Ambassador Graber Departs, Thompson-Jones Takes Over As Interim Chief of Mission

Richard W. Graber gives one of his last interviews at Czech Radio © Marián Vojtek

January 22, 2009

When Ambassador Richard W. Graber finished his service in Prague and returned to the U.S. on January 20, current Deputy Chief of Mission Mary Thompson-Jones became the Charge d’Affaires until a new ambassador arrives later this year.

Ambassador Graber attended numerous farewell receptions in his honor; hosted lunches with the editors-in-chief of the major Czech media, and mayors from the Brdy region; and paid goodbye visits to Czech political leaders. Defense Minister Vlasta Parkanova honored Graber with the Order of the Golden Linden.

The former ambassador considers lifting the U.S. visa requirement for Czech citizens his greatest success and stressed that the Czech Republic and U.S. would remain close allies. He called participation in the missile-defense project a great opportunity for the Czech Republic to contribute to NATO.

Reflecting on his tenure in Prague, Graber said, “This has been a remarkable journey for our family—one that has changed us a great deal…We are looking forward to coming back to this country.” 

Richard W. Graber served at U.S. Embassy-Prague from October 2006. Interim Chief of Mission Mary Thompson-Jones has been with the Embassy since August 2007.  It is her second stint in the Czech Republic: she earlier served here as press attaché from 1993-1996.

Her other overseas assignments include assistant cultural affairs officer in Madrid; press attaché in Sarajevo; and public affairs officer in Montreal and Guatemala. Before beginning her diplomatic career, she worked for eight years as a journalist and editorial writer.