Holbrooke deputy to assume special envoy status

Tue, 14 Dec 2010

Washington - The US State Department has named Frank Ruggiero, a career civil servant, as the acting special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan following the sudden death of veteran diplomat Richard Holbrooke.

Ruggiero had been Holbrooke's deputy since July and had previously held senior positions in the State Department.

State Department spokesman PJ Crowley said Tuesday that there will be a continuity of policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan despite the death of Holbrooke, a towering figure in international diplomacy.

"It is a profound loss for us, but we will continue to pursue the policies that his fingerprints are all over," Crowley said.

Holbrooke collapsed at the State Department Friday and was rushed to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with an aortic tear. He never recovered, dying Monday at the age of 69.

The Obama administration is expected this week to complete a review of the new strategy for Afghanistan outlined in December 2009. While that strategy included a massive troop buildup, it also expanded the civilian aspect of the mission under Holbrooke.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/358180,assume-special-envoy-status.html.