Updated: US Ambassador tenders resignation
Urges Obama to visit Malta
US Ambassador Douglas Kmiec has tendered his resignation to US President Barack Obama in the wake of a report by the US Office of Inspector General (OIG).
The report criticised the amount of time Ambassador Kmiec has dedicated to promoting his faith.
The ambassador, who stressed he was tendering his resignation which takes effect on August 15 as a matter of principle "without pressure from... anyone", said it has been a privilege to serve in Malta.
However, Prof. Kmiec added he could no longer be sure – with his dedication "impugned" by the OIG report – that he was in "a position with my government to have the needs and perspectives (of Malta) heard in the best possible light".
"Over the last days since the report came out, I have prayed that there might be some way short of having the President affirm my credentials personally to remove this doubt in my mind."
In a letter to Mr Obama, seen by The Sunday Times, Prof. Kmiec said: “The OIG... expressed dissatisfaction with the extent of time... that I have devoted to promoting what I know you believe in most strongly – namely personal faith and greater mutual respect... I doubt very much whether one could ever spend too much time on this subject.
“With the highest respect for your leadership, and with some understanding of the difficulty and complexity of the challenges that you and Secretary (of State Hilary) Clinton face each day, I ask that you accept my resignation effective on the feast of the Assumption, 2011.”
Prof. Kmiec, who has served as ambassador to Malta since 2009 and whom it is understood informed Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg of his decision yesterday evening, also wrote to Ms Clinton – roundly criticising the OIG.
“Because of my unusual provenance as Kennedy Democrat and Reagan Republican, I can understand meriting strict scrutiny.
“An unfortunate OIG report published last week claims that high standard unmet on the unsupported speculation that someone doing as much writing as I have done could not have also been devoted to the embassy mission.
“The contrary proof, Madame Secretary, is in the strength of our embassy. Our work is careful, thorough, and timely, and I am fully apprised of all of it, and of course, fully supported by men and women of great dedication and ability...
“All aspects of the Libyan conflict have tested us and we have met these tests, and we will continue to do so. We relished that our tiny mission was deemed ‘essential’ even in the face of budget impasse and even as embassies 10 times its size were not.
“When I directed the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) in 1989, I authored an opinion confining OIG jurisdiction to that which Congress intended – the rooting out of waste, fraud and abuse, and not an evaluation of an agency’s substantive policies.
“That opinion stung the OIG and I suspect I have just experienced a “sting-back.”
“Yet, there is a reason every President and cabinet member since has abided by my OLC opinion, and it is well illustrated in the subjective way in which the inspectors manipulated their policy dislike of the President’s policies, especially his inter-faith initiative, into an unauthorised ‘outside activity’.
“The powers are separated under our Constitution, but the President cannot be separated from his power, and OIG or no OIG, he is free to delegate it without OIG second-guessing, as his judgment and Congress has allowed.
“The OIG failed to read any of my writing or see its highly positive effect on our bilateral relations...
“As I noted when the report was made public, I make no apology for that which George Washington commended to us in farewell address or that you yourself observed eloquently during the Texas primary; it is faith, you said, that sustains our soldiers in battle or, as you described the wounded, those attempting to carry on with artificial limb or deforming injury...
“In the weeks since the OIG’s flawed and narrow vision of our diplomatic mission, people of goodwill in the middle ranks of our department have seen it as their calling to strictly enforce it. As a consequence, my voice has been prevented from speaking; my pen has been enjoined from writing; and my actions have been confined to the ministerial.
“You deserve better, but until these rigid, and rigidly narrow, perspectives are overcome, you and the President are being deprived of the intelligent insight of much of your Embassy’s work.
“Should you want to challenge this organisational difficulty, I am at your service. In the interim, you have my full commitment to deliver until the final tick of the clock on August 15 next.”
In his letter to the President, the ambassador invited Mr Obama to attend the opening of the new US Embassy in Malta in July and in a separate statement urged him to make the journey to the island even sooner.
It has “occurred to me as I write that President Obama could still turn the OIG’s unfortunate ‘rebuke’ into a positive if I could successfully prompt him and his family to spend Easter with us in one of Malta’s great churches.
