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James Brendan Foley

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James Brendan Foley
United States Ambassador to Haiti
In office
May 27, 2003 – August 14, 2005
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byBrian Dean Curran
Succeeded byJanet A. Sanderson
United States Ambassador to Croatia
In office
September 15, 2009 – October 29, 2012
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byRobert Bradtke
Succeeded byKenneth H. Merten
Personal details
Born (1957-04-04) April 4, 1957 (age 67)
Alma materState University of New York at Fredonia
Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy

James Brendan Foley (born April 4, 1957) is a retired American foreign service officer. He served as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Haiti from May 27, 2003 to August 14, 2005, and as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Croatia from August 12, 2009 to August 19, 2012.[1] [2] As Ambassador to Haiti, Foley oversaw the U.S. backing of anti-Aristide elements that led to the revolt against Aristide's government. He claims that he participated in the late-night negotiations that led to Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide's alleged February 29, 2004 resignation and acceptance of a U.S. offer to fly him into exile, despite a surplus of evidence revealing US involvement in the coup and revolt that led to his ouster through the National Endowment for Democracy and Aristide's own claims that he never resigned from office and was forced out.[3][4][5]

Early life and education

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Foley was born in Buffalo, New York. He received his B.A. in 1979 from the State University of New York at Fredonia and M.A.L.D. in 1984 from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.

Professional career

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U.S. Ambassador to Haiti James Foley with Chairman of The Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard B. Myers at Port-au-Prince International Airport, March 2004.

Foley is a former member of the Senior Foreign Service. He served from 2007-2009 as the State Department’s Senior Coordinator for Iraqi Refugee Issues, working to alleviate the plight of several million Iraqis displaced by the war.[6] Previously, he served as faculty member and Deputy Commandant of the National War College, as a Diplomat-in-Residence,[7] and as Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva from 2000-2003.

He joined the Foreign Service in 1983 and served overseas as vice consul and political officer in Manila, Philippines and as political officer in Algiers, Algeria. Foley was a speechwriter and adviser to former Secretary of State Lawrence S. Eagleburger from 1989 to 1993[8] and Deputy Director of the Private Office of the NATO Secretary General in Brussels, Belgium from 1993 to 1996. He was special assistant to the late Senator Paul Coverdell and served as State Department Deputy Spokesman from 1997-2000.

References

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  1. ^ "Former U.S. Ambassadors to Croatia | Zagreb, Croatia - Embassy of the United States". zagreb.usembassy.gov. Archived from the original on 2016-08-17. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  2. ^ "James Brendan Foley - People - Department History - Office of the Historian".
  3. ^ Williams, Carol J. (March 1, 2005). "Doubts Linger on Aristide's Exit". The Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  4. ^ Ross, Travis (October 26, 2022). "The NED's Role in Undermining Democracy in Haiti". Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  5. ^ Goodman, Amy (March 16, 2004). "Exclusive: Aristide and His Bodyguard Describe the U.S. Role In His Ouster". Democracy Now!. Retrieved 2024-12-12.
  6. ^ "Iraqi Refugee Assistance and Resettlement". 2001-2009.state.gov. 17 April 2008. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  7. ^ "National Defense University Welcomes New Commandants" (Press release). National Defense University. July 29, 2013. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
  8. ^ "Memorial Service for Former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger". C-SPAN.org. June 21, 2011. Retrieved July 18, 2016.
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Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Haiti
2003–2005
Succeeded by
Preceded by
Robert Bradtke
United States Ambassador to Croatia
2009–2012
Succeeded by