Warm Welcome
The America Times evolves to better turn “swords into ploughshares,” and warmly welcomes the four Honorary Co-Managing Editors: H.E. Harold Adlai Agyeman (PR, Ghana-UNSC), H.E. Mher Margaryan (PR, Armenia) and H.E. Sophia Tesfamariam (PR, Eritrea). In addition, our Honorary Columnist H.E. Milica Pejanovic-Durisic (former P.R. & Minister of Defense of Montenegro), has agreed to serve as such for the Western Balkans. Ranju Batra and I, as Co-Publishers of The America Times, are proud to personally welcome each of them and thank them for enhancing the “public good”: Truth, Honor, and Justice for all.
Two Concerns
This evolution seeks to address two concerns (one real, and the other of perception): the on-going damage done to governance with our “forever campaigns,” especially to democracies; and that every credentialed Permanent Representative believe that s/he has an “equal” access to have their important statement or event published in The America Times – a publication, online and a monthly keepsake with every story published, seen in almost every capital of the world – which in addition to the happenings in the UN and UNSC, also covers major global chess moves by nations big and small. The Op-Eds and Honorary Columnists’ contributions help, with needed policy re-calibration, including, for example, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s “The SCO Samarkand Summit: Dialogue and Cooperation in an Interconnected World” on September 12, 2022, timed for his hosting the Summit three days later, whereat President Xi Jinping publicly told President Vladimir Putin that he had “concerns” about his War, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi famously said: “this is not an era for war.”
Forever Campaigns that Poison Democracies; and Perception Must be of Equal Access
It used to be that to get elected, each politician would highlight the difference between self and others, i.e. divide the electorate by party or issues, and after getting elected, govern from the near-“center” by seeking consensus. That was then, but after the mid-1990’s “rapid response,” regular governance gave way to forever campaigning – even while governing – causing a permanent division in the citizenry today. Politics is trumping governance. Indeed, Senator Joe Manchin recently decried that our nation’s name is the United States of America, not the Divided States of America. To address both concerns, we sent out a “Concept Note” in February to the policymakers, the Permanent Representatives to the United Nation, inviting them to serve as Honorary Co-Managing Editors of The America Times. “This important layer of direct involvement of diplomacy into independent journalism will help capture more of the incrementally elusive nuances hiding in plain sight.” (Concept Note)
Starting with May 2023, The America Times is proud to welcome for UN & UNSC related important statements and events our inaugural Honorary Co-Managing Editors: H.E. Harold Adlai Agyeman (PR, Ghana-UNSC), H.E. Mher Margaryan (PR, Armenia) and H.E. Sophia Tesfamariam (PR, Eritrea). In addition, H.E. Milica Pejanovic-Durisic (former P.R. & Minister of Defense of Montenegro) has agreed to serve as such for the Western Balkans. Here, then, are the C.V. of each Honorary Co-Managing Editor:
H.E. Harold Adlai Agyeman (PR, Ghana-UNSC)
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE
Ambassador Harold Adlai Agyeman formally assumed his present appointment on 21 May 2021 when he presented his Letter accrediting him as Ghana’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations. His diplomatic career spans close to three decades and includes missions to: (a) the Permanent Mission of Ghana to the United Nations in New York, 2000 – 2004; (b) the High Commission of Ghana to India, 2008-2011; and the Embassy of Ghana to Benin, 2014-2018. In both New Delhi and Cotonou, where he served additionally served as Deputy Chief of Mission, he had extended stints as Acting High Commissioner and Chargé d’Affaires respectively.
Ambassador Agyeman is presently Ghana’s representative to the Security Council and serves as Chair of the 2127 Committee, the 1591 Committee and the Security Council Working Group on Peacekeeping. He also serves as the Chair of the Advisory Committee on the United Nations Programme for the Study, Teaching and Wider Dissemination of International Law. He has in the past facilitated a number of negotiations in the Sixth and Fifth Committees of the United Nations General Assembly in addition to serving as the Vice Chair of the 46th session of the Committee on Programme Coordination.
Prior to his latest assignment, Ambassador Agyeman was the Director of Administration of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration between 2019 – 2021. He also served previously as the Director of the African and Regional Integration Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration in addition to other roles as the Personal Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and in the International Organisations and Conferences Bureau, the Policy Planning and Research Bureau and the Finance and Accounts Bureau of the Ministry. He has had engagements on critical continental and regional concerns.
