U.S Ambassador to Fiji among 30 diplomats recalled to Washington

United States (U.S) Ambassador to Fiji Marie Damour is among almost 30 U.S diplomats recalled by the Trump administration back to Washington D.C in January.  

The U.Ss Embassy confirmed this in statement to this masthead today, saying the situation reflects a routine diplomatic process and not a shift in U.S policy toward the Pacific.    

It is reported that the Trump administration is recalling almost 30 career diplomats from ambassadorial and other senior embassy posts from across Africa, Asia Pacific and Europe.   

Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Marshall Islands are included in the list.   

“This is a standard process in any administration,” the embassy said.  

“An ambassador is a personal representative of the President, and it is the President’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance his agenda.” 

The embassy said Ms Damour has been honoured to represent the U.S as Ambassador to Fiji, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Nauru since November 2022.  

Ms Damour was appointed by the former U.S President, Joe Biden, on May 25, 2022. 

Under the U.S system, ambassadors are appointed by the sitting President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Changes in administration often result in routine reviews of diplomatic appointments.  

When asked whether the claims indicated a broader policy change or reduced engagement in the Pacific, the U.S Embassy spokesperson referred this newspaper to a recent statement previously issued to Fiji Sun.  

The statement highlighted several ongoing U.S initiatives and programmes across the Pacific, outlining what it described as “concrete examples of U.S commitment to the region”.  

The embassy said the U.S engagement with Pacific Island countries remained consistent and ongoing, despite speculation generated by external statements.  

The U.S Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining strong ties with Fiji and other Pacific Island nations through continued cooperation, development programmes, and diplomatic engagement.