“Special envoy” for Latinamerica

www.falkland-malvinas.com US President George Bush announced this Thursday the naming of hardliner Otto Reich as “special envoy” to Latinamerica. Mr. Reich, born in Cuba and who until last November was Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere, will report directly to National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice.

This way Mr. Reich’s nomination avoids legislative confirmation. Last November Mr. Reich was forced to resign as Assistant Secretary after a powerful group of Democrat Senators refused to accept his nomination.

Mr. Reich is a recognized anti castrate, former Ambassador in Venezuela who was also an outstanding figure in the Reagan administration as coordinator of efforts and resources, (some illegal) in support of the “contras” with the purpose of derailing the Sandinista government in Nicaragua in the eighties.

In private business Mr. Reich has worked for the Bacardi group, a company belonging to exiles Cubans and as a representative of Lockheed during the recent sale of jet fighters to Chile.

In his new post as presidential special envoy Mr. Reich will have an office adjacent to the While House and direct links with Ms. Rice and therefore quick access to President Bush himself.

Another hardliner, former advisor to Senator Jesse Helms and currently Ambassador in the Organization of American States, Roger Noriega, will take the post of Assistant Secretary of State for the Western Hemisphere.