Kiribati–United States relations

Kiribati – United States relations are bilateral relations between Kiribati and the United States.

History

Following its independence in 1979, Kiribati signed a treaty of friendship with the United States.^[1] The United States Department of State characterizes U.S.–Kiribati relations as "excellent", as of 2009^[update].^[1] The United States has no consular or diplomatic facilities in the country. Officers of the American Embassy in Suva, Fiji, are concurrently accredited to Kiribati and make periodic visits.^[1] The U.S. Peace Corps, an independent United States federal agency, had maintained a program in Kiribati since 1967. However, the Corps announced plans to pull out of Kiribati in November 2008 after 35 years of working in the country.^[2] Michael Koffman, the Peace Corps Country Director for Kiribati, cited the frequently cancelled and erratic air service in the country as the main reason the Peace Corps was leaving Kiribati.^[2]

Embassy

Principal U.S. Embassy Officials include:

• Ambassador--Larry M. Dinger
• Deputy Chief of Mission—Ted A. Mann
• Political/Economic/Commercial Affairs—Brian J. Siler
• Consul—Debra J. Towry
• Management Officer—Ila S. Jurisson
• Regional Environmental Officer—Joseph P. Murphy
• Regional Security Officer—Jim T. Suor

The U.S. Embassy responsible for Kiribati is located in Suva, Republic of the Fiji Islands.

See also

• Foreign relations of the United States
• Foreign relations of Kiribati

External links

• History of Kiribati - U.S. relations

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Department of State (Background Notes).[1]