“Remember, Mr President, ‘365 churches’, you said, ‘one for every day’. I haven’t quite met the quota, Sir, as I found myself frequenting some close by my home, so I would welcome us teaming up again, sir, like we did in the campaign, for we learned in those Catholic places that were at first sceptical of your good heart that those who stand on common ground can indeed accomplish the common good.
“And don’t think Mr President that setting down Air Force One at Luqa would be all pleasure. I would not want us both on the grumpy side of the OIG. No sir, you know better than me that the NATO team is restless, and your presence here could steady them. Malta is the ideal place, sir, for that mission.
“Malta’s nonalignment and humanitarian posture and physical proximity has many insights into Libya and these could well supply the best possible understanding of the challenges facing the Mediterranean.
“With the fighting intensifying, it is worth exploring whether a bona fide ceasefire can be found.
“As the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, you told us always to be alert for the opening of a clenched fist. Whether those who could unclench the hatreds afoot in Libya today that wrongfully deny what virtually all desire – namely, an honest economy and participatory democracy in Libya today can be found – requires the careful deliberation for which you are respected.
“I know it’s a long trip, Sir, but it is a worthwhile one, for we know because of the significance of what we remember next Sunday that ‘nothing is impossible in Christ’.”
Prof. Kmiec also paid tribute to Malta, which he described as a place of “uncommon kindness” and to the Maltese, saying he was truly honoured to “represent my nation in yours”.
“Those who honoured my country by saluting our flag as my car passed reminded me of this daily. I knew the salutation was not for me, but for the United States at her best, and my return salute was and will be until my last day on the feast of the Assumption 2011 be my way of expressing a sincere thank you on behalf of my 310 million fellow citizens.
“It is also a privilege, and the privilege of serving as Ambassador even more so – for my duty is to both clearly and honestly represent the views of my nation, while carrying back not only an understanding of yours, but also an implied promise between two excellent friends to do one’s utmost to secure the best possible accommodation of our mutual interests...
“I will miss you more than I can say, but please accept my stepping aside not as sad abandonment, but as a crisp return salute for a country of which I have grown immensely fond.
It is a sign of my greatest and highest respect for all Malta has been, all Malta is, and all Malta is yet to be. Your commitment to faith and family are the only army needed to secure your future.”
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
PL reacts as PN labels Franco Debono's...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
PL reacts as PN labels Franco Debono's...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
60 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Mr Joe Xuereb
Apr 19th 2011, 01:51
Religion is the opium of the people. People get addicted to opium. Religion is always an opium but some practitioners are more opium-ized than others - they cannot free themselves from their prop, not even for short periods. Their zealotry permeates every minute of their waking hours - and they dream about it too I shouldn't wonder!
It is interesting that believers cannot see that Mr. Kmiec's religious obligations were heavily overlaping his official ones - they share the same zealotry I guess. Non-believers (or non-fanatical religious) find it easier to recognise this overlapping and understand it is inappropriate. No drama! Ah! the beauty of the unshackled spirit!
JX, against any addiction on principle.
Mr Joe Xuereb
Apr 19th 2011, 01:20
@Philip Hili, what you read into JX is your business entirely. Is your mind so much 'in the box' that you cannot allow for a smidgen of quirkiness (if that's what it is)? That said, I wonder which is the more onerous, telling a believer he doesn't believe OR telling a non-believer that he does(believe)? One thing is for sure; you make it so obvious that you feel very uncomfortable in the presence of a self-declared atheist. And I can understand that since I was a gullible believer once and my whole identity was built around that sad fact. But not any more. So Hili, don't be a heel (see dictionary of slang), shore up your identity but not at my expense, please.
Your acrobatic reasoning is quite amusing for a supposedly bright man (it's not a crime to be stupid by the way so don't take it to heart). So, if telling lies is against god and JX does not fib on principle, ipso fatso JX is a believer. You'll have to be an atheist to understand THAT giration Philip. But I wouldn't advise it. You're not ready yet. But you may get lucky if you pray hard enough. Sorry, can't pray, won't pray!
Interesting! Why pick out the initials JX thingy, a triviality that you got wrong in any case, but choose to ignore the juicy bits? Denial as part of the identity bargain, perhaps?
