Robert Geers Loftis
Encyclopedia
Robert Geers Loftis is a career member of the United States Foreign Service
, former United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho, and current Acting Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization
at the United States Department of State
. He took up his current post in September 2010, succeeding former Coordinator John E. Herbst
.
, leading the development of the U.S. government civilian capacity to promote conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and stabilization efforts in countries on the brink of, in, or emerging from crisis. The Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the Civilian Response Corps
, with Active and Standby components spanning eight federal government agencies. The Corps is the U.S. civilian surge capability for conflict prevention and stabilization operations overseas.
at National Defense University
, where he also taught Strategic Leadership.
in the Department of State from August 2004 to July 2007. His primary responsibilities were to negotiate status of forces and base access agreements for the deployment of United States forces abroad, as well to negotiate burden-sharing agreements with allies and partners. In early 2008, he led the initial negotiations for a status of forces agreement with Iraq. He was also the Deputy Executive Director of the Implementation Planning Team for the creation of the United States Africa Command
(AFRICOM).
led a delegation to negotiate the terms of a U.S. Military Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. Ambassador Loftis took part in a round of talks to ensure U.S. interests in the Manas Air Base
, a base that has strategic value due to the closure of the Khanabad air base in neighboring Uzbekistan which was forced to vacate in 2005. The negotiations were a result of the Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who requested further monetary compensation for land rights. The request by the Kyrgyz president was made in February 2006 for the sum of $207 million a year.
, where he focused on the promotion of democratic institutions, economic and trade development, and the fight against HIV/AIDS. His work on the May 2002 Lesotho general election encouraged democratic trends in southern Africa, developed a South African led voting system and established precedent for a fair election. The election was a first since the last national election in 1998 caused rioting and claims of vote rigging.
, Political Counselor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations
in Geneva, Switzerland, Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand
, Political/Economic Officer in Brasilia, Brazil, and General Services Officer in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. Domestic assignments included Deputy Director of the Office of Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Operations, Action Officer in the Office of Strategic and Theater Policy, Country Officer for Burma and staff assistant in the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs. Ambassador Loftis joined the Foreign Service in May 1980. He speaks Portuguese and French and has received several State Department Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards, as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He earned his B.A. in Political Science with Distinction and Honors from Colorado State University.
United States Foreign Service
The United States Foreign Service is a component of the United States federal government under the aegis of the United States Department of State. It consists of approximately 11,500 professionals carrying out the foreign policy of the United States and aiding U.S...
, former United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho, and current Acting Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization
Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization
The Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations is a United States Department of State Office that coordinates United States' governmental reconstruction and stabilization efforts in developing countries before, during, and after armed conflict....
at the United States Department of State
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
. He took up his current post in September 2010, succeeding former Coordinator John E. Herbst
John E. Herbst
John Edward Herbst is a retired American diplomat who was the United States Ambassador to Ukraine from September, 2003 to May, 2006 and United States Ambassador to Uzbekistan from 2000 to 2003...
.
Coordinator for Reconstruction & Stabilization
Ambassador Loftis serves as the Acting Coordinator for Reconstruction and StabilizationOffice of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization
The Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations is a United States Department of State Office that coordinates United States' governmental reconstruction and stabilization efforts in developing countries before, during, and after armed conflict....
, leading the development of the U.S. government civilian capacity to promote conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and stabilization efforts in countries on the brink of, in, or emerging from crisis. The Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the Civilian Response Corps
Civilian Response Corps
The Civilian Response Corps is a program of the United States Department of State, Office of the Coordinator for Reconstruction and Stabilization...
, with Active and Standby components spanning eight federal government agencies. The Corps is the U.S. civilian surge capability for conflict prevention and stabilization operations overseas.
Special Representative for Avian and Pandemic Influenza at the Department of State (2009-2010)
Loftis' previous position as a member of the Foreign Service was as the State Department's Special Representative for Avian and Pandemic Influenza where he served from March 2009 to August 2010. At this post, Ambassador Loftis led the Department of State's efforts to prevent avian influenza virus.Deputy Commandant and Senior Advisor for International Affairs of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces at National Defense University (2007-2009)
Ambassador Loftis was the Deputy Commandant and Senior Advisor for International Affairs of the Industrial College of the Armed ForcesIndustrial College of the Armed Forces
The Industrial College of the Armed Forces is a U.S. military educational institution tasked with preparing military officers and civilian government officials for leadership and executive positions in the field of national security...
at National Defense University
National Defense University
The National Defense University is an institution of higher education funded by the United States Department of Defense, intended to facilitate high-level training, education, and the development of national security strategy. It is chartered by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, with Navy Vice Admiral...
