Post date: March 11, 2003 — 9 a.m.
On Wednesday, March 12, former National Security Advisor Samuel (Sandy) Berger will visit Harvard Law School to give a serious policy address on Iraq, terrorism and North Korea. Berger’s speech will begin at 4:30 p.m. in the Langdell South classroom.
“We are fortunate to have Sandy Berger here to speak at this pivotal moment in history,” said Professor Bill Alford, associate dean for the graduate program and international legal studies. “He was widely considered to be the most influential national security advisor since Henry Kissinger and is uniquely suited to comment on the deliberations currently ongoing in Washington and other world capitals.”
Berger served as national security advisor to President Bill Clinton from 1997 to 2001. During his tenure, the United States engaged in military operations against Iraq on four occasions. Additionally, he advised the President on the U.S. response to the 1998 terrorist bombings of American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
Berger’s prior government experience includes serving as a legislative assistant to former U.S. Sen. Harold Hughes of Iowa and to U.S. Rep. Joseph Resnick of New York. Berger also served as deputy director of the policy planning staff of the U.S. State Department under Secretary Cyrus Vance from 1977 to 1980. Berger has also headed the international group of the Washington law firm of Hogan & Hartson. Currently, Berger is chairman of Stonebridge International.
A 1971 graduate of Harvard Law School, Berger was only the fourth national security adviser to have a legal background.
Berger is the inaugural speaker in a Harvard Law School series that will feature speakers who have worked at the highest level of international affairs. These speakers will discuss how their legal training helped shape their involvement in the major issues of recent years. In addition to his speech on Wednesday, Berger will visit various classes and meet with small groups of students and faculty members.