Prof. Jose Alvarez Assumes Presidency of the ASIL


WASHINGTON, D.C., March 26, 2006 -- On Wednesday, March 29, Columbia Law professor Jose Alvarez will assume the Presidency of the American Society of International Law (ASIL) at its 100th annual meeting.

As President-Elect, Prof. Alvarez will open the annual meeting at an event titled "A Conversation with Secretary Rice." Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has agreed to answer questions posed by PBS commentator Gwen Ifle, who has moderated presidential debates, before a live audience consisting of hundreds of ASIL members.

Prof. Alvarez, along with Justice of the Supreme Court Sandra Day O'Connor and President of the World Court Rosalyn Higgins, will then have an opportunity to respond to the Secretary's comments and engage her in conversation on the most pressing contemporary issues dealing with international law.  Topics will include the Bush Administration's policy of preemptive force and the civil liberities/human rights issues posed by the on-going war on terrorism.

The event is scheduled to be broadcast live on C-SPAN and will be available as a webcast at www.asil.org.

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