Newly arrived US charge d’affaires of the US Embassy Robert Copley says the United States backs the Dominican commitment to independence, democracy and respect for human rights. Copley, who now heads the US mission in the Dominican Republic, made the remarks during his official presentation to Dominican government officers, diplomatic colleagues and the press during an event on 15 August 2017 at the US Embassy.
Copley said the United States seeks to collaborate with the development of the Dominican Republic, assisting in security, energy, education and health problems.
Copley mentioned that in his first four weeks in the country he has visited Salcedo, where the Casa Museo Hermanas Mirabal honors the Trujillo regime heroines, and the Monumento a los Héroes de la Restauración, in Santiago that honors the independence from Spain, both monuments that he pointed out are evidence of the historic and constant commitment of Dominicans to the nation.
He said that Dominicans coincide with the goals of the Trump administration of: nationalism first and then solidarity.
In his speech in Spanish, Copley concluded: “I want to assure you that in me you have a party interested in maintaining good communication and one who is always willing to listen and learn. Finally, I would like to underline that all of us meeting here, have something in common: We have the same desire to watch for the well being of this country. We all want to see a prosperous Dominican Republic and in peace.”
Copley began his service in the Dominican Republic on 21 July 2017. He is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, having joined the US Department of State in 1998. In his last assignment with the US Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia, he served as deputy director for the counter-narcotics program. He has previously served in Saudi Arabia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Iraq. In Washington, Copley’s assignments have included the Operations Center, Political/Military Affairs Bureau, and the US mission to the Organization of American States.
A Colorado native, Copley holds degrees from Colorado State University, Georgetown University, and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Copley served 8 years with the US Marine Corps. He and his wife Yanira have two adult children.
Copley replaces Patrick Dunn, who had served as acting ambassador following the departure of US Ambassador James (Wally) Brewster, a political appointee, at the start of the Trump Administration on 20 January 2017. Brewster’s replacement has not been announced.
Read more:
Listin Diario
El Dia
US Embassy
17 August 2017
