U.S. Ambassador to Kenya J. Scott Gration resigns over ‘differences’ with Washington

[cbayer]

Source: Washington Post

By Sudarsan Raghavan, Published: June 29

NAIROBI — The U.S. ambassador to Kenya, J. Scott Gration, a close adviser and friend of President Obama, announced his resignation Friday, weeks before the scheduled release of a U.S. government audit highly critical of his leadership at the embassy.

Gration did not provide specific reasons for moving on from what he described as “his dream job.” But in an e-mailed statement, he said that “differences with Washington regarding my leadership style and certain priorities lead me to believe that it’s now time to leave.”

The audit by the State Department Office of Inspector General found that Gration repeatedly violated diplomatic security protocols at the embassy by using unsecured Internet connections despite warnings, according to a former State Department Africa Bureau official who has seen a draft of the report.

Embassy staffers complained about his lack of interpersonal skills and confrontational style, which generated low morale, the former official said.


Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/us-ambassador-to-kenya-j-scott-gration-resigns-over-differences-with-washington/2012/06/29/gJQAMOQEBW_story.html?wpisrc=emailtoafriend

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A connection I have in Kenya says this guy was a nightmare. He reportedly threatened to shoot his staff in the head, threw staplers, and refused to use secure email routes despite the serious security risks in Kenya.

She is very glad he is gone.

[permatex]

1. This gentleman

really needed to resign. He may have compromised security and his attitude toward staff sounds horrendous. I hope Pres. Obama assigns someone who is more suited for that post.

[elehhhhna]

4. the guy's a real piece of work:

On March 17, 2009, General Gration was named U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan.[15] He took a conciliatory approach to the regime of Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, criticizing the International Criminal Court for its indictment of Bashir's regime, and downplaying reports of genocide in the Darfur conflict.
(wiki)

WTF, Obama. Really? This was one of your top foreign policy advisors while campaigning? Nice friends you got. Not.

[Posteritatis]

3. Sounds like he put the 'ass' in 'ambassador' nicely. (nt)

[ChairmanAgnostic]

8. Bass. B A S S. they were fishing friends.

[Adsos Letter]

5. Well, goodbye then. n/t

[Rhiannon12866]

6. K&R, important news...

And it sounds like good riddance to me! Yikes!

[hedgehog]

7. I can't believe he got to where he is acting this way

his entire life. I hope for his sake I'm wrong, but it sounds like early onset Alzheimers.

[AJTheMan]

9. I nominate myself for the newly opened position of Ambassador to Kenya.

References Available Upon Request

[tanyev]

10. Threats to shoot staff in the head and throwing staplers = leadership style

Oooookay.