Joseph W. Galea
Apr 18th 2011, 22:20
Maybe this will shed some more light on the subject.
http://my.firedoglake.com/peterr/2011/04/16/doug-kmiec-the-leona-helmsley-of-ambassadors-resigns/
Margaret Richards
Apr 18th 2011, 20:03
@ MR. BUDS-ALTHOUGH I HOLD AMBASSADOR KMIEC IN VERY HIGH ESTEEM IN HIS ROLE OF US AMBASSADOR TO MALTA, BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT MIXING CHURCH-STATE ISSUES IS NOT COMMENDABLE AND CAN BACK FIRE. I AM ALL FOR LIBERALISM, SECULARISM AND SEPARATION OF POWERS. WE NEED THIS VERY BADLY IN MALTA. ALSO BETWEEN AN AMBASSADORIAL ROLE TO THAT OF A RELIGIOUS ONE THERE IS A DISTINCT DIFFERENCE. WHILE APPRECIATING THE FACT THAT FREEDOM OF RELIGIOUS EXPRESSION (AS LONG AS IT'S ROMAN CATHOLIC) IS ACCEPTED ON THIS ISLAND, AND ALTHOUGH I DO BELIEVE THAT AMBASSADOR KMIEC HAD EVERY RIGHT TO WRITE WHAT HE DEEMED FIT, BUT THE FACT THAT THIS WAS OVERLAPPING WITH HIS DIPLOMATIC DUTIES WAS 'DIPLOMATICALLY UNWISE'.
Mr Alex Buds
Apr 18th 2011, 19:29
Andy Farrugia: your comment makes no sense.
First of all your comment and the languge it uses is disrespectful to secularists and atheists, who are entitled to their opinions just like the people of any religion. If somebody called you an abominable Catholic, would you like that?
Secondly the ambassador was criticised for writing about religion at the expense of doing his real job, not for writing about religion, which he is of course entitled to do, so long as it is not at the expense of the job he is being paid for.
Mr Andy Farrugia
Apr 18th 2011, 16:03
After the Buttiglione affair (who was not even given the chance to take up the posting), yet another upright sensible and honest gentleman has been hounded out by the abominable secularist/atheist brigade. Note that the reasons had nothing to do with corruption, sleaze, incompetence or some other form of deplorable behaviour. The only reason had to do with His Excellency practising his Catholic faith. The sheer arrogance and intolerance of these goons within the US OIG. A motley crowd of soulless depraved creatures.
Patrice Peyre
Apr 19th 2011, 00:39
Have you actually read the report? The US OIG was critical of Mr Kmiec's performance because he was not doing the job he was recruited for (and not because he is a Christian). I don't know whether you are in a position of authority or an employer but I am sure that you can visualise the scenario: You employ someone as a cook / secretary / mechanic / accountant and instead of performing his/her duty, the person heads to church. Mr Kmiec's actions were even more reprehensible in that he would take other members of your staff away from work.
Would you consider that situation normal? I will also point out that the US President is a Christian and that he would not base the acceptance of Mr Kmiec's resignation on anti-Christian rants.
Joseph W. Galea
Apr 17th 2011, 20:48
All one has to do is look at the diatribe guised as a letter of resignation.
It seems that the ambassador was more willing to ascertain that his letter of resignation was more well known to the people of Malta than to the President of the United States or the State Deprtment.
What seems to be remiss here is the fact that ambassador Kmiec forgot what his principal duties were and chose to use a large percentage of his time, and that of his staff, to achieve other goals other than the main tasks he was sent to Malta to perform.
As stated before, no one has denied the ambassador the practicing of his faith and in this case faith has nothing to do with this resignation.
Maybe the adoration that Mr. Kmiec seems to have recieved in Malta has gone to his head and his actions have become paralell to those thoughts.
Philip Hili
Apr 18th 2011, 14:47
How funny your commit is!!!!
Were you the timekeeper of Prof. Kmiec?
If so, could you please furnish the readers of the TOM with a record of his duties which as stated by your goodself "chose to use a large percentage of his time, and that of his staff, to achieve other goals other than the main tasks he was sent to Malta to perform"?
Mr. Galea, please stop talking nonsense
Mr Wally Vella-Zarb
Apr 18th 2011, 19:00
Mr Hili, what is "funny" is that you are defending a case of an employee who, according to the report drawn up by the representatives of his employer, was dedicating more time to his private affairs than to his official duties. No more and no less. In similar cases of what is known as 'dereliction of duties' a warning followed by dismissal is the normal course of events. Even an ambassador has official duties, the same as any other employee - perhaps even more so because of the sensitivity of his position. Quite frankly, I believe that it is solely due to diplomatic exigencies that he was quietly 'persuaded' to resign instead of being openly and summarily dismissed.
