Former U.S. Ambassadors

Pamela Hyde Smith
Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Moldova,
(November 2001- September 2003)
 

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith

Pamela Hyde Smith was sworn in as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Moldova on November 2, 2001, in a ceremony led by Secretary of State Colin Powell in Washington. Ms. Smith presented her credentials to Moldovan President Vladimir Voronin on November 27, 2001, in Chisinau. She accompanied President Voronin and his delegation on the visit he made to the U.S. at the invitation of President Bush, from December 16-20, 2002. Ambassador Smith served in Moldova until autumn 2003.

Ambassador Smith focused on three main priorities as Ambassador. The first was to support the global war against terrorism. She has said: "I want to emphasize that we are not fighting a war against Islam or any religion or people. On the contrary we have declared a war against terrorism -- against those who conduct it and those who support it." In addition, she was advancing U.S. policy by contributing "to Moldova's own efforts to reintegrate its territory." She also worked to assist Moldova "to become a stable, more prosperous democracy that operates on the basis of the rule of law and market principles, and integrates successfully into European institutions."

Ms. Smith is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service. From 1997 to 2001, she served as Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs at the U.S. Embassy in London. She joined the Foreign Service in 1975, working in the U.S. Information Agency until its merger with the Department of State in 1999. Prior assignments overseas have included Press Attachй at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Cultural Attachй at the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade, and a first posting at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest. In Washington as an Office Director in the Bureau of Information Programs, Ms. Smith led the team that provides public information about U.S. Government policies to Embassies overseas. She also has worked in management positions directing the worldwide Fulbright academic exchanges program, as a Country Affairs Officer in USIA's Office of European Affairs, and as Special Assistant to USIA's Director.

Ms. Smith is from Tacoma, Washington. She was educated at Wellesley College, where she earned a B.A. in Art History. She worked in graphic design and public relations before joining the Foreign Service. Ms. Smith has two daughters attending university in the United States. She is the widow of retired Foreign Service Officer Sidney G. Smith

Ms. Smith's languages are French, Romanian, Serbo-Croatian, and Indonesian. In 1991 she was the recipient of USIA's Superior Honor Award.

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith' Speeches.