Biden chooses Michelle Kwan as ambassador to Belize and Caroline Kennedy as ambassador to Australia
Biden also selected Caroline Kennedy as ambassador to Australia, her second-highest-ranking diplomatic post, after serving as ambassador to Japan during the Obama administration.
The White House made the announcements in a statement Wednesday that the latest ambassadorial choices will be sent to the US Senate, where dozens of candidates are still awaiting confirmation.
In a statement, Kennedy called Australia “a country as important to our future security and prosperity as Australia.”
“I will always be grateful to the brave Solomon Islands and Australian coast watchers who saved my father during World War 2, and if confirmed, I will work hard to repay this debt,” Kennedy said. in a statement. “I look forward to working with the Australian Government to strengthen our alliance, improve global health and increase access to vaccines during this terrible pandemic and tackle the acute climate crisis.” It’s been a pleasure getting to know the Australian people, learning about their fascinating country and sharing with them what I love most about America.”
Kennedy’s appointment to Australia reflects the Biden administration’s highest priority for the Asia-Pacific as it deals with an increasingly assertive China in the region and on the world stage. The United States and Australia share a close trading relationship and a strong military relationship, standing side by side in every major conflict since World War I. The two countries are also members of the “Five Eyes alliance”, an intelligence-sharing agreement between the UK – say the democracies of the US, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the UK.
If confirmed, Kennedy will come to work with previous experience in the area. A graduate of Harvard University and Columbia University Law School, she served as ambassador to Japan from 2013 to 2017 as an Obama administration appointee. In Tokyo, Kennedy worked on military and commercial affairs, among other things, and became the second US ambassador to attend the annual memorial service marking the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
Kennedy’s previous experience includes work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the New York City Department of Education, as well as her family’s facilities. She has edited best-selling books on American history, politics, and poetry, and co-authored two books on civil liberties.
Reflecting Biden’s close ties to the Kennedy political dynasty, Caroline Kennedy is the second family member he has nominated for the diplomatic post. The President has asked the widow of the late Senator Ted Kennedy, Victoria, to be his special envoy to Austria.
Kwan, who worked on the Biden campaign and is pressing for the position of ambassador, said she was honored to be nominated.
“If confirmed, I would be very proud to serve my country,” Kwan said. “Belize is full of incredible history and culture, and is a great partner to the United States of America. I look forward to working with the government of Belize on economic issues, to end this pandemic and solve it. address the root causes of migration.”
This story has been updated with additional background details.
