THE U.S. Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, Erin Elizabeth McKee Yastishock, has returned home after two years in the role.
Arie C. Damour – the US Ambassador to Fiji – has also been recalled as President Donald Trump orders appointees of the previous administration back to Washington.
Yastishock highlighted what she described as the significant progress made in strengthening ties between the United States and Solomon Islands.
One of her last duties was a courtesy call on Premier Michael Salini in Tulagi, the site of major US naval operations in World War II. Salini took Yastishock to Blue Beach, where US Marines landed in August 1942 to dislodge Japanese forces.
“I am proud of the expansion of the U.S.–Solomon Islands relationship that has been achieved,” she said while speaking to local students.
“This includes a deepened connection between our governments, as well as significantly increased people-to-people ties.”