About the embassy
History of the Embassy
1) First U.S. Minister to Afghanistan
Name: William H. Hornibrook
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Presentation of Credentials: May 4, 1935
Note: Accredited also to Persia; resident at Tehran.
2) Opening of Legation Kabul
Legation Kabul was opened Jun 6, 1942 with Charles W. Thayer as Chargé
d'Affaires ad interim.
3) Elevation of Legation to Embassy Kabul
Name: Ely E. Palmer
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Termination of Mission: Promoted to Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary Appointment: May 6, 1948 (Elevation from Legation to
Embassy)
4) Closing of Embassy Kabul
Embassy Kabul was closed Jan 30, 1989.
Note: The U.S. Liaison Office in Kabul reopened Dec 17, 2001. The United
States recognized the Interim Authority in Afghanistan on Dec 22, 2001. Ryan
Crocker was appointed Charge d'Affaires ad interim Jan 2, 2002.
5) Robert Patrick John Finn
Presentation of Credentials: April 3, 2002
Termination of Mission: August 1, 2003
6) Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad
Presentation of Credential: November 24, 2003
Termination of Mission: June 20, 2005
7) Ronald E.Neumann
Presentation of Credential: August 01, 2005
Termination of Mission: April 10, 2007