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Bush Diplomacy Drafts Negroponte's Poker Face

February 27, 2007 12:57 PM

ABC News' Kirit Radia Reports: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice swore in John Negroponte as her deputy Tuesday ahead of his first foreign trip as Deputy Secretary to China, Japan and South Korea.

Rice called Negroponte a "foreign service legend" and welcomed him back home to the State Department.

President Bush, speaking at the ceremony, called Negroponte a "man of vision and character" adding that this "uniquely qualified" candidate is also a "good negotiator" who "can play a mean game of poker."

Negroponte most recently served as America's first Director of National Intelligence, a job the President said Negroponte "handled this vital task with skill and determination."

"His vigilance has helped keep the American people safe from harm," the President declared.

Negroponte kept his remarks short, speaking about his experience in "hardship" posts around the world and the value of diplomacy in American policy. "Many of us face real danger around the world today. I saw that as United States Ambassador to Iraq, as I saw it 40 years ago in Vietnam, and 20 years ago in Central America."

"But there are rewards in these risks, and it is important to keep in mind that we take them for compelling reasons," Negroponte said. "America's freedom, security, and values are at stake."

February 27, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (0)

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