Ambassador Eikenberry with wife, Ching at first presscon
On May 13 Ambassador Eikenberry held his first press conference with Afghan media and introduced his spouse Ching to the press corps. According to the embassy’s Facebook page, “24 representatives from 15 different news outlets attended. The press conference was the leading story in Afghan media the following day, and lengthy excerpts of his remarks were shown on the four largest TV stations; Tolo, Ariana, RTA and Shamshad TV. The Ambassador’s messages of neutrality on the elections, the three “D”s of Defense, Diplomacy and Development, and regret for civilian casualties got wide coverage. Many of the journalists are old contacts of the Ambassador, and welcomed him back to Kabul.”
No official transcript of that remarks nor photos were posted in the Embassy’s web page as of this writing; which still carries, btw, links to the Deputy Chief of Mission as well as the Deputy Ambassador.
If outgoing DCM Chris Dell is still in Kabul -- boy that's one top heavy Front Office right there! Three ambassadors ramping up the action ... the next thing you know, we'll have another former ambassador taking over the PD operation, a former ambo at the Pol-Mil section, the Pol section, etc. I hope not --- or we'll be on our way to the US Embassy Baghdafication of Embassy Kabul ...
