Ambassador-designate Harry K. Thomas, Jr. (State Department Photo)COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / November 20, 2009) – The Philippines’ largest Muslim rebel group, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, on Friday praised outgoing US Ambassador Kristie Kenney for her efforts and support to the Mindanao peace process.
Kenney ends her tour of duty and will return to the United States after serving for more than three years as ambassador to Manila after President Barrack Obama designated Harry Thomas, Jr. as the new ambassador, however, his nomination still has to be confirmed by the US Senate.
The MILF praised Kenney and said she helped a lot in the peace talks between the Filipino government and the rebel group. “She could have stayed longer in the Philippines. She has contributed a lot in the peace process and Ambassador Kenney would be remembered well by the Bangsamoro people for her sincerity and untiring efforts and contribution to the peace talks between the MILF and the Philippine government,” Eid Kabalu, a senior MILF leader, told the regional newspaper, the Mindanao Examiner.
Kenney visited a rebel base in Mindanao last year and spoke with the secluded MILF chieftain Murad Ebrahim. “She was the first US ambassador to visit our rebel base and we saw in her the sincerity of the US government in promoting peace,” Kabalu said.
Sulu Governor Sakur Tan also praised Kenny for her contribution to peace and development in the province, where US troops are deployed and assisting the local military in fighting terrorism.
“On behalf on my people, we thanked the good ambassador Kristie Kenney, who was a frequent visitor of Sulu, for her many contribution to peace and development. And forever we shall be grateful to you,” Tan said.
It was during Kenney’s time that the US government through the United States Agency for International Development and the Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines poured millions of dollars worth of humanitarian and development projects, including the rehabilitation of the airport in Sulu, one of five poor provinces under the Muslim autonomous region.
Kenney said working with so many Filipinos, from all walks of life, has been one of the most memorable experiences of her life. She said it has been an extraordinary honor and privilege to serve as the US ambassador to the Philippines for more than three and a half years.
“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,” Kenney said in a statement sent by the US Embassy to the Mindanao Examiner.
President Obama on November 19 announced his intent to nominate Thomas to serve as Ambassador to Manila.
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 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 also served as Senior Watch Officer, Deputy Director, and Director of the State Department Operations Center; Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs; and Staff Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for African Affairs. (Mindanao Examiner)
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