Title: Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch Must Be Supported

Washington, D.C. – The American Academy of Diplomacy calls on the Administration to make clear that it will not act against career diplomat Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch for doing her duty and working to support long established US policies and values.

The Administration removed Ambassador Yovanovitch from her post in Ukraine prematurely.  Now, we note with great concern the statement by President Donald Trump in the recently released memorandum of conversation with Ukraine’s president, in which the President said of Ambassador Yovanovitch, “Well, she’s going to go through some things.”  The threatening tone of this statement is deeply troubling.  It suggests actions outside of and contrary to the procedures and standards of a professional service whose officers, like their military counterparts, take an oath to uphold the Constitution. Whatever views the Administration has of Ambassador Yovanovitch’s performance, we call on the Administration to make clear that retaliation for political reasons will not be tolerated.

The Academy is a non-partisan organization of former senior U.S. diplomats, career and political appointees, who have served over decades.  Our mission is strengthening American diplomacy.  In our careers, we have worked around the world and under Republican and Democratic administrations alike and frequently acted publicly and privately against foreign corruption. Speaking out against foreign corruption is consistent also with the Foreign Anti-Corruption Act that binds U.S. business.

Thomas R. Pickering                         Ronald E. Neumann

AAD Chairman                                 AAD President

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The Institute for the Study of Diplomacy stands behind Amb Marie Yovanovitch, who exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity in defense of our national values and interests. We are honored to host her as a senior fellow this year.