WASHINGTON--The United States Institute of Peace announced today the launch of an important new initiative that will examine the opportunities and challenges facing the United States in its relations with the Muslim world, from Africa to Southeast Asia.

The Institute's "Special Initiative on the Muslim World" will address a broad range of political, social, cultural and religious questions, many of which have come to light in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11. Drawing on the institute's unique strengths and a decade of substantial work in training, human rights promotion, education, interfaith dialogues and the rule of law, the Special Initiative will explore approaches to increasing the prospects for long-term understanding between the Western and Islamic worlds. It also will develop crisis management strategies for dealing with and resolving conflicts in this region including fostering and engaging in "track two" dialogues among key parties.

The initial focus of the initiative will be on Israeli-Palestinian conflict and developments in South and Southeast Asia. The initiative will publicize its work and findings through Special Reports and other publications, as well as through seminars, conferences and other public events. Institute Senior Fellows and grantees will undertake work associated with the initiative.

We are particularly pleased to announce that Ambassador Richard D. Kauzlarich will be directing this new initiative.

Ambassador Kauzlarich is a former career Foreign Service officer. He served as U.S.ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (1997-1999), and Azerbaijan (1994-1997). He was senior deputy to the secretary's and the president's special representative to the Newly Independent States (NIS) from 1993-1994. And he was deputy assistant secretary of State in the Bureau of European Affairs (1991-1993) responsible for relations with the former Soviet Union and economic ties with EU and OECD countries. Ambassador Kauzlarich has also served as deputy assistant secretary of state for international organization affairs (1984-1986) where he was in charge of the technical and specialized agencies of the United Nations. He was also deputy director of the State Department's Policy Planning Staff (1986-1989), handling global and international economic issues. In addition to his ambassadorial assignments, Kauzlarich served at American Embassies in Togo, Ethiopia, and Israel. In December 2001, the Century Foundation published his report "Time for Change? U.S. Policy in the Transcaucasus." Kauzlarich received his B.A. from Valparaiso University and M.A.'s from Indiana University and the University of Michigan.

The United States Institute of Peace is an independent, nonpartisan institution established and funded by Congress. Its goals are to help prevent and resolve violent international conflicts, promote post-conflict stability and development, and increase conflict management capacity, tools, and intellectual capital worldwide. The Institute does this by empowering others with knowledge, skills, and resources, as well as by directly engaging in peacebuilding efforts around the globe.