomacy. 17 December Retrieved 17 January

  7. ^ abcdefghijklMichael Weissenstein (10 March ).

  8. Giandomenico Picco - Wikipedia
  9. Giandomenico Picco: The forgotten art of Middle East diplomacy
  10. Clear
  11. Settings

    12. "UN envoy Giandomenico Picco, who helped end the Iran-Iraq war and won hostage releases, has died". Associated Press. Retrieved 11 March

  12. ^ abcdefghijklClay Risen (14 March ).

    "Giandomenico Picco, Diplomat Who Freed Hostages in Lebanon, Dies at 75". New York Times. Retrieved 16 March

  13. ^ abcdPicco, Giandomenico (). Man Without a Gun: One Diplomat's Secret Struggle to Free the Hostages, Fight Terrorism, and End a War.

    Times Books - Random House. pp.&#;82 (birth), (Buckley). ISBN&#;.

    Biography of barack obama president: Giandomenico Picco (8 October – 10 March ), also known as Gianni Picco, was an Italian diplomat and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, who negotiated the release of 11 hostages held by terrorists in Lebanon, earning him the epithets "chief troubleshooter" and "unarmed soldier of diplomacy" from United.

    Retrieved 16 January

  14. ^ abIran's Foreign Minister Nominee Seen as Olive Branch to US Reuters via VOA (Dubai), 29 July
  15. ^Ranstorp, Hizb'allah in Lebanon, () p
  16. ^"terror and tehran". . 2 May
  17. ^"Giandomenico Picco - Hostage Negotiator".

    BBC Witness History. Retrieved 16 January

  18. ^Murphy, Kim (21 October ). "Freedom for U.S. Hostage Expected Soon".

    Giandomenico picco biography of barack obama full

    Giandomenico Picco was born on 8 October in Udine , Italy. Picco began a year career with the United Nations in and served there until Picco's efforts were extremely sensitive: "His trips are often shrouded in mystery, and United Nations officials have tried to keep his current movements even more secret. He also served as director of Levcor International, Inc. Picco also spoke to the World Affairs Seminar and gave a keynote address to the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy in

    Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 January

  19. ^Robert Collier, "Thirteen Prisoners in Iran: The Untold Story of a Negotiation that Worked," The National Interest, 11 December ,
  20. ^ abcdef"Our Group".

    US Equity Partners Holdings, LLC. Retrieved 17 January

  21. ^"Pio Manzu: The Centre's Structure". Pio Manzù International Research Centre. Archived from the original on 19 November
  22. ^""Diana appeals for the elderly after dropping their charity"". Herald Scotland.

    Giandomenico picco biography of barack obama Barack Obama served as the 44th President of the US from to Obama passed several bills, which sought to extend welfare support and help the economy to recover from the Financial and Economic Crisis of Obama also approved a major bailout of the automobile industry. Obama also signed up to the Paris Climate Change Agreement. Despite a fractious political system, Obama was noted for retaining a dignified and calm demeanour, seeking to unite the country in the face of divisive issues.

    14 October Retrieved 15 November

  23. ^"Key Note Address: Giandomenico Picco". Institute for Cultural Diplomacy. 10 January Retrieved 17 January
  24. ^"Wedding/Celebrations; Mary Keeley, Giacomo Picco". New York Times. 30 April Retrieved 17 January
  25. ^"A gift that keeps on giving".

    Irish Times. 25 September Retrieved 17 January

  26. ^ ab"Former U.N. assistant secretary general to speak at Bates". Bates College. 11 February Retrieved 17 January
  27. ^"Ukraine, Yemen, Security, Oil, & Other Topics". United Nations. 13 March Retrieved 16 March
  28. ^Marco Carnelos (14 April ).

    "Giandomenico Picco: The forgotten art of Middle East diplomacy". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 26 April

  29. ^ ab"Remarks on Presenting the Medal of Freedom and the Presidential Award for Exceptional Service to United Nations Officials". The American Presidency Project.

    Giandomenico picco biography of barack obama president We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. Barack Obama was the 44 th president of the United States and the first Black commander-in-chief. He served two terms, from until The son of parents from Kenya and Kansas, Obama was born and raised in Hawaii. After serving on the Illinois State Senate, he was elected a U.

    12 December Retrieved 17 January

  30. ^"Bush honors former hostages and U.N. envoys". United Press International (UPI). 12 December Retrieved 17 January
  31. ^Turner, Douglas (13 December ). "White House Aglow for Last Hostages". Buffalo News.

  32. Biography of barack obama president
  33. Giandomenico picco biography of barack obama for kids
  34. Brief biography of barack obama

    35. Retrieved 17 January

  35. ^"5 Ex-Hostages Join Bush in Lighting Holiday Tree; U.N. Officials Awarded Medals". Los Angeles Times. 13 December Retrieved 17 January
  36. ^Priest, Dana (13 December ). "President Honors Former Hostages at National Tree-Lighting Ceremony". Washington Post. Retrieved 17 January
  37. ^"History: Honorary Doctorates Previously Conferred".

    Marywood University. Retrieved 17 January

  38. ^"Man Without a Gun". Kirkus Reviews. 17 May Retrieved 17 January
  39. ^"Man Without a Gun". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 17 January
  40. ^Picco, Giandomenico (). Lessons of the Iran-Iraq War: Mediation and Conflict Resolution.

    American Association for the Advancement of Science. p.&#; Retrieved 16 January

  41. ^Giandomenico Picco; Giovanni Delli Zotti, eds. (). International Solidarity and National Sovereignty. Istituto de Sociologia Internazionale.
  42. ^Picco, Giandomenico (). Crossing the Divide: Dialogue Among Civilizations.

    School of Diplomacy and International Relations - Seton Hall University. p.&#; ISBN&#;. Retrieved 16 January

  43. ^Picco, Giandomenico; Rifkind, Gabrielle (). The Fog of Peace: The Human Face of Conflict Resolution. IB Tauris. p.&#; ISBN&#;. Retrieved 16 January
  44. ^Picco, Giandomenico; Torrenzano, Antonio ().

    I labirinti del presente: guerra, povertà, rischio, instabilità internazionale. L'Harmattan Italia. p.&#; ISBN&#;. Retrieved 16 January

  45. ^Giandomenico Picco (20 April ). "A New Afghanistan in a New International Construct". Carnegie Council. Retrieved 3 January

External links