Philip Hili
Apr 18th 2011, 21:43
@ Mr. Wally Vella-Zarb
Why it is funny to defend an employee. You mentioned "according to the report drawn up by the representatives of his employer. Do you know whether his representative of his employer has any grudge for H.E. Prof. Kmiec? Do you know what religion this representative of his employer professes? Do you know that if a person is accused of something, he is innocent until proved guilty? What would had been your reaction had Profs. Kmiec professed any other religion except that of a true Roman Catholic?
Mr V Mercieca
Apr 17th 2011, 18:43
Your Excellency
This morning during Palm Sunday Mass, I heard you reading the second lesson to the congregation.
During the reading, I must admit that my thoughts were more on what big A.H. some high officials in the American administration are and not on the reading itself.
America was built on Christian principals but the High Court ruled that the Cross in public buildings and schools is offensive to people of other beliefs. If they do that to a symbol of another religion hell would be raised world wide.
I am positively sure that if you were of a different religion and you acted as you acted no one at the OIG would have commented as otherwise they would expect retaliations from various anti US demonstrations in many countries in Africa; Asia and the Middle East.
If I were President Obama, I would not accept your resignation as you acted properly in what you believe but I would ask the A.H. in the OIG to submit their resignation.
You are doing a very good job here and your actions and hospitality immediately stole our hearts.
I am sad to see you go.
Ms D Galea
Apr 17th 2011, 18:21
@Mr.Ganni Borg and Mr Laiviera,
After reading your personal opinions on the subject , I am even more convinced that if Mr Ambassador was an atheist or of any another religious persuation , other then a Roman Catholic,, the whole world would be up in arms in his defence.
Thank you both for proving my point.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Apr 17th 2011, 20:49
Ms Galea, you are at libertty to understand whatever you like in my comment. It's a free country, and who am I to interfere in yout strange comprehension of the English language?
Ms Rosanne Galea
Apr 17th 2011, 17:46
His Excellency Ambassador Kmiec has struck me as a very intelligent person and ready to help people working for a good cause. He was available to assist as much as possible. I met him during the functions of the Malta Association of Women in Business. He encouraged the members to do business with American counterparts. His resignation is a true pity. We will miss him.
Mr John Azzopoardi
Apr 17th 2011, 16:58
Douglous Kmiec is a decent man. I hope we don't lose him as US ambassador.
Mr Victor Zammit Mckeon
Apr 17th 2011, 15:18
Your Excellency,
I am very sorry to read about your resignation.
The United States of America's diplomacy has become poorer.
And Malta has lost a friend.
Please pray for us.
May God bless you.
Mr Joe Xuereb
Apr 17th 2011, 13:18
I cannot say I am sorry to see Kmiec, Douglas, go. Evidently, some of the entanglements we get ourselves into need more than prayers to be unravelled.
JX, an atheist who is against abortion on principle, bar very exceptional cases. And definitely against the indoctrination - read stultification - of minds, depriving them of the beauty that is free-thinking, also known as true living. Again, on principle, you understand..
Was this not the man who 'sided' with Obama because it suited his career, an Obama who endorsed abortion. For his effort he, Kmiec, was refused Communion by the bishops.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Kmiec
and
http://www.dailynews.com/news/ci_15903040 Maybe god doesn't look after his own after all! But we've known that all along.
Now where the hell did I put that opium pipe?!
Philip Hili
Apr 18th 2011, 15:40
Come on Mr Xuereb, be smart and try not to disrespect the intelligence of the readers.
If the initials in your second paragraph "JX" refer to you "Joe Xuereb", why are you afraid in proclaiming your "sic" faith? Why didn't you say "I" or "Joe Xuereb"
"JX, an atheist who is against abortion on principle" is not an atheist at all. His (JX) comments are simply BLUFF because since abortion is an act against God and JX "is against abortion on principle," JX beleives in something that is against what he is saying he does not believe in!!!!
Hallina Guz.!!!!! "Ir-Ross minn halqna nikluh" ta.
