Andrew W.K. Releases Statement On Being Dropped As Cultural Ambassador In The Middle East

Andrew W.K. has released a statement detailing his experience of suddenly being dropped by the US Department of State as a ‘Cultural Ambassador’ scheduled to speak at the US embassy in Manama, Bahrain.

On Sunday, November 25 news broke that Andrew W.K. had been selected by the US State Department to represent his nation and bring his positive partying philosophy to the Middle East. Then only matter a of days later the whole thing was called off.

The US State Dept explained that they pulled the pin on Andrew W.K. after “the embassy determined that [Andrew W.K.] was probably not a best choice and didn’t meet our standards”. Furthermore, the US State Dept noted that Andrew was never officially invited in the capacity of being a Cultural Ambassador for the US Government.

Now Andrew W.K. has told his side of the story, posting an official statement on his website. The statement expresses Andrew’s disappointment and bewilderment at the sudden change of plans. Andrew’s statement details the year of planning that went into the now-cancelled trip and notes that the sudden turnabout by the US State Dept ‘doesn’t meet his standards either’.

However, ever the positive partier, Andrew W.K. maintains that he is still willing to take the job should the US State Dept. turn a complete three-sixty.

Read: Andrew W.K. Statement on Being Dropped by US Department of State

I’m disappointed and puzzled by their change of heart and last minute decision. I was personally invited to take this trip by The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Bahrain over a year ago. They came to me. The first email they sent me is dated September 13th, 2011 asking me to give a motivational lecture in Bahrain. I was overjoyed and accepted their invitation immediately. We moved forward and completed their extensive approval process, background check, booked all the flights and travel, and had numerous phone calls with the U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Office in Manama, Bahrain, who were handling the details.

I was scheduled to fly to Bahrain on Saturday, Dec. 1st, 2012. We received our official itinerary from the State Dept. at 5:58am, on Monday, November 26th, 2012. Less than six hours later, we received an urgent telephone call informing us that the entire trip had been canceled, due to some higher level controversy. We couldn’t get any more information or answers as to why this was suddenly canceled at the last minute. When I was originally invited by our contact, it seemed everyone was aware of what I stand for with my positive attitude. They were aware of how I look and my high-energy rock music. They were excited to bring my message of living life to the fullest to the people in the Middle East.

I was thrilled at the opportunity to represent my country and the spirit of inclusive and open-minded freedom that makes our nation so special and inspiring. So, for a Department of State representative to say Andrew W.K. ‘doesn’t meet their standards’ after they invited me and planned my trip for a year… well, that doesn’t meet my standards either. You can’t judge a book by its cover. I would’ve done a great job and represented our nation with dignity and pride. Despite all these challenges, I still would love to go and I vow to continue partying, and working everyday to to unite our human race through the power of positive partying.

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