Nomination of Robert South Barrett IV To Be United States Ambassador to Djibouti

The President today announced his intention to nominate Robert South Barrett IV, of Virginia, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, as Ambassador to the Republic of Djibouti. He would succeed John Pierce Ferriter.

Mr. Barrett's last position with the Department of State was as chief of senior assignments in the Bureau of Personnel, 1986-1987. Prior to this position, he served as: Deputy Director for North Africa, 1985; assistant examiner of the Board of Examiners, 1984; and acting Syrian desk officer, 1983. Mr. Barrett also served as Middle East adviser to the United States delegation to the United Nations for the 1983 and 1984 General Assemblies. Previously, he was deputy chief of mission in Beirut, Lebanon, 1980-1982; and Charge d'Affaires in Antananarivo, Madagascar, 1977-1980. Mr. Barrett has served as Deputy Director for East Africa, 1974-1977, and first secretary/political officer in Saigon, Vietnam, 1971-1974. Mr. Barrett joined the Foreign Service in 1953, serving in Isfahan, Tehran, Phnom Penh, Paris, Fort de France, and Saigon.

Mr. Barrett graduated from Princeton University (A.B, 1950) and the University of Wisconsin (M.S., 1963). He was born July 3, 1927, in Berlin, Germany. He served in the United States Navy, 1945-1946, and the United States Army, 1950-1952. He is married, has two children, and resides in Washington, DC.