New U.S. ambassador to Iraq sworn in

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Thursday, March 29, 2007 · Last updated 3:06 a.m. PT
New U.S. ambassador to Iraq sworn in

By STEVEN R. HURST
ASSOCIATED PRESS WRITER

BAGHDAD -- Ambassador Ryan Crocker was sworn in as the new top U.S.
envoy to Iraq on Thursday, saying he was taking over the "most critical
foreign policy mission" facing the United States.

The oath was administered by junior foreign service officer Tina Tran, who
had served with Crocker in Pakistan and has been in the Baghdad embassy
since last summer.

Crocker, who is fluent in Arabic, told Iraqi employees of the embassy in Arabic
that "you are the heroes of the country, in the true meaning of the word."

-snip-

The new ambassador left no doubt of his commitment to the Bush
administration's policy in Iraq, which is under withering attack in the
Democrat-controlled Congress.

"President Bush's policy is the right one. There has been progress; there is
also much more to be done," he said.

-snip-

Read more: http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/1107AP_Iraq_Crocker.html

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Source: Reuters

New U.S. envoy pledges to stand by Iraqi PM
29 Mar 2007 10:27:16 GMT
Source: Reuters

BAGHDAD, March 29 (Reuters) - The new U.S. ambassador to Iraq pledged on
Thursday to stand by the government of Nuri al- Maliki but said the Iraqi prime
minister must deliver "tangible improvements" to the lives of the Iraqi people.

-snip-

Read more: http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/PAR936530.htm