Kenney says no recall order from Obama yet

MANILA, Philippines – United States Ambassador Kristie Kenney said she has not received a recall order and is not aware of the choice for the next ambassador to Manila.

“You know I don’t have any idea. (US President Barack Obama) has not picked a successor for me nor has he said I’m leaving. He will look at the whole range of candidates. This is one of the things that President Obama is doing very well. He’s looking at diversity,” Kenney said in an interview over dzMM.

Kenney, nominated by former President George W. Bush to be the US Ambassador to the Philippines on Nov. 3, 2005, is a career diplomat and has served as the first female US ambassador to Manila since March 2006.

“And I’m really very proud to be the first female here. You know America is made up of Asian-Americans, African-Americans, Mexican-Americans. You know how wonderful these people will have a chance to represent our country,” Kenney said.

“I think lots of people would love to be the US Ambassador to the Philippines. It is an important country; it is a great place to live. So I think it is a job lots of people would love,” she added.

Under the leadership of Obama, Kenney said no major changes are expected in the US partnership, development assistance and security relationship with the Philippines.

She said the two countries have a great government-to-government relationship and the personal relationship of President Arroyo and Obama is expected to continue. – Pia Lee-Brago