Executive Session

CONGRESSIONAL RECORD
SENATE

May 6, 2004

EXECUTIVE SESSION
NOMINATION OF JOHN D. NEGROPONTE, OF NEW YORK, TO BE AMBASSADOR EXTRAORDINARY AND PLENIPOTENTIARY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO IRAQ

Mr. STEVENS. Mr. President. I do appreciate the opportunity to discuss my very good friend, John Negroponte, in support of his nomination to be the United States Ambassador to Iraq. John and I have known each other since 1977 with his appointment as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and Fisheries Affairs with the rank of Ambassador. Because he handled several fisheries negotiations of vital interest to my state, John was a frequent visitor to Alaska. In 1978, John negotiated a breakthrough agreement with the Government of Japan which provided crucial protection for Alaskan salmon stocks from Japanese high seas fishing fleets. This agreement provided countless benefits to the Alaskan fishing community which endure to this day.

I have also had the pleasure of working with John in his subsequent assignments: as Ambassador to Honduras; as Assistant Secretary for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, as Ambassador to the Philippines and more recently as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. In each situation, I was able to witness first hand his ability to manage large and complex diplomatic missions and to observe his effectiveness and sensitivity in dealing with his foreign counterparts.
Educated at Yale, he speaks five languages fluently-something that I consider a true asset for this position.

I believe President Bush, on the recommendation of Secretary of State Powell, has chosen extremely wisely and well in his selection of John to be our Nation's representative in Iraq. I also believe that at this point in time in our Nation's history, it is vital to have John at the helm in Iraq-we will need his expertise to help guide us through the next few months. I can tell you without any question, this man is one of the most distinguished public servants that I have had the honor of knowing and serving with. I know his family and I know this man.

With the unfortunate development we have recently had in terms of the conduct of some of the people involved in the prisons in Iraq, I am confident that John Negroponte is the man necessary to be there, in Iraq, to represent our Government. He will represent us well, and we will be very well served by his confirmation.

I urge the Senate to quickly confirm John Negroponte as our Ambassador to Iraq. I thank the Chair.