WASHINGTON (Armenpress)—The first Ambassador of the United States to the second Republic of Armenia, Harry J. Gilmore, of Dumfries, Virginia, died of a heart attack on April 23 at the age of 77. Voice of America reported that the authoritative diplomat worked toward the establishment of peace in the South Caucasus until the end of his life.
He retired in 1997 as a Foreign Service officer after a 36 year career in the United States Foreign Service. Ambassador Gilmore served as a Dean of the Senior Seminar of the Foreign Service Institute from 1996 to 1997 and Dean of Area Studies from 1995 to 1996.
He served as the first U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia from May 1993 to July 1995. He served as a Deputy Commandant for International Affairs of U.S. Army War College from 1991 to 1992 and U.S. Minister and Deputy Commandant of the American Sector, Berlin from 1987 to 1990. Following the reunification of Germany, he served as a Principal Officer of the U.S. Embassy Office, Berlin from 1990 to 1991.
He served as a Deputy Chief of Mission, U.S. Embassy, Belgrade from 1981 to 1985 and Director of the Office of Central European Affairs of U.S. Department of State. His other overseas postings included Munich, Moscow, Budapest and Ankara. His final assignments as a Foreign Service Officer were devoted to the education and training of Foreign Service and other U.S. Government personnel assigned abroad.
He had been a Director of Global Gold Corporation since January 1, 2007. Ambassador Gilmore received a B.A. degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He did his graduate work in Russian and East European studies at Indiana University and George Washington University
Ambassador Gilmore was a true friend of the Armenian people. I came to know him very well during his Ambassadorshhip in Armenia (1992-95) as I was serving in the Government of Armenian as State Minister durig that time. He was extremely helpful and sucssesful in arranging significant financial assistance for Armenia through direct intrvention with the U.S. State Department. I am sure many others in the Government of Armenia at the time would also remember him respectfully.
Hopefully he had told the story about Armageddon and Apocalypse to his children and grandchildren. Also his experience of dealing with the devil’s people will contribute to the political science of the USA.