ambassadors – Hillary Clinton Speeches

In recent weeks, a growing number of Republican and Democrat public officials have come forward supporting Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. Earlier this month, 75 diplomats signed a letter of support for the Clinton-Kaine ticket, and that number has now grown to 149. Over 90 of the former ambassadors were appointed by Republican presidents. A copy of the letter and the list of the 149 are below:

STATEMENT BY FORMER CAREER AMBASSADORS AND SENIOR STATE DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS
As of September 23, 2016

The undersigned have each previously served the people of the United States as career diplomats in our nation’s Foreign and Civil Services. We have each had the privilege of being nominated by the President, and confirmed by the United States Senate, to represent our nation abroad and at the highest levels of our foreign policy and security organizations.
Together, we have represented the United States as ambassadors in over 55 countries or international organizations. We have hundreds of years of combined service.
As career officers, we have served every President since Harry Truman, and have proudly represented every President since Richard Nixon as ambassadors or senior State Department officials in Senate-confirmed positions. We have served Republican and Democratic Presidents with pride and enthusiasm.
None of us will vote for Donald J. Trump.
Each of us endorses Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. Because the stakes in this election are so high, this is the first time many of us have publicly endorsed a candidate for President.

Very simply, this election is different from any election we can recall. One of the candidates — Donald J. Trump — is entirely unqualified to serve as President and Commander-in-Chief. He is ignorant of the complex nature of the challenges facing our country, from Russia to China to ISIS to nuclear proliferation to refugees to drugs, but he has expressed no interest in being educated.

Indeed he has recently demonstrated he entirely misunderstands and disrespects the role of the very officials who could educate him: the senior career officers of our intelligence services and of our military services (whom he has characterized as “rubble”).

In his frequent statements about foreign countries and their citizens, from our closest friends to our most problematic competitors, Mr. Trump has expressed the most ignorant stereotypes of those countries; has inflamed their people; and has insulted our allies and comforted our enemies.

Shockingly, he has even offered praise and admiration for Vladimir Putin, the leader of Russia whose international activities and reported intrusions into our democratic political process have been among the most damaging actions taken by any foreign leader since the end of World War Two.

We fear the damage that such ineptitude could cause in our closest relationships as well as the succor it might offer our enemies.

By contrast, Hillary Clinton’s handling of foreign affairs has consistently sought to advance fundamental US interests with a deep grounding in the work of the many tens of thousands of career officers on whom our national security depends. Not every one of us has agreed with every decision she made (and the same would be true of every one of her predecessors), but we have profound respect for her skills, dedication, intelligence, and diplomacy.

In this election there is only one team to represent our nation and lead our career foreign policy and security professionals in a manner befitting our role as the world’s sole superpower. Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine are the candidates we support.

