The Department of Defense announced today that Dr. Alvin H.
Bernstein, director of the George C. Marshall European Center for
Security Studies, is leaving the Marshall Center to ac-accept a
position at the National Defense University in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Bernstein has been director the of the Marshall Center since
June 1, 1993.
Deputy Secretary of Defense John P. White, said, "I want to
thank Al Bernstein for the key role he played in establishing the
Marshall Center. The Center is instrumental in helping to
educate military officers and civilians from the former Soviet
Union and Warsaw Pact countries in the value of democracy and the
mechanics of running a military under civilian control."
The Department also announced that Lt. Gen. (Ret.) John P.
Otjen is being appointed as American deputy director of the
Marshall Center. Gen. Otjen served in the US Army for more than
31 years, retiring from active duty in 1995. His last active
duty assignment was Commanding General, First United States Army,
Ft. George G. Meade, Md. A second deputy director is provided by
the German government.
The George C. Marshall Center was established in 1993 to
respond to the new security challenges that emerged at the end of
the Cold War, specifically, to promote stability in Europe by
helping the nations of Central Europe and the former Soviet Union
to develop democratic institutions. The Marshall Center's
mission is to foster the development of defense institutions and
security structures compatible with democratic processes and
civilian control.
An interim director for the Marshall Center will be named
shortly. The Department of Defense will form a search committee
to nominate candidates for a replacement for Dr. Bernstein.
