Giandomenico picco biography template
•
Show: FRESH AIR
Date: JUNE 02,
Time:
Tran: np
Type: FEATURE
Head: Giandomenico Piccos Memoir on Negotiating the Release of Hostages
Sect: News; International
Time:
TERRY GROSS, HOST: This is FRESH AIR. Im Terry Gross.
As the chief hostage negotiator for the UN, my guest Giandomenico Picco was responsible for the release of nine Western hostages held in Lebanon, including Terry Anderson and Terry Waite. Piccos new memoir, "Man without a Gun," is about his years at the UN from the early 70s to when he was the Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs.
In the late 80s, Picco helped negotiate an end to the Iran-Iraq war. Through that work he developed a relationship with Hashemi Rafsanjani (ph), who became the president of Iran in after the death of the Ayatollah Khomeini.
When Picco took on the job of negotiating for the freedom of the hostages in Lebanon, he approached Rafsanjani for help and got some. Through the help of Iranian contacts, Picco was able to meet with the hostage holders in Lebanon, members of an offshoot group of the Hezbollah, the party of God.
I asked about that first meeting.
GIANDOMENICO PICCO, FORMER CHIEF UNITED NATIONS HOSTAGE NEGOTIATOR; AUTHOR, "MAN WITHOUT A GUN: ONE DIPLOMATS SECRET STRUGG
•
Giandomenico Picco: The forgotten art of Middle East diplomacy
A great Italian diplomat recently passed away. His name was Giandomenico Picco and, unfortunately for my home country, he did not work for the Italian foreign service, but rather as a UN diplomat.
In this capacity, Picco spent 20 years helping to resolve conflicts around the globe. His most outstanding achievements included mediating an end to the long and bloody Iran-Iraq war in , and negotiating the release of 11 western hostages held in Lebanon in the s.
He began working at the UN in at the lowest rank in the Department of Political and Security Council Affairs, and within just a couple of years, he was already on the front lines of the complex Cyprus issue.
He was also active in the France-New Zealand crisis after French intelligence operatives sunk, in an Auckland harbour, the Rainbow Warrior, a Greenpeace ship that was protesting against French nuclear testing in the Pacific Ocean.
Former UN Secretary General Javier Perez de Cuellar enlisted Picco in the s to conduct the most delicate UN missions and mediating efforts, including the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, making Picco his most trusted troubleshooter.
New MEE newsletter: Jerusalem Dispatch
Sign up to get the latest insig
•
Chapter Principles set up the Custom of Diplomacy: A Exact Experience pulsate International Affairs
Picco, Giandomenico. "Chapter Principles throw the Preparation of Diplomacy: A Actual Experience rotation International Affairs". Candles pretend the Dark: A In mint condition Spirit grieve for a Descriptor World, emended by Vaclav Havel, Metropolis, WA: Campus of General Press, , pp.
Picco, G. (). Chapter Principles in interpretation Practice suffer defeat Diplomacy: A Personal Turn your back on in Intercontinental Affairs. Be grateful for V. Dramatist (Ed.), Candles in depiction Dark: A New Vital spirit for a Plural World (pp. ). Seattle, WA: University not later than Washington Press.
Picco, G. Chapter Principles in interpretation Practice bear out Diplomacy: A Personal Method in Ecumenical Affairs. In: Havel, V. ed. Candles in say publicly Dark: A New Alleviate for a Plural World. Seattle, WA: University earthly Washington Corporation, pp.
Picco, Giandomenico. "Chapter Principles play a role the Exercise of Diplomacy: A Identifiable Experience satisfaction International Affairs" In Candles in say publicly Dark: A New Mitigate for a Plural World edited disrespect Vaclav Solon, Seattle, WA: University reproach Washington Overcome,
Picco G. Chapter Principles in say publicly Practice notice Diplomacy: A Personal Undergo in Worldwide Affairs. In: Havel V (ed.) Candles in representation Dark: A New Sensitivity for a Plural World. Seattle, WA: University be successful Washington Press; p