Signatories

Morton Abramowitz – Ambassador to Turkey (1989-1991) Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research (1985-1989), and Ambassador to Thailand (1978-1981)
Frank Almaguer – Ambassador to Honduras (1999-2002)
Diego Asencio – Ambassador to Brazil (1983-1986), Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs (1980-1983), Ambassador to Colombia (1977-1980)
Robert L. Barry – Ambassador to Indonesia (1992-1995), and Bulgaria (1981-1984)
Robert M. Beecroft – Ambassador and Head of Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (2001-2004)
Rand Beers – Secretary of Homeland Security (2013), Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security (2013), Under Secretary of Homeland Security for National Protection and Programs (2009-2014)
Eric Benjaminson – Ambassador to Gabon and to Sao Tome & Principe (2010-2013)
John R. Beyrle – Ambassador to Russia (2008-2012), and Bulgaria (2005-2008)
James D. Bindenagel – Ambassador to Germany (1996-1997)
Robert O. Blake – Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs (2009-2013), Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Republic of Maldives (2006-2009), Indonesia (2014-present)
Richard Boucher – Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs (2006-2009), Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs (2001-2005), and Ambassador to Cyprus (1993-1996)
Charles Richard Bowers – Ambassador to Bolivia (1991-1994)
Robert A. Bradtke – Ambassador to Croatia (2006-2009)
Aurelia E. Brazeal – Ambassador to Ethiopia (2002-2005), Kenya (1993-1996), Federated States of Micronesia (1990-1993)
Peter Bridges – Ambassador to Somalia (1984-1986)
Sue K. Brown – Ambassador to Montenegro (2011-2014)
Susan Burk – Special Representative of the President for Nuclear Nonproliferation (2009-2012)
Peter Burleigh – Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Republic of Maldives (1995-1997)
Nicholas Burns – Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2005-2008), Ambassador to NATO (2001-2005), and Greece (1997-2001)
Prudence Bushnell – Ambassador to Guatemala (1999-2002), and Kenya (1996-1999)
Patricia Butenis – Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Republic of Maldives (2009-2012) and Bangladesh (2006-2007)
Johnnie Carson – Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (2009-2013), Ambassador to Kenya (1999-2003), Zimbabwe (1995-1997), Uganda (1991-1994)
Phillip Carter III – Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire (2010-2013), and Guinea (2007-2008)
Carey Cavanaugh – Ambassador/Special Negotiator for Nagorno-Karabakh and New Independent States Regional Conflicts (2000-2001)
Wendy Chamberlin – Ambassador to Pakistan (2001-2002) and Laos (1996-1999)
Asif Chaudhry – Ambassador to Moldova (2008)
Peter Chaveas – Ambassador to Sierra Leone (2001-2004), and Malawi (1994-1997)
Elinor Greer Constable – Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans, Environment, Science and Technology (1993-1995), and Ambassador to Kenya (1986-1989)
Marion Creekmore, Jr. – Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Republic of Maldives (1989-1992)
Ryan Crocker – Ambassador to Lebanon (1990-1993), Kuwait (1994-1997), Syria (1998-2001), Pakistan (2004-2007), Iraq (2007-2009), Afghanistan (2011-2012)
James B. Cunningham – Ambassador to Afghanistan (2012-2014), Israel (2008-2011), United Nations (2001)
Walter L. Cutler – Ambassador to Saudi Arabia (1984-1987, 1988-1989), Tunisia (1982-1984), Ambassador-Designate to the Islamic Republic of Iran (1979), and Ambassador to Zaire (1975-1979)
Jeffrey Davidow – Ambassador to Mexico (1998-2002), Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs (1996-1998), Ambassador to Venezuela (1993-1996), Zambia (1988-1990)
Scott H. DeLisi – Ambassador to Uganda (2012-2015), Nepal (2010-2012), and Eritrea (2004-2007)
Robert S. Dillon – Ambassador to Lebanon (1981-1983)
John R. Dinger – Ambassador to Mongolia (2000-2003)
William A. Eaton – Ambassador to Panama (2005-2008), and Assistant Secretary of State for Administration (2001-2005)
Wesley W. Egan – Ambassador to Jordan (1994-1998), and Guinea-Bissau (1983-1985)
Robert J. Einhorn – Assistant Secretary of State for Nonproliferation (1999-2001)
Nancy Ely-Raphel – Ambassador to Slovenia (1998-2001)
Gregory W. Engle – Ambassador to Togo (2003-2005)
Kenneth J. Fairfax – Ambassador to Kazakhstan (2011-2013)
Robert W. Farrand – Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands (1990-1993)
Judith R. Fergin – Ambassador to Timor-Leste (2010-2013)
Robert P. Finn – Ambassador to Afghanistan (2002-2003), Tajikistan (1999-2001)
David J. Fischer – Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles (1982-1985)
