Senate Democrat urges review of US ambassador to Greece
A senior US Senate Democrat has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to review the conduct of US Ambassador to Greece Kimberly Guilfoyle, citing concerns over her reported interactions with a registered lobbyist and allegations that she advocated for a Greek company.
Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in a letter to Rubio that reports about Guilfoyle’s activities could affect US credibility and diplomacy overseas. She called for an immediate review and for clarification on measures to prevent undue influence or the appearance of conflicts of interest.
The letter was released Tuesday, ahead of Rubio’s scheduled visit to Athens, where he is due to lead the US delegation at the sixth US-Greece Strategic Dialogue. The talks are expected to focus on defense cooperation, regional security and energy.
Concerns over registered lobbyist
Shaheen said she was troubled by reports that Christos Marafatsos, a registered lobbyist representing several Greek companies, repeatedly accompanied Guilfoyle to official government meetings.
The concerns follow a Sept. 25 Wall Street Journal investigation that reported Marafatsos had frequently attended Guilfoyle’s meetings with foreign officials while lobbying for Aktor, a Greek construction company that has expanded into the gas sector.
According to the report, some officials who met with Guilfoyle and Marafatsos believed he was her chief of staff. The report also said several people who met with the two were not informed of his ties to Aktor.
Guilfoyle’s lawyer disputed the characterization of her activities, while lawyers for Aktor said she had not improperly promoted the company’s commercial interests.
A US Embassy official also said Guilfoyle follows State Department guidance.
Questions over political comments
Shaheen also raised concerns over reports that Guilfoyle became involved in the domestic politics of an allied country.
The senator cited an account of a March dinner during which Guilfoyle was allegedly discussing the impending collapse of Romania’s government with Greece’s energy minister and said, “We can do that to any country we want. We can do that here.”
Guilfoyle’s lawyer disputed the characterization of the exchange.
Rubio visit adds scrutiny
Rubio’s visit to Greece comes as questions surrounding the ambassador’s conduct have drawn congressional attention.
The secretary of state has previously defended Guilfoyle, with a statement provided by the White House describing her as an “incredibly effective advocate for the President’s agenda.”
Shaheen’s request now puts the State Department under pressure to examine the allegations and clarify whether Guilfoyle’s official activities complied with department rules governing conflicts of interest, lobbying and diplomatic conduct.
Source:AA
