Max Kampelman

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Max Kampelman (born Max Kampelmacher, November 7, 1920 in New York) is former head of the American delegation to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe. He served as Ambassador to the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe from 1980-1983, Ambassador and Head of the United States Delegation to the Negotiations with the Soviet Union on Nuclear and Space Arms in Geneva from 1985-1989, and as Counselor to the Department of State from 1987-1989. He then rejoined the law firm of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver, & Jacobson LLP, which he is now of counsel.

Kampelman is a member of the board of advisors for the think tank Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA). He is currently co-chair of the American Committee for Peace in Chechnya and a member of the Committee on the Present Danger, a policy institute that favors larger defense budgets and arms buildups. Kampelman received his B.A. from New York University in 1940 and LL.B., also from New York University, in 1947 and an honorary LL.D. from Bates College in 1986.

Kampelman's career started in World War II as a conscientious objector. To fulfill his draft obligation he volunteered for the infamous Minnesota Starvation Experiment at the University of Minnesota undertaken by nutritionist Ancel Keys. Upon completing the one year experiment he renounced pacifism and went on to become a lawyer, diplomat and educator.

On August 11, 1999, President Clinton awarded Mr. Kampelman the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Recently, Kampelman served as a motivating force behind the groundbreaking op-ed "A World Free of Nuclear Weapons," published on January 4, 2007 in the Wall Street Journal by George P. Shultz, Henry Kissinger, Sam Nunn, and William Perry.

[edit] References

• KAMPELMAN, Max M. International Who's Who. accessed September 4, 2006.