Greek Ambassador George Savvaides Greece Ignites Olympic Spirit by Larry Luxner On Aug. 13, Greece will inaugurate the first Olympic Games of the new millennium in an elaborate ceremony attended by 70,000 lucky spectators. Unfortunately, Greek Ambassador George Savvaides wonít be among them. ìI have to be here in Washington,î lamented the diplomat, who plans to celebrate his 59th birthday that day while watching the festivities on television, along with 3.5 billion other viewers. ìAll Greek ambassadors are required to stay at their posts in order to make sure everything goes well.î And everything will, Savvaides assured usódespite worldwide fears that terrorists will disrupt the Games, which conclude Aug. 29. more... Professor William H. McNeill Historian Says 21st-Century Challenges Must Be Viewed From Global Perspective by John Shaw If you were to convene the worldís leading historians and ask them to identify their most influential member, there is a very good chance they would settle relatively quickly on a single name: William H. McNeill. more.... Group of Diplomats, Military Advisers Seeks Leadership Change Over Foreign Policy by Sean OíDriscoll Some commentators say it is unprecedented in the nationís history. Others say it is a publicity stunt orchestrated by the Democratic Party. At a June press conference held at the National Press Club, 27 former military advisers and diplomatsómany of them ambassadors and four-star commandersógathered to release a one-page criticism denouncing President Bushís foreign policy and calling for a change in leadership. more.... < b> Canada Plans Legislative Secretariat in Washington, D.C. by Larry Luxner In an unprecedented move, the Canadian government is establishing a public advocacy and legislative secretariat at the countryís huge embassy in Washington, D.C., as part of an effort to further expand the $440 billion in annual trade between the two countries. more.... Once-Domestic Startup JetBlue Spreads Its Wings to Caribbean by Larry Luxner SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican RepublicóNow that JetBlue Airways qualifies as an international carrier, itís only a matter of time before the brash U.S. startup becomes what American Airlines has been for years: a household name throughout the Caribbean. more....

Culture Section Check out the arts section for the latest in museum exhibits, dance, theater and much more. See August 2004 Medical Insert Historic Referendum to Decide Fate Of Venezuelaís Controversial President by Larry Luxner On Aug. 15, millions of Venezuelans will vote in a referendum whether to oust President Hugo Ch·vez. Itís the first recall election of its kind in Latin American history, and its outcome will determine Venezuelaís relationship with the United States for years to come. more.... Riggs Bank Scandal Shakes Up Diplomatic Community by Alan B. Nichols In July, PNC Financial Services Group Inc. of Pittsburgh announced that it was planning to buy Riggs Bank of Washington, D.C., which had been beset by problems ever since federal regulators discovered repeated violations of laws designed to prevent money laundering. This followed an April decision that Riggs made to shut down its embassy banking business by the end of September, all of which has had major repercussions for its embassy clientele in the city. more.... Liberian Ambassador Helping Reassemble Country in Wake of Civil War by Larry Luxner Liberia, the worldís only nation established by freed black American slaves, is proud of its U.S. roots. The capital, Monrovia, is named after President James Monroe, its constitution is patterned after the U.S. Constitution, and its official language is English. The Ohio-size country even has a Maryland County in honor of early 19th-century black settlers from the Baltimore area. But thatís where the similarities stop. more....