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MANILA, Philippines—Outgoing United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney is “heart broken” at having to leave her post of more than three years.
The media-savvy diplomat made the statement in her Facebook status update after US President Barack Obama on November 19 designated Harry Thomas as her replacement.
(Her status update read: “Heart broken to think of leaving the Philippines but know it is time for me to plan to return to be with my family. Calling on my FB friends to help me not be sad but to enjoy and savor my remaining months in this lovely country.”)
But her actual departure may take a while due to the regular procedures that entail an appointment of a new ambassador, including the confirmation by the US Senate.
In her official statement about her impending departure, the first American woman ambassador to the country was more formal.
“It has been an extraordinary honor and privilege to serve as the Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of the Philippines for more than three and a half years. Working with so many Filipinos, from all walks of life, has been one of the most memorable experiences of my life,” she said.
“I have come to deeply appreciate not just the warmth and friendship of Filipinos, but also their determination to make their country, region, and world a better place for their children and grandchildren. It has been a true pleasure to live in this beautiful country, and to lead the US embassy in efforts to partner with the government and people of the Philippines for the greater good of Americans and Filipinos alike,” she added.
Kenney was all praises to her replacement.
“Ambassador-designate Harry Thomas is a personal friend of mine, an exceptional diplomat, and a wonderful person,” she said.
According to a background provided by the US embassy, Thomas is a career member of the senior foreign service and served most recently as director general of the foreign service and director of human resources. He also previously served as a special assistant to the secretary and executive secretary of the department.
Thomas, who joined the foreign service in 1984, served as US ambassador to Bangladesh from 2003 to 2005. He also served in the White House as the director for south Asia at the National Security Council from 2001 to 2002.
His other postings include: New Delhi, India; Harare, Zimbabwe; Kaduna, Nigeria; and Lima, Peru. He has served as senior watch officer, deputy director, and director of the State Department Operations Center; special assistant to the undersecretary for political affairs; and staff assistant to the assistant secretary for African affairs.
Thomas holds a bachelors degree from the College of the Holy Cross.
Veronica Uy
