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| Dr. Wayne S. Smith's career in public service
began in the early 1950s when, as a U.S. Marine, he saw combat during
the Korean War. Following his military service, he completed
undergraduate and advanced degrees at La Universidad de las Americas in
Mexico City, Columbia University, and George Washington University. In
the late 1950s, Smith embarked on a career in the Department of State
and, for 25 years, served as diplomatic envoy in the Soviet Union,
Argentina, Brazil, and Cuba. His first post was Havana, where he
witnessed the victory of the Revolution and the subsequent
deterioration of relations between Cuba and the U.S. When he decided to
leave the Foreign Service in 1982 because of fundamental disagreements
with the Reagan Administration's foreign policy, he was once again
stationed in Havana, this time as Chief of Mission (the highest ranking
official) at the U.S. Interests Section. At that time, he was also
recognized as the Department of State's leading expert on Cuba. |
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