Joseph Palmer II
Encyclopedia
Joseph Palmer II was an American
diplomat
and State Department
official whose career focused on U.S. relations with Africa
.
Palmer entered the United States Foreign Service
in 1939. In 1941, he began a four-year tour of duty as consular officer in Nairobi
. He then served as assistant chief of the African division of the State Department
in Washington
, 1945-49. He held various diplomatic positions in Africa throughout the 1950s.
In 1960, following agitation by Nigerian nationalists
, the British Empire
relinquished its control over Colonial Nigeria
and Nigeria
entered the Commonwealth of Nations
as an independent nation on October 1, 1960. In preparation for Nigerian independence, on September 23, 1960, President
Dwight D. Eisenhower
appointed Palmer as the United States' first Ambassador to Nigeria
. Palmer established the American embassy in Lagos
on October 1, 1960, and presented his credentials to the Government of Nigeria three days later. The official Declaration of Independence was signed in the main boardroom of the Federal Palace Hotel
in Lagos. When the Nigerian First Republic
was proclaimed in October 1963, Palmer was re-accredited, presenting his new credentials to the government on December 12, 1963. Palmer's tenure as Ambassador to Nigeria ended on January 16, 1964.
President Lyndon B. Johnson
appointed Palmer as Director General of the Foreign Service on February 16, 1964, and Palmer served in this capacity until April 10, 1966.
On April 1, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson
appointed Palmer as the third U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. He served in this post until July 7, 1969.
The next day, he took up his position as the U.S. Ambassador
to the Kingdom of Libya
, having been appointed by President Richard Nixon
. Palmer was present in Libya
on September 1, 1969, when a group of military officers led by Muammar al-Gaddafi
staged a coup d’état against King Idris
while he was in Turkey
for medical treatment. After the 1969 coup, Gaddafi closed American and British bases and partially nationalized
foreign oil and commercial interests in Libya. Gaddafi's anti-American attitude and his support of international terrorism
led the United States to recall Ambassador Palmer on November 7, 1972.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
and State Department
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
official whose career focused on U.S. relations with Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
Palmer entered the United States Foreign Service
United States Foreign Service
The United States Foreign Service is a component of the United States federal government under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of approximately 11,500 professionals carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and aiding U.S...
in 1939. In 1941, he began a four-year tour of duty as consular officer in Nairobi
Nairobi
Nairobi is the capital and largest city of Kenya. The city and its surrounding area also forms the Nairobi County. The name "Nairobi" comes from the Maasai phrase Enkare Nyirobi, which translates to "the place of cool waters". However, it is popularly known as the "Green City in the Sun" and is...
. He then served as assistant chief of the African division of the State Department
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
in Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, 1945-49. He held various diplomatic positions in Africa throughout the 1950s.
In 1960, following agitation by Nigerian nationalists
Nationalism
Nationalism is a political ideology that involves a strong identification of a group of individuals with a political entity defined in national terms, i.e. a nation. In the 'modernist' image of the nation, it is nationalism that creates national identity. There are various definitions for what...
, the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
relinquished its control over Colonial Nigeria
Colonial Nigeria
Colonial Nigeria ran from 1800 till October 1, 1960 when it gained independence. Up until the amalgamation of 1914, the country's constituting parts existed as separate British protectorates.-Abolition of the Slave Trade:...
and Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
entered the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
as an independent nation on October 1, 1960. In preparation for Nigerian independence, on September 23, 1960, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
appointed Palmer as the United States' first Ambassador to Nigeria
United States Ambassador to Nigeria
-Ambassadors:*Joseph Palmer II - Career FSO**Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary**Appointment: September 23, 1960**Presentation of Credentials: October 4, 1960...
. Palmer established the American embassy in Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
on October 1, 1960, and presented his credentials to the Government of Nigeria three days later. The official Declaration of Independence was signed in the main boardroom of the Federal Palace Hotel
Federal Palace Hotel
The Federal Palace Hotel is a 150 room hotel that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, located in the commercial hub of Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria.- History :The Federal Palace Hotel is a Sun International property...
in Lagos. When the Nigerian First Republic
Nigerian First Republic
The First Republic was the republican government of Nigeria between 1963 and 1966 governed by the first republican constitution.-Founding :...
was proclaimed in October 1963, Palmer was re-accredited, presenting his new credentials to the government on December 12, 1963. Palmer's tenure as Ambassador to Nigeria ended on January 16, 1964.
President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
appointed Palmer as Director General of the Foreign Service on February 16, 1964, and Palmer served in this capacity until April 10, 1966.
On April 1, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
appointed Palmer as the third U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs. He served in this post until July 7, 1969.
The next day, he took up his position as the U.S. Ambassador
United States Ambassador to Libya
The United States Ambassador to Libya is the official representative of the President of the United States to the head of state of Libya.Until its independence in 1951, Libya had been a colony of Italy and then under British and French occupation until 1951...
to the Kingdom of Libya
Kingdom of Libya
The Kingdom of Libya, originally called the United Libyan Kingdom came into existence upon independence on 24 December 1951 and lasted until a coup d'état led by Muammar Gaddafi on 1 September 1969 overthrew King Idris of Libya and established the Libyan Arab Republic.- Constitution :Under the...
, having been appointed by President Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
. Palmer was present in Libya
Libya
Libya is an African country in the Maghreb region of North Africa bordered by the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, and Algeria and Tunisia to the west....
on September 1, 1969, when a group of military officers led by Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar al-Gaddafi
Muammar Muhammad Abu Minyar Gaddafi or "September 1942" 20 October 2011), commonly known as Muammar Gaddafi or Colonel Gaddafi, was the official ruler of the Libyan Arab Republic from 1969 to 1977 and then the "Brother Leader" of the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya from 1977 to 2011.He seized power in a...
staged a coup d’état against King Idris
Idris I of Libya
Idris, GBE , , was the first and only king of Libya, reigning from 1951 to 1969, and the Chief of the Senussi Muslim order.- Early life :...
while he was in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
for medical treatment. After the 1969 coup, Gaddafi closed American and British bases and partially nationalized
Nationalization
Nationalisation, also spelled nationalization, is the process of taking an industry or assets into government ownership by a national government or state. Nationalization usually refers to private assets, but may also mean assets owned by lower levels of government, such as municipalities, being...
foreign oil and commercial interests in Libya. Gaddafi's anti-American attitude and his support of international terrorism
Terrorism
Terrorism is the systematic use of terror, especially as a means of coercion. In the international community, however, terrorism has no universally agreed, legally binding, criminal law definition...
led the United States to recall Ambassador Palmer on November 7, 1972.
External links
- Investment Guarantee Agreement Between the United States and Nigeria, signed by Ambassador Palmer in 1962
- Photo in the Jan. 1965 issue of The Rotarian shows Palmer being presented with a medal from the Rotary Club of Lagos
- Photo in the Sept. 1965 issue of Negro World show Palmer congratulating Howard Thurman on his retirement
- Spread in Oct. 1968 Ebony magazine contains photo of Ambassador Palmer speaking with Zambian diplomats