Category Archives: UN
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield Assumes Charge @USUN
On February 23, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations (Record Vote Number: 61- Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 78 – 20. ) and to be Representative of the U..S.A. to the Security Council of the United Nations (Record Vote Number: 64 –Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 78 – 21).
The Chief of Mission to USUN has the title of Representative of the U.S.A. to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, and Representative of the U.S.A. in the Security Council of the United Nations. The U.S. Mission to the United Nations was formally established with that title, by E.O. 9844 of April 28, 1947.
According to history.state.gov, the first Representative of the U.S.A. to the United Nations was Edward Reilly Stettinius Jr. who also served as 48th Secretary of State from December 1, 1944, until June 27, 1945, under Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman. He oversaw the end of the Second World War in Europe and the creation of the United Nations. Previous non-career appointees to this position include Madeleine Korbel Albright (1993–1997) who went on to become the 64th Secretary of State and George Herbert Walker Bush (1971–1973) who became 41st POTUS.
The CRS says that President Eisenhower appears to have been the first President to accord Cabinet rank to his Permanent Representative, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., in 1953. Of the 30 individuals who have served since 1946, approximately two-thirds have been accorded Cabinet rank by Presidents.
Under the Biden Administration, the USUN Ambassador has cabinet-level status giving Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield a seat on the National Security Council. This was not the case during her most immediate predecessor. President Biden stated that he will accord Cabinet status to Greenfield “because I want to hear her voice on all the major foreign policy discussions we have.”
The last career diplomat appointed as Chief of Mission to USUN was John Dimitri Negroponte who served from 2001–2004. Other career diplomats appointed to this position include Edward Joseph Perkins (1992–1993), Thomas Reeve Pickering (1989–1992), and Charles Woodruff Yost (1969–1971).
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield is only the 5th career diplomat to be appointed to this position. It looks like she is the first female Foreign Service Officer to hold a cabinet-level position.
Reactions From President-Elect @JoeBiden’s Nominees
Linda! Reunited! You will be as amazing in Turtle Bay as you were in Foggy Bottom. You really are the best of the Foreign Service and the best of America. https://t.co/taEubRED9t
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) November 23, 2020
America will soon have a government that treats the climate crisis as the urgent national security threat it is. I'm proud to partner with the President-elect, our allies, and the young leaders of the climate movement to take on this crisis as the President's Climate Envoy.
— John Kerry (@JohnKerry) November 23, 2020
The messages from friends and colleagues that I’ve received over the past 15 hours have been humbling.
Honored to announce, officially, that I have been nominated to serve as Secretary of State. If confirmed, this is a mission I will take on with my full heart.
— Antony Blinken (@ABlinken) November 23, 2020
My mother taught me to lead with the power of kindness and compassion to make the world a better place. I’ve carried that lesson with me throughout my career in Foreign Service – and, if confirmed, will do the same as Ambassador to the United Nations.
— Linda Thomas-Greenfield (@LindaT_G) November 23, 2020
When I was very young, the United States provided my family and me a place of refuge. Now, I have been nominated to be the DHS Secretary and oversee the protection of all Americans and those who flee persecution in search of a better life for themselves and their loved ones.
— Alejandro Mayorkas (@AliMayorkas) November 23, 2020
President-elect Biden taught me what it takes to safeguard our national security at the highest levels of our government. Now, he has asked me to serve as his National Security Advisor. In service, I will do everything in my power to keep our country safe.
— Jake Sullivan (@jakejsullivan) November 23, 2020
Get yourself a DNI who…
–is a brown belt in judo
–built a plane, married her flying instructor, flew across the Atlantic
–became a bookstore owner/community activist
–nerds out on treaties
–is the nicest human alivehttps://t.co/qaBocU6uSxhttps://t.co/TrrjdC5JC4— Zev Karlin-Neumann (@zkarlinn) November 23, 2020
President-Elect @JoeBiden to Name Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield as UN Ambassador
We are confirming reports that Linda Thomas-Greenfield will be Biden's nominee for ambassador to UN, per people familiar. It will delight rank-and-file at State that a veteran diplomat is named and will be sad face for Mayor Pete fans who hoped he'd get it https://t.co/VLexlPpsMi
— John Hudson (@John_Hudson) November 23, 2020
BREAKING: Biden expected to announce Linda Thomas Greenfield as U.N. ambassador https://t.co/uNG3Jmn6Ub pic.twitter.com/6BGiyBV8uF
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 23, 2020
If true, amazing news! Amb. @LindaT_G is a diplomatic powerhouse respected around the world. I’ve witnessed her getting human rights activists freed and kleptocrats held accountable. https://t.co/QYNXWogygN
— Tom Perriello (@tomperriello) November 23, 2020
Thoughts on the reported choice of @LindaT_G as next @USUN ambassador.
