Cobb
Earl Moxam, Senior Gleaner Writer
AFTER THREE years in Jamaica, United States Ambassador, Sue Cobb, is getting ready to demit office early in the new year.
This she confirmed in an interview with the Sunday Gleaner
"After the turn of the year it will have been three and a half years for me, which is longer than most non-career ambassadors stay in a post. So, shortly after the first of the year (January 1, 2005) I will be figuring out what the next step is for me. We have sent a diplomatic note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to that effect, and last week I told President Bush that I would expect to demit office in early 2005."
Foreign Affairs Minister K.D Knight, in a brief response, told the Sunday Gleaner that he had found working with Ambassador Cobb to be fruitful.
"We both enjoyed an excellent relationship and where there were differences we always sought to find solutions. I hope she found her tour of duty rewarding and satisfying and I know that Jamaica will always remain in her heart and she will be our advocate whenever she can," he said.
This period in Jamaica, Ambassador Cobb said, "with the exception of my family", has been "the most pleasurable three years of my life."
Appointed Ambassador to Jamaica by President George W. Bush in 2001, Sue Cobb arrived just before the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.
She acknowledged that, while here, there have been tense moments, particularly relating to Haiti and the controversial departure of ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
The U.S. Embassy also became the target of several protest marches staged to show local opposition to the American-led war in Iraq.
Ambassador Cobb nevertheless described the relationship as good. "We do hit these points of tension. Winston Churchill said that the bad thing about having allies is that sometimes they have ideas of their own!" she quipped, in acknowledgement of those points of disagreement.
Among the areas of co-operation she has treasured most, the ambassador highlighted the 'Building Bridges' programme, education and the fight against HIV/AIDS.
