Chris Hill Named Ambassador To Iraq

Chris Hill has been named as the next ambassador to Iraq and will oversee a crucial moment for the nascent democracy, following provincial elections this past weekend and more later in the year. As reported by ABC News, "Hill, the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, served as the U.S. Ambassador to Korea from 2004 to 2005. In Feb. 2005, Hill headed the U.S. delegation to the Six-Party Talks on the North Korean nuclear issue."

The Washington Post adds that Hill does not speak Arabic, but is a "consummate dealmaker" who "won plaudits for his efforts in the face of opposition from within the Bush administration and the often frustrating negotiating tactics of the North Koreans."

Prior to his post in South Korea, Hill has a wide-ranging diplomatic resume, having spent most of his adult life in the Foreign Service. From the State Department's bio:

Previously he has served as U.S. Ambassador to Poland (2000-2004), Ambassador to the Republic of Macedonia (1996-1999) and Special Envoy to Kosovo (1998-1999). He also served as Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Southeast European Affairs in the National Security Council.

Earlier in his Foreign Service career, Ambassador Hill served tours in Belgrade, Warsaw, Seoul, and Tirana, and on the Department of State's Policy Planning staff and in the Department's Operation Center. While on a fellowship with the American Political Science Association he served as a staff member for Congressman Stephen Solarz working on Eastern European issues. He also served as the Department of State's Senior Country Officer for Poland. Ambassador Hill received the State Department's Distinguished Service Award for his contributions as a member of the U.S. negotiating team in the Bosnia peace settlement, and was a recipient of the Robert S. Frasure Award for Peace Negotiations for his work on the Kosovo crisis. Prior to joining the Foreign Service, Ambassador Hill served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cameroon.