 | BIOGRAPHY
John W. Blaney
Ambassador, Republic of Liberia
Term of Appointment:
09/09/2002 to
07/13/2005
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John Blaney has been the U.S. Ambassador to Liberia since September 9th 2002. In that capacity, he led successfully U.S. efforts to end the war in Liberia and promote democratic transition and nation-building. Prior to this appointment, Ambassador Blaney most recently served as U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires in South Africa. From 1995-1999, he was the Department of State’s Country Director for Southern Africa, where he directed policy for the 10 countries of that region.
The President designated John Blaney as U.S. Deputy Representative to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations in 1993. After serving in Moscow as a Minister-Counselor (1988-91), he became a Member of the State Department’s Senior Seminar in 1992.
In the mid-1980’s, Mr. Blaney was engaged in strategic nuclear policy. He was the principle drafter of the U.S.-USSR Nuclear Risk Reduction Center Agreement, worked on START and INF, and served the U.S. Congress as an arms expert. Mr. Blaney is an economist by training, and worked in that capacity both at the State Department and in the U.S. Treasury. He also served as an economic officer in Zambia. Ambassador Blaney has received numerous awards during his career.
Ambassador Blaney’s undergraduate degree is from Syracuse University, and he holds a Masters of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He has authored and edited several works, including Successor States to the USSR (Congressional Quarterly Books 1995). Ambassador Blaney began his career as an officer in the U.S. Army in 1971.
Born in Santa Monica, California, Ambassador Blaney is married with two children.
Released on September 29, 2002
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