Ambassador Agyeman holds an advanced degree in international affairs, obtained from the Legon Centre for International Affairs of the University of Ghana, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with Philosophy from the University of Ghana. He has participated in several short-term training courses in areas such as diplomacy, peace and security, monitoring and evaluation, arbitration, regional trade facilitation, negotiation of financial transactions, and capital market development and regulation.
Ambassador Agyeman is the author of several articles, as well as the book, “Diplomatic Protocol: A Guide for Ghana Diplomats and Senior Government Officials”. He has three sons and enjoys to read, walk and practice golf in his leisure periods.
H.E. Mher Margaryan (PR, Armenia)
Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Armenia to the United Nations
/short biographical note/
H.E. Mr. Mher Margaryan is the Permanent Representative of Armenia since August 2018.
Prior to being appointed as the Permanent Representative, from 2017 to 2018 Ambassador Margaryan was his country’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations. From 2015 to 2017, he was Minister Plenipotentiary to the Permanent Mission of Armenia to the United Nations Office and other International Organizations in Geneva, Switzerland. From 2006 to 2009, he served as First Secretary in the Embassy of Armenia to the United Kingdom.
He worked as the Head of the European Union Division at Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 2009 to 2015. With Government experience exceeding two decades, he has served in many capacities at Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and at Missions abroad.
Ambassador Margaryan was the Chair of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women for the 64th (2021) and 65th (2022) sessions. Under his leadership, two landmark documents – Political Declaration on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women, and Agreed Conclusions on “Women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls” – were unanimously adopted by CSW64 and CSW65 consecutively.
He served as Vice-President of the Economic and Social Council for its 2020 session, responsible for the Integration segment.
Mr. Margaryan was elected as Chairman of the UN Administrative and Budgetary Committee (Fifth Committee) of the 76th session of the General Assembly (2021-2022). Under his chairmanship the Committee by consensus adopted, among others, the UN Annual Regular and Peacekeeping budget for 2022, and 2022-2024 Scales of Contributions of the Member States.
H.E. Sophia Tesfamariam (PR, Eritrea)
CURRICULUM VITAE Sophia Tesfamariam
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the United Nations
Summary Profile
Global experience in social development- extensive work with youth and women
Conducted over 100 seminars and workshops for youth and women in USA, Europe and Africa
Exemplary Communication and Facilitation skills
Leadership and Strategy development
Strong networks in Africa, Europe, and Australia
Passion for producing possibility mindsets & results for Horn citizens
Published over 1000 articles and reports for various media outlets, and blogs
Co-Editor Diaspora Magazine and America Times
Professional Experience
Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the UN 5 September 2019- Present
Eritrean Mission to the United Nations, NY NY
- Delegate and Representative of Eritrea at several International Conferences and Meetings.
- Guest lecturer at Harvard Kennedy School of Government and University of Pennsylvania
- Executive Board of the International Association of Permanent Representatives
Executive Director,
US Foundation for the Horn of Africa July 2005 – August 2019
Responsible for the overall administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. Extensive outreach and public diplomacy in the Horn of Africa communities. The core mission of US Foundation for the Horn of Africa (USFOA) is to inspire the conversations and actions of Africans in general and Horn residents in particular, to bring stable peace to the region. In partnership with community activists from the region, USFOA developed a strong Horn Diaspora network to inform Policy makers about the Horn of Africa.
Conducted over 100 seminars and workshops in the USA, Europe, Africa and Australia. Participated in Conferences held in North America (USA and Canada), Europe, and Africa
Administrative Assistant
Boeing Company, Leesburg, VA 1998 –2005
Generated company reports, transcribed minutes, responsible for orientation and creation of handbooks and guidelines for new employees, conduct research as needed.
Credentialing Specialist
PHP-Healthcare, Reston, VA 1989 – 1998
Verification of credentials of all health providers in the network for a major insurance company, enforce regulatory compliance and quality assurance. Prepared and maintained reports of credentialing activities such as accreditation, membership or facility privileges for providers in the network.
