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Saturday 8 december 2018

Heather Nauert likely to be quizzed on her diplomatic resume

By DEB RIECHMANN in her. Heather plays a key
Associated Press role in advancing U.S. for-
WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- eign policy & I look forward
dent Donald Trump's pick to to her speedy confirma-
be America's top ambas- tion."
sador at the United Nations She also would arrive at
is likely to face questions a time when Trump and
about her thin diplomatic members of his foreign poli-
resume during an upcom- cy team have all displayed
ing Senate confirmation sometimes open contempt
hearing that will shine fresh for the United Nations and
attention on the president's its affiliated agencies.
"America first" approach to In its first two years, the
foreign policy. Trump administration has
If confirmed by the Senate, pulled out of the U.N. sci-
Heather Nauert, a 48-year- entific, educational and
old former Fox News Chan- cultural organization UNES-
nel reporter, will replace CO, the U.N. Human Rights
Nikki Haley. Nauert had Council and threatened
little foreign policy experi- to leave the International
ence before taking the po- Postal Union. It has cut off
dium as spokeswoman for contributions for the U.N.
the State Department. In this Aug. 9, 2017, file photo, State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert speaks during a agency for Palestinian refu-
Nauert's confirmation briefing at the State Department in Washington. gees and U.N. population
could hinge on her perfor- Associated Press fund. It has also sought to
mance at the hearing. Still, reduce funding for U.N.
she stands a good chance smart, very quick." He said tweeted. The job of U.N. perience in diplomacy. peacekeeping operations.
of approval because after he thought she would be ambassador is very differ- Nauert thanked Trump Pompeo, Nauert's current
the new Congress begins "respected by all." ent, he said, and usually re- and said she was humbled boss, recently delivered
in January, Republicans will Others, including former quires foreign policy or dip- at being chosen. "If con- a speech attacking mul-
have a 53-47 vote majority U.S. ambassador to Russia, lomatic expertise or both. firmed, I look forward to tinational institutions and
over Democrats in the Sen- Michael McFaul, criticized Trump backer Sen. Lindsey continuing the outstanding agreements that many be-
ate. the choice. Nauert's job as Graham, R-S.C., issued a job Ambassador Haley has lieve have served as pillars
In announcing his decision spokeswoman at State is statement praising Nauert, done representing your ad- of stability in the post-World
on Friday, Trump said Nau- "to read talking points and but his Republican col- ministration and the Ameri- War II era.
ert was "very talented, very explain policy," McFaul leagues who sit on the Sen- can people." In that speech in Brussels,
ate Foreign Relations Com- Trump's announcement Pompeo questioned the
mittee were silent. comes just a day after the value and credibility of or-
"I've known Heather for U.S. lost a high-profile vote ganizations like the U.N.,
many years. She is a fine in the U.N. General Assem- the European Union, the
and capable person," bly for a resolution con- International Monetary
Graham said, adding that demning the Palestinian Fund and World Bank, say-
she had the confidence militant group Hamas. Hal- ing they are in need of dire
of Trump and Secretary of ey had lobbied hard to get change if they are to con-
State Mike Pompeo. the resolution passed, but tinue to have U.S. support
"I'm sure she will perform couldn't garner the two- or membership.
well at her hearing and thirds majority needed. "Haley lost a degree of au-
look forward to supporting Haley herself arrived at the tonomy when John Bolton
her nomination." United Nations with little became the national se-
If she gets the job, Nauert foreign policy experience curity adviser, because he
would take the post with beyond promoting interna- had strong views about the
less clout than Haley, a for- tional investments in South U.N," said Stephen Pom-
mer South Carolina gover- Carolina. However, she per of the Crisis Group, an
nor who announced in Oc- quickly learned key issues organization that works to
tober that she would step and how the U.N. operates. prevent wars.
down at the end of this Because of her work at the "Bringing Nauert aboard
year. State Department, Nauert in a sub-Cabinet role will
Trump is downgrading the would have the advan- diminish the position yet
ambassador's position to tage of already knowing further," said Pomper, who
a sub-Cabinet-level post. the Trump administration's worked at the National Se-
That means Nauert could position on all major global curity Council under former
be overshadowed by Pom- issues. But without being President Barack Obama.
peo or Trump's national se- a member of the Cabi- "For better or worse, the
curity adviser, John Bolton, net, she wouldn't have the administration's U.N. policy
who had the U.N. job in same independence that is pretty established at this
2005 and 2006. She also Haley has enjoyed. point, and there's no rea-
would be going up against Pompeo tweeted that son to expect that Nauert
foreign counterparts like Nauert has traveled with will deviate from the 'Amer-
the U.N. representatives him since he took the helm ica First' course that Haley,
from Russia and China, who of the State Department. Bolton, and Pompeo have
each have decades of ex- "I have great confidence set."q