Ms D Galea
Apr 17th 2011, 13:15
I suppost that if Mr Ambassador was a Muslim/ Hindu./Atheist/Rasta/ Wicca......anythingf but a (Shock! Horror!) Roman Catholic, and he was writing about his beliefs /lack of them, , all the world would be crying " Foul!l'' at his dismissal and giving the" racist, xenophobe bigot" label to the Obama administration and all those locals who may have contributed to seeing the back of one of the best US ambassador we had in recent years.
Brave New World!
Mr Ganni Borg
Apr 17th 2011, 15:21
You are missing the point, Ms Galea.
Ambassador Kmiec was not criticized because he is a catholic but because he spent more time promoting his faith than tending to his diplomatic duties. He is supposed to be a diplomat, not a missionary.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Apr 17th 2011, 11:58
It is highly ironic, but the Ambassador's letter to his President is proof positive of how right his critics were. The plain and glaring fact is that the man is unbalanced. Not, I hasten to add, unbalanced in the "mental" meaning of the word. Unbalanced in that one aspect of his life - religion – dominates all others to an unnatural and unhealthy extent. Just to quote one example, his resignation doesn’t become effective on the 15 of August, but “effective on the feast of the Assumption, 2011”.
This might be acceptable in a person with a religious vocation – though he seems to eclipse most of them in “religiosity" – but certainly not in a diplomat representing his country. The fact that Ambassador Kmiec cannot see that is, perhaps, the most important factor which makes him unsuitable for such a post.
Mr Andy Farrugia
Apr 17th 2011, 14:51
"Not, I hasten to add, unbalanced in the "mental" meaning of the word. Unbalanced in that one aspect of his life - religion – dominates all others to an unnatural and unhealthy extent. "
And i suppose people like you know the meaning of natural and healthy; ridiculous.
Patrice Peyre
Apr 17th 2011, 18:08
@Vitor: I could not agree more with you!
Mr Joseph Cauchi Senior
Apr 17th 2011, 11:54
It’s very sad to hear this news because Malta and the U.S.A. cannot afford to lose such a valuable man!
Let’s hope that Ambassador Kmiec will withdraw his resignation and that President Obama will refuse it!
Malta needs and loves Ambassador Kmiec.
Long live the friendship between Malta and the U.S.A.!
JC.
Mr Jo Camm
Apr 17th 2011, 11:43
And all this in the MOST democratic and liberal country on earth.
One can shoot and kill his neighbour but not practice his Catholic Religion. Probably that is why the post office issued the wrong statue of liberty in a recently issued stamp. They could not stand the 'double faced' democracy (???)
Ray Briffa
Apr 17th 2011, 11:17
The Ambassador has done the right thing. Clearly I believe that his evangelical messages and writing were taking precedence over his ambassadorial responsibilities.
Steven Calascione
Apr 17th 2011, 12:07
Ambassador Kmiec is first and foremost a human being not an art critic Ray.
Ray Briffa
Apr 17th 2011, 20:27
yet not with the capabilities of being a dedicated ambassador............even his own "bosses" are saying that Steven.
Jesmond Micallef
Apr 17th 2011, 11:07
Profs. Douglas Kmiec, your mission as US Ambassador to Malta was also as an ambassador of goodwill. It's rather sad to see you go like this and wholeheartedly express my regret in reading of your resignation. I sincerely hope that US President Mr. Barack Obama asks you to reconsider, not just once but evenmore. You have been an inspiration to alot of people, including myself and wish to thank you for your honest and intelligent contributions in Malta. You have done this, very well. You are a very decent family man and its a great loss to see you go. I'm sorry, really am....
Ivan Attard
Apr 17th 2011, 10:52
I wonder if president Obama and Hilary Clinton would find the time and effort to read such a long drawn out letter.
Mr Saliba Francis
Apr 17th 2011, 15:36
This comment should read:
Let us hope that the concept entertained by the Inspector General of the OIG of an efficient USA ambassador to Malta is NOT to send someone over here, agitating for government funded abortion clinics as is being done in the USA today.
Ambassadors are chosen by the country thay represent, but they are accredited to (accepted) by the country where they are to serve. After consulting the present USA ambassador, I would suggest that no secularist minded ambassador would be accepted for the normal duration of Mr D Kriec term of office.
