Sunday, March 25, 2001

By Gregory Piatt
Belgium bureau

Gregory Piatt / Stars and Stripes Elephants, the color purple and her friendship with former President Clinton were among the topics that Cynthia Schneider, U.S. ambassador to The Netherlands, talked about on Thursday with fifth- and sixth-grade students at AFNORTH International School.

BRUNSSUM, The Netherlands — As more children filed into the room, those that were already sitting on the floor were told by a teacher they had better have good questions to ask.

The fifth- and sixth-grade students were excited and buzzing about the important person who was going to talk to them. The teacher then inquired what the students would ask the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands.

Then, without any fanfare and looking like one of the school’s teachers, a woman in a purple skirt and pullover sweater appeared in front of the room with the principal of the U.S. section of AFNORTH International School, Robert Nance.

Cynthia Schneider — a professor at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., who was appointed ambassador by the Clinton administration and will be leaving her post this summer — began a two-day visit to Brunssum on Thursday.

She ran with U.S. forces on Friday morning and attended a change of command ceremony at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization base in the southeast corner of the country. On Thursday evening, she delivered a speech later at a formal dinner in honor of Women’s History Month about women serving during war and the courage of women she knows.

But Thursday afternoon was time for inquiring young minds at AFNORTH’s U.S. section to ask questions.

After a brief introduction, Schneider looked out at the 100 kids and said, "What do you want to ask me?"

Small arms shot up from bodies sitting crossed-legged on the floor, and the grilling began.

"What does an ambassador do?" a student asked.

Schneider told the students she represents the United States, the president and the advancement of American ideals. She then asked the students, "What are American ideals?"

They responded: "Freedom." "Justice." "Liberty." "Bravery."

"Yes, you need bravery for those things," said Schneider, who added human rights to the list.

"What exciting things have you done as ambassador?" one boy asked.

"Well, I have never been attacked," Schneider said. "But, I guess the most exciting thing I did was fly in an F-16."

"What’s your favorite color?" a girl asked.

"Purple," replied the former art history professor, who specializes in 17th-century Dutch art.

One student asked Schneider what she dreamed about becoming when she was a kid. The ambassador said she liked studying languages and thought she would do something with the United Nations, but never thought she would be an ambassador.

"Were you surprised about being named an ambassador, and how long have you known President Clinton?" one asked.

"Not really," she answered. "I have known President Clinton for about 20 years since he was governor of Arkansas."

"What will you do when you are not ambassador?" another student asked.

"Unlike a lot of other political appointees, I still have my job at Georgetown," Schneider replied.

The ambassador continued fielding questions on whether she would be president and what famous people she had met. Rock band Bon Jovi got the most oohs and aahs.

As the ambassador finished, she was mobbed by kids searching for autographs. So was her bodyguard.

"The kids really were fantastic," Schneider said afterward. "I was impressed with their thoughtful and bright questions. I should have visited earlier."

Back to March's stories
Page Two news roundup
Stories from February, 2001
Stories from January, 2001
Stories from December, 2000
Stories from November, 2000
Stories from October, 2000
Stories from August and September, 2000
Stories from June and July, 2000
Home