First Woman To Be U.S. Ambassador To The Philippines
Kenney was nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush on November 3, 2005 to succeed Francis J. Ricciardone, Jr.. She was confirmed by the United States senate on February 16, 2006, and was sworn into office by Secretary Condoleezza Rice on March 6, 2006. Kenney arrived in the Philippines on March 17 and submitted her credentials to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on March 22.
Following the 2007 Manila Peninsula rebellion, Kenney voiced support for Arroyo, a key Bush ally in the Southeast Asian theater of the U.S.-led war on terror. She congratulated Philippine authorities for their quick action that led to the arrest of suspects behind the 2007 Batasang Pambansa bombing, and she praised MMDA for keeping Manila clean and orderly.
Regarding the question of U.S. bases, she said: “We are not building any bases in the Philippines, we don’t have any plans to have bases, and we don’t need any bases." On December 4, 2007, Kristie Kenney turned over seven Navy utility boats and two Boston whalers to the Philippine Navy in ceremonies held at its headquarters on Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
Also, Kenney and World Bank country director Bert Hoffman signed the grant agreement of $750,000 or about P32 million at the International Finance Corporation offices in Makati City, for the Bangsang Moro Mindanao Trust Fund agency. She earlier announced a 3-million-dollar grant to the Philippines to help promote family planning in the workplace and the US donation of $38, 000 for preservation of Banaue rice terraces.
On November 19, 2009 U.S. President Barack Obama designated Harry K. Thomas, Jr. to replace Kenney. The Philippine media reported that Kenney, widely known to have become fond of her post, felt "heartbroken" at the thought of leaving it, quoting her Facebook status update, which reportedly read:
"Heart broken to think of leaving the Philippines but know it is time for me to plan to return to be with my family. Calling on my FB friends to help me not be sad but to enjoy and savor my remaining months in this lovely country."
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Famous quotes containing the words woman and/or ambassador:
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