Mr Saliba Francis
Apr 17th 2011, 10:37
Let us hope that the concept entertained by the Inspector General of the OIG of an efficient USA ambassador to Malta is to send someone over here agitating for government funded abortion clinics as is being done in the USA today.
S. Camilleri
Apr 17th 2011, 12:09
Who says the Ambassador was not doing his work here?? You? The OIG?? Hahaha... It was also the state offices and state apparata that said there were Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq. No?
Good Luck Ambassador Kmiec and May God be with you. Thanks for your time here.
Charlie Borg
Apr 17th 2011, 17:35
Why? Was there EVER a USA ambassador fitting the fantastical description you are portraying? And what do you mean by 'no secularist-minded ambassador' would not be accepted? What kind of ambassador will suit the Maltese, according to you? A religious zealot? We need an ambassador, fullstop!
Patrice Peyre
Apr 17th 2011, 10:24
The man wasn't doing his job and there is a problem with that!??! Please read the report (extract below) before raising your arms and calling him a martyr: http://oig.state.gov/documents/organization/160374.pdf
"Based on a belief that he was given a special mandate to promote President Obama's interfaith initiatives, he has devoted considerable time to writing articles for publication in the United States as well as in Malta, and to presenting his views on subjects outside the bilateral portfolio. He has been inconsistent in observance of clearance procedures required for publication. He also looks well beyond the bilateral relationship when considering possible events for the mission to host in Malta. His approach has required Department principals, as well as some embassy staff, to spend an inordinate amount of time reviewing his writings, speeches, and other initiatives. His official schedule has been uncharacteristically light for an ambassador at a post of this size, and on average he spends several hours of each work day in the residence, much of which appears to be devoted to his nonofficial writings."
Mr joseph antignolo
Apr 17th 2011, 10:20
This is truely as sad news for Malta. Losing such a gentleman will be a great loss for the Maltese community. May God prtects you and your family throughout your life. God Bless you.
Mr Daniel Schembri
Apr 17th 2011, 10:14
I am positive that in the coming centuries, if we make it, the major monotheistic religions will be reduced to minority cults. And this is part of evolution i.e. discarding that which is no longer required and no longer makes sense. What man creates, he can destroy. And religion is not exempt from the way to progress, the latter being grounded in reasoning, science, philosophy, liberalism, socialism and a solidarity which requires no divine intervention.
Steven Calascione
Apr 17th 2011, 10:24
Words, only words Daniel. True religion is action.
Daniel Laus
Apr 17th 2011, 10:09
You have served your country well Mr. Ambassador! We Maltese are all proud and content with your presence amongst us. You proved the meaning of how to be an American Catholic. Thank you!! God Bless You.
Steven Calascione
Apr 17th 2011, 10:01
President Obama could and should do the right thing, reinstate Ambassador Kmiec.
Mr Victor Laiviera
Apr 18th 2011, 14:20
To err is human; to persist in error is diabolical.
Joseph W. Galea
Apr 17th 2011, 09:48
I think that the ambassador has done the right thing.
Now he can devote his full time to further his religious beliefs, at his expence.
I doubt if because of this Mr. Obama should visit Malta, since it is not a reason that has any paramount complications.
Ambassadors come and go, some devote their full time to their assigned job, others choose to follow some other paths that may neglect their job assignment, which apparently the OIG seems to believe.
Mr Mark A. Sammut
Apr 17th 2011, 09:29
Ambassador Kmiec was a persona gratissima.
A matter which could have easily been resolved administratively has had such far-reaching consequences only because it was published in the media.
Sometimes, an unbridled right to expression (understood as media reporting) can have negative consequences for the common good.
Perhaps the OIG report was not that news worthy after all... or perhaps the observation should not have been allowed to change the course of events... we are ending up being government by the mere fact of media reporting... whereas the media should be the watchdog... otherwise if the watchdog starts governing, who will watch the watchdog?
Prof Kmiec's departure will be a loss to both Malta and the US. One hopes Mr Obama and Mrs Clinton do not accept Prof Kmiec's resignation.
Joseph Gaffarena
Apr 17th 2011, 09:26
Well said your excellency.
I,admire the way you expressed your faith to the President.
From here I, invite you if you accept to be our special guest
in a blood donation breaking record that we are going to have
in our beautiful town of Santa Lucija (Malta).on the 26th, june .
