[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 15 (Friday, February 7, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S1132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  NOMINATION OF JOHN F. MAISTO, TO BE UNITED STATES AMBASSADOR TO THE 
                         REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA

  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, today I offer my support to the 
President's nomination of the Honorable John F. Maisto to serve as 
United States Ambassador to the Republic of Venezuela. Mr. President, 
it has been my pleasure to know Ambassador Maisto and I have known him 
as the United States Ambassador to Nicaragua. He has served with great 
distinction as our United States Ambassador to Nicaragua for the last 4 
years, helping that country make its very historic transition to full 
democracy.
  In fact, Mr. President, I had occasion to be in Nicaragua this past 
November, and it just happened to be the week that the Ambassador and 
his wife were leaving after 4 years. I had the opportunity to talk to 
Nicaraguans clear across the political spectrum. I had the opportunity 
to talk to Nicaraguans with all kinds of background, Nicaraguans who 
had many different political beliefs. But I found that it was unanimous 
that our Ambassador had done a fantastic job--a fantastic job of 
representing our country in a time in Nicaragua's history that was 
crucial for not only democracy to continue to develop in Nicaragua, but 
also crucial for our continuing relationship with this country, which 
we have had such a long relationship with in the past.

  It was very clear to me, after talking to the many Nicaraguans that I 
saw, that our Ambassador was very well respected and that he had 
represented us exceedingly well.
  Mr. President, before his posting to Managua, Ambassador Maisto had 
served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American 
Affairs. He also served as Deputy U.S. Representative to the 
Organization of American States, and Deputy Chief of Mission in the 
United States Embassy in Panama.
  Mr. President, this is a man whose hands-on experience with Latin 
America will serve us very well. It has served us in the past and will 
continue to serve us. Mr. President, the Ambassador will be an 
outstanding Ambassador to Venezuela, and I urge that his nomination be 
confirmed.
  Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. DeWINE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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