United States Ambassador to Botswana
Encyclopedia
From 1885 until 1966 the area of southern Africa
that is now Botswana
was part of the Bechuanaland Protectorate of Great Britain
.
In June 1964, Britain accepted proposals for democratic self-government in Botswana. The seat of government was moved from Mafikeng
in South Africa, to newly established in Gaberones (now Gaborone
) in 1965. The 1965 constitution led to the first general elections and to independence on September 30, 1966.
The United States immediately recognized
the new nation and moved to establish diplomatic relations
. An embassy in Gaberones was established on September 30, 1966—independence day for Botswana. Charles H. Pletcher was appointed as ad interim
pending the appointment of an ambassador
.
Southern Africa
Southern Africa is the southernmost region of the African continent, variably defined by geography or geopolitics. Within the region are numerous territories, including the Republic of South Africa ; nowadays, the simpler term South Africa is generally reserved for the country in English.-UN...
that is now Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
was part of the Bechuanaland Protectorate of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
.
In June 1964, Britain accepted proposals for democratic self-government in Botswana. The seat of government was moved from Mafikeng
Mafikeng
Mahikeng – formerly legally, but still commonly known as Mafikeng – is the capital city of the North-West Province of South Africa. It is best known internationally for the Siege of Mafeking, the most famous engagement of the Second Boer War.Located on South Africa's border with Botswana, it is ...
in South Africa, to newly established in Gaberones (now Gaborone
Gaborone
' is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 191,776 based on a 2006 survey, about 10% of the total population of Botswana....
) in 1965. The 1965 constitution led to the first general elections and to independence on September 30, 1966.
The United States immediately recognized
Diplomatic recognition
Diplomatic recognition in international law is a unilateral political act with domestic and international legal consequences, whereby a state acknowledges an act or status of another state or government in control of a state...
the new nation and moved to establish diplomatic relations
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
. An embassy in Gaberones was established on September 30, 1966—independence day for Botswana. Charles H. Pletcher was appointed as ad interim
Ad interim
The Latin phrase ad interim literally means "in the time between" denotes the meaning of "in the meantime", "for an intervening time" or "temporarily" in the English language...
pending the appointment of an ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
.
Ambassadors
- Note: Charles H. Pletcher served as chargé d'affaires September 1966–June 1970. W. Kennedy Cromwell III served June 1970–September 1971.
- Note: Until 1979 one ambassador, resident at Gaborone, was accredited to BotswanaBotswanaBotswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
, SwazilandSwazilandSwaziland, officially the Kingdom of Swaziland , and sometimes called Ngwane or Swatini, is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered to the north, south and west by South Africa, and to the east by Mozambique...
, and LesothoLesothoLesotho , officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru. Lesotho is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. The name...
. - Charles J. Nelson – Political appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: June 9, 1971
- Presented credentials: November 3, 1971
- Terminated mission: Left Gaborone, March 2, 1974
- David B. Bolen – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: February 28, 1974
- Presented credentials: April 22, 1974
- Terminated mission: Left Gaborone, August 11, 1976
- Donald R. Norland – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 17, 1976
- Presented credentials: February 23, 1978
- Terminated mission: Left Gaborone, September 8, 1979
- Note: In 1979 the first ambassador was appointed solely for Botswana.
- Horace DawsonHorace DawsonHorace Greeley Dawson, Jr. was an American diplomat who served as the United States Ambassador to Botswana.-Life:...
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: October 12, 1979
- Presented credentials: November 27, 1979
- Terminated mission: Left post August 27, 1982
- Theodore C. Maino – Political appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: September 30, 1982
- Presented credentials: December 2, 1982
- Terminated mission: Left post, September 6, 1985
- Natale H. Bellochi – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: October 28, 1985
- Presented credentials: November 19, 1985
- Terminated mission: Left post, September 16, 1988
- John Florian Kordek – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: August 11, 1988
- Presented credentials: September 29, 1988
- Terminated mission: Left post, November 1, 1989
- David Passage – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: June 27, 1990
- Presented credentials: August 7, 1990
- Terminated mission: Left post, April 29, 1993
- Howard Franklin Jeter – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: July 16, 1993
- Presented credentials: September 9, 1993
- Terminated mission: Left post, June 21, 1996
- Robert Krueger – Political appointee
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: June 6, 1996
- Presented credentials: July 23, 1996
- Terminated mission: Left post December 6, 1999
- John E. LangeJohn E. LangeJohn E. Lange was the "United States Avian Influenza and Pandemic Ambassador".-Education:In 1975 he graduated cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School and was admitted to the bar in Wisconsin . He is a "distinguished graduate" of the National War College .-State Department:Ambassador...
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 16, 1999
- Presented credentials: December 15, 1999
- Terminated mission: Left post August 8, 2002
- Joseph Huggins – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: November 15, 2002
- Presented credentials: January 28, 2003
- Terminated mission: Left post, July 26, 2005
- Emil M. Skodon – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed:
- Presented credentials:
- Terminated mission:
- Katherine H. P. CanavanKatherine CanavanKatherine Hubay Peterson Canavan is a United States diplomat and career foreign service officer. As of August 2008, she serves as the Civilian Deputy to the Commander and foreign policy advisor to Admiral James G...
– Career FSO- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: August 2, 2005
- Presented credentials: September 27, 2005
- Terminated mission: June 27, 2008
- Stephen J. Nolan – Career FSO
- Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: June 23, 2008
- Presented credentials: October 6, 2008
- Terminated mission: ca. June 2011
- Michelle D. Gavin – Political appointee
- Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
- Appointed: ca. April 2011
- Presented credentials: ca. June 2011
- Terminated mission: Incumbent
See also
- Botswana – United States relations
- Foreign relations of BotswanaForeign relations of BotswanaBotswana has put a premium on economic and political integration in southern Africa. It has sought to make SADC a working vehicle for economic development, and it has promoted efforts to make the region self-policing in terms of preventative diplomacy, conflict resolution, and good governance. It...
- Ambassadors of the United States