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Christopher Dell

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For the Australian cricketer, see Christopher Dell (cricketer).
Christopher William Dell
United States Ambassador to Kosovo
In office
August 24, 2009 – August 9, 2012
PresidentBarack Obama
Preceded byTina Kaidanow
Succeeded byTracey Ann Jacobson
United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe
In office
September 2, 2004 – July 14, 2007
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byJoseph Sullivan
Succeeded byJames D. McGee
United States Ambassador to Angola
In office
October 26, 2001 – July 12, 2004
PresidentGeorge W. Bush
Preceded byJoseph Sullivan
Succeeded byCynthia G. Efird
Personal details
Born1956 (age 67–68)
Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.
EducationColumbia University (BA)
Balliol College, Oxford (MPhil)
ProfessionDiplomat, Career Ambassador
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/serviceUnited States Department of State
UnitU.S. Africa Command
CommandsDeputy to the Commander for Civil-Military Activity, U.S. Africa Command

Christopher William Dell (born 1956)[1] is an American diplomat who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Angola, Zimbabwe, and Kosovo.

Early life and education

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Born in Hackensack, New Jersey, Dell moved with his family to Holmdel Township, New Jersey a year after he was born.[2] Dell graduated in 1974 from Holmdel High School.[3]

Dell obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University in 1978 and a Master of Philosophy from Balliol College, Oxford, in 1980.[4]

Diplomatic career

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During the 1980s, Dell worked in American embassies and consulates in Mexico and Portugal, and at the Foreign Office. In the 1990s, he was posted to Mozambique and Bulgaria. In 2000–2001, he served as the Chief of Mission of the U.S. Office in Pristina, Kosovo.[4]

From 2001 to 2004, Christopher Dell was U.S. Ambassador to Angola.[4]

Posting to Zimbabwe

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Dell was appointed US Ambassador to Zimbabwe on July 2, 2004, and presented his credentials in Harare on September 2.[5] During his tenure, the government of President Robert Mugabe has carried out Operation Murambatsvina, which has been described by Mugabe as an "urban renewal" program and by his political opponents as a crackdown on the urban poor. Western governments, including that of the United States, have condemned it.

Relations between the United States and Zimbabwe have deteriorated as a result of both Operation Murambatsvina and the humanitarian situation in the country, which the United States has blamed on official corruption and mismanagement. In addition, the US named Zimbabwe an abuser of human rights in 2004 annual report.[6]

As a result of tense relations, Dell has borne the brunt of the Zimbabwe government's displeasure. In mid-October 2005, he was detained for entering a restricted area of the Harare Botanical Gardens.[7] A few weeks later, at a public lecture in the city of Mutare, Dell blamed corruption for the food shortages in the country, which the Zimbabwe government blames on foreign sanctions. On November 8, 2005, Dell was summoned to meet President Mugabe and was told to "go to hell."[8][9] The following day, the ambassador was recalled to the United States for consultations.[10] He subsequently returned.

Dell publicly condemned the beating of several opposition Movement for Democratic Change leaders and protestors, which occurred on March 11, 2007, including that of party leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.

On March 19, acting on orders from President Mugabe, Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi summoned Dell and other western diplomats to his ministry to receive an official warning to stop interfering in the country's internal affairs. When Mumbengegwi refused to allow the diplomats an opportunity to ask questions, Dell walked out, describing the meeting as a "sham" for the benefit of the state media, who were filming the proceedings.[11][12] Dell left Harare the same day for London. The State Department stated that he would return to Zimbabwe soon.[13]

On July 14, 2007, Dell left his posting in Zimbabwe[5] without bidding Mugabe farewell. According to Zimbabwean state radio, at the time of his departure he was disappointed because Mugabe remained in office.[14] Dell was then appointed deputy chief of mission in Afghanistan.[15]

Posting in Afghanistan

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From 2007 to 2009, Dell was Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

Posting in Kosovo

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On May 27, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Dell to be Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 10, 2009 and sworn in on July 31, 2009.[16] He was succeeded by Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson.

Posting to Africom

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On September 15, 2012, Ambassador Christopher Dell was appointed the civilian deputy to General Ham, United States Africa Command.[17]

In April 2014, an article appeared in The Guardian on how Dell after his posting had joined Bechtel, a company he had heavily lobbied for to obtain a controversial contract to build an expensive highway, in the poorest country in Europe.[18] A 2015 article in Foreign Policy also criticized Dell's action, stating that "One of Europe's poorest countries wanted a road, so U.S. mega-contractor Bechtel sold it a $1.3 billion highway, with the backing of a powerful American ambassador [Dell]. Funny thing is, the highway is barely being used—and the ambassador is now working for Bechtel."[19]