Education
- Bachelor of Science, (B.Sc.), Business Management, Western International University, Phoenix, Arizona, 1989
H.E. Milica Pejanovic-Durisic
(former P.R. & Minister of Defense of Montenegro)
Milica Pejanović-Đurišić has completed her term as Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Montenegro to UN in July 2021. Before, she served as Minister of Defence in the Government of Montenegro from March 2012 to November 2016, having a leading role in the process of Montenegro’s accession to NATO. Prof. Pejanović-Đurišić was the first Ambassador of independent Montenegro to France, Monaco and UNESCO in the period 2007-2010. From 2004 to 2006, she was Ambassador of the State Union Serbia&Montenegro to Belgium and Luxembourg. Before, Prof. Pejanović-Đurišić was a member of the Parliament (1992-2002) and in one term Chairman of its Committee for Foreign affairs. She was elected Member of the State Presidency (1990-1992) at the first democratic elections in Montenegro.
With the PhD in Telecommunication Engineering, Milica Pejanović-Đurišić continuously pursues her academic carrier as a full professor in Telecommunications and Wireless Communications at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Montenegro, founder and director of its Research Centre for ICT. She has been cooperating with numerous universities, research centers, international and think tank organizations worldwide as a visiting researcher and lecturer. In her research work she is focused on various aspects of wireless communications, with the special emphasis on security of 5G/6G networks.
Currently, she is serving as Chairwoman of the Atlantic Council of Montenegro and its Digital Forensic Lab. Her engagements include participation in the Mediterranean Women Mediators network and steering committees of a number of ICT and cybersecurity related conferences and initiatives.
She has a considerable industry experience being President of the Board of „Telekom Montenegro“ from 1999 to 2002, as well as President of the Board of the first Montenegriin Internet provider (2001-2002). Prof. Pejanović-Đurišić has been working as a consultant in the field of ICTs and as an expert for European Commission and ITU, participating in a number of global professional associations and projects in the field of ICTs.
Prof. Pejanović-Đurišić’s role in fostering digital transformation has been widely recognized, through participation in a number of initiatives focusing on development and deployment of info-communication infrastructures and applications. Experience in security and defence sectors, gained in a specific environment and time, and combined with her expertise in ICTs, resulted in active engagement of Prof. Pejanović-Đurišić in cybersecurity domain. She is working on initiatives leading towards more safe and secure ICT eco-system, so that the conditions for the mitigation of ICT-related security challenges would be created and benefits of global digital transformation on the international security and stability achieved.
Predicate “Concept Note” – Sent February 3, 2023 – to the P.R.s
Reorganizing The America Times by adding Honorary Co-Managing Editors:
by PRs for PRs and member states
Background.
The publication now known as The America Times was reluctantly acquired, and went into operations on September 11, 2021 – the 20th anniversary of when the world stood still in shock – by publishers Ranju Batra and Ravi Batra, the undersigned, to enhance global peace & security, and help turn “swords into ploughshares” by honoring the US Constitution, the binding basis of American Exceptionalism, and the ideals of the UN Charter, which humanity looks to with hope. It’s three operative mission statements are: “Policymakers talking to Policymakers in the Public Square”; “to publish news and commentary – without fear or favor – in the finest tradition of independent journalism”; and “Pages of history made.”
Growing pains.
Some months later, last January 2022, I took on the added responsibility of editor-in-chief, replacing a traditional reporter of 25 years experience who was so serving, to address a structural problem: most reporters are tourists with limited access to “palace politics,” and hence get “played” by the access-giver, while The America Times is a publication “of, by and for” those who reside in the “palace” and are policymakers. For The America Times to fulfill its mission, it must be a Chatham House-like publication for “members only”; a valuable geopolitical policymaking resource, and perceived as an honor to be included as a member of this lofty policymakers club, that seeks to honestly fulfill its obligation to serve humanity and do good for all.
Now, an Issue has arisen: all Policymakers are not getting published in The America Times.
To correct the perception that every policymaker who wishes to be published in The America Times will be published, and that all UN member states are eligible – not just the P5, E10 and some special PRs – when statements and interventions are important to be published to highlight the nuanced issues, The America Times will create the position of Honorary Co-Managing Editor – limited to a minimum of two to a maximum of 5 Permanent Representatives – who will inform all of their role and responsibility, receive remarks with picture from colleagues, and then, as needed, revise the article-headline to crisply identify author, nation, issue and position, and forward to the undersigned for publication. To be a Honorary Co-Managing Editor, one must be a PR/Ambassador; but, once serving as such, one can continue so long as convenient to all. This will, to the extent The America Times is uniquely focused on the UN, make it “of the PRs,” “by the PRs,” and “for the PRs and member states” as they honor the ideals of the UN Charter.
