OCTOBER 29, 2013 ROTARY IN REVIEW:
Ambassadors to Morrocco

Posted by Charles H. Standfuss 
on Oct 29, 2013
 
Well known Twin Cities lawyer Sam Kaplan was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009 to be Ambassador to the Kingdom of Morocco.  He recently completed three-and-one-half-years in service to the United States and the President and came to Club 10 to report on his experiences.  The bonus for those in attendance was the presence of co-reporter Sylvia Kaplan, Sam's spouse, who demonstrated the importance of the spouse/partner to the Ambassador in completing the assignment in a foreign land.
 

Club 10 Business Report

President Jim Kosmo brought the meeting to order at 12:30 p.m. on a cool fall day in downtown Saint Paul.  Jim Field led the assembled Rotarians in singing America (My Country 'Tis of Thee) accompanied by Bill Given on the piano.  Jean Vukas Roberts provided today's invocation.  Vicki Gee-Treft facilitated the introduction of visiting Rotarians and guests.  Today's Greeters were Larry Morgan and Annette Kuyper.

Jay Pfaender, chair of the Program Committee, provided a preview of next week's program. Jeremy Wells reminded everyone of the upcoming Rotaract/Club10 event at Summit Brewery.  Ed Coleman encouraged everyone to sign up for Rotary Night at the Minnesota Wild game on Friday, November 15 ($20 of each ticket sold goes to the Foundation).  Kathleen Riley collected Happy Dollars.

Chuck Roach introduced today's speaker, local attorney and retired Ambassador Sam Kaplan. Mr. Kaplan went to the podium with a co-presenter, his spouse, Sylvia Kaplan.  This was fitting due to the team nature of an Ambassador's appointment and the responsibilities implied for a spouse within the bounds of protocol in the host country.  Although Mr. Kaplan has spent most of his professional life in Minneapolis, he did describe his first job selling shoes (for many years) at 373 Wabasha in Saint Paul.  He then quickly moved to talking about his work as an ambassador.  An ambassador represents the President.  Although one looks inward at the country to which you are assigned as an ambassador, you also look  backwards to your home country.  This perspective confirmed for him his joy in being an American.  By going abroad, you come to realize that private philanthropy and service are practiced only in England, Israel and the United States.  It really is an American concept.  In Morocco, the only service organization is Rotary International.

Mr. Kaplan said that an ambassador's job has three duties: deepen the relationship with the host country; protect Americans on the ground; and, further American economic interests.  The Kingdom of Morocco is stable, safe and has the ability to grow.  It was the first country in the world to acknowledge the independence of the United States.  The friendship and peace treaty between the two countries is the longest U.S. treaty still in existence.  The Kingdom is one of the United States' best friends.  They are counter-terrorism and defense cooperation supporters.  The Kingdom has always been a friend, even though the two countries haven't always agreed.  A key part of the ambassador's job is to talk about nuances, quietly and privately, so that the host country understands where the United States is coming from by taking any particular stand.  Sylvia Kaplan added that the ambassador and spouse are always "on."  But, they are not "duos."

The Kaplans spoke briefly about the political climate in the Kingdom.  Morocco is stable with a benevolent king.  It s a monarchy with a constitution.  The king is revered and is the leader of the religion, the armed forces, and domestic affairs.  Although it is not a democracy, it is a wonderful country.  Americans are conditioned to think that only a democratic model should be accepted.  The Kingdom of Morocco stands as proof that alternative models can succeed.  In response to a question, Ambassador Kaplan confirmed that the Kingdom has no relations with Iran and is close to the Saudis.  The U.S. relationship with Israel is disappointing to the Kingdom.

President Jim thanked the Kaplans for their remarks and noted that a donation in their name would be made to the Saint Paul Public Library's "Read With Me" program.  He also awarded Ambassador Kaplan with an official Rotary coin featuring the Four-Way Test ("Is it the Truth?  Is it Fair to all concerned? Will Imageit build Goodwill and Better Friendships?  Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?").  President Jim asked Dick Warren to provide a few "this day in history" notes for October 29th.  He then adjourned the meeting at 1:32 p.m. 

Chuck Standfuss, Scribe