Trump's U.N. nominee was 'absent' ambassador
Source: Politico
FAA records raise questions about the extent of Kelly Craft’s travels while serving as the top U.S. diplomat in Ottawa.
06/17/2019 05:55 PM EDT
President Trump’s nominee to be ambassador to the United Nations – current U.S. ambassador to Canada Kelly Craft – was frequently absent from her post in Ottawa, raising questions about her level of engagement with the job, according to officials in both the United States and Canada.
State Department officials acknowledge her frequent travels outside of Canada, but said many of the trips were related to the new North American trade deal. Her absences from her official post are likely to be an issue in her confirmation hearing, which is now scheduled for Wednesday.
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The issue of her travels is likely to be particularly relevant at her confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – which could occur as soon as later this week – because Craft lacks the lengthy political or diplomatic experience of most former ambassadors to the United Nations. A 57-year-old business consultant from Lexington, Kentucky, Craft served from 2007 to 2008 as an alternate delegate to the U.N. under President George W. Bush but otherwise spent her career in the private sector. Her year and a half tenure in Ottawa represents her prime credential for serving as the lead representative to the United Nations, a position that takes on added importance at moments of international crisis or brinksmanship.
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In addition, a former U.S. official who is in touch with State Department leaders said Craft was viewed around Foggy Bottom as an “absent ambassador” at the embassy in Ottawa and that the mission was often placed in the hands of her deputy while attending to personal business and domestic politics in the United States............................................
Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2019/06/17/kelly-craft-trump-ambassador-canada-1366735
Ambassador Kelly Craft's frequent travel between the United States and Canada will likely be a major question mark at her confirmation hearing this week. | Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
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