Robert Pelletreau
Encyclopedia
Robert Halsey Pelletreau (born July 9, 1935 in Patchogue, New York
) is a diplomat and former United States Ambassador to Bahrain
(1979–80), Tunisia
(1987–91), and Egypt
(1991–93), as well as the former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
. He currently sits on the U.S. Advisory Council of Israel Policy Forum. He is also a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy
and Council on Foreign Relations
.
in 1962. From 1973 to 1975 Ambassador Pelletreau was a Political Officer in Algiers, Algeria; and served in several capacities in Jordan
, Lebanon
, Mauritania
and Morocco
. He became Deputy Chief of Mission in Damascus, Syria in 1975. He remained in that position until 1978. A year later he became the Ambassador to the State of Bahrain
until 1980. He became the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Near East and South Asia at the Pentagon
, 1980-1981. He was Country Director for Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the Department of State
, 1981-1982, and from 1983-1985 the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs at the Department of State. He appeared before the Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 26 September 1983 addressing Major U.S. Interests in the Middle East. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense from 1985-1987. Afterwards, he was Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia
from 1987 to 1991. Prior to his most recent position, Ambassador Pelletreau had served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Arab Republic of Egypt
on July 31, 1991. Mr. Pelletreau, Jr. was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs
on February 18, 1994.
Patchogue, New York
-Notable citizens:* Franc D'Ambrosio, Broadway Actor, best known for being the longest running Phantom in Phantom of the Opera. Graduated Pat-Med HS 1981* Michael Fagan, professional bowler...
) is a diplomat and former United States Ambassador to Bahrain
United States Ambassador to Bahrain
The United States Ambassador to Bahrain is the official representative of the President of the United States to the head of state of Bahrain.Until 1971, Bahrain had been part of a British protectorate along with the other sheikhdoms in the Persian Gulf. In 1971 the protectorate ended and seven of...
(1979–80), Tunisia
United States Ambassador to Tunisia
The following is a list of United States Ambassadors to Tunisia.-Ambassadors:*Morris N. Hughes - Career FSO**Title: Chargé d'Affaires**Appointment: June 6, 1956**Presentation of Credentials: June 6, 1956...
(1987–91), and Egypt
United States Ambassador to Egypt
This is a list of Ambassadors of the United States to Egypt.The United States first established diplomatic relations with Egypt in 1848, when President James K. Polk appointed Daniel Smith McCauley as the first envoy to Egypt with the title Consul General...
(1991–93), as well as the former Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs is the head of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs within the American Department of State. The Assistant Secretary guides operation of the U.S. diplomatic establishment in various countries of North Africa and the Middle East and advises...
. He currently sits on the U.S. Advisory Council of Israel Policy Forum. He is also a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy
American Academy of Diplomacy
The American Academy of Diplomacy is a private, non-profit, non-partisan, elected organization whose active membership is limited to men and women who have held positions of high responsibility in crafting and implementing American foreign policy...
and Council on Foreign Relations
Council on Foreign Relations
The Council on Foreign Relations is an American nonprofit nonpartisan membership organization, publisher, and think tank specializing in U.S. foreign policy and international affairs...
.
Early Years
Robert H. Pelletreau was born July 9, 1935 in Patchogue, New York. After graduating from Yale University (B.A., 1957), he served in the United States Navy Reserve from 1957- 1958. Later he attended Harvard Law School (LL.B., 1961).Career
Ambassador Robert H. Pelletreau entered the Foreign ServiceUnited States Foreign Service
The United States Foreign Service is a component of the United States federal government under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of approximately 11,500 professionals carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and aiding U.S...
in 1962. From 1973 to 1975 Ambassador Pelletreau was a Political Officer in Algiers, Algeria; and served in several capacities in Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, Lebanon
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
, Mauritania
Mauritania
Mauritania is a country in the Maghreb and West Africa. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, by Western Sahara in the north, by Algeria in the northeast, by Mali in the east and southeast, and by Senegal in the southwest...
and Morocco
Morocco
Morocco , officially the Kingdom of Morocco , is a country located in North Africa. It has a population of more than 32 million and an area of 710,850 km², and also primarily administers the disputed region of the Western Sahara...
. He became Deputy Chief of Mission in Damascus, Syria in 1975. He remained in that position until 1978. A year later he became the Ambassador to the State of Bahrain
United States Ambassador to Bahrain
The United States Ambassador to Bahrain is the official representative of the President of the United States to the head of state of Bahrain.Until 1971, Bahrain had been part of a British protectorate along with the other sheikhdoms in the Persian Gulf. In 1971 the protectorate ended and seven of...
until 1980. He became the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Near East and South Asia at the Pentagon
The Pentagon
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the United States Department of Defense, located in Arlington County, Virginia. As a symbol of the U.S. military, "the Pentagon" is often used metonymically to refer to the Department of Defense rather than the building itself.Designed by the American architect...
, 1980-1981. He was Country Director for Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
, 1981-1982, and from 1983-1985 the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs at the Department of State. He appeared before the Subcommittee on Europe and the Middle East of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on 26 September 1983 addressing Major U.S. Interests in the Middle East. He was Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense from 1985-1987. Afterwards, he was Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia
United States Ambassador to Tunisia
The following is a list of United States Ambassadors to Tunisia.-Ambassadors:*Morris N. Hughes - Career FSO**Title: Chargé d'Affaires**Appointment: June 6, 1956**Presentation of Credentials: June 6, 1956...
from 1987 to 1991. Prior to his most recent position, Ambassador Pelletreau had served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Arab Republic of Egypt
United States Ambassador to Egypt
This is a list of Ambassadors of the United States to Egypt.The United States first established diplomatic relations with Egypt in 1848, when President James K. Polk appointed Daniel Smith McCauley as the first envoy to Egypt with the title Consul General...
on July 31, 1991. Mr. Pelletreau, Jr. was sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs
Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
The Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs is the head of the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs within the American Department of State. The Assistant Secretary guides operation of the U.S. diplomatic establishment in various countries of North Africa and the Middle East and advises...
on February 18, 1994.