For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
January 9, 2003

President Appoints Reich as Special Envoy
Statement by the Press Secretary

President Bush announced today the appointment of Ambassador Otto J. Reich as Special Envoy for Western Hemisphere Initiatives. Ambassador Reich has a distinguished record of service to the United States both outside and in government. Most recently, Ambassador Reich has served as the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Ambassador Reich will report to Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs.

As Special Envoy, Ambassador Reich will coordinate long-term policy initiatives such as: The U.S./Mexico Partnership, The Andean Regional Initiative, The Caribbean Third Border Initiative, and The New Cuba Initiative. Within the context of these Initiatives, Ambassador Reich will have the responsibility to advance the United States' goals in the hemisphere: to foster and strengthen democratic institutions, to promote and defend human rights, to advance free trade, and to promote economic development and poverty alleviation.

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