You are cordially invited to a talk to be given by Mr Ted Lapkin, entitled, 'A Few Bad Men: Guantanamo Bay and the Geneva Conventions'. Ted Lapkin is a prolific political commentator. After serving as a combat intelligence officer with the Israeli Defence Force, Ted returned to America, his country of birth, where he was the Communications Director for high-profile Republican Congressman Rick Lazio. Ted moved to Melbourne in 2002 and is now Associate Editor of The Review. His work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Washington Times, The Australian, The Age, the Australian Financial Review, Quadrant, and many other publications.
The approach the US has taken towards foreign nationals detained during the war on terror, particularly those picked up in Afghanistan during the war against the Taliban, has been hotly debated. Detaining such individuals in Guantanamo Bay and other places, the US has maintained that they fall into the category of 'foreign combatants' who are beyond the authority of the Geneva Conventions. This controversial assertion excites passionate debate, particularly where Australian nationals such as David Hicks and Mamdouh Habib are concerned. Ted Lapkin will argue that the Geneva Conventions do not apply to such individuals.
The talk will be held :-
at 6:30pm, on Wednesday 27th October 2004
at Bell's Hotel and Brewery
157 Moray Street South Melbourne
(Corner of Coventry Street)
Melway ref:- 2K E1
The hotel management would be appreciative if guests availed themselves of the opportunity to purchase a meal and/or drinks at the bar between 6:30 pm and 7:00pm. The talk will commence at 7:30 PM in the upstairs function room.
Such a topical and controversial talk is sure to generate a lively debate and unexpected perspectives. As always, there will be ample opportunity to ask questions and make comments at the conclusion of the talk.
