A midst the embarrassing release of diplomatic cables on its interactions with local politicians and other stakeholders, the United States Embassy in Guyana has announced the arrival of the new U.S. ambassador to Guyana. In an editorial, this ambassador reflected on the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack and its implications for global security.
Ambassador D Brent Hardt arrived in Guyana on Thursday, September 8. He was confirmed by the Senate in June, the embassy said in a statement.
He was sworn in as ambassador to Guyana on August, 19, 2011. Hardt, the embassy said, is a senior Foreign Service officer with extensive service in the western hemisphere and Europe. Prior to his nomination, he served as chargé d’affaires at the U.S. embassy to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean from January 2009 to June 2011.
He also served as deputy chief of mission and chargé d’affaires at U.S. Embassy in Nassau, Bahamas from 2005 to 2008, and at the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See in Rome from 2002 to 2005.
Hardt joined the United States Foreign Service in 1988, and served as a consular officer in Bridgetown, Barbados from 1988 to 1989, political officer at the U. S. Embassy in Berlin from 1990 to 1992, and political military officer at the U. S. Embassy in The Hague from 1993 to 1996, where he also served as an exchange diplomat in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Netherlands.
From 1996 to 2000, he returned to the U. S. Embassy in the Eastern Caribbean as political- economic section chief and acting deputy chief of mission. During that time, he helped to develop the 1997 Caribbean-U.S. Summit agenda, and subsequently worked to implement summit commitments with countries in the Eastern Caribbean.
From 2000 to 2002, he served as team leader for NATO policy in the Office of European Political and Security Affairs in the Department of State, where he was responsible for NATO enlargement, European security and defence policy issues, NATO-Russia, and NATO- Ukraine relations.
Ambassador Hardt has received various Department of State awards, including the Director General’s Award for reporting, five Superior Honour Awards, and two Meritorious Honour Awards. He earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University, and master’s and doctoral degrees from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He has published numerous articles on U. S. foreign policy, and speaks Italian, Dutch, German and French.
Global cooperation on terrorism
Meanwhile, in an op-ed to mark the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, Hardt said the crime was not only an attack on the United States, but an attack on the world and on the humanity and hopes that we all share.
“We remember that among the nearly 3000 innocent people lost that day were hundreds of citizens from more than 90 nations.
“They were men and women, young and old, of many races and faiths. On this solemn anniversary, we join with their families and nations in honouring their memory.” Additionally, he said, “The U. S. remembers with gratitude how, 10 years ago, the world came together as one. Around the globe, entire cities came to a standstill for moments of silence.
“People offered their prayers in churches, mosques, temples, synagogues and other places of worship.
“Those of us in the United States will never forget how people in every corner of the world stood with us in solidarity in candlelight vigils and among the seas of flowers placed at our embassies.
“We remember that, in the weeks after 9/11, we acted as an international community. As part of a broad coalition, we drove al Qaeda from its training camps in Afghanistan, toppled the Taliban, and gave the Afghan people a chance to live free from terror.
“However, the years that followed were difficult, and the spirit of global partnership we felt after 9/11 frayed. We have worked to renew the global cooperation; we need to meet the full breadth of global challenges that we face.
“Through a new era of engagement, we’ve forged partnerships with nations and peoples based on mutual interest and mutual respect.
“As an international community, we have shown that terrorists are no match for the strength and resilience of our citizens. We see the same signs of resilience in the Guyanese people, as exemplified by insituations like the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Centre, the Sisters of Mercy, St John Bosco Home for Boys in Plaisance, the Red Cross Convalescent Home for Children in Enterprise, and the Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanage.
“We have had the great opportunity to witness first-hand the hard work of dedicated Guyanese to provide education and opportunity for children in the community.
“We have also seen the resilience of these children and young adults, who strive to overcome challenges and to learn skills to help themselves and others. We are pleased to be able to volunteer our service in a way that promotes moving toward a brighter future with a sense of promise and optimism,” Hardt declared.
