Liz Cheney Appointed to Mideast Post

Yahoo News ^ | February 15, 2005 | Reuters

[conservativebabe]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Elizabeth Cheney, the daughter of Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites), will become the second-ranking U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, the State Department said on Monday.

Cheney, who previously worked in the department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and left to work on her father's 2004 re-election campaign, will become the bureau's principal deputy assistant secretary of state.

This is the bureau's second ranking position and deputizes for the assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs, the top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher told reporters Cheney would also serve as "coordinator for Broader Middle East and North Africa Initiatives" -- a U.S.-backed idea to try to spread democratic and economic reform in the region.

"Her duties will include a focus on U.S. bilateral and multilateral efforts to support freedom, democracy and expanded education and economic opportunities in the broader Middle East and North Africa," he said.

[mrs tiggywinkle]

This person in particular continually misspells Cheney's name, even after being told the correct spelling...over and again.

freepmail in a minute.

[katana]

I had the same reservations (well, similar anyway) before I read her resume. She's been dealing with Middle Eastern development since early 2003 and has experience in the State Department and other international organizations going back into the early 90's.

I don't know about her linguistic or other qualifications, but I do speak Arabic, have a degree in Middle Eastern history, and have travelled in that region for nearly twenty five years. For the Arabs (or for that matter most cultures) family connection with influential people (and there aren't too many people more influential than this particular VP) is one of the most important factors that can lend anyone credibility. That's a two edged sword, of course, but it certainly doesn't make Liz Cheney unqualified for this particular appointment.

The term "hack" and a comparison with Mr. (one more roast chicken, pleeeeeeze!) Hugh Rodham are unwarranted and offensive.

[cubreporter]

Hey, thanks! Great photos of a great family. So much jealousy and hatred out there...this family is a joy to behond with all those little grandchildren. I love them all.