By Admin1 (admin) on Saturday, June 21, 2003 - 4:40 pm: Edit Post |
Robert S. Gelbard Honored as Next U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia
Robert S. Gelbard Honored as Next U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia
The Ambassador-designate to Indonesia, Robert S. Gelbard, told a audience that his door "is always open" to friends of the Society-corporations and individuals-who have suggestions to promote better relations with Indonesia, including investment and trade.
He spoke at a reception for him and his wife, Alene Gel- bard, hosted by the Society and the - Business Coun- cil on September , . It was attended by over corporate and individual members of the Society and guests from government, acad- emia and Capitol Hill, including Senator Kit Bond and Representa- tive Jim Kolbe. The reception was sponsored by , Bell Atlantic, Chevron Corporation, Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold, Mobil Corporation and Unocal Corporation.
Ambassador Gelbard departs for Indonesia at a very critical moment in the bipartisan relationship but with great enthusi- asm for the opportunities to learn about and to help Indonesia. He said that at the end of his three-year term he did not ex- pect all Indonesia's problems to be solved, but that good foundations would be laid. He acknowledged that he is no expert on Indonesia, but offered his long experience in other "transitional" democratizing countries as relevant to his new assignment. A career Foreign Service Officer, his previous assignments include his appointment by President Clinton in April, , as Special Representative of the President and the Secretary of State for Implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement. He worked closely with top White House officials to implement provisions of the agreement between Bosnia, Serbia and Croatia signed in December, . Prior to his current appointment Ambassador Gelbard served as Assistant Secretary of State for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Other assignments included Ambassador to Bolivia, from to , Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs in , and President Bush's representative to prepare for the San Antonio Summit. His wide-ranging experience includes an assignment as Associate Director of the Peace Corps in the Philippines, from ? .
Society President Edward Masters, in introducing Ambassador Gelbard, commented on his strong support. He reported that President Clinton had personally selected Ambassador Gelbard for this appointment and that Secretary of State Madeleine Albright had officiated at his swearing-in ceremony, a rarity at the Department of State