Gregory Lee Johnson (ambassador)

For the political activist, see Gregory Lee Johnson.

Gregory Lee Johnson (born July 18, 1945, in Ellensburg, Washington)[1] was the American Ambassador to Swaziland[2] from 1999 until 2001. Johnson was also Consul General at the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe, Japan from 1989 until 1992[1] and Consul General in Toronto from 1996 until 1999.[2]

Education

Johnson graduated from Franklin High School[1] before earning a bachelor of arts degree in political science in 1967 from Washington State University. He earned his master's degree in International Relations from American University in 1969 on a Ford Foundation scholarship.[3]

Career

Tenure in Swaziland

It has been said that “Johnson‘s greatest challenge was in helping Swaziland confront its HIV/AIDS epidemic where one-fifth of its one million people were HIV-positive.”[1] He also “helped negotiate the lifting of sanctions on cane sugar exports from Swaziland to the U.S. and played a key role in gaining commitment from the Government of Swaziland to contribute resources to the United Nations and the Organization of African Unity (OAU) peacekeeping efforts in Northeast and West Africa.” [1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Gregory Lee Johnson". Black Past. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 20 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b "Gregory Lee Johnson". Archive. US Department of State. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  3. ^ Turnbull, Lornet (April 6, 2016). "Retired U.S. Ambassador Masters The Art Of Diplomacy". The Seattle Medium. Retrieved 20 April 2021.