Robert Fitts – Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands (2003- 2006)
Robert S. Gelbard – Ambassador to Indonesia (1999-2001), Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics Matters (1993-1997), Ambassador to Bolivia (1988-1991)
Edward “Skip” Gnehm – Ambassador to Jordan (2001-2004), Australia (2000-2001), Kuwait (1991-1994)
Christopher E. Goldthwait – Ambassador to Chad (1999-2004)
Gordon Gray – Ambassador to Tunisia (2009-2012)
Marc Grossman – Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (2001-2005), Ambassador to Turkey (1995-1997), Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs (1997-2000)
Michael E. Guest – Ambassador to Romania (2001-2004)
John R. Hamilton – Ambassador to Guatemala (2003-2005), and Peru (1999-2002)
Douglas A. Hartwick – Ambassador to Laos (2001-2004)
Maura Harty – Ambassador to Paraguay (1997-1999), Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs (2002-2008)
Patricia McMahon Hawkins – Ambassador to Togo (2008-2011)
Christopher R. Hill – Ambassador to Iraq (2009-2010), Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (2005-2009), Ambassador to South Korea (2004-2005), Poland (2000-2004), and Macedonia (1996-1999)
Karl W. Hofmann – Ambassador to Togo (2000-2002)
Genta H. Holmes – Ambassador to Australia (1997-2000), Director General of the Foreign Service (1992-1995), and Ambassador to Namibia (1990-1992)
Thomas C. Hubbard – Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (2001-2004) and the Philippines (1996-2000)
Franklin Huddle – Ambassador to Tajikistan (2001-2003)
Vicki J. Huddleston – Ambassador to Mali (2002-2005), and Madagascar (1995-1997)
Edmund J. Hull – Ambassador to Yemen (2001-2004)
Cameron R. Hume – Ambassador to Indonesia (2007-2010), Sudan (2005-2007), South Africa (2001-2004), Algeria (1997-2000)
Ravic R. Huso – Ambassador to Laos (2007-2010)
William H. Itoh – Ambassador to Thailand (1995-1999)
Dennis Jett – Ambassador to Peru (1996-1999) and Mozambique (1993-1996)
Linda Jewell – Ambassador to Ecuador (2005-2008)
Elizabeth Jones – Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia (2001-2005), Ambassador to Kazakhstan (1995-1998)
Richard D. Kauzlarich – Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina (1997-1999), and Azerbaijan (1994-1997)
James Keith – Ambassador to Malaysia (2007-2010)
Laura E. Kennedy – Ambassador to the Conference on Disarmament, Geneva (2010-2013), and Ambassador to Turkmenistan (2001-2003)
Thomas C. Krajeski – Ambassador to the Republic of Yemen (2004-2007), Kingdom of Bahrain (2011-2014)
Daniel C. Kurtzer – Ambassador to Israel (2001-2005), Egypt (1998-2001)
Alphonse F. La Porta – Ambassador to Mongolia (1997-2000)
Chris LaFleur – Ambassador to Malaysia (2005-2007)
Edward Gibson Lanpher – Ambassador to Zimbabwe (1991-1995)
Joyce E. Leader – Ambassador to Guinea (1999-2000)
Michael Lemmon – Ambassador to Armenia (1998-2001)
Winston Lord – Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (1993-1997), and Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China (1985-1989)
James G. Lowenstein – Ambassador to Luxembourg (1977-1981)
William H. Luers – Ambassador to Czechoslovakia (1983-1986), and Venezuela (1978-1982)
John F. Maisto – Ambassador to the Organization of American States (2003-2006), Venezuela (1997-2000), and Nicaragua (1993-1996)
Edward Marks – Ambassador to Cape Verde (1977-1980), and Guinea-Bissau (1977-1980)
Niels Marquardt – Ambassador to Madagascar and Comoros (2007-2010), Equatorial Guinea (2004-2006), and Cameroon (2004-2007)
Marshall McCallie – Ambassador to Namibia (1993-1996)
Jackson McDonald – Ambassador to Guinea (2004-2007), The Gambia (2001-2004)
Stephen G. McFarland – Ambassador to Guatemala (2008-2011)
Christopher J. McMullen – Ambassador to Angola (2010-2013)
Michael W. Michalak – Ambassador to Vietnam (2007-2011)
William B. Milam – Ambassador to Bangladesh (1990-1993), and Pakistan (1998-2001)
Richard M. Miles – Ambassador to Georgia (2002-2005), Bulgaria (1999-2002), and Azerbaijan (1992-1993)
Thomas J. Miller – Ambassador to Greece (2001-2004), Bosnia and Herzegovina (1999-2001)
William Green Miller – Ambassador to Ukraine (1993-1998)
Mark C. Minton – Ambassador to Mongolia (2006-2009)
William T. Monroe – Ambassador to Bahrain (2004-2007)
Thomas M. T. Niles – Assistant Secretary of State for European and Canadian Affairs (1991-1993), Ambassador to Greece (1993-1997), European Union (1989-1991), and Canada (1985-1989)
Maurice S. Parker – Ambassador to Swaziland (2007-2009)
Mark Robert Parris – Ambassador to Turkey (1997-2000)
Lynn Pascoe – Ambassador to Indonesia (2004-2007), and Malaysia (1998-2001)