Given her strong record on African affairs @StateDept, she is superbly-placed to rectify a sense of drift in US engagement on #Africa @UN since @NikkiHaley arrived in 2017. [1/6] https://t.co/I2Z7c3TH1F
— Richard Gowan (@RichardGowan1) November 23, 2020
If true @LindaT_G Thomas-Greenfield to be our next Ambassador to the UN, first career diplomat since Negroponte in 2001.Great news for professional diplomacy, the UN and – I give up, too many reasons to cite. Great, great choice.
— Laura Kennedy (@AmbKennedy_ret) November 23, 2020
DR News: Santo Domingo Gets Pompeo Visit, a UN Shout Out, a Newly Purchased US Embassy Housing Campus
#StateOBO purchased a housing campus in #SantoDomingo that we had been leasing for many years. The compound was built to OBO's seismic, life #safety, and #security standards. Notable effort to improve security, safety, and the overall well-being of residents and staff! pic.twitter.com/4ruPqEXh3Y
— Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (@State_OBO) August 20, 2020
.@SecPompeo: We call on the international community to join us in crafting a stronger deal that addresses the full range of Iran’s malign behavior, and protects people of all nations that want to live free from its predations. pic.twitter.com/oCJIoo63Zd
— Department of State (@StateDept) August 20, 2020
My visit to Santo Domingo was one to remember. U.S.-Dominican cooperation is paramount to the security and prosperity of the Caribbean and hemisphere. We stand firmly with the Dominican Republic as an ally to meet our shared goals in the region. #Caribbean2020 pic.twitter.com/UUULEeTDqN
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) August 17, 2020
Pompeo’s ‘Diplomacy Weak’ Update: US Alone at the UNSC For All the World to See
I take note of today’s announcement by the US.
US unilaterally ceased participation in #JCPOA on 8 May 2018.
It can not, therefore, be considered to be a JCPOA participant for the purposes of possible sanctions snapback foreseen by UNSC resolution 2231https://t.co/tVC5W8MbJ2
— Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) August 20, 2020
The United Kingdom,, France, Germany have rejected the Trump administration's demand to reinstate U.N. sanctions on Iran. Here is their full statement: pic.twitter.com/OBJyqyTvhy
— Robbie Gramer (@RobbieGramer) August 20, 2020
.@SecPompeo: We call on the international community to join us in crafting a stronger deal that addresses the full range of Iran’s malign behavior, and protects people of all nations that want to live free from its predations. pic.twitter.com/oCJIoo63Zd
— Department of State (@StateDept) August 20, 2020
Not a shocker but NB: @Belgium is the #UNSC "facilitator" of residual @UN sanctions on #Iran under SCR 2231. If @USUN claims it has triggered #snapback next month, #Belgium's decisions on how to manage the file will send message to wider world about the (in)validity of US stance. https://t.co/ahcbXTI2Je
— Richard Gowan (@RichardGowan1) August 20, 2020
Not quite. Europe faces choice between (1) eroding legitimacy of UNSC in eyes of Trump admin by ignoring snapback; or (ii) eroding its legitimacy in eyes of (most of) rest of world by supporting a US stance other states think is silly. That's still a genuinely hard choice. [1/2] https://t.co/YCXAmdtKoq
— Richard Gowan (@RichardGowan1) August 20, 2020
Pompeo and Trump talk a big game about "swagger" and strength. But this Iran Snapback sanctions gambit is probably the clearest example yet of how their actions have resulted in a thoroughly weakened United States.