Career service

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  • Civilian deputy to General Ham, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, September 15, 2012 – present.
  • Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo, July 31, 2009 – 2012.
  • Deputy Chief of Mission, Afghanistan, 2007 - July 30, 2009
  • Ambassador to Zimbabwe, 2004–2007
  • Ambassador to Angola, 2001-2004
    (Appointed on August 4, 2001; presented his credentials on October 26; left his post on July 12, 2004)[20]
  • Chief of Mission, U.S. Office, Pristina, Kosovo, 2000-2001[21]
  • Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria, 1997–2000
  • Deputy Director, Office of Regional Political Affairs, Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs, 1994–1996
  • Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Maputo, Mozambique, 1991–1994
  • Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for International Security Affairs, 1989–1991
  • Executive Assistant to the Special Negotiator for Greek Bases Agreement, Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs, 1987–1989
  • Desk Officer for Spain and Portugal, Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs, 1986–1987
  • Staff Assistant, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, 1985–1986
  • Political Officer, US Embassy Lisbon, Portugal, 1984–1985
  • Vice Consul, US Consulate Oporto, Portugal, 1983–1984
  • Vice Consul, US Consulate Matamoros, Mexico, 1981–1983

References

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  1. ^ "Christopher William Dell - People - Department History - Office of the Historian". history.state.gov. Retrieved 2022-02-16.
  2. ^ Di Lellio, Anna. "Interview with Christopher Dell", Oral History Kosovo, August 27, 2018. Accessed January 19, 2021. "Christopher Dell: So I was born in Hackensack, which is very close to New York. My family was from Palisades Park, which you probably know being from New York. I grew up my whole life in a town called Holmdel, which is down near the Jersey Shore.... We lived in one of the first bedroom communities, you know, it was built in the 1950s, moved there in 1957, it was one of those early exoduses from the dense inner cores out more towards the suburbs."
  3. ^ Safran, Chad A. "People On The Move - Chris Dell", Living Media, October 20, 2009, backed up by the Internet Archive as of March 15, 2012. Accessed January 19, 2021. "'The challenges are immense. People here look to me for the key signals on almost everything, yet my job is to strike a balance and encourage their independence and ability to make good decisions about their own future,' says the Holmdel native, who spent several summers working for Jim and John Ackerson on their Holmdel Road farm. Chris was also one of Holmdel High School’s first graduates – class of 1974."
  4. ^ a b c Bio Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ a b U.S. Department of State. Chiefs of Mission by Country, 1778–2005: Zimbabwe. – Retrieved on 29 May 2009.
  6. ^ "Zimbabwe". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  7. ^ "US envoy 'detained' in Zimbabwe". BBC News. October 14, 2005.
  8. ^ https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051108/wl_nm/zimbabwe_usa_dc_6 [permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "Zimbabwe voices anger at US envoy". BBC News. November 9, 2005.
  10. ^ "Zim News .NET Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe News | Zim Latest News | Zimbabwe News Today | News Zimbabwe | Zimbabwe Latest News Today| Zim News Latest Updates Now | Grace Robert Mugabe Latest News". Zim News .NET Zimbabwe| Zimbabwe News | Zim Latest News | Zimbabwe News Today Latest | Zim News Latest Updates. Archived from the original on 2006-03-17. Retrieved 2017-07-10.
  11. ^ Raath, Jan (March 20, 2007). "Mugabe threat to kick out diplomats". The Times. Archived from the original on December 15, 2012.
  12. ^ Meldrum, Andrew (March 20, 2007). "Mugabe threatens diplomats with expulsion". The Guardian. London.
  13. ^ "West vows to keep heat on Mugabe despite threats". Reuters. 20 March 2007.[dead link]
  14. ^ "US envoy leaves Zimbabwe a disappointed man, radio reports", DPA (Earthtimes.org), July 14, 2007.
  15. ^ Augustine Mukaro, "Zimbabwe: New U.S. Ambassador Won't Relent On Zim – Dell", Zimbabwe Independent (allAfrica.com), July 6, 2007.
  16. ^ U.S. Department of State U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kosovo: Christopher William Dell. – Retrieved on 31 July 2009.
  17. ^ Amb. Christopher Dell Archived February 18, 2013, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 22-02-2013.
  18. ^ US ambassador to Kosovo hired by construction firm he lobbied for. Retrieved 10-04-2014.
  19. ^ Steamrolled: A special investigation into the diplomacy of doing business abroad. Retrieved 02-05-15.
  20. ^ U.S. Department of State. Chiefs of Mission by Country, 1778-2005: Angola. – Retrieved on 29 May 2009.
  21. ^ U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. Deputy Chief of Mission: Christopher William Dell Archived February 8, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. – Retrieved on 29 May 2009.
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Diplomatic posts
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Angola
2001–2004 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Zimbabwe
2004–2007 		Succeeded by
Preceded by United States Ambassador to Kosovo
2009–2012 		Succeeded by
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