Louis O'Neill

Welcome to Louis O'Neill

Louis O'Neill has proven his dedication to public service throughout his life, as a pro bono attorney, a criminal prosecutor, a White House Fellow and as OSCE Ambassador to Moldova.

Mr. O'Neill acquired an extremely solid educational background by attending Stanford University and graduating, with distinction, in Slavic Languages and Literatures. Lou O'Neill continued at Stanford and earned his co-terminal Master's Degrees in Russian and in Eastern European Studies. Between undergraduate and masters studies, Louis O'Neill spent a year abroad as a Presidential Fulbright Scholar in Moscow . He also jointed The Moscow Times as a journalist and designer when the paper was just starting out.

After returning to the U.S. and graduating from Harvard Law School cum laude, Louis O'Neill participated in Harvard University's Legal Reform Program in Moscow , an effort designed to aid Russia in its transition to a rule-based economy.

Much later, in 2004 Louis O'Neill was accepted as a White House Fellow, a year-long program aimed at recruiting America's best and brightest young people and acquainting them with the workings of the highest levels of government. The White House Fellowship Program was developed in 1964. Its stated purpose is to select exception young American professional with a demonstrated dedication to public service and train them in leadership and public policy. Its ultimate goal is to provide society with "statesmanlike leadership and guidance in public affairs."

As a White House Fellow, Louis O'Neill worked closely with Secretary of State Colin Powell, most notably handling special projects, one of which was an assignment as U.S. Expert to the OSCE Minsk Group's Fact Finding Mission to the Occupied Territories of Azerbaijan Surrounding Nagorno-Karabakh. The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), and its stated goal of enhancing human security in multiple dimension appealed to O'Neill's sense of duty and public service.

After completing his White House Fellowship, Mr. O'Neill joined the Policy Planning Staff of the U.S. State Department, a group of experts who focus on the longer-term strategic aspects of U.S. foreign policy.

In 2006, Louis O'Neill was appointed Ambassador and Head of Mission to Moldova by the then-Chairman-in-Office of the OSCE, Belgian Foreign Minister Karel de Gucht.

Press Releases

CHISINAU, 18 December

OSCE Mission says Gagauz elections held in calm and orderly manner

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