— Mark Leon Goldberg (@MarkLGoldberg) August 20, 2020
The Trump administration will formally demand that the United Nations punish Iran with bruising sanctions for violating an agreement to limit its nuclear program — a deal from which the U.S. withdrew 2 years ago https://t.co/ZUPTnN4PNX
— NYT Politics (@nytpolitics) August 20, 2020
Mike Pompeo claims the Europeans have “sided with the Ayatollahs" by rejecting the U.S. "snapback" request. https://t.co/zXSaKegj04
— Zach Basu (@zacharybasu) August 20, 2020
Not content w/ one humiliating loss in the UNSC, Pompeo is going for another. Trying to unilaterally snapback UN sanctions will have no impact on Iran (unless it unwisely pulls out of the JCPOA), but will undermine the power of other UN sanctions. My take: https://t.co/yQWnqRdaYH
— Mark Fitzpatrick (@MarkTFitz) August 15, 2020
Dominican Republic Gets a Pompeo Visit After Failed UN Vote
Luego del acto de toma de posesión, la delegación estadounidense encabezada por el Secretario de Estado de los Estados Unidos, Michael R. Pompeo, asistió a la misa en la Catedral de Santo Domingo. #SecPompeoenRD #EstamosUnidos #embajadausaenrd pic.twitter.com/OwfYxP0y1k
— EmbajadaUSAenRD (@EmbajadaUSAenRD) August 16, 2020
El @SecPompeo asistió al almuerzo inaugural en el Palacio Nacional de Rep. Dom. como parte de las actividades de esta visita, junto al Secretario Adjunto Interino para la región, Michael Kozak, y la Embajadora Robin Bernstein. #SecPompeoenRD pic.twitter.com/zgo32U0Ci7
— EmbajadaUSAenRD (@EmbajadaUSAenRD) August 16, 2020
Seems to me like some countries are betting the Trump admin won’t be around to kick them much longer. But hey, the Dominican Republic is getting a Pompeo visit… https://t.co/XTMhLlDgTp
— Nahal Toosi (@nahaltoosi) August 15, 2020
#BREAKING US Resolution to Extend Iran Arms Embargo Fails @UN @CBSNews @CBSNewsRadio
Vote
11 Abstentions: France, UK, Belgium, Estonia, Germany, Indonesia, Niger, StVincent/Grenadines, South Africa, Tunisia, Viet Nam
Two YES: US, Dominican Republic
Two NO: Russia, China pic.twitter.com/RxMoilkOw6— Pamela Falk (@PamelaFalk) August 14, 2020
Confirmations: Ambassadors to Indonesia, Uganda, Burkina Faso, Jordan, Guatemala, Estonia, USUN, OPCW, FS Lists, More
The following nominations were confirmed by the U.S. Senate on August 6, 2020:
2020-08-06 PN967 INDONESIA | Sung Y. Kim, of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Indonesia.
2020-08-06 PN1035 UGANDA | Natalie E. Brown, of Nebraska, 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 Uganda.
2020-08-06 PN1045 BURKINA FASO | Sandra E. Clark, of Maryland, 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 Burkina Faso.
2020-08-06 PN1281 JORDAN | Henry T. Wooster, 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 Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
2020-08-06 PN1941 GUATEMALA | William W. Popp, of Missouri, 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 Guatemala.
2020-08-06 PN1426 ESTONIA | William Ellison Grayson, of California, to be Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America to the Republic of Estonia.
2020-08-06 PN1339 USUN | Richard M. Mills, Jr., of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Representative of the United States of America to the Sessions of the General Assembly of the United Nations, during his tenure of service as Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations.
2020-08-06 PN1340 USUN | Richard M. Mills, Jr., of Texas, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be the Deputy Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations, with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and the Deputy Representative of the United States of America in the Security Council of the United Nations.
2020-08-06 PN1229 Department of State/OPCW | Joseph Manso, of New York, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, for the rank of Ambassador during his tenure of service as United States Representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
USAID
020-08-06 PN1337 United States Agency for International Development | Ramsey Coats Day, of Virginia, to be an Assistant Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.
2020-08-06 PN1427 United States Agency for International Development | Jenny A. McGee, of Texas, to be an Associate Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development.
ASIAN DEVELOPMENT BANK
2020-08-06 PN1296 Asian Development Bank | Jason Myung-lk Chung, of Virginia, to be United States Director of the Asian Development Bank, with the rank of Ambassador.
2020-08-06 PN1280 European Bank for Reconstruction and Development |J. Steven Dowd, of Florida, to be United States Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
FOREIGN SERVICE S LISTS
2020-08-06 PN2067 Foreign Service | Nominations beginning Shefali Agrawal, and ending Michael B. Schooling, which 101 nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on June 29, 2020.
2020-08-06 PN2068 Foreign Service | Nominations beginning Anna Mae G. Akers, and ending Ismat Mohammad G. Omar Yassin, which 214 nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on June 29, 2020.
2020-08-06 PN2069 Foreign Service | Nominations beginning Jonathan Paul Ackley, and ending Amanda B. Whatley, which 43 nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on June 29, 2020.
