"The Lady from Damascus" is about to end. Doyenne of Czech diplomacy in Syria helpedsave many allies.
More than once, her life was on the line, yet she is still working in the Czech Republic's uniform in one of the most complex destinations on the planet. According to the findings of Lidovky.cz, the ambassador to Syria, Eva Filipi, is now expected to leave her post in Damascus.
Her diplomatic skills have been praised by the Americans. They reduced their presence in Damascus after the attack on Ambassador Robert Ford in 2011. Subsequently, the Czechs began to play the role of a liaison officer or protector of American interests (the so-called protecting power). This concerns primarily consular issues that affect the fate of specific American citizens. The reason why the US chose the Czech Republic was described six years ago by former Ambassador Ford himself to Foreign Policy magazine. "Eva (Filipi) had a better insight into the mindset of the Syrian government," he recalled.
Diplomacy did not want to comment on the exchange. "The process of appointing ambassadors is conducted in a classified mode and we cannot comment on the details," said Daniel Drake, a State Department spokesman. He added that the Czech embassy in Damascus would continue to act as a "protecting power".
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