*EPF509 03/23/01
White House Report on State Dept. Nominations, March 23
(U.S./Russia relations, Personnel announcements for State Department) (460)

BUSH ON U.S. OUSTER OF RUSSIAN INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS

President Bush, asked March 23 by reporters to comment on Russia's decision to oust U.S. diplomats in reaction to the U.S. decision to oust 50 Russian espionage agents, said: "We did the right thing. They can make whatever decision they deem necessary. Our country took the right course of action."

The administration's message, said Bush, was "that we will be firm and consistent in our foreign policy."

Asked if he was worried that "this tit-for-tat" situation could get out of hand and hurt U.S.-Russian relations, Bush said:

"No, I believe we can have good, strong relations with the Russians. They'll just understand my administration is one that takes firm positions when we think we're right. That doesn't preclude the ability for Mr. Putin and me, for example, to meet at some point in time and have a good, honest discussion about common interests, areas where we can work together, and be able to discuss our disagreements in an open and honest way."

Bush made the comments while on a visit to Portland, Maine, where he gave a speech promoting his budget and tax-reduction program for the nation.

White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, traveling with the President, said, "We're aware of what Russia has said it will do. The President considers the matter closed."

BUSH TO NOMINATE BEERS, CRANER TO STATE DEPARTMENT POSITIONS

President Bush made two personnel announcements for the State Department March 23.

The President intends to nominate Charlotte L. Beers to be Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy. Most recently she was Chair of J. Walter Thompson, the New York based advertising agency and served in several positions including CEO at Ogilvy & Mather from 1992 to 1999. From 1979 to 1990 she was with Tatham-Laird and Kudner and spent ten years with J. Walter Thompson in Chicago from 1969 to 1979. Originally from Beaumont, Texas, she is a graduate of Louisiana State University.

The President intends to nominate Lorne W. Craner to be Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor. He is currently President of the International Republican Institute. He served as Director of Asian Affairs at the National Security Council from 1992 to 1993 and was Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the Department of State from 1989 to 1992. Before joining the State Department, he served as foreign policy advisor to Senator John McCain. He is a graduate of Reed College and received a Master's degree in National Security Studies from Georgetown University.

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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