2020-08-06 PN2070 Foreign Service | Nominations beginning Jeffrey Thomas Albanese, and ending Katherine Rose Woody, which 11 nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on June 29, 2020.
2020-08-06 PN2071 Foreign Service | Nominations beginning Erin Elizabeth McKee, and ending Dana Rogstad Mansuri, which 5 nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on June 29, 2020.
2020-08-06 PN2072 Foreign Service | Nominations beginning Lawrence J. Sacks, and ending Bruce F. McFarland, which 27 nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on June 29, 2020.
2020-08-06 PN2073 Foreign Service | Nominations beginning Deanna Scott, and ending Christopher Walker, which 3 nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on June 29, 2020.
2020-06-10 PN1704-1 Foreign Service | Nominations beginning Michael J. Adler, and ending Ivan A. Wray, which 206 nominations were received by the Senate and appeared in the Congressional Record on March 16, 2020.
George Floyd’s Death: Official Reactions Plus Trolling From Overseas
"Anti-black racism is real in the U.S. but it's also in Canada, (…) and we have work to do in our system as well," Trudeau said following the death of George Floyd.
Read more: https://t.co/jg1X67tWDS pic.twitter.com/LNAhrU7ulB
— Globalnews.ca (@globalnews) May 29, 2020
Racism continues to be prevalent in our societies.
We must raise our voices against all expressions of racism and instances of racist behaviour. We urgently need to dismantle racist structures and reform racist institutions.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) May 29, 2020
On behalf of the entire @_AfricanUnion family, I condemn in the strongest terms the murder of #GeorgeFloyd at the hands of law enforcement officers in the United States of America. See my full statement here: https://t.co/LslbVFrWHN
— Moussa Faki Mahamat (@AUC_MoussaFaki) May 29, 2020
The racist and fascist approach that led to the death of George Floyd in the US city of Minneapolis as a result of torture has not only deeply saddened all of us, but it has also become one of the most painful manifestations of the unjust order we stand against across the world.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) May 28, 2020
"I can't breathe." pic.twitter.com/UXHgXMT0lk
— Hua Chunying 华春莹 (@SpokespersonCHN) May 30, 2020
From Chinese state media.
(Object of endless complaints / suggestions / lessons from US officials and reporters over the years, about importance of freely critical press.) https://t.co/G1xmCoVmSd
— James Fallows (@JamesFallows) June 1, 2020
Some don't think #BlackLivesMatter.
To those of us who do: it is long overdue for the entire world to wage war against racism.
Time for a #WorldAgainstRacism. pic.twitter.com/06p1LmmwgF
— Javad Zarif (@JZarif) May 30, 2020
❗ #American #police commit high-profile crimes all too often. Against this backdrop, #Washington refuses to expand its humanitarian commitments in international #law every year. #US authorities should meticulously investigate the murder of #GeorgeFloyd. https://t.co/zx5rFh6qoB pic.twitter.com/jm4dHL07AZ
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) May 30, 2020
Snapshot: US UN Peacekeeping Rate of Assessment at 27.9 Percent For 2019 Through 2021
Via State department FY 2018 Annual Performance Report | FY 2020 Annual Performance Plan/page 139
(PDF)
Performance Goal 3.2.1: Multilateral Engagement Performance Goal Statement: By 2022, U.S. contributions as a percentage of total funding support for international organizations are reduced below 2017 levels. (State) Performance Goal Overview/Progress Update The President’s National Security Strategy directs the United States to continue to lead and engage in the multilateral arrangements that shape many of the rules that affect American interests and values. It recognizes competition for influence in these institutions, and the need for the United States to remain engaged to shape developments consistent with political and security outcomes that are positive for the country. As the United States prioritizes efforts in organizations that serve American interests, the United States will require accountability and emphasize shared responsibility among members. The United States will seek greater burden sharing across international organizations, with the goal of decreasing the percentage of total funding provided by the U.S.
7 The scales of assessment are not renegotiable until 2019, so the United States will continue to be assessed at 28.4 percent in FY 2018
Indicator Analysis The effort to achieve agreement in the General Assembly to a 25 percent ceiling in the UN peacekeeping scale of assessments was unsuccessful. Despite repeated calls for increased burden sharing and less dependence on a single major contributor for such a large proportion of the financing for UN peacekeeping, other UN member states proved unwilling to contribute more than they would under the existing methodology. The U.S. assessment rate will be 27.9 percent for 2019 through 2021.