Blinken accuses the Senate of putting national security at risk by blocking ambassadors

The Secretary of State for USA, Anthony Blinkenurged this Monday the Senate to unlock the appointment of dozens of the country’s ambassadors so that they can join their posts and defend national security.

“No one has questioned the qualities of these diplomats, who are being blocked for reasons that have nothing to do with it. This is irresponsible and is hurting our national security.”, he said at a press conference after sending a letter to legislators.

LOOK HERE: Blinken says the US will continue to strengthen communication channels with China

He Senate It is pending ratification of the appointment of 38 ambassadors so that they can be integrated into their posts in countries of Asia, Latin America, Europe, middle East and Africa.

The vast majority are career diplomats, not political appointments, which have been waiting for ratification for more than a year.

The process is being delayed by two Republican senators: randpaulwhich requires the Administration of Joe Biden an investigation into the origin of covid-19, and James Vancewho accuses the government of promoting a leftist agenda abroad.

Blinken gave as an example that at the end of this summer USA will be left without accredited representatives in Egypt, Israel, Jordan and the Lebanon.

Nor does it have confirmed ambassadors to the african union (AU), United Arab Emirates, Rwanda, Somalia and Haitiamong others.

The Secretary of State recalled that historically career diplomats nominated for ambassador received a “unanimous consensus” in the Senate, an unwritten rule that Republicans have broken.

He assured that the nominees are non-partisan public servants who have worked for decades for Republican and Democratic administrations, and that they represent “the best of diplomacy” US.

MORE INFORMATION: “The United States and its allies will defend themselves against any North Korean aggression,” Blinken said.

Blinken thanked the business managers who are in charge of the embassies in which no one has been appointed for their work, but stressed that the ambassadors have “greater influence and access” in destination countries.

The lack of ambassadors in key countries worries the Biden government, which has set itself the goal of counteracting the expansion of the influence of China in various regions of the world.

“We know that China is active on all continents, seeking to expand its influence.. If we are not there, we cannot compete”, warned Blinken himself last May.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.