There also you will see our american vintage cars all displayed
for this unique activity.It will be an honour for us to come and take
part .
You can contact me by asking the editor for my mob, no, or e mail.
May God bless you and keep you a frequent visitor to our island.
From here I, want to thank you for the good work you have done
in your post as an ambassador.
Charlie Borg
Apr 17th 2011, 09:11
This has nothing to do with us. It is the responsibility of the USA when dealing with their own Ambassadors.
Kenneth Cassar
Apr 17th 2011, 08:58
Its funny how some of us forget all about neutrality when it suits us.
Mr Andy Farrugia
Apr 17th 2011, 08:51
It is obvious that faceless and soulless apparatchiks within the US OIG have made the position of Mr Ambassador Kmiec untenable. I have no suitable words to describe the iniquity of these idiots. However, i would like to salute Mr Ambassador Kmiec and i would like to thank him for paying tribute to Malta and the Maltese:
"Your commitment to faith and family are the only army needed to secure your future.” We will remember these words for a long, long time.
Thank you, Mr Ambassador, it has been a pleasure and a blessing to have you as the US ambassador on these islands.
Vincent Galea
Apr 17th 2011, 07:53
Most people are very careful not to swallow an insect, but devouring a person, not so much.
vincent arrigo azzopardi
Apr 17th 2011, 09:01
In which "GOD" DOES the USA TRUST.
Stick to your ground Mr Ambassador.
We have great respect for you.
May GOD bless you.
Raymond Farrugia
Apr 17th 2011, 07:51
Is this the same country that has "In God We Trust" on its dollar notes? Mr Ambassador you should not have resigned for this reason. You have done nobody a service except those within your government who want to promote a godless society. You were a breath of fresh air.
Daniel Laus
Apr 17th 2011, 10:13
Could not agree more with you!
(your [Democratic] government who want to promote a godless society...)
Ms M Micallef
Apr 17th 2011, 06:53
Pity !
Mr D Bonello
Apr 17th 2011, 03:12
Thank you for your service to the Maltese people. Probably we will not have a new ambassador until a new President is elected in the US which hopefully takes place in the next US election.
Mr PAUL AZZOPARDI
Apr 17th 2011, 01:56
shame on the OIG for such banal and absurd behaviour. Such a waste of resource, no wonder we are afraid of ourselves. I hope and pray that President Obama does not accept his resignation and I ask all Maltese of goodwill to petition the President not to let this happen.
Mr Paul Barrett
Apr 17th 2011, 01:54
Quote: The report criticised the amount of time Ambassador Kmiec has dedicated to promoting his faith. Unquote.
If I remember correctly from the article that appeared in the Times of Malta, the report criticised the amount of time the Ambassador dedicated to promoting his faith when he should have been at work and also for using (or misusing) official staff for this none official purpose.
Forget the "faith" part of the report and look at the practical side. Basically you don't get employed to head any job, use the work time and staff to carry out none work related tasks and then not expect to be criticised when your unit is evaluated.
Alfred Vassallo
Apr 17th 2011, 10:14
Quote: not expect to be criticised when your unit is evaluated. Unless of course it wasn't a “sting-back.” Don't forget what Mr. Kmiec wrote, and I quote, “When I directed the Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) in 1989, I authored an opinion confining OIG jurisdiction to that which Congress intended – the rooting out of waste, fraud and abuse, and not an evaluation of an agency’s substantive policies. And the most important part :
“The contrary proof, Madame Secretary, is in the strength of our embassy. Our work is careful, thorough, and timely, and I am fully apprised of all of it, and of course, fully supported by men and women of great dedication and ability.
Mr Stephen Florian
Apr 17th 2011, 01:16
What a waste of human potential and talent !
Mr Joe Xuereb
Apr 17th 2011, 01:05
I cannot say I am sorry to see Douglas Kmiec go. Evidently, some of the entanglements we get ourselves into need more than prayers to be unravelled.
An atheist who is against abortion on principle, bar very exceptional cases.
Mr carlos ellul
Apr 17th 2011, 00:07
Mr Kmiec was crucial in the relocation of immigrants in the US. He's by far a much better human being then those who hide behind the Dublin 2 treaty to lock immigrants to Malta whether they like it or not. Thanks Mr Kmiec.
Please choose the reason of your report below: