List of ambassadors of the United States to the Solomon Islands
| Ambassador of the United States to Solomon Islands | |
|---|---|
 Seal of the United States Department of State | |
| 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.[1] 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.[2][3]
Ambassadors[edit]
| Name | Title | Appointed | Terminated Mission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mary S. Olmsted – Career FSO[2] | 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[4] | 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 | March 14, 2024 | US Embassy reopened on February 2, 2023 |
| Ann M. Yastishock - Career FSO | Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | March 14, 2024 | Incumbent |
See also[edit]
- Solomon Islands – United States relations
- Foreign relations of Solomon Islands
- Ambassadors of the United States
Notes[edit]
- ^ "U.S. opens embassy in Solomon Islands in bid to counter China". NBC News. February 2, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
- ^ a b "US Ambassador to Papua New Guinea. US GOVERNMENT OFFICE". Retrieved February 9, 2011.
- ^ "U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea. About the Embassy. Mission Overview". Retrieved February 9, 2011.
- ^ "U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea". Archived from the original on September 14, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
References[edit]
- United States Department of State: Background notes on the Solomon Islands
This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.
External links[edit]
- United States Department of State: Chiefs of Mission for Solomon Islands
- United States Department of State: Solomon Islands
- United States Embassy in Port Moresby
