Thorhilda Abbott-Watt

Thorhilda "Thorda" Mary Vivia Abbott-Watt (born 11 February 1955) is a British diplomat who currently serves as Ambassador to Turkmenistan.

Early life and education

Abbott-Watt was born in London on 11 February 1955.[1] Her father was a diplomat.[2] She graduated from the Institute of Linguists.[1]

Career

Abbott-Watt joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1974, working in the UK, France, Latin America, Germany and Ukraine. From 2001–2002 she was Charge d'Affaires, opening the British Embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.[3][2]

Abbott-Watt was Ambassador to Armenia from 2003–2005. In 2004, questions were raised about her competency in a letter to Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary Jack Straw by scholar Tessa Hofmann and the International Group on Genocide Recognition and Prevention after she made a statement at a press conference on 20 January 2004 questioning the use of the term genocide for the Armenian Genocide. Abbott-Watt said, "Great Britain accepts that the events of 1915 were mass killings [of the Armenian population]–the responsible for which are the Turks. I see no problem calling it brutality. It shouldn’t have taken place even in the course of war. But–I do not think that recognizing the events as genocide would be of much use."[4][5]

Abbott-Watt served as Ambassador to Mongolia from 2008–2009 and from 2010–2012. On 9 May, 2016, she was appointed Ambassador to Turkmenistan.[6]

Personal life

Abbott-Watt is married to Reef Talbot Hogg.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 "Great Britain Appoints New Ambassador to Armenia". Asbarez. 15 January 2003. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  2. 1 2 Baghdasaryan, Edik (20 February 2004). "Nation shall speak peace unto nation: An interview with THORDA ABBOTT-WATT, UK Ambassador to Armenia". HETQ. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to Mongolia" (Press release). gov.uk. 3 February 2011.
  4. ↑ "Tessa Hoffman Questions Competence of UK Ambassador Abbott Watt". Asbarez. 15 March 2004. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
  5. ↑ "International Group on Genocide Questioned Expediency of Thorda Abbott-Watt as UK Ambassador to Armenia". panarmenian.net. 12 March 2004.
  6. ↑ Foreign and Commonwealth Office (9 May 2016). "Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to Turkmenistan" (Press release).
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