Back in the United States, Sigur returned to the University of Michigan where he earned the B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. in History, concentrating in Far Eastern history. He met Estelle Smotrys, a nursing student, while pursuing his doctorate and the two were married prior to him completing his studies.
After graduating he worked with The Asia Foundation from 1956 to 1959 and as a research scholar at Sophia University in Tokyo from 1959 to 1961. In 1962, Sigur moved his family to Afghanistan where he served as The Asia Foundation representative to Afghanistan until 1966; after which he continued his work for The Asia Foundation in Japan and San Francisco. In 1972, he became professor of international affairs and director of the Institute of Sino-Soviet Studies at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
A key foreign policy goal of the Reagan Administration was the promotion of democracy abroad.[2] In accordance with this goal, Sigur pushed for more openness and a transition to democracy in Asia-Pacific nations throughout his tenure as Assistant Secretary of State. In applying this mandate he brought a cautious approach to diplomacy, which was based on his extensive knowledge of the cultural sensitivities and history of the East. This approach, colleagues have noted,[3] allowed him to argue his points with foreign diplomats without offending them; which made him an influential and effective negotiator. However, others have criticized him for not taking a more bold and innovative stance towards foreign governments.[3]
In 1987, the authoritarian government of South Korea was facing a constitutional crisis which Sigur helped nudge towards democracy. He delivered a speech in February 1987 expressing American support for a transition to democracy under a "new political framework," urging South Korea to "civilianize" its military-controlled government. This speech was made without the approval of Secretary of State Shultz, who at first distanced himself from the strong language and progressive policy laid out by Sigur, but soon after adopted it as Washington's official policy towards Seoul.[4]
As President Reagan’s envoy to Seoul in the midst of the June Democracy Movement,[5] Sigur applied key diplomatic pressure on the South Korean government to keep it from instituting martial law or a military coup,[6] eventually leading to open elections and a transition to democracy.
Other efforts with the Reagan administration
During his time in office, Sigur sought trade concessions from Japan which included improved access to and openness in the Japanese market,[7] a correction of the yen-dollar exchange rate, and other economic issues.[8] He was heavily involved in U.S. diplomatic work with the government of the Philippines in their transition to democracy[9] and subsequent struggles with communist rebel groups.[10] He was also involved in talks with the Soviet Union concerning the withdrawal of Vietnamese troops from Cambodia[11] and he worked to continue the liberalizing trend in Taiwan.
While promoting political openness and democracy in Asian nations throughout his career with the Reagan Administration, Sigur also sought to promote and encourage economic growth and open markets in the region. While conceding that the manufactured goods produced by cheap labor and the raw material exports of the region would pose serious competition to American companies, he argued that if economic growth is accompanied by openness in East Asian markets, it would contribute to regional political stability and ultimately to U.S. security.[8]
Iran–Contra affair
Sigur was questioned extensively by joint Congressional committees (Congressional Committees Investigating The Iran-Contra Affair) for his knowledge relating to the Iran-Contra affair. Members of Congress examined his interactions with Colonel Oliver North and other individuals who were named as being interested in providing financial assistance to the Nicaraguancontras. Although Sigur did engage his contacts[12] (e.g. Taiwan[13]) as requested by other Reagan Administration officials, he was not aware of any illicit activities between the United States government and the contras, nor did he comply with the illegal transfer of money to the contras.[14]
Later life
At the close of the Reagan presidency, Sigur returned to George Washington University in 1989 as Distinguished Professor of East Asian studies. He advised President George H. W. Bush on Asian affairs, accompanying the president on his trip to China. As a political conservative and highly respected authority on East Asia and the Pacific, he continued to serve the RepublicanWhite House as a part-time adviser throughout Bush’s presidency.
In 1991, in recognition for his profound impact and mark on American international policy towards East Asia, the Gaston Sigur Center for Asian Studies at George Washington University was named in his honor.[15] Sigur served as senior consultant of the Center until his death.
^Oberdorfer, Don (2001). The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History. Basic Books. p. 166. ISBN0-465-05162-6.
^Katsiaficas, George (2012). Asia's Unknown Uprisings Volume 1: South Korean Social Movements in the 20th Century. PM Press. p. 278. ISBN978-1-60486-457-1.
^Kondracke, Morton (June 22, 1987). "Seoul Searching". The New Republic.
^Report of the Congressional Committees Investigating the Iran-Contra Affair, Appendix B, Volume 25 - Depositions. 1987.
^"About Us". The Sigur Center for Asian Studies. The George Washington University.
Further reading
[1] Kennedy, Charles. "Interview with Gaston J. Sigur Jr., April 24, 1990". The Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection of the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training. The Library of Congress.