This important layer of direct involvement of diplomacy into independent journalism will help capture more of the incrementally elusive nuances hiding in plain sight.
Who gets to see this exclusive Policymakers-only publication.
While Politics must be public, Policymaking is quiet, as in a quiet corner of the public square, to allow free and open discussion, to permit healthy germination of policy, as a seed does in the soil. To that end, on January 31, 2023, I deleted The America Times Twitter account; indeed, as part of Phase 1, I deleted my Facebook account (with near-maximum followers) and Linkedin account, and made my personal Twitter account private and removed over a 1000 followers (more to be removed), and will continue to prune it down so I can continue to speak freely to Policymakers and effect Policy, while keeping a small number of a representative audience, from press to public, to keep-us-all-honest, and as my dear late great friend District Attorney Bob Morgenthau used to say: “fly straight.”
The goal is to make this publication available on a Policymaker’s Request, which makes clear they are a policymaker, and as such, will be accepted. The website will likewise be transformed to match the needs of an exclusive members-only club doing the public good, while having perpetually vigorous debate and argument about “how,” “what,” “where,” and “why.”
The role of Honorary Co-Managing Editor will maximize the public good in the UN, which I see as the “Vatican of Hope,” and the Ambassadors as “Arch-Angels.”
With warmest regards,
Sincerely,
Ravi Batra
Ravi Batra, Esq.
Ravi Batra, starting September 11, 2021, is a publisher ofThe America Times Company Ltd., and since January 2022, is the Editor-in-Chief. He is a member of the National Press Club, in Washington D.C., and a member of its "Freedom of the Press" and "International Correspondents" Teams/Committees.
A member of the bar since 1981, he is the head of a boutique law firm in Manhattan, The Law Firm of Ravi Batra, P.C., that handles complex constitutional, sovereignty, torture, civil and criminal cases, representing governments, corporates and individuals, with landmark legal victories, including, libel in fiction, in “Batra v. Dick Wolf.” He is Chairman & CEO, Greenstar Global Energy Corp., King Danylo of Galicia International Ltd., Mars & Pax Advisors, Ltd., Chairman of National Advisory Council on South Asian Affairs, and since September 2021, Advisor for Legal and Humanitarian Affairs to the Permanent Mission of Georgia to the United Nations. He is invited by various governments to address High Level Ministerial events, including, on Counter-Terrorism, including, Astana (Nur-Sultan), Dushanbe, Minsk and Delhi. He has testified in Congress as an invitee of the Chair, U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, and interacted with U.S. Department of State from 1984 -1990, and then again, from 2006, during the tenures of Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Rex Tillerson, Mike Pompeo and Antony Blinken.
He has served as Commissioner of New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE), Trustee on New York State IOLA Board, New York State Judicial Screening Committee for the Second Judicial Department, City Bar’s Judicial Committee, Vice-Chair of Kings County Democratic County Committee’s Independent Judicial Screening Committee for the then-2nd Judicial Department of Brooklyn and Staten Island, Chair of NYSTLA’ Judicial Independence Committee, with many more bar leadership roles, including, NYSBA’s House of Delegates for four years. He has served as Advisor for Legal & Human Rights Affairs to the Permanent Mission of Ukraine post-annexation of Crimea till 2021, and Legal Advisor to numerous nations’ permanent missions to the U. N. since 2009, including, India, Pakistan, Honduras and Malta. He has served: as Global Special Counsel to The Antonov Company in Ukraine, a state-owned company, and was registered with the Justice Dept pursuant to FARA; and as Special Global Advisor to Rector/President of both - National Aviation University of Ukraine and National Technical University of Ukraine/KPI. He remains involved in geopolitics and public policy since the mid-1980's, starting with being on House Speaker Tip O’Neill’s Speaker’s Club and appointed member of NACSAA during President Ronald Reagan’s tenure. In 1988, he was part of U.S. Attorney General Ed Meese’s Delegation to Japan to resolve bilateral trade imbalance. He regularly interacts with the multilateral diplomatic community, and during the High Level UNGA Debate, with heads of State/Government. He is sought for his views as a speaker and writer.