[oman-l] New US ambassador for Oman

[Joachim Duester]

USIS (United States Information Service) has distributed the 
following statement by ambassador-designate to Oman, 
John Bruce Craig, at the Senate hearing, together with a CV 
of the ambassador.

Joachim Duester, Oman Studies Centre, http://www.oman.org

--------------begin of
statement--------------------------------------------

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR-DESIGNATE TO OMAN AT 
SENATE HEARING

16 July 1998

Washington -- "If confirmed, I will make every effort to make a
difference every day I am in Oman," U.S. Ambassador-designate
 to Oman, John Bruce Craig said July 16 in a statement before 
the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations.

"We in the Foreign Service believe that the most important aspect
 of our careers is service. Service to protect U.S. citizens working 
and visiting abroad and service to protect our national interests.
I intend to work closely with you in the Congress to assure that our
interests are well defined and that we do all we can to protect those
interests," the Ambassador-designate said.

"Oman is a country where our interests are extremely important. ...
Oman has played a major role in our strategic planning. ... If
confirmed, I hope that my tenure in Oman will see a continuation 
of this close friendship and continued political and economic 
progress," Craig said.

Following are the texts of Craig's opening statement, as prepared 
for delivery, and his bio:

(Begin statement)

Statement of Ambassador Designate to the Sultanate of Oman, 
John B. Craig

Mr. Chairman

As a career member of the United States Foreign Service, today is a
day for which I have been preparing myself for my entire professional
life. I want to thank the President and the Secretary for indicating
their confidence in me by nominating me to be the Ambassador to the
Sultanate of Oman. Now I am taking the next step in the process by
presenting myself to you, the Senate, for confirmation.

The professional road that brought me to this day has been
exhilarating, exciting, challenging, sometimes frustrating and even
dangerous. What I have observed throughout my career is that all the
moral and ethical principles we stand for as a nation really count.
When the United States speaks authoritatively the people and the
governments of other nations listen. My experiences have also taught
me that, in the age of satellites, electronic mail and the Internet,
diplomacy and diplomats still can and do make a difference. If
confirmed I will make every effort to make a difference every day I am
in Oman. We in the Foreign Service believe that the most important
aspect of our careers is service. Service to protect U.S. citizens
working and visiting abroad and service to protect our national
interests. I intend to work closely with you in the Congress to assure
that our interests are well defined and that we do all we can to
protect those interests.

Oman is a country where our interests are extremely important. From
the rescue of American hostages in Iran through every major and minor
crisis in the strategic gulf area, Oman has played a major role in our
strategic planning. Oman is making a transition from a traditional
tribal society to a modern, productive state. Real political and
economic progress has been made. If confirmed, I hope that my tenure
in Oman will see a continuation of this close friendship and continued
political and economic progress.

If you give me this opportunity to serve I pledge to apply all those
principles I have learned over my career and above all, I promise
never forget that this country stands for freedom and equality of all
persons and that it is our moral duty, whatever the adversity, to
protect those principles.

Thank you.

(End statement)

(Begin bio)

BIOGRAPHIC SUMMARY

NAME: 
John Bruce Craig

POSITION FOR WHICH CONSIDERED:
Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman

PRESENT POSITION: 
Office Director, Arabian Peninsula Affairs, 
Department of State

FOREIGN SERVICE GRADE:
Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service,
Class of Minister-Counselor

LEGAL RESIDENCE:
Pennsylvania

DATE/PLACE OF BIRTH: 
November 13, 1945, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

MARITAL STATUS:
Married

NAME OF SPOUSE:
Gerre Lee Johnson Craig

NAMES OF CHILDREN:
Jason Nissley Johnson Craig

EDUCATION: 
B.S., School of International Service, The American University, 
Washington, D.C., 1963-1967
National War College, 1983-1984

MILITARY SERVICE:     None

FOREIGN LANGUAGES:     Arabic, Spanish and French

(End Bio)

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