12 September 2012
OTTAWA – Canada’s Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO) expresses its condolences to the families, friends, and colleagues of US Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, Foreign Service Information Management Specialist Sean Smith, and two other diplomatic staff killed during yesterday’s attack on the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya.
“These senseless killings underscore the daily dangers which many diplomats face while serving their countries abroad in crisis and conflict zones,” said PAFSO President Tim Edwards. “Our thoughts today are with the victims’ loved ones, as well as with our friends and colleagues in the American foreign service. This tragic loss is felt deeply by the greater foreign service community.”
Ambassador Stevens and Mr Smith were career members of the US foreign service. Ambassador Stevens is the first American head of mission killed in the line of duty since 1979.
The two other victims have not yet been named.