RPCV Ambassador Foote Resigns (Bolivia)
Hi Dan!
Thanks for the ‘heads up’ from Clare Shea (Ethiopia 1965-67)
Ambassador Foote (Bolivia 1992-94)
U.S. Special Envoy for Haiti Daniel Foote (Bolivia 1992-94) has handed his resignation to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, saying he “will not be associated with the United States’ inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti” from the U.S. border.
Foote, a career diplomat, said the U.S. policy approach to the country is deeply flawed, and that Haitians shouldn’t be sent back to “a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control of daily life.”
In his resignation letter, Foote criticized the Biden Administration, writing “I will not be associated with the United States’ inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control of daily life”. Foote also stated that the United States had ignored and dismissed his recommendations regarding U.S. policy in Haiti.
Bravo! More people need to act honorably like this guy when their boss, agency, Administration, President does stupid things. David Raphael
Since Ambassador Foote was/is Special Envoy for Haiti, what was/is his recommended course of action that the U. S. should implement in handling the ten thousand Haitians now in or converging on the Rio Grande River crossing at Del Rio, Texas? This is not a snide question, it would be good to know what the alternative courses (s) of action are.
KUDOS FOR RPCV DANIEL FOOTE, SPECIAL ENVOY TO HAITI, FOR HAVING THE CHARACTER, MORALITY AND COURAGE TO TELL OUR GOVERNMENT IT IS AIDING AND ABETTING THE GENOCIDE OF THE HAITIAN SOCIETY BY NOT HELPING THE ISLAND NATION (OF FORMER SLAVES), WHICH HAS SUFFERED DEVASTATING NATURAL DISASTERS (HURRICANES & EARTHQUAKES), CORRUPT POLITICAL LEADERS, A COUP BY GOVERNMENT LEADERS AND, NOW, THE NATION IS DOMINATED BY STREET GANGS, FORCING THOUSANDS TO FLEE FOR THEIR LIVES — GIVE UP THEIR HOMES, FAMILIES, HISTORIES — IN ORDER TO LIVE.
IMAGINE TRAVELING OVER A THOUSAND MILES, LIVING IN HORRIFIC CONDITIONS UNDER A RIO GRANDE BRIDGE, TO BE TRANSPORTED BACK TO HELL INSTEAD OF BEING HELPED BY THE RICHEST COUNTRY ON EARTH. AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THE MONEY IT COSTS TO FLY THEM ALL BACK WOULD BE ENOUGH MONEY FOR ALL THESE IMPOVERISHED IMMIGRANTS TO LIVE ON FOR A YEAR… USA SHOULD BE ON-SITE IN HAITI PROTECTED THE DEFENSELESS POPULATION, KEEPING THE PEACE…
Heads up JFK Library: I NOMINATE RPCV DANIEL FOOTE for John F. Kennedys prestigious Profiles in Courage Award.
Black Lives Matter!!!!!!!!!
Thank you RPCV Daniel Foote.
Bravo to Daniel Foote and the other State Department official who resigned in response to this unacceptable treatment of Haitian immigrants–in this case–most of whom left the country years ago looking for a safe place to live.
Also, this response and the brutal treatment does relate to racial policies and actions which resulted in Black Lives Matter movement.
Mark D. Walker
RPCV Ambassador Foote’s resignation is echoing through all the Sunday shows. He represents American’s finest qualities for all the country and world to see.
I totally support Foote’s response as well as any other who might have “jumped ship” in light of actions such as sending former “Hatians” who had leff or forced to leave Haiti months/years ago. The lack of compassion for such bewildered, confused, and desperate people is indefensible and an insult to them as well as an insult to think and believe the US seems to be dimming down the llights of “the City on the Hill.” Patrick O’Leary
Hi Dan!