Thomas Pickering
Thomas Pickering
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Ambassador Thomas R. Pickering is a renowned American diplomat who has served in various high-profile positions throughout his career.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on November 22, 1928, to date Ambassador Pickering remains an active figure in international diplomacy.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Nationality: American
Profession: Diplomat
As a diplomat, Thomas Pickering has dedicated his life to serving the United States government, navigating complex global relationships, and fostering cooperation among nations. Throughout his illustrious career, he has held various positions that have taken him from the halls of Congress to diplomatic postings around the world.
Early Life and Background
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Ambassador Pickinger was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a family that valued education and public service. His father was a professor at Bucknell University, where Thomas began his academic journey before transferring to Harvard University for his undergraduate studies. After graduating from Harvard, he went on to earn an M.A. in history from Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
Pickering's entry into the world of diplomacy began when he joined the United States Foreign Service in 1950. Over the course of his career, he has served in several key positions, including as Ambassador to India (1972-1973), Jordan (1981), and Israel (1985-1988).
Major Accomplishments
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Ambassador Pickering's diplomatic career has been marked by numerous significant accomplishments, including:
His role in facilitating a peaceful resolution to the Indo-Pakistani conflict in 1971, for which he received the U.S. Department of State Award for Heroism.
His leadership as Ambassador to Israel during the 1987-1988 Gulf War, where he played a key part in coordinating international efforts and ensuring continued diplomatic relations between the two nations.
His service on the Iraq Study Group, which provided recommendations for U.S. policy towards Iraq following the invasion of 2003.Notable Works or Actions
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Ambassador Pickering has also contributed to various think tanks and organizations focused on promoting international cooperation and resolving global conflicts. Some notable works include:
His involvement with the Atlantic Council, where he served as a Senior Fellow from 1997 to 2015.
* His contributions to the U.S.-China Dialogue, which aimed to improve diplomatic relations between the two nations.
Impact and Legacy
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Throughout his illustrious career, Ambassador Thomas Pickering has left an indelible mark on international diplomacy. His commitment to resolving conflicts peacefully and promoting cooperation among nations has earned him widespread respect and admiration from his peers and the global community.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Ambassador Pickering's quotes and insights are sought after by scholars, policymakers, and journalists due to his extensive experience and expertise in international diplomacy. His thoughtful analysis of complex issues and his commitment to finding peaceful solutions make him a valuable resource for those seeking guidance on navigating the complexities of global politics.
His legacy continues to inspire new generations of diplomats and scholars, serving as a testament to the impact one individual can have on shaping the world stage.
Quotes by Thomas Pickering
India is in great shape. It represents one of the most important long- term markets for Boeing.
The burden is on Iraq to demonstrate its absolute and authoritative commitment to cooperation,
Any efforts on the part of the Serbs to violate the agreements that they have reached on particularly the role and disposition of their forces inside Kosovo would clearly have grave and substantial risks.... Any efforts on their part would be met by strong and firm NATO reaction.
We should begin to see some serious results in two to five years, ... is to be too optimistic.
This terrible mistake occurred not because of just one organization or because of any one individual,
We ... believe that a military solution to Sri Lanka is not possible ... We are supportive of the Norwegian initiative,
There has to be a negotiated solution to this problem, and we support that taking place without breaking up Sri Lanka, ... We're deeply concerned that there's a humanitarian disaster in the making as the war continues. There are already 150,000 people displaced by the fighting that has renewed over the last months in the north.
We paid a highly inflated price for many years. By our calculations they owe us more than $4 million on overpayments of the lease,
My mission here is to seek the release of all political prisoners including Abiola, ... That's the direction in which they appeared to be moving when this untimely event intervened.