Press release
3 November 2007
 

General Colin Powell speaks at NBK's Symposium on "Opportunity and Crisis in the Middle East"

General Colin L. Powell, USA (Retired), former US Secretary of State (2001-2005), is to pay a visit to the State of Kuwait as Guest of Honor of the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) on 18 November, 2007.  General Powell will deliver a keynote speech entitled "Opportunity and Crisis in the Middle East" at NBK's international symposium, which will address the latest developments and challenges facing the Middle East. The event will bring together a host of prominent public and business figures.

Highlighting the importance of General Colin Powell's visit to Kuwait, NBK's Vice Chairman, Nasser Al Sayer, said that it was a great honor for the Bank to be able to welcome General Powell to Kuwait where he will share with a select audience his perspective on the issues likely to shape the future prospects of the region and give some insight into the latest international developments, as well as their ramifications on the Middle East.

Mr. Al Sayer stressed that this event will afford NBK's guests from the political and business arena a unique opportunity to meet a renowned international figure and discuss with him the most important political issues affecting the Middle East.

General Powell has enjoyed a long, visible and highly distinguished career in the world of international politics which has earned him respect and popularity both on the domestic and foreign front.  Prior to being appointed Secretary of State in 2001, he spent 35 years in the US military, where he occupied many prominent positions, the last of which was Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under the Bush and Clinton administrations.

As Secretary of State, Gen. Powell led the State Department in major efforts to solve regional and civil conflicts – in the Middle East, between Israel and its Arab neighbors; in Sudan, Congo and Liberia; in the Balkans, Cyprus, Haiti, Northern Ireland and elsewhere.

General Powell, who is also a veteran of the Vietnam War, earned his international reputation as a result of the crucial role he played as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during the first Gulf War which liberated Kuwait.

He also served as key aide to the Secretary of Defense and National Security Advisor to President Ronald Reagan.

During his long tenure in the various front line positions he held, General Powell oversaw the handling of more than 28 international crises, including the Panama Intervention in 1989.