Center for International Affairs Dedicated to Former Ambassador

Author: Caroline Stauffer

On Saturday, Oct. 12, Middlebury's Center for International Affairs was renamed the Felix Rohatyn Center of International Affairs in honor of distinguished Middlebury graduate and the center's benefactor, Felix Rohatyn '49. The alum spoke in a dedication lecture in Mead Chapel Friday evening.
Rohatyn received his bachelor of science degree in physics from Middlebury College in 1949 and currently serves as president of Rohatyn Associates L.L.C., a firm that provides financial advice to corporations. He has served as United States ambassador to France, chairman of the Municipal Assistance Corporation of the state of New York and is a member of the Board of Governors of the New York Stock Exchange. He is currently a commander in the French Legion of Honor and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Rohatyn received his secondary school education in France, but has lived in the United States since 1942.
"It was a refuge as much as an educational institution," Rohatyn said of his Middlebury experience.
He studied physics under Professor of Physics Benjamen Wissler while at Middlebury. Despite Rohatyn's claim that Wissler told him that he would make "a terrible physicist," he recounted an influential piece of advice: "There are an abundance of wrong answers and not many right answers." Rohatyn has found this advice applicable throughout his life and career.
Said President John McCardell of Rohatyn, "His life is a testament of what can happen when one lives one's life as a true global citizen."
Rohatyn's speech on Friday was his second honorable appearance at the College; he was the commencement speaker in 1982 when he received an honorary degree from the College.
His lecture, "American Democracy: Freedom, Fairness, and Wealth," could have been titled, "Iraq, domestic economy and financial scandals," according to Rohatyn.
The first part of his lecture dealt with the United States' plan of action towards Iraq.
"I believe action to support the de-arming of Iraq is justified," Rohatyn said. "How we deal with Iraq, not if we deal with Iraq, will have a profound effect."
He did not, however, believe that the United States is taking enough time to consider the risks of unilateral action without international support or the consequences of an invasion. He pointed out the insensitivity many foreigners have towards the United States, which he noticed during his appointment as ambassador to France.
In his speech, Rohatyn quoted President George W. Bush, "Iraq is an unacceptable security risk that must be eliminated", but added that "unilateral action is also a great risk."
He stressed that the doctine of global military superiority gives the United States much power, but also great responsibility.
He pointed out the surging price of oil, the cost of the war and the larger cost of its aftermath as challenges the government needs to face.
"If this is to be a fight for freedom, we should be told what the costs may be," Rohatyn said.
Rohatyn moved to a discussion of domestic affairs with the statement "a political leader can ask political sacrifice of the people if it is issued fairly but can't ask that sacrifice when internal corruption exists."
"The most important challenge America faces internally is fairness," he insisted.
Rohatyn reaffirmed his support of capitalism but emphasized that capitalism must be fair, regulated and ethical.
"Only capitalists can kill capitalism," he said. "We have convinced foreigners that American capitalism exploits the weak. We may soon convince Americans of this."
Rohatyn was not complimentary of the state of the national economy. "I can't recall a greater gloom in the financial community than at this time," he said, comparing today's state of affairs to the Depression.
He pointed out that, "The foreign trade defect is aggravated by dependence on oil," and the failure of any president to address this issue.
Rohatyn's closing line was, "National security is our most important issue today — but this will require sacrifice. When [this sacrifice] comes, it must be fair."
An opportunity to ask questions was provided after the approximately 30-minute speech, and a reception was held for Rohatyn in Redfield Proctor.