USA Consul General – Michael Thurston
The USA valued its relationship with Australia very highly, the consul general for the United States in Melbourne, Mr Michael Thurston, told the meeting. ``The battle of the Coral Sea in WW11 cemented our close ties,'' said Mr Thurston whose office at the USA Consulate is located in St Kilda Road and has a staff of 50.
On the US President, he said "The press around the world was critiquing President Obama, after his 100 days in office. This President has taken on a number of daunting issues, including: war in Iraq, war in Afghanistan, economic crisis, Israeli-Palestinian conflict, domestic issues such as health insurance, instability in Pakistan. President Obama has not avoided any of these issues, but is confronting them all head-on,” said Mr. Thurston.
It was fascinating to hear Consul Michael detail his own recent experiences in peace making in a war torn province in north east of Baghdad where the conflict between Sunnis and Shiites had been the worst in Iraq. The conflict had progressed through open fighting to suicide bombing (mostly women), until eventually the situation in the province had quietenned down somewhat. However, the damage to civil structure had been done. With the City Council dormant, schools were empty and commerce at a standstill.
Michael was invited to lead a reconstruction team in the province. “My team of civilians comprised agriculturalists, small business managers, and town managers. At first we just listened to what the local people wanted. Finally we had the town Council functioning with a sort of balance between the Sunnis and the Shiites and shops and small businesses started opening”.
This was an excellent meeting with a prominent guest who was very generous with his time and willing to answer all questions.
