New US ambassador inches closer

United States Ambassador-Designate to Jamaica, Pamela Bridgewater Awkard, has moved one step closer to confirmation, with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee giving her the nod of approval. This should pave the way for Bridgewater Awkard to move to Kingston later this year as the top US diplomat in Jamaica.

The Senate is expected to rubber-stamp the nomination when it returns from its summer break next month.

Bridgewater Awkard has been nominated by US President Barack Obama to fill the vacancy created when Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson ended her tour of duty in January 2009.

Impressive

She impressed members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee during her confirmation hearing recently, prompting the sitting chairman, Senator Christopher Dodd, to remark: "I think you are all tremendously well qualified."

Dodd was addressing the confirmation hearing for Bridgewater Awkard and three other persons nominated by Barack Obama to fill diplomatic posts in the region.

In her opening statement, a poised and confident Bridgewater Awkard said she would welcome the chance to serve as US ambassador to Jamaica, having served here early in her career.

According to Bridgewater Awkard: "The major political parties considered me an honest and fair player then, and I hope those in the Government, some of whom I have known for many years, will continue to view me in this light if I am confirmed."

Bridgewater Awkard is a career member of the Foreign Service with the rank of minister.

She has served since 2008 as a senior inspector in the Office of the Inspector General and has served as ambassador to Benin and Ghana.

The career diplomat has served in Belgium, Jamaica, South Africa and The Bahamas.