Daily Archives: July 2, 2011

4th of July – U.S. Embassy Celebration Round-Up

July 2, 2011 By in Holidays and Celebrations, Social Media, U.S. Missions
US Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia | April 11/2011

The U.S. Embassy in Riyadh celebrated America’s Day of Independence last night at the residence of the U.S. Ambassador, with hundreds of Americans and Saudis attending the 4th of July event which is usually celebrated by the Embassy in Riyadh early in the Spring for weather considerations. This year marks the 235th anniversary of America’s independence in 1776. Read more here.

Members of the U.S. Air Forces Central’s band, Wild Blue Country, stand with the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. James Smith and his wife Dr. Breslin-Smith after the National Day Celebration which hosted over 1,000 dignitaries from around the world.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Karl Bradley)

US Embassy Nicosia, Cyprus : May 17, 2011

“U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Frank C. Urbancic hosted an Independence Day reception on the grounds of the Embassy Residence on May 17, 2011, where he welcomed over 1,000 guests from the community and other diplomatic missions. In attendance was President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and other dignitaries.  As one of the largest parties on the island, the celebration is the premier representational event of the Embassy and one at which the movers and shakers on the island are able to network with American diplomats and an elite community as well.  Media coverage of the event was favorable. ”

U.S. Marines presenting the Colors to Ambassador Urbancic, with guests watching
Ambassador Urbancic Hosts National Day Celebration Marking 235 Years of American Independence
(May 17, 2011)
Photo from US Embassy Cyprus
 US Embassy Cyprus posted online: “We would like to thank all the sponsors of the National Day Reception.” The event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of local U.S. companies and affiliates.
Corporate sponsors photo from US Embassy Cyprus



US Embassy Helsinki, Finland | June 22, 2011

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Photos from US Embassy Finland/Flickr
US Embassy Guatemala, Guatemala | June 29, 2011

Celebración Día de Independencia de los Estados Unidos 2011

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Photos from US Embassy Guatemala/Flickr

US Embassy Montevideo, Uruguay | June 30, 2011

La embajada de Estados Unidos en Uruguay realizó una recepción en la residencia oficial con motivo de celebrarse el 235 aniversario de la independencia de Estados Unidos.

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR
Photos from US Embassy Uruguay/Flickr

US Embassy Tel Aviv, Israel | June 30, 2011

“The annual Independence Day Reception at the Residence of the U.S. Ambassador to Israel is our largest event of the year and we are proud to provide you with an exclusive view of all the festivities.  So join us on Thursday, June 30 at 19:00 pm local, (noon EST) for a live broadcast straight from the Ambassador’s Residence in Herzliyah. We’ll be live on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, JUSTIN TV, and on the Embassy website. Don’t miss out on the #1 event of the year.” Via

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Photos from US Embassy Tel Aviv/Flickr




US Embassy Bangkok, Thailand | July 1, 2011

“The United States Embassy in Bangkok hosts an early July 4th barbecue for staff and family. Despite the rain, we all had fun! Happy Independence Day!”

Via Ambassador Kenney’s blog: “On July 4, 2011, Americans celebrate the 235th birthday of our nation. We held an Embassy contest to design a shirt for our staff picnic. One of the winners is the 8th grade daughter of an Embassy Employee. She and her family came to my office to show the winning T shirt.”

Photo from Ambassador Kenney’s Blog

Senate Confirmations: Ryan Crocker to Afghanistan, Anne Patterson to Egypt; also confirms Lukens, Fairfax, Hardt, Koran, Pasi, Thessin, Kubiske, Corbin, Jackson, Tueller, Ziadeh and USAID’s Pablos-Mendez

July 2, 2011 By in Ambassadors, Confirmations, Foreign Service, USAID

The following civilian Executive Nominations for the State Department and USAID were confirmed by the Senate on June 30, 2011.   Nominations flagged with an asterisk were approved subject to the nominee’s commitment to respond to requests to appear and testify before any duly constituted committee of the Senate:

PN464 *       AFGHANISTAN
Ryan C. Crocker, of Washington, Personal Rank of Career Ambassador, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.

PN584 *       EGYPT
Anne W. Patterson, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Personal Rank of Career Ambassador, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Arab Republic of Egypt.

PN343 *       GUINEA-BISSAU
Lewis Alan Lukens, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Senegal, and to serve concurrently and without additional compensation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

PN363 *       KAZAKHSTAN
Kenneth J. Fairfax, of Kentucky, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Kazakhstan.

PN395 *       GUYANA
D. Brent Hardt, of Florida, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.

PN396 *       RWANDA
Donald W. Koran, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Rwanda.

PN397 *       DJIBOUTI
Geeta Pasi, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Djibouti.

PN412 *       PARAGUAY
James Harold Thessin, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Executive Service,  to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Paraguay.

PN428 *       HONDURAS
Lisa J. Kubiske, of Virginia, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Honduras.

PN504 *       UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Michael H. Corbin, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the United Arab Emirates.

PN507 *       MALAWI
Jeanine E. Jackson, of Wyoming, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Malawi.

PN509 *       KUWAIT
Matthew H. Tueller, of Utah, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the State of Kuwait.

PN573 *       QATAR
Susan Laila Ziadeh, of Washington, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the State of Qatar.

PN345 *       USAID
Ariel Pablos-Mendez, of New York, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.

The following nominees have been cleared by the SFRC but have not been confirmed todate by the U.S. Senate:

Department of State

David Bruce Shear, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.  (Reported out of SFRC on Apr 12, 2011). Senators Lugar and Rubio have reportedly placed a hold on this nomination over pending adoption cases in Vietnam)

According to The Cable, nomination confirmation fights are reportedly playing out over the following nominees:

Gary Locke, of Washington, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the People’s Republic of China. (Reported out of SFRC on Jun 23, 2011)

William J. Burns, of Maryland, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service with the Personal Rank of Career Ambassador, to be Deputy Secretary of State, vice James Braidy Steinberg. (Reported out of SFRC on Jun 23, 2011)

USAID

Mara E. Rudman, of Massachusetts, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development, vice Sean R. Mulvaney. (Reported out of SFRC on May 17, 2011)