• 2007.06.19: June 19, 2007: Headlines: COS - Tanzania: Diplomacy: Congress: Milwaukke Journal Sentinel: Mark Green, appeared before a Senate panel considering his nomination to ambassador to Tanzania, and called the country a "crucial partner" in U.S. efforts to "stop the spread of radical extremism and terrorism"  Wednesday, August 29, 2007 - 11:00 am [3]

• 2007.07.16: July 16, 2007: Headlines: COS - Tanzania: Diplomacy: Congress: The Capital Times: Massachusetts Senator John Kerry objects to Mark Green as Ambassador to Tanzania  Monday, July 16, 2007 - 6:26 pm [1]

• 2007.06.28: June 28, 2007: Headlines: COS - Tanzania: Diplomacy: Congress: Appleton Post Crescent: State Department apology ends hold on Mark Green's nomination  Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 10:49 pm [1]

• 2007.06.28: June 28, 2007: Headlines: COS - Tanzania: Diplomacy: Congress: Green Bay Press-Gazette: Dodd wants cable of no confidence rescinded  Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 8:59 am [1]

• 2007.06.14: June 14, 2007: Headlines: COS - Tanzania: Country Directors - Tanzania: Diplomacy: Speaking Out: Congress: PCOL Exclusive: Speaking Out: Regarding the Confirmation Hearings for Mark Green as Ambassador to Tanzania  Thursday, June 28, 2007 - 2:43 pm [2]

Dodd puts hold on Mark Green's nomination for US ambassador to Tanzania



Senator Chris Dodd blocked approval of former Rep. Mark Green as the new ambassador to Tanzania because of concerns about the outgoing ambassador in the East African nation. U.S. ambassador Michael Retzer revoked Peace Corps’ country director Christine Djondo’s authority to remain in Tanzania. Sen. Christopher Dodd, a former Peace Corps volunteer and a big booster of the agency, placed a hold on Green’s nomination as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee prepared to approve Green’s nomination along with about two-dozen other nominations. Dodd, a committee member and Democratic presidential candidate, did not attend Wednesday’s meeting. Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, also a committee member, said he was disappointed by Dodd’s actions but said the Connecticut lawmaker had indicated he was displeased with Retzer. Dodd is concerned about the future independence of the Peace Corps in Tanzania, Feingold said. Feingold called Retzer’s decision the “completely wrong decision.” However, Feingold had hoped to reassure Dodd that Green, a former teaching volunteer with WorldTeach, respected the Peace Corps’ mission. Green, Feingold said, “would never” take the kind of action Retzer did. “Congressman Green is well qualified for the job. The sooner he is there (in Tanzania) the more sympathetic ear the Peace Corps will have,” Feingold said. If Dodd continues his hold, the committee will not vote on the nomination until after Congress returns from its July 4 recess. If Dodd drops his hold this week, the panel might be able to fast track the nomination to the full Senate before the recess. Josie Duckett, deputy press director for the Peace Corps, said the agency does not get involved in the ambassadorial confirmation process. However, Duckett said the agency appreciated Green’s “supportive comments regarding the Peace Corps on June 19 at his confirmation hearing before the Foreign Relations Committee.”

Dodd puts hold on Mark Green's nomination for US ambassador to Tanzania

Green ambassadorship being held up

Caption: Mark Green, nominee for US ambassador to Tanzania

WASHINGTON — A Connecticut senator blocked approval today of former Rep. Mark Green as the new ambassador to Tanzania because of concerns about the outgoing ambassador in the East African nation.

U.S. ambassador Michael Retzer revoked Peace Corps’ country director Christine Djondo’s authority to remain in Tanzania.

Sen. Christopher Dodd, a former Peace Corps volunteer and a big booster of the agency, placed a hold on Green’s nomination as the Senate Foreign Relations Committee prepared to approve Green’s nomination along with about two-dozen other nominations.

Dodd, a committee member and Democratic presidential candidate, did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.

Wisconsin Sen. Russ Feingold, also a committee member, said he was disappointed by Dodd’s actions but said the Connecticut lawmaker had indicated he was displeased with Retzer.

Dodd is concerned about the future independence of the Peace Corps in Tanzania, Feingold said.

Feingold called Retzer’s decision the “completely wrong decision.”

However, Feingold had hoped to reassure Dodd that Green, a former teaching volunteer with WorldTeach, respected the Peace Corps’ mission.

Green, Feingold said, “would never” take the kind of action Retzer did.

“Congressman Green is well qualified for the job. The sooner he is there (in Tanzania) the more sympathetic ear the Peace Corps will have,” Feingold said.
If Dodd continues his hold, the committee will not vote on the nomination until after Congress returns from its July 4 recess. If Dodd drops his hold this week, the panel might be able to fast track the nomination to the full Senate before the recess.

A Dodd spokeswoman said she would try to get answers as to what her boss plans to do.

Until Wednesday, Green’s nomination was low-key and noncontroversial. President Bush nominated the 47-year-old Hobart resident June 6 and the Foreign Relations Committee, with Feingold presiding, held a confirmation hearing June 19.

At the June 19 hearing, Feingold said Green, a Republican who represented the 8th Congressional District for four terms, had the personal and professional background that makes him “far more qualified” than his two most recent predecessors.

Green and wife Sue served as volunteer high school teachers in Kenya for WorldTeach in the late 1980s. While there, the Greens also visited neighboring Tanzania.

At the hearing, Green promised to work with all U.S. agencies, including the Peace Corps, in Tanzania.

Josie Duckett, deputy press director for the Peace Corps, said the agency does not get involved in the ambassadorial confirmation process.

However, Duckett said the agency appreciated Green’s “supportive comments regarding the Peace Corps on June 19 at his confirmation hearing before the Foreign Relations Committee.”

-- Ellyn Ferguson, eferguso@greenbaypressgazette.com

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: June, 2007; Peace Corps Tanzania; Directory of Tanzania RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Tanzania RPCVs; Diplomacy; Peace Corps Library; Peace Corps Countries of Service; Peace Corps History; Peace Corps Message Board; Recent Peace Corps News

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