Valletta, Malta, Apr 10, 2011 / 15:32 pm
U.S. Ambassador to Malta Doug Kmiec has rejected a State Department report’s claim that he neglects his duties and spends too much time writing.
The State Department’s inspector general report, released on April 7, reflects the views of a “handful” of officials who don’t like his activities, Ambassador Kmiec told the Associated Press. He said his work was part of President Obama’s efforts to promote understanding among different religions and he will stay ambassador as long as he has the president’s confidence.
The government’s 41-page audit said the ambassador’s outside activities “have detracted from his attention to core mission goals” such as promoting maritime security and American business, trade and investment.
The report acknowledged wide respect for Kmiec in Malta, an overwhelmingly Catholic country. However, it said his unofficial writings distract him and embassy officials by requiring them to review his writing carefully.