Former Ambassador Warren Clark named executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace

November 16, 2007 [Episcopal News Service] Former Ambassador and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Warren Clark has been named executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP). Clark, an Episcopalian who attends St. Columba's Church in Washington, D.C., succeeds Corinne Whitlatch who has led CMEP for 21 years.

"Warren Clark brings to CMEP a distinguished diplomatic career and a deep commitment to the churches' role in addressing problems and resolving conflicts," said Maureen Shea, chair of the Churches for Middle East board and director of Government Relations for the Episcopal Church. "His understanding of the complexity of both the region and the development and implementation of U.S. foreign policy will serve CMEP well in the days and years ahead. He will be able to build on the extraordinary work of Corinne Whitlatch, who has built CMEP into a respected voice for U.S. policies that recognize the painful realities of the Middle East while serving the cause of justice for all of its people."

Clark began his career in the Foreign Service in Aleppo, Syria and has served in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Canada, and at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. Following his retirement from the State Department he worked as a private consultant and received a Master of Theological Studies degree from Virginia Theological Seminary. Clark speaks French and eastern Arabic.

As executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace, Clark will oversee all aspects of CMEP's work. CMEP is a coalition of 22 public policy offices of Anglican, Orthodox, Protestant, and Catholic churches and agencies. It seeks to maintain an ongoing dialogue with Congress, the Administration and the diplomatic community, to advance the cause of peace through constructive United States policy toward the Middle East. CMEP is dedicated to the pursuit of a just resolution of the Arab-Israeli conflict and to other disputes that affect the region.

"I feel honored to be asked to lead this strong organization built by Corinne Whitlatch," said Clark. "There is renewed attention now to the need for peace with security and justice in the Arab-Israeli conflict, as well as recognition that in 2009 a new U.S. Administration and Congress will decide how it will understand and address the pressing problems of the region. I believe CMEP can and should play a significant role in helping to shape that understanding and encourage progress towards a lasting peace."

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