New Mission Director Sworn In for Macedonia
On January 17, Randall L. Tobias, Director of Foreign Assistance and the Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) administered the oath of office to Patricia Rader, who is now the USAID Mission Director for the Republic of Macedonia.
Macedonia is one of the success stories of the Balkans. While it entered independence as one of the least developed countries to come out of Yugoslavia, and has faced significant challenges in its transition to democracy, its progress in that respect has been as impressive as its commitment to economic growth. Macedonia also had to weather an economic embargo after independence, a flood of refugees from Kosovo in 1999, and its own internal conflict in 2001. The U.S. is committed to maintaining peace and stability in Macedonia, and was a signatory to the 2001 Ohrid Framework Agreement, which brought an end to conflict between ethnic Albanian insurgents and government security forces.
Macedonia’s main challenges are to reduce poverty, revive the economy and create jobs, and ease inter-ethnic tensions. In December 2005, the European Council granted Macedonia European Union (EU) candidate status, but did not set a date for the start of accession negotiations. The U.S. supports Macedonia’s entry into the EU and NATO, and towards this end USAID focuses on economic growth, good governance, and education.
At the swearing-in ceremony, Rader was enthusiastic about her new position. “I am deeply honored to be heading the USAID Mission in Macedonia. Macedonia is a beautiful country, with strong potential. During my brief visit there in November, I was particularly impressed by the Macedonian staff – an incredibly gifted group of professionals. It will be a privilege to work with them,” she said.
A senior Foreign Service Officer, Rader’s long and varied career with USAID has taken her to Africa and, most recently, to Pakistan as Deputy Mission Director. During her two year assignment in Pakistan, she frequently served as Acting Mission Director. Prior to that post, she was the Director of the Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade Bureau Program Office. Earlier, Rader was a Program Officer in Tanzania and spent several years with the Africa Bureau in Washington.
Originally from Elmhurst, Illinois, Rader holds an MS from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, an MA from the Fletcher School, Tufts University, and a BA from the University of Connecticut. Rader has one child, a son, in college.
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| Patricia Rader sworn in by Ambassador Tobias |
The Rader family with Patricia Rader (second from right) and Ambassador Tobias (right) |
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