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Ambassador James W. Spain

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Ambassador James W. Spain

Letters and Speeches

Ambassador Blake's Remarks for Ambassador James W. Spain Memorial Service.

St. Andrew’s Scots Kirk, Friday, January 11, 2008 5:00 p.m.

Ladies and gentlemen, a very warm welcome to all you.  Thank you for coming.  We are here this afternoon to remember and honor not only a remarkable diplomat and dedicated patriot in the service of his country, but also a true friend of Sri Lanka and the Maldives, one who spent more than twenty years of his life in this beautiful country.  Although I never had the privilege of meeting Ambassador Spain, his is an example that I and all of his successors have endeavored to emulate.

At the outset let me thank our good friends and partners in the Sri Lankan American Society, Chris Perera and Nihal DeSilva, for co-sponsoring today’s service, and for strengthening the people-to-people ties between our two countries.

Ladies and gentleman, Jim Spain’s extraordinary life began in 1926.  He was born on the famous South Side of Chicago, the son of a streetcar conductor and a seamstress who were Irish immigrants.  He attended a local Catholic school and a seminary, before going on to receive a Masters degree from the University of Chicago and a PhD from Columbia University.  In addition to being a diplomat, he was a scholar and writer, the author of several books and numerous articles on foreign policy, as well as a series of mystery novels.

Many of us have heard the legend about Jim Spain having seen up close in his youth the Chicago gangster and larger-than life character Al Capone, an experience on which he would draw many times to regale his listeners over the years. His personal knowledge of that special era was to provide a rich vein to be mined for many tales over the years to the delight of his audiences, from Prime Ministers to office clerks.  That he could hold the interest of the one and take the time to engage the other, speaks to his skills as a story teller and a diplomat.

Ambassador Spain had a long and distinguished diplomatic career, which included three Ambassadorships – to Turkey, Tanzania and, finally, Sri Lanka and Maldives.  Despite his wide experience around the world, it was here on this island that he chose to retire and continue to make a difference.  I have heard many times from his legion of Sri Lankan friends of the warm hospitality he extended to so many, first at Jefferson House, and then at his quarters in apartment 42 of the third floor of Galle Face Court. 

Ambassador Spain continued to speak and write frequently following his retirement.  One of the first pieces I read on Sri Lanka as I prepared for my assignment was the chapter he penned in a book edited by our mutual friend Tissa Jayatilaka exploring relations between the U.S and Sri Lanka on the 50^th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Fulbright Commission in 2002.  In this chapter, entitled “Fifteen Mostly Serendipitous Years” written in 1999, he reflected on the many changes he had witnessed during the years he lived in Sri Lanka – some of them negative in keeping with his American penchant for straight talk, yet with an undertone of abiding respect and affection for Sri Lanka, its people and its 2500 year old civilization and culture.  In closing his chapter, after some presciently pessimistic comments about prospects for defusing ethnic tensions, he observed:

“Sri Lanka will remain an appealing country for both foreigners and its own citizens.  My own judgment on the future can be stated simply: I intend to live out my remaining years in Serendip.”

I have heard many people observe that Ambassador Spain was a diplomat of the “old school,” that he really cared about the people he met, and that he could put everyone at ease, no matter their station in life.  Michael Owen, now our Consul General in Mumbai, recalled his four years serving with Ambassador Spain in Sri Lanka when Michael was a much more junior officer.  “Ambassador Spain invited me to many dinners at his residence, introduced me to innumerable interesting Sri Lankans, regularly gave me sound advice, and was always generous with his time.” 

Ambassador Spain’s Deputy Chief of Mission here in Sri Lanka, Edward Marks, himself long retired, commented that Ambassador Spain was an exceptionally intelligent, outgoing, and social individual. 

Shaun Donnelly, the fine American Ambassador who had the challenge of succeeding Ambassador Spain, recalled with affection the wise and generous counsel Ambassador Spain provided him on things big and small throughout Shaun’s successful tenure.  Shaun characterized Ambassador Spain as “one of the most honest, straight-forward and principled men I have met anywhere, a man whose focus was always on what was right for the people, whether American or Sri Lankan, rather than what was best for political leaders or him.”  Shaun concludes that “He was the model of what an Ambassador, a Foreign Service Officer, an American and a man should be.”      

Jayantha Dhanapala, one of Sri Lanka’s most distinguished diplomats is out of the country and regrets he could not be here today.  He was kind enough to share several memories, however.  Jayantha was Sri Lanka's Ambassador in Washington following Ambassador Spain’s retirement.  He told me “Jim was a sincere friend of Sri Lanka.  Unburdened by the responsibilities of office he spoke with candor and yet with a deep understanding of the country and a genuine affection for its people.  I felt proud when Jim told me how touched he was by the wide circle of genuine Sri Lankan friends who continued to remain steadfastly by his side long after he had shed the trappings of Ambassadorial office.  That was traditional Sri Lankan hospitality displayed with dignity and grace towards a man who loved Sri Lanka and her people.  Jim embodied the best American diplomatic traditions.” 

These are only a small sampling of the warm recollections Ambassador Spain’s many friends have.  He set the bar for his successors very high indeed, and will be greatly missed by his many friends.

Thank you all again for joining us.