Press Releases 2005

May 5, 2005

Ambassador Watt announces Retirement from Government Service

After serving as U.S. Ambassador to Panama since December 2002, Linda E. Watt has announced her retirement from government service. She will depart Panama in late July.

Ambassador Watt’s time in Panama has been the culmination of an illustrious career in the Foreign Service of the United States. During her nearly 30 years with the Department of State, Ambassador Watt served in Managua, London, San Jose, Quito, Moscow, and Santo Domingo and in Washington. She was Foreign Policy Advisor at U.S. Southern Command in Miami from 2001 to 2002.

During her tenure as Ambassador to Panama, Ambassador Watt has developed a strong rapport with the leadership and people of the country. She is a well-known and popular figure throughout the country. “I have a deep affection for this country and have made it my goal to get to know every province,” she said. She has put particular emphasis on programs in Darien and Colon.

Ambassador Watt is best remembered in Panama for her strong commitment to democracy and human rights. In public speeches that drew wide national attention she discussed the challenges Panama faces in consolidating and strengthening its democratic institutions and in confronting the twin scourges of poverty and corruption. She instituted annual awards for Panamanian women who distinguished themselves as community leaders, and for American citizens who have contributed to Panama in special ways. “I represent the people of the United States as well as our government,” she frequently explains, and counts her People-to-People program as an expression of that mission.

Under Ambassador Watt’s leadership, the United States and Panama began negotiations for a free trade agreement and signed significant accords on maritime and port security. Also, during her tenure, the United States government began construction of a new embassy compound, to be completed in March 2007.

After her departure from Panama, Ambassador Watt and her husband, Leo Duncan, will settle near St. George, Utah. She plans to assist organizations and businesses with interests in Latin America as well as speak and write on U.S./Latin American relations.