Princeton Lyman
American diplomat (1935–2018)
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Princeton Nathan Lyman (November 20, 1935 – August 24, 2018)[1] was a diplomat and former United States Ambassador to Nigeria (1986–89) and South Africa (1992–95), and former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (1996–98[2]).[3] He was a member of the American Academy of Diplomacy and the Aspen Institute, and was Adjunct Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies with the Council on Foreign Relations.[4]
Bill Clinton
Princeton Lyman | |
|---|---|
| |
| 20th United States Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs | |
| In office March 19, 1997 – October 22, 1998 | |
| President | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Douglas J. Bennet |
| Succeeded by | David Welch |
| United States Ambassador to South Africa | |
| In office July 14, 1992 – December 14, 1995 | |
| President | George H. W. Bush Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | William Lacy Swing |
| Succeeded by | James A. Joseph |
| United States Ambassador to Nigeria | |
| In office September 12, 1986 – July 24, 1989 | |
| President | Ronald Reagan George H. W. Bush |
| Preceded by | Thomas W. M. Smith |
| Succeeded by | Lannon Walker |
| 6th Director of the Bureau of Refugee Programs | |
| In office September 5, 1989 – June 15, 1992 | |
| Preceded by | Jonathan Moore |
| Succeeded by | Warren Zimmermann |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 20, 1935 |
| Died | August 24, 2018 (aged 82) Silver Spring, Maryland, U.S. |
Lyman had a bachelor's degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a Ph.D. from Harvard University.[5]
Career
Lyman played a crucial role in the negotiation and signing of the 1994 Accord on Afrikaner self-determination in South Africa. As the U.S. Ambassador, he skillfully mediated between General Constand Viljoen, representing Afrikaner interests, and the African National Congress (ANC). Lyman's deep understanding of South Africa's complex political landscape and his respect for Afrikaner concerns helped prevent potential conflict during the transition from apartheid, ultimately facilitating the peaceful inclusion of Afrikaners in the new South African democracy.[6]
In January, 2010, Lyman weighed in in opposition to using the U.S. Alien Tort Statute in federal court to gain reparations for South African workers, from corporations who operated in South Africa during the apartheid era.[7]
In January, 2011, Lyman, who acted for the US government in mediation talks between the north and south of Sudan, was in Sudan for the independence referendum of Southern Sudan.[8][9]
