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Ask the Ambassador: U.S. Ambassador to Rwanda Michael Arietti

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Michael Arietti Date: Thursday, 13 December 2007 Time: 7:00 a.m. EST (1200 GMT 1400 Kigali)

As the people of Rwanda continue to make progress in rebuilding their homeland since the country’s devastating 1994 genocide, the role of the U.S. Government in supporting this development process continues. Join U.S. Ambassador Michael Arietti for an online discussion in which he will discuss regional security initiatives, economic growth programs, and support for the development of democratic institutions and the status of bilateral U.S.-Rwanda relations.

Guest Biography: Ambassador Michael R. Arietti was nominated by President Bush and Secretary Rice as United States Ambassador to the Republic of Rwanda in September 2005. He was approved by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on October 6. He presented his credentials to Rwandan President Paul Kagame on December 5.

Ambassador Arietti joined the Department of State in 1973 and is a member of the Senior Foreign Service. He has held many positions in the Department. Most recently he held the position of Director of the Office of West African Affairs. During this period he was directly involved in efforts to bring about peace in Liberia, as well as coordination of American cooperation with ECOWAS headquarters on regional issues. Within the Department of State, Ambassador Arietti has served as Director of the Office of UN Peacekeeping Operations, as Director of the Human Rights Office and in other positions responsible for arms control negotiations, and Middle Eastern issues. Prior to joining the Department of State, Ambassador Arietti served as a Peace Corps volunteer in India. He is married and has one daughter.