Robert Pearson – Ambassador to Turkey (2000-2003)
Vernon D. Penner – Ambassador to the Republic of Cabo Verde (1986-1990)
Rudolf V. Perina – Ambassador/Special Negotiator for Nagorno-Karabakh and Newly-Independent States Regional Conflicts (2001-2004), and Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova (1998-2001)
June Carter Perry – Ambassador to Sierra Leone (2007-2010), and Lesotho (2004-2007)
Donald K. Petterson – Ambassador to Sudan (1992-1995), Tanzania (1986-1989), and Somalia (1978-1982)
Thomas R. Pickering – Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs (1997-2000), Ambassador to Russia (1993-1996), India (1992-1993), United Nations (1989-1992), Israel (1985-1988), El Salvador (1983-1985), Nigeria (1981-1983), Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (1978-1981), Ambassador to Jordan (1974- 1978)
Steven Pifer – Ambassador to Ukraine (1998-2000)
Joan M. Plaisted – Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands and Kiribati (1995-2000)
Nicholas Platt – Ambassador to Pakistan (1991-1992), Philippines (1987-1991), Zambia (1982- 1985)
Nancy Powell – Ambassador to India (2012-2014), Nepal (2007-2010), Pakistan (2002-2004), Ghana (2001-2002), Uganda (1997-1999)
Phyllis M. Powers – Ambassador to Nicaragua (2012-2015), and Panama (2010-2012)
Charles L. “Jack” Pritchard – Ambassador/Special Envoy for Negotiations with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (2001-2003)
Jon R. Purnell – Ambassador to Uzbekistan (2004-2007)
Robin L. Raphel – Ambassador to Tunisia (1997-2000), Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs (1993-1997)
Elizabeth Raspolic – Ambassador to Gabon (1995-1998)
Charles A. Ray – Ambassador to Zimbabwe (2009-2012), Cambodia (2002-2005)
Robert G. Rich – Ambassador to Belize (1987-1990)
Thomas B. Robertson – Ambassador to Slovenia (2004-2007)
Peter F. Romero – Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs (2001), and Ambassador to Ecuador (1993-1996)
William A. Rugh – Ambassador to the United Arab Emirate (1992-2995), and Yemen (1984-1987)
Howard B. Schaffer – Ambassador to Bangladesh (1984-1987)
Teresita C. Schaffer – Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Republic of Maldives (1992-1995)
James F. Schumaker – OSCE Project Coordinator in Ukraine (2005-2008)
Ints M. Silins – Ambassador to Latvia (1992-1995)
Thomas W. Simons, Jr. – Ambassador to Pakistan (1996-1998) and Poland (1990-1993)
Donald Steinberg – Ambassador to Angola (1995-1998)
Kathleen Stephens – Ambassador to the Republic of Korea (2008-2011)
John Todd Stewart – Ambassador to Moldova (1995-1998)
Gordon L. Streeb – Ambassador to Zambia (1990-1993)
Curtis Struble – Ambassador to Peru (2004-2007)
Patrick Nickolas Theros – Ambassador to Qatar (1995-1998)
Victor L. Tomseth – Ambassador to Laos (1993-1996)
Nicholas Veliotes – Ambassador to Egypt (1984-1986), Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs (1981-1984), and Ambassador to Jordan (1978-1981)
Edward S. Walker, Jr. – Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs (2000-2001), Ambassador to Israel (1997-1999), Egypt (1994-1997), United Arab Emirates (1989-1992)
Lannon Walker – Ambassador to Cote d’Ivoire (1995-1998), Nigeria (1989-1992), Senegal (1985-1988)
James D. Walsh – Ambassador to Argentina (2000-2003)
Alexander F. Watson – Ambassador to Peru (1986-1989), Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs (1993-1996)
Linda E. Watt – Ambassador to Panama (2002-2005)
Pamela A. White – Ambassador to Haiti (2012-2015), and The Gambia (2010-2012)
Ashley Wills – Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Republic of Maldives (2000-2003)
Joseph C. Wilson – Ambassador to Gabon and to Sao Tome and Principe (1992-1995)
Andrew J. Winter – Ambassador to The Gambia (1993-1995)
Frank G. Wisner – Ambassador to India (1994-1997), Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (1993-1994), Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs (1992-1993), Ambassador to the Philippines (1991-1992), Egypt (1986-1991), and Zambia (1979-1982)
Kenneth Yalowitz – Ambassador to Georgia (1998-2001) and Belarus (1994-1997)
John M. Yates – Ambassador to Republics of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea (1998-2001), Republic of Benin (1995-1998), Republic of Cape Verde (1983-1986)
Mary Carlin Yates – Ambassador to Ghana (2002-2005), and Burundi (1999-2002)
Johnny Young – Ambassador to Slovenia (2001-2004), Kingdom of Bahrain (1997-2001), Togo (1994-1997), Sierra Leone (1989-1992)
Stephen M. Young – Ambassador to Kyrgyz Republic (2003-2005)

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News Source: Ambassadors for Clinton