Harry G. Barnes, Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Barnes in 1981 | |
| United States Ambassador to Chile | |
| In office November 18, 1985 – November 26, 1988 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | James D. Theberge |
| Succeeded by | Charles A. Gillespie, Jr. |
| United States Ambassador to India | |
| In office November 17, 1981 – June 27, 1985 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Robert F. Goheen |
| Succeeded by | John Gunther Dean |
| 15th Director General of the Foreign Service | |
| In office December 22, 1977 – February 8, 1981 | |
| President | Jimmy Carter Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Carol Laise |
| Succeeded by | Joan M. Clark |
| United States Ambassador to Romania | |
| In office March 14, 1974 – November 10, 1977 | |
| President | Richard Nixon Gerald Ford Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Leonard C. Meeker |
| Succeeded by | O. Rudolph Aggrey |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1926-06-05)June 5, 1926 St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Died | August 9, 2012(2012-08-09) (aged 86) Lebanon, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Ann Sibley |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | Amherst College (BA) Columbia University (MA) National War College |
| Profession | Diplomat |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1944-1946 |
Harry George Barnes Jr.[1][2] (June 5, 1926 – August 9, 2012) was an American diplomat, known for his role in ending the government of Chilean dictatorAugusto Pinochet. A former Foreign Service Officer who served as US ambassador toRomania,India, andChile, Barnes also occupied the post ofDirector General of the Foreign Service at theDepartment of State between December 22, 1977, and February 8, 1981.[2][3]Elliott Abrams, the United States assistant secretary of state for inter-American affairs, once called Barnes "a world-class ambassador."[3]
Harry George Barnes, Jr. was born inSt. Paul, Minnesota, on June 5, 1926. He graduated fromAmherst College, earned a Master's Degree in history fromColumbia University, and served in theU.S. Army from 1944–46. Barnes entered theUnited States Foreign Service as consular officer inBombay in 1951, and was head of the consular section in Prague in 1953–55. He was publications procurement officer in Moscow in 1957–59, leaving to become political officer in the Office of Soviet Affairs in the Department of State from 1959–62. He attended theNational War College in 1962–63. In 1963–67, he was Deputy Chief of Mission inKathmandu.[4]
Barnes served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Bucharest in 1968–71, during which time he became the first American diplomat to address the Romanian nation on television.[3] After returning to Washington he served as supervisory personnel officer (1971–72) and deputy executive secretary (1972–74) before being named Ambassador to Romania byRichard Nixon.[5]
Although the American government, in particularHenry Kissinger, had supported the rise of dictatorAugusto Pinochet, by 1985 the Chilean opposition started to campaign against extending his rule. Barnes supported the ultimately successful effort, angering Pinochet, who called him "Dirty Harry".[6] He advised the dictator that"[t]he ills of democracy can be cured only with more democracy."[3] In addition to agitating for democratic reform, Barnes contributed oversight to the1988 Chilean national plebiscite against extending Pinochet's rule, funding a parallel vote tally and advertising for the anti-Pinochet campaign.[3]
Barnes retired from government service in 1988.
Between 1994 and 2000, he served as the director of theCarter Center's Human Rights and Conflict Resolution Programs from 1994–2000. During this time, he traveled toNorth Korea and worked on Carter Center initiatives in this area.[7] He also taught at several universities.[3]
Barnes died on August 9, 2012, inLebanon, New Hampshire. The cause of death was an infection.
| Diplomatic posts | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | United States Ambassador to Romania 1973–1977 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | United States Ambassador to India 1981–1985 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | United States Ambassador to Chile 1985–1988 | Succeeded by |
| Government offices | ||
| Preceded by | Director General of the Foreign Service 1977–1981 | Succeeded by |
| Diplomatic Agent (1880–81) | |
|---|---|
| Chargé d'Affaires (1881–1882) | |
| Minister Resident (1882–1892) | |
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary (1892–1965) | |
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (1965–present) | |
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| Minister Plenipotentiary | | |
|---|---|---|
| Chargé d'Affaires | ||
| Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary | ||
| Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary | ||
| International | |
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| National | |
| Other | |