, where he also taught Strategic Leadership.
Senior Advisor for Security Negotiations and Agreements in the Bureau of Political Military Affairs in the Department of State (2004-2007)
Ambassador Loftis served as the Senior Advisor for Security Negotiations and Agreements in the Bureau of Political-Military AffairsBureau of Political-Military Affairs
The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs is an agency within the United States Department of State that bridges the Department of State with the Department of Defense. It provides policy in the areas of international security, security assistance, military operations, defense strategy and policy,...
in the Department of State from August 2004 to July 2007. His primary responsibilities were to negotiate status of forces and base access agreements for the deployment of United States forces abroad, as well to negotiate burden-sharing agreements with allies and partners. In early 2008, he led the initial negotiations for a status of forces agreement with Iraq. He was also the Deputy Executive Director of the Implementation Planning Team for the creation of the United States Africa Command
United States Africa Command
The United States Africa Command is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Armed Forces, headquartered at Kelley Barracks, Stuttgart, Germany. It is responsible for U.S. military operations and military relations with 53 African nations – an area of responsibility covering all...
(AFRICOM).
U.S. Military Air Base in Kyrgyzstan
In June 2006 Ambassador Robert Loftis and Foreign Minister Alikbek JekshenkulovAlikbek Jekshenkulov
Alikbek Jeshenkulov is the former Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan and now an opposition leader.He had held that position since September 2005, when he was nominated by President Kurmanbek Bakiyev and confirmed by the Parliament. He was a compromise candidate as the acting foreign minister,...
led a delegation to negotiate the terms of a U.S. Military Air Base in Kyrgyzstan. Ambassador Loftis took part in a round of talks to ensure U.S. interests in the Manas Air Base
Manas Air Base
Transit Center at Manas is a United States military installation at Manas International Airport, near Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, primarily operated by the U.S. Air Force....
, a base that has strategic value due to the closure of the Khanabad air base in neighboring Uzbekistan which was forced to vacate in 2005. The negotiations were a result of the Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiev, who requested further monetary compensation for land rights. The request by the Kyrgyz president was made in February 2006 for the sum of $207 million a year.
Military Presence in Central and Southeast Europe
Ambassador Loftis negotiated renewable ten year agreements for U.S. military bases in Romania and Bulgaria which were signed in 2005 and early 2006. The negotiations and agreements were between Romania, Bulgaria, and America. The negotiations concluded in troop allotments of up to 2,500 troops at any one time with a maximum of 5,000 troops allowable at both bases for a 90 day period.United States Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho (2001-2004)
From September 2001 to July 2004 Ambassador Loftis served as United States Ambassador to LesothoUnited States Ambassador to Lesotho
This is a list of ambassadors of the United States to Lesotho.Prior to 1965, the area of southern Africa that is now Lesotho was a British protectorate by the name of Basutoland. Along with most of the Empire’s other colonies and protectorates, Basutoland gained full independence from Britain in...
, where he focused on the promotion of democratic institutions, economic and trade development, and the fight against HIV/AIDS. His work on the May 2002 Lesotho general election encouraged democratic trends in southern Africa, developed a South African led voting system and established precedent for a fair election. The election was a first since the last national election in 1998 caused rioting and claims of vote rigging.
Foreign Service Officer
Previous overseas assignments include Deputy Chief of Mission in Maputo, MozambiqueMozambique
Mozambique, officially the Republic of Mozambique , is a country in southeastern Africa bordered by the Indian Ocean to the east, Tanzania to the north, Malawi and Zambia to the northwest, Zimbabwe to the west and Swaziland and South Africa to the southwest...
, Political Counselor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
in Geneva, Switzerland, Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, Political/Economic Officer in Brasilia, Brazil, and General Services Officer in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. Domestic assignments included Deputy Director of the Office of Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Operations, Action Officer in the Office of Strategic and Theater Policy, Country Officer for Burma and staff assistant in the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs. Ambassador Loftis joined the Foreign Service in May 1980. He speaks Portuguese and French and has received several State Department Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards, as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He earned his B.A. in Political Science with Distinction and Honors from Colorado State University.