For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 13, 2004

Statement by the Press Secretary

National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice announced today the appointment of Meghan L. O'Sullivan as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Strategic Planning and Southwest Asia, effective July 12, 2004. This portfolio includes Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan.

Dr. O'Sullivan came to the National Security Council from the Coalition Provisional Authority in Baghdad, Iraq. Prior to her departure to the region in March of 2003, Dr. O'Sullivan served as a member of the Office of Policy Planning at the Department of State. In this capacity, she was the chief advisor to the presidential envoy to the peace process in Northern Ireland, and was also involved in efforts to promote reform in the Muslim world.

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