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[1:43] ..." in the State Department. As a leading member of secretary of state Condoleezza rice's senior management team. We just learned today that -- secretary of of state rice has been in Baghdad. And we're hearing now not all of the information but some details that they are working out a deal to keep American troops in Iraq beyond 2008. We're also hearing though that US troops can get out of the cities they -- in less than"...
[2:38] ..." borders. That process has to go forward. Obviously it's right to keep American troops beyond. This calendar year. But I would hope we could the schedules to bring them home as quickly as possible I think"...
[4:19] ..." lot of ways ground zero in the war on terrorism that's where Al Qaeda is that where the Taliban are. It's also a nuclear arms state highly unstable. And so working effectively with this new government post which -- is going to be priority number one. But also gave the Pakistani government to do much better job would be much more tough minded in trying to limit the Taliban Al Qaeda in fact to go after them. That's critically important what we're trying to do in Afghanistan which is next door in our"...
[6:03] ..." Service has served in West Africa and -- opinions are -- Middle East my wife. Children in Egypt and Israel. We have the chance to serve as well in Greece where our ambassador and in"...
[0:00]" I'm speaking with former US diplomat Nicholas burns who's just been appointed to the Harvard Kennedy school faculty thanks so much for being here on WBZ radio ambassador it's a pleasure. A little bit about this new post obviously the Kennedy school is prestigious. Around the world you must be thrilled."
[0:17]" I am thrilled I'm really I'm very much honored to join the Harvard faculty. I was a diplomat for 27 years -- various administrations Republican and Democrat democratic thought it was time. To retire and and make it change and -- I've always wanted to teach I'm from the Boston area and so Harvard that job was against it."
[0:35]" What are you teaching exactly."
[0:37]" I'm going to teach American foreign policy in international politics I'm going to. Lifelong diplomat I have some experience -- I hope to impart to the students but I have a lot to learn as well but -- focus on. The role the United States have to play in the world today as the global leader in the increasingly complicated time and we see countries like China Russia. And India a rising to power and how it might meant that to protect our own interest but also would be consistent world."
[1:03]" It's interesting though how do you go from being ambassador burns to professor burns how do you make that transition."
[1:09]" Our election now -- make the transition to Labor Day. Italy usually difficult professor -- you know Harvard is without don't think any questions premier. Educational institution in the world premiere university. I'm honored to be there Harvard -- great faculty at the Kennedy school of government and -- the job of the faculty affairs Friday cocaine into the student's desire for public service. A desire to make our country and countries around the world there -- lots foreign students. Better more effective and so I'm I'm very anxious to join that effort."
[1:41]" Ambassador burns you're the third ranking official in the State Department. As a leading member of secretary of state Condoleezza rice's senior management team. We just learned today that -- secretary of of state rice has been in Baghdad. And we're hearing now not all of the information but some details that they are working out a deal to keep American troops in Iraq beyond 2008. We're also hearing though that US troops can get out of the cities they -- in less than a year. What do you think should be done there."
[2:11]" Well I think Iraq is going to be perhaps the number one challenge obviously for the next American president 2009. We have a major national obligation with 130000. Troops with enormous sacrifice that we may I think that the imperative should be. To try to begin to reduce the level of US troops to bring our men and women home. And the same time try to help the Iraqis make sure they can stand up and our place take control of their own streets protect their own borders. That process has to go forward. Obviously it's right to keep American troops beyond. This calendar year. But I would hope we could the schedules to bring them home as quickly as possible I think that the hope in the book both Obama and McCain -- two presidential candidate but to do such a way. That Iraq is not destabilize the process and that we media obligations that we made in that country."
[3:03]" We've learned that the US has struck a deal with Poland a deal for ten interceptors. To be placed not far from the Russian border. The Russians are not happy about this and given the at the tenor of the conflict in the republic of Georgia should we be worried about this."
[3:19]" Well I think the situation in Georgia is very worrisome Russia has has has across the border invaded Georgia occupied georgians. And violated the country's sovereignty George is an Independent country. The democratically elected government shouldn't be treated this way. And so I think it's very important that that the European nations first and foremost because they live there but also the United States Canada and happens and the -- you've got to withdraw completely he got to play by the rules and were not in view countenance this any way shape or form. I don't think that's been. That master's consent will have to -- and a couple of days whether. The Russian government is true to the commitments made to bring all those troops outside of Georgia."
[4:02]" Turning to Pakistan. With President Musharraf stepping down obviously there's a political vacuum. What do you see happening there in the near future."
[4:11]" We know I think this is another one of those great great difficult problems the next president Carter's hair inherent Pakistan is. In a lot of ways ground zero in the war on terrorism that's where Al Qaeda is that where the Taliban are. It's also a nuclear arms state highly unstable. And so working effectively with this new government post which -- is going to be priority number one. But also gave the Pakistani government to do much better job would be much more tough minded in trying to limit the Taliban Al Qaeda in fact to go after them. That's critically important what we're trying to do in Afghanistan which is next door in our troops in Afghanistan now of course are confronting him and necessary. That goes back and forth between -- and Afghan along the Afghan Pakistan border so. Along with Iraq. And it ran. I would think Pakistan would be in the first five. Foreign policy challenges that he the president Obama or president McCain. It's going to -- January 20 of next year."
[5:10]" Given your rich background do you see yourself playing a role even behind the scenes. In the next administration. In May be giving some guidance to the administration in these world hot spots."
[5:24]" Well you know I I I spent 27 years three months in nine days I was scanning government and and so I think it's time to take a break from government and I'm anxious to go to Harvard -- Planned to be there for for many years. But obviously opportunities to speak out on foreign policy issues and tend to be and to be public in the certain amount -- I don't I don't I did not see myself playing a role. -- administration's future."
[5:47]" Line again for our listeners some of you or your background in diplomacy. Where usurped if you could."
[5:54]" Sure well I was I was a career diplomat a group of wealthy Massachusetts and graduate -- Boston College in and went from there. In the United States Forest Service has served in West Africa and -- opinions are -- Middle East my wife. Children in Egypt and Israel. We have the chance to serve as well in Greece where our ambassador and in NATO ambassador. And I spent some time in Washington working for the first President Bush president George HW bush father of the current president and President Clinton. And advise them on Russian affairs has spent five years at the White House. When the Soviet Union itself and when all those new countries came into being in 1991. It was exciting period so. Had. I haven't had a wonderful career -- very very grateful for the opportunity I had to serving government. And I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. The the opportunity to live overseas to learn foreign languages to represent our country. Overseas was something in my family and I value very very much."
[6:54]" You've lived such an exciting life and played such at a pivotal role. In in US history. And and shaping world history to some extent did you ever imagine your life would turn out this way."
[7:06]" Well like growing up in Wellfleet. You know back in the 1960s and seventies there weren't a lot of people who travel overseas than. I have that opportunity early on the school's student in college students are grateful for. You know I'm I'm just among thousands of people. Who served on our country -- others diplomats and of course there are millions who served as soldiers and the people I really respect the people who. Are on the front lines are young kids in Afghanistan and many women -- should -- Afghanistan and Iraq I respect them and really honor their service because I -- a lot of people listening probably have relatives. In either of those places Afghanistan or Iraq and I can tell you. A lot of us such as profoundly grateful that they made that they've volunteered to serve and inserting such distinctions and are the people I'm really."
[7:53]" Spoken like a true diplomat giving them onto others and we appreciate your humility and your expertise Nicholas burns thank you so much for being here on WBZ radio and question."
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