PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION
Introduction and Staff
People-to-people diplomacy between the United States and Lebanon
has a long tradition, rooted in educational and publishing links
established during the 19th Century. The U.S. Government created
the U.S. Information Agency to help foster such ties in 1953, just
after it opened its Embassy in Beirut. Charged with “telling
America’s story to the world” and “promoting mutual
understanding,” the U.S. Information Service in Beirut quickly
became one of the largest in the world and the regional headquarters
for English language teaching programs, library services, and Arabic-language
publications. Its John F. Kennedy Cultural Center and Library had
five branches throughout Lebanon, including Zahleh and Tripoli.
At its peak, USIS had a Public Affairs Officer (PAO) managing twelve
other American diplomats. Over the course of the 1975-1990 civil
war, most public affairs activities came to a standstill in Lebanon.
The regional printing office was closed, and the last PAO left in
1984. Still, the Embassy maintained modest press, educational, and
cultural activities for 14 years with the help of a dedicated Lebanese
staff.
When the State Department removed restrictions on the use of American
passports for travel to Lebanon in 1997, the U.S. Embassy began
to rebuild USIS and to restore two-way exchange programs. By 1999,
a PAO was back in Lebanon and an American Fulbright Scholar was
teaching at the Lebanese University. USIS was renamed the Public
Affairs Section when the USIA was merged into the Department
of State and the International
Broadcasting Bureau absorbed the Voice
of America and Worldnet
TV.
Today, the Public Affairs Section works with all sections of the
U.S. Embassy to reach Lebanese and their institutions, using its
traditional programs once again and developing new services through
information and communication technology.
Contact Information:
Embassy of the United
States of America
P.O.Box: 70-840 Beirut,
Lebanon
Tel: +961-4-542-600
/ +961-4-543-600 (Extension 275)
Fax: +961-4-544-861
E-Mail: PASBeirut@State.Gov
Public Affairs Staff:
Juliet Wurr: Public
Affairs Officer (PAO)
Kenneth Jones: Cultural
Affairs Officer (CAO)
Maggy T. Teen: Cultural
Affairs Specialist
Ali M. Dimashkieh: Cultural
Affairs Specialist
Diana Copty: U.S. Speakers;
Book Program; Visual & Performing Artists
Nada K. Yammine: Information
Specialist (Print Media)
Linda S. Zgheib: Information
Assistant (TV & Radio)
Edith Bitar: Administrative
Support, English Language Programs; Youth Programs; Primary Laison
with Amideast.
Basem G. Karkar: Webmaster
and Outreach Coordinator
Operating Hours:
The Public Affairs Section is
open Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.
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Public
Affairs Section
Introduction
and Staff