| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
CONTACT: GEORGIA ECONOMOU |
| August
23,
2005—No. 74 |
(202)
785-8430 |
CHARLES W. MCCASKILL, SR.
1923-2005
We are deeply
saddened at the passing on August 13, 2005 of Charles W. McCaskill,
Sr., a distinguished retired foreign officer and friend who served
in Thessaloniki Greece, 1957–60, in Cyprus, 1960–64, and as the
Cyprus Desk officer at the Department of State, 1965–67. His last
overseas posting was in Athens, Greece, 1978–82. He joined the
Foreign Service in 1947 and was the first Greek language trainee
in the State Department. He also served in Tehran, Iran, in Bombay,
India and was Consul General in Madras, India. He and Ambassador
Taylor G. Belcher served together in Cyprus in the early years of
Cypriot independence in the 1960’s.
“Charlie” McCaskill
was noted for his understanding of Cyprus, its people, culture, and
civilization. As an American diplomat he displayed unique sensitivity
about the political dynamics that affected Greece and Cyprus. Even
after his retirement from the Foreign Service, he never lost interest
in the two countries he came to know so well.
His contribution
in the discussion of American policy toward Greece and Cyprus showed
the clarity of his thinking and the honesty of his opinions, even
as his health declined. “Charlie” honored us with his participation
in conferences on U.S. policy towards Greece and Cyprus. The American
Hellenic Institute volume The United States and Cyprus—Double Standards
and the Rule of Law includes two insightful papers on Greece and
Cyprus. His first paper titled: “U.S.- Greek Relations and the Problems
of the Aegean and Cyprus” was delivered on April 29, 1988. His second
paper titled: “Cyprus—Twenty-Five Years Later: A Diplomat Looks
Back,” was delivered on January 28, 1989. Both papers are pertinent
today and should be required reading for persons involved or interested
in U.S.—Greece and U.S.—Cyprus relations.
He will be greatly missed
by all of us who knew him for so many years. We extend our deepest
sympathy to his wife Jacqueline and family—Charles W. McCaskill
Jr., and his wife, Norma, Stephen H. McCaskill and his wife, Holly
and grandson, Jared W. McCaskill. Eternal be his memory. ###
For additional information, please contact Georgia Economou at (202)
785-8430 or georgia@ahiworld.org.
For general information regarding the activities of AHI, please view our
Web site at http://www.ahiworld.org.
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