A spokesman for Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, deflected concerns about Christopher Hill, former assistant secretary of state and chief negotiator for North Korea. "Chris Hill is widely considered to be an extremely capable diplomat with a strong record of service to our country," Kerry spokesman Frederick Jones told FOX News in a statement. "Chairman Kerry plans to hold a confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary Hill as soon as possible at which all views and concerns that senators may have can be aired." The State Department also defended Hill on Friday, saying it has full confidence in him and believes he is an "excellent candidate." "I know that Ambassador Hill looks forward to confirmation hearings in which he can address the senators' concerns and go into more detail about his record," said Gordon Duguid, a spokesman for the State Department. "He is ready for those hearings and I do believe -- and I know that the president and the secretary also believe -- that Ambassador Hill is qualified," he continued. "I won't go down the huge list of the achievements he's had throughout his career, but simply point on his negotiating experience both in the Six-Party talks and in the Dayton Accords, as being particular high points." Christopher R. Hill, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs and former U.S. ambassador to South Korea, served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cameroon.
Kerry Defends Christopher Hill as Next U.S. Ambassador to Iraq
Kerry Defends Christopher Hill as Next U.S. Ambassador to Iraq
At least three Republican senators have said that President Obama's pick for Iraq ambassador lacks Middle East experience.
FOXNews.com
Friday, March 13, 2009
Amid growing concerns among Republicans, a key Democrat is defending President Obama's choice to become the next U.S. ambassador to Iraq.
A spokesman for Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, deflected concerns about Christopher Hill, former assistant secretary of state and chief negotiator for North Korea.
"Chris Hill is widely considered to be an extremely capable diplomat with a strong record of service to our country," Kerry spokesman Frederick Jones told FOX News in a statement. "Chairman Kerry plans to hold a confirmation hearing for Assistant Secretary Hill as soon as possible at which all views and concerns that senators may have can be aired."
The State Department also defended Hill on Friday, saying it has full confidence in him and believes he is an "excellent candidate."
"I know that Ambassador Hill looks forward to confirmation hearings in which he can address the senators' concerns and go into more detail about his record," said Gordon Duguid, a spokesman for the State Department.
"He is ready for those hearings and I do believe -- and I know that the president and the secretary also believe -- that Ambassador Hill is qualified," he continued. "I won't go down the huge list of the achievements he's had throughout his career, but simply point on his negotiating experience both in the Six-Party talks and in the Dayton Accords, as being particular high points."
The Obama administration initially offered the position to the former head of Central Command, retired Gen. Anthony Zinni, before choosing Hill after some U.S. officials balked at sending a military general to serve in Iraq.
At least three Republican senators have said Obama should reconsider picking Hill, dimming the chances that he can be confirmed.
Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Sam Brownback of Kansas said this week that they were disappointed with Hill's appointment, which Obama announced Wednesday.
Hill, who has long been American envoy to the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, led nuclear disarmament talks with North Korea during the Bush administration.
While considered a seasoned negotiator, he was regarded by many Republicans as too willing to make concessions in an effort to prod Pyongyang to give up its nuclear weapons.
"With respect to the allegations regarding Mr. Hill's efforts to reach a diplomatic solution to North Korea's nuclear program," Jones said, "it is worth pointing out that he was implementing the policies of the Bush administration.
"Any concerns senators may have about the effectiveness of that approach would be well directed to that policy's architects."
Hill, if confirmed, would replace Ryan Crocker as America's top diplomat in Baghdad.
The swift, negative reaction from Congress does not bode well for Hill's appointment. He would have to be confirmed by the Senate, where Democrats hold a narrow majority and procedural rules require 60 votes to cut off debate.
McCain, Graham and Brownback, in a joint statement released late Thursday, cited a lack of experience in the Middle East to explain their opposition to Hill.
Brownback also referred to his "evasive and unprofessional" past dealings with Congress, while McCain and Graham referred to his "controversial legacy."
"The U.S. embassy in Baghdad is the world's largest, and our next ambassador will take the helm at a particularly critical time in our efforts in Iraq," Graham and McCain wrote. "The next ambassador should have experience in the Middle East and in working closely with the U.S. military in counterinsurgency or counterterrorism operations. Mr. Hill has neither."
FOX News' Trish Turner and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
