Otto F. Kernberg, new president-elect of the IPA, and Charles M.T. Hanly, whom he narrowly defeated, called for reconciliation after an emotional outpouring by members from around the world in protest over the conduct of the recent election. At the August 2 Business Meeting of the San Francisco Congress, Kernberg promised to dedicate himself “to fulfill the trust” of those who voted for him and “to win the trust” of those who did not.“ This would seem little comfort to supporters of Hanly, who lost the election, after an intense and at times bitter campaign, by only 127 of the 3,701 votes counted.
President R. Horacio Etchegoyen, himself reelected to a second term, noted that many IPA members were concerned about the circumstances of the election. He announced the decision of the Executive Council to appoint a committee to study and consider the election process and to recommend reforms and changes in practice. This year's election marked the first time ever that mail ballots were used in a presidential election, an effort to increase the participation of members around the world.
Since previous IPA elections have been held on site at the meetings, most of the campaigning has been limited to those few days, according to Etchegoyen. The decision to vote by mail—first implemented two years ago—necessitated a new style of politics: for this election, candidates began their campaigns many months ahead, since they were eager to establish bases of support, to make themselves known to members around the world, and to press their respective visions of the IPA's future. Efforts included personal calls and visits, position statements, letters of support, strategic and tactical planning, and even some alleged “dirty tricks.” At the height of the campaign, letters, faxes, and E-mail flowed fast in both directions, with supporters voicing charges and countercharges, hurt feelings, and increasingly angry invective.
In the words of the many IPA members who spoke at the Business Meeting, the campaign became one of “vicious rumors,” “mudslinging,” and “reputation damaging”; one member called it “a peculiarly American event.” Although more members by far voted in this election than ever before, it was reported that a number of analysts, in all three regions, withheld their votes in protest. Some reported shock and disappointment at the maligning of respected and beloved senior analysts, even as they felt unclear where each stood with respect to issues. Some decried the part played by members of the Executive Council and pointed to the need for specific rules and reform.
According to the speakers, problems arose both in the conduct of the campaign and in the election procedures. Particularly at issue were several points. Hanly's supporters insisted on characterizing Kernberg as complicit in a pact and attitude of secrecy within the Executive Council. (Secrecy concerning the proceedings was in fact an explicit rule of the Executive Council.) A second point of contention was a letter circulated in support of Kernberg that bore the signatures of four IPA past presidents and implied as well the support of the current president and immediate past president. (Such an endorsement by seated members of the Executive Council would violate IPA rules.)
Although there was general agreement that a committee should be appointed to look into the election, members disagreed whether the charge to the committee should be to “investigate,” a wording that might suggest a search for blame, or whether the committee should “study and consider” the election. It was decided that the committee would develop rules and guidelines regarding electoral procedures. Many speakers urged the healing of wounds. Finally, Hanly, Kernberg, and Etchegoyen brought the discussion to a close, as each turned to the need of the organization to reconcile and move on.
Consensus seemed clear concerning the need for greater openness within the organization and the desire for further democratization. Etchegoyen, who noted that he has already moved the IPA significantly toward those goals, assured the meeting that no member of the Executive Council would serve on the committee to establish electoral guidelines and procedures, and that appointments to the committee would be subject to approval by both Kernberg and Hanly. Etchegoyen also announced that minutes of the Executive Council will hereafter be circulated to the societies, thus ending the rule of secrecy.
Robert L. Tyson will serve as secretary when Kernberg takes office in two years, Stephen K. Firestein was elected treasurer, and Harold P. Blum, Ethel S. Person, and David M. Sachs were elected vice-presidents for North America. The membership ratified the appointment of Adam Limentani and Leo Rangell as honorary vice-presidents.
Kenneth Calder reported on the difficulty his committee has experienced in finding candidates for IPA office; several are still needed for Latin American and North American offices for the 1997 election. He expressed his gratitude to Firestein, who agreed to run for IPA treasurer and, if elected, to resign his post as treasurer of The American, and to Etchegoyen, who agreed to run for a second two-year term as president.
The House of Delegates, a new IPA body established by the Meeting of Members at the 1993 Amsterdam Congress, met for the first time in London in the summer of 1994. It convenes twice yearly. In San Francisco, where it met for the third time, its official status was consolidated by means of a bylaw ratification and inclusion in the IPA budget. The house has twenty-seven delegates, nine from each region, who represent the component societies and their presidents, thereby giving them a more direct voice in the organization. The House also provides a forum for the discussion of issues of interest to the societies. At this point it plays only a consultative role to the Executive Council, but each regional group of nine will elect one of its members to sit on the Executive Council with full voting rights. The House structure has been established, but details of its functions continue to be worked out. The House is supported partly by IPA contributions and partly by the component societies.
Peter Fonagy gave his final report as IPA treasurer. He noted that a combination of increased income (mainly from dues), decreased staff costs, improved financial control systems, and the improved tax status of the IPA within the United Kingdom had allowed him to set aside reserve funds. From zero reserves in 1989, when he took office, the IPA has been able to accumulate three million dollars in reserves by the end of 1994. Currently, Fonagy reported, most costs are administrative.
In response to a request from International Psychoanalysts Against Nuclear Weapons, IPA members approved a resolution to oppose French President Jacques Chirac's decision to resume nuclear testing.
In an impressive welcoming ceremony, the Los Angeles Institute and Society for Psychoanalytic Studies (LAISPS), the Caracas Psychoanalytic Society, and the Cordoba Psychoanalytic Society were accepted as full component societies of the IPA.