Ambassador of the United States to Solomon Islands | |
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Nominator | The President of the United States |
Inaugural holder | Paul Fisher Gardner as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. |
Formation | July 7, 1978 |
Website | U.S. Embassy - Port Moresby |
U.S. diplomatic terms |
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Career FSO After 1915, The United States Department of State began classifying ambassadors as career Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) for those who have served in the Foreign Service for a specified amount of time. Political appointee A person who is not a career foreign service officer, but is appointed by the president (often as a reward to political friends). Appointed The date that the ambassador took the oath of office; also known as "commissioning". It follows confirmation of a presidential appointment by the Senate, or a Congressional recess appointment by the president. In the case of a recess appointment, the ambassador requires subsequent confirmation by the Senate to remain in office. Presented credentials The date that the ambassador presented his letter of credence to the head of state or appropriate authority of the receiving nation. At this time the ambassador officially becomes the representative of his country. This would normally occur a short time after the ambassador's arrival on station. The host nation may reject the ambassador by not receiving the ambassador's letter, but this occurs only rarely. Terminated mission Usually the date that the ambassador left the country. In some cases a letter of recall is presented, ending the ambassador's commission, either as a means of diplomatic protest or because the diplomat is being reassigned elsewhere and replaced by another envoy. Chargé d'affaires The person in charge of the business of the embassy when there is no ambassador commissioned to the host country. Ad interim Latin phrase meaning "for the time being", "in the meantime". |
The United States of America opened an embassy in Honiara, Solomon Islands from July 7 1978 following recognition of the independent Solomon Islands by the United States, but this closed in 1993, reopening on 2 February 2023. [2] During the ten year closure, U.S. interests in Solomon Islands were handled by the United States Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, the United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea being also accredited to Solomon Islands. [3] [4]
Name | Title | Appointed | Terminated Mission | Notes |
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Mary S. Olmsted – Career FSO [3] | Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | January 5, 1976 | July 28, 1979 | |
Harvey J. Feldman – Career FSO | September 26, 1979 | May 25, 1981 | ||
M. Virginia Schafer – Career FSO | November 3, 1981 | May 20, 1984 | ||
Paul Fisher Gardner – Career FSO | September 7, 1984 | October 1, 1986 | ||
Everett E. Bierman – Career FSO | November 11, 1986 | October 30, 1989 | ||
Robert William Farrand – Career FSO | May 1, 1990 | September 13, 1993 | ||
Richard W. Teare – Career FSO | November 23, 1993 | July 14, 1996 | ||
Arma Jane Karaer – Career FSO | April 15, 1997 | May 28, 2000 | ||
Susan S. Jacobs – Career FSO | November 7, 2000 | August 1, 2003 | ||
Robert W. Fitts – Career FSO | September 11, 2003 | September 5, 2006 | ||
Leslie V. Rowe – Career FSO | November 15, 2006 | July 11, 2009 | ||
Teddy B. Taylor – Career FSO [5] | November 16, 2009 | October 6, 2012 | ||
Walter E. North – Career FSO | January 31, 2013 | January 26, 2016 | ||
Catherine Ebert-Gray – Career FSO | April 14, 2016 | November 17, 2019 | ||
Erin Elizabeth McKee – Career FSO | January 27, 2020 | April 14, 2022 | ||
Russell Comeau - Career FSO | Chargé d'Affaires ad interim | February 2, 2023 | Incumbent | US Embassy reopened on February 2, 2023 |
Ambassadors of the United States are persons nominated by the president to serve as the country's diplomatic representatives to foreign nations, international organizations, and as ambassadors-at-large. Under Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution, their appointment must be confirmed by the United States Senate; while an ambassador may be appointed during a recess, they can serve only until the end of the next session of Congress, unless subsequently confirmed.
Papua New Guinea's foreign policy reflects close ties with Australia and other traditional allies and cooperative relations with neighboring countries. Its views on international political and economic issues are generally moderate.
From 1916 to 1975, Tuvalu was part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands colony of the United Kingdom. A referendum was held in 1974 to determine whether the Gilbert Islands and Ellice Islands should each have their own administration. As a consequence of the referendum, the separate British colonies of Kiribati and Tuvalu were formed. Tuvalu became fully independent as a sovereign state within the Commonwealth on 1 October 1978. On 5 September 2000, Tuvalu became the 189th member of the United Nations.
The foreign policy of Solomon Islands as of 2008 was described by the Solomon Islands government as a "look north" policy, aimed as strengthening diplomatic and economic relations with Asian countries for development purposes.
Oceania is, to the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China, a stage for continuous diplomatic competition. The PRC dictates that no state can have diplomatic relations with both the PRC and the ROC. As of 2019, ten states in Oceania have diplomatic relations with the PRC, and four have diplomatic relations with the ROC. These numbers fluctuate as Pacific Island nations re-evaluate their foreign policies, and occasionally shift diplomatic recognition between Beijing and Taipei. The issue of which "Chinese" government to recognize has become a central theme in the elections of numerous Pacific Island nations, and has led to several votes of no-confidence.
Papua New Guinea–United States relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Papua New Guinea and the United States of America. The two countries established diplomatic relations following Papua New Guinea's independence on September 16, 1975. The two nations belong to a variety of regional organizations, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum; the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF); the Pacific Community (SPC); and the South Pacific Regional Environmental Program (SPREP).
Solomon Islands – United States relations are bilateral relations between Solomon Islands and the United States. Initial relations were forged during World War II with what was then the British Solomon Islands Protectorate during the Japanese occupation, and this relationship remained strong as Solomon Islands gained its independence in 1978. Relations continued until 1993 when post-Cold War budget cuts closed the United States Embassy in Honiara. Beginning in 2022, in an attempt to counter growing Chinese influence in Solomon Islands, the United States has demonstrated increased commitment to the restoration of relations with the country. In February 2023, the United States re-opened its embassy in Honiara.
The Independent State of Papua New Guinea and China (PRC) established official diplomatic relations in 1976, soon after Papua New Guinea became independent. The two countries currently maintain diplomatic, economic and, to a lesser degree, military relations. Relations are cordial; China is a significant provider of both investments and development aid to Papua New Guinea.
Teddy Bernard Taylor is a United States diplomat. A member of the Senior Foreign Service, Taylor served as the United States Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. He was succeeded by Walter E. North on November 7, 2012.
Corruption is rife in Papua New Guinea (PNG). According to The Economist, "PNG's governments are notorious for corruption, and ever run the risk of turning the state into a fully-fledged kleptocracy".
Papua New Guinea–Philippines relations are the bilateral relations of Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. Papua New Guinea has an embassy in Manila and the Philippines has an embassy in Port Moresby, which is also accredited to the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Fiji.
Israel–Papua New Guinea relations are bilateral relations between Israel and Papua New Guinea. Israel and Papua New Guinea established diplomatic relations in 1978, about three years after Papua New Guinea was granted independence.
Catherine Ebert-Gray is an American diplomat. She served as the United States ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.
Mexico–Papua New Guinea relations are the diplomatic relations between the United Mexican States and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. Both nations are members of APEC and the United Nations.