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Sat, Feb 11 2012
New US ambassador: I want to hear from you
On January 22 2010 James B. Warlick was received by Bulgaria’s Deputy Foreign Minister Marin Raikov, right. Among the topics the two discussed was a visit by Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borissov to the US and the process of including Bulgaria in the US Visa Waiver Programme.
Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
James B. Warlick
Photo: Krassimir Yuskesseliev
Newly-appointed US ambassador to Bulgaria James B. Warlick vowed upon his arrival in Sofia on January 21 2010 to use an honest and direct approach in his interaction with Bulgarian authorities and people.
"My promise to the people of Bulgaria is that we will work together with spirit and commitment to build strong ties between our people and lasting co-operation between our leaders. I want to hear from you. In return, I will speak honestly and directly," Warlick said in a statement.
"My first job is to listen, not only to the leaders of Bulgaria, but also to the many people who want a relationship with the US based on mutual respect and shared interests," he said.
"The governments of America and Bulgaria are partners, but equally important our peoples are friends with shared values and deepening cooperation. My goal as ambassador is to strengthen these ties and build an enduring relationship that will benefit both of our countries".
Warlick praised Bulgaria for its rich history and culture and described Bulgarians as "rightly proud of this heritage".
"Thirty years ago, I was a student in Berlin. I could never imagine that I would be here today as ambassador in a country that is a member of Nato and the European Union, where personal freedom and prosperity are cherished values" he said.
At the end of his statement, Warlick said: "As some may know, I am not the only ambassador in my family. My wife, Mary, is ambassador to Serbia. I hope that our presence in Sofia and Belgrade may be a small symbol of the cooperation that we can forge in a new Europe that is united, free, and at peace".
James B. Warlick, Jr., of Virginia was confirned by the US senate as US ambassador to Bulgaria, on December 29 2009. He replaces Nancy McEldowney, who moved to a senior state department post in Washington
Warlick served as principal deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of International Organisation Affairs from 2006 to 2009, with responsibility for all aspects of US foreign policy at the United Nations and a number of other multilateral organisations.
"My promise to the people of Bulgaria is that we will work together with spirit and commitment to build strong ties between our people and lasting co-operation between our leaders. I want to hear from you. In return, I will speak honestly and directly," Warlick said in a statement.
"My first job is to listen, not only to the leaders of Bulgaria, but also to the many people who want a relationship with the US based on mutual respect and shared interests," he said.
"The governments of America and Bulgaria are partners, but equally important our peoples are friends with shared values and deepening cooperation. My goal as ambassador is to strengthen these ties and build an enduring relationship that will benefit both of our countries".
Warlick praised Bulgaria for its rich history and culture and described Bulgarians as "rightly proud of this heritage".
"Thirty years ago, I was a student in Berlin. I could never imagine that I would be here today as ambassador in a country that is a member of Nato and the European Union, where personal freedom and prosperity are cherished values" he said.
At the end of his statement, Warlick said: "As some may know, I am not the only ambassador in my family. My wife, Mary, is ambassador to Serbia. I hope that our presence in Sofia and Belgrade may be a small symbol of the cooperation that we can forge in a new Europe that is united, free, and at peace".
James B. Warlick, Jr., of Virginia was confirned by the US senate as US ambassador to Bulgaria, on December 29 2009. He replaces Nancy McEldowney, who moved to a senior state department post in Washington
Warlick served as principal deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of International Organisation Affairs from 2006 to 2009, with responsibility for all aspects of US foreign policy at the United Nations and a number of other multilateral organisations.
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Maybe you should let him hear from you about these visas! After all, he's asking "the people". :)
We also like Boiko for this reason, he says it like it is. I know critics say that he's rough, etc., but to me this is far better than some slick, talking hair-do.
Expat,
I am not concern with US motivations. I expect them to act on their interests, the way they see them.
It's the patronizing corporate lingo that I find unpleasant.
This goes back to Stefcho's priblem with Boyko's "bully" dominer: I prefer 1000 a straight shooter with an attitude, than this mush - " my wife is in Belgrade" crap - who cares?
Let's put your mother-in-law in Skopie, sing a song and live like a happy family ever after...
Drop the visas, and then tell us about [...]
Read the full comment our proud history...
Oh, come on now Valeri, it's the guy's first day at the office. :)
Why do you think the U.S. is so interested in having a presence in BG? You and I both know the real reasons. If BG was not in the EU and sitting where it is geographically, we wouldn't even be having this conversation.
Lol,
so "I do not think" and I do not know" are supposed to be your English accent?
Gives us some credit, will you....
supposedly "avg. bulgarian"
"I think that it is wonderful to have a representative from one of our closest allies who has offered from the start to be receptive to our ideas."
What ideas?
Drop the damned visas and treat us like a regular EU country. Other than that just represent your country and don't act like we put you there - any larger issue, talk to Brussels. The US is allies with the EU. We are just a part of the EU. BG isn't US ally anymore than [...]
Read the full comment Louisiana is allied with the EU... Sovereignty is just an excuse for them to discriminate against our nationals at their borders.
We need to develop our European identity, and the US needs to get used to looking at us that way...
I think that it is wonderful to have a representative from one of our closest allies who has offered from the start to be receptive to our ideas. This is not something that i would take for granted from a power such as the US. I do not think that he is acting like an elected official and do not know where you get that idea from.
Ps
this makes about as much sense as if some EU official goes to Alabama and tells the people: " I am here to listen to the people". You know what would happen right? "who tha hell are you?" would happen.
I wonder if I am the first to say that, but peraps the time is coming when we have to do some rethinking.
Just like Sweden closed down its embassy in Sofia, made pointless by the fact that both countries are part of the same structure, the EU, perhaps countries like [...]
Read the full comment the US can also scale down their presense and limit it to missions, consulates and so forth.
Full scale embassies are for countries not part of, what is essentially a federal system...
I am sorry, but his dominer seems to be that of an elected official among the people.
Why would he listen to the average Bulgarians? We have our own politicians to talk to, and if they don't work for us we replace them.( Very few get re-elected in BG).
Not just that, but our politician's bosses are in the EU, not in Washington, so what exactly is it that they will have to say to him?
I think the US needs to understand that BG is part of the EU. Any issues, go through [...]
Read the full comment the structure, don't act like this is a two way relationship only, and please don't act like an elected official...