United States Ambassadors Mexico

Escalating the conflict over the nomination of William F. Weld to be ambassador to Mexico, Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) threatened to use his own committee chairmanship to retaliate against Sen. Jesse Helms for bottling up Weld's confirmation. Lugar said the Agriculture Committee, which he chairs, will hold hearings in September on the recent tobacco settlement, an issue of enormous concern to Helms (R-N.C.) and the 100,000 tobacco farmers in his home state.

After more than a year, Mexico is finally getting a new U.S. ambassador. The Senate approved, by voice vote and without debate, career diplomat Jeffrey Davidow to be ambassador to Mexico. He is expected to take his post in early July. Administration officials have said there is no foreign relationship more important than Mexico, given the array of cross-border issues, including trade, narcotics trafficking and migration problems.

A majority of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee agreed Friday to sign a petition intended to force Chairman Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) to hold a meeting to consider whether there will be a hearing on the nomination of former Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld to be ambassador to Mexico. Republican Sens. Richard G.

Returning from Latin America aboard Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's plane at night recently, a department press aide wrestled with questions from reporters about U.S. legislation on Caribbean tariffs. The aide admitted that he knew little about it. "Well, get Davidow," an exasperated reporter said. "He's probably sleeping," the aide said. "Then wake him." In moments, the aide returned with Jeffrey Davidow, assistant secretary of State for Latin American affairs.

The Clinton administration has apparently picked veteran diplomat Jeffrey Davidow, assistant secretary of state for Latin America, as ambassador to Mexico, senior administration officials said. Davidow has been ambassador to Venezuela and Zambia. President Clinton's first pick for the job was ex-Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld, whose nomination was blocked last year by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.).

Former Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld said the refusal of Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) to hold hearings on his nomination to be ambassador to Mexico is "just not the American way." Weld, in an interview on ABC-TV's "This Week," contended that he is making headway in his battle with Helms. Helms, the conservative head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has denied Weld a hearing, insisting his support for needle-exchange programs and medical use of marijuana shows he is "soft" on drugs.

After more than a year, Mexico is finally getting a new U.S. ambassador. The Senate approved, by voice vote and without debate, career diplomat Jeffrey Davidow to be ambassador to Mexico. He is expected to take his post in early July. Administration officials have said there is no foreign relationship more important than Mexico, given the array of cross-border issues, including trade, narcotics trafficking and migration problems.

Returning from Latin America aboard Secretary of State Madeleine Albright's plane at night recently, a department press aide wrestled with questions from reporters about U.S. legislation on Caribbean tariffs. The aide admitted that he knew little about it. "Well, get Davidow," an exasperated reporter said. "He's probably sleeping," the aide said. "Then wake him." In moments, the aide returned with Jeffrey Davidow, assistant secretary of State for Latin American affairs.

Despite stiff resistance, President Clinton nominated Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld on Wednesday to be U.S. ambassador to Mexico. Weld's future is uncertain. Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, promises to block confirmation hearings, and the depth of White House support is questionable.

It was American democracy on full display and it was not pretty. With all the civility of a college food fight, Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), the crusty chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, squared off Friday against William F. Weld, the aloof former Massachusetts governor who wants to be ambassador to Mexico, in a verbal slugfest that began with a brief committee hearing and later spilled into the hallways outside.

The Clinton administration has apparently picked veteran diplomat Jeffrey Davidow, assistant secretary of state for Latin America, as ambassador to Mexico, senior administration officials said. Davidow has been ambassador to Venezuela and Zambia. President Clinton's first pick for the job was ex-Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld, whose nomination was blocked last year by Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.).

Former Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld gave up his fight Monday to become ambassador to Mexico, issuing a caustic, highly sarcastic attack on Washington and its politics as he bowed out. "I asked President Clinton to withdraw my name from the Senate so I can go back to New England, where no one has to approach the government on bended knee to ask it to do its duty," he said bitterly during a 10-minute statement to reporters in the White House press room.

It was American democracy on full display and it was not pretty. With all the civility of a college food fight, Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), the crusty chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, squared off Friday against William F. Weld, the aloof former Massachusetts governor who wants to be ambassador to Mexico, in a verbal slugfest that began with a brief committee hearing and later spilled into the hallways outside.

Former Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld said the refusal of Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) to hold hearings on his nomination to be ambassador to Mexico is "just not the American way." Weld, in an interview on ABC-TV's "This Week," contended that he is making headway in his battle with Helms. Helms, the conservative head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has denied Weld a hearing, insisting his support for needle-exchange programs and medical use of marijuana shows he is "soft" on drugs.

A majority of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee agreed Friday to sign a petition intended to force Chairman Jesse Helms (R-N.C.) to hold a meeting to consider whether there will be a hearing on the nomination of former Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld to be ambassador to Mexico. Republican Sens. Richard G.

Escalating the conflict over the nomination of William F. Weld to be ambassador to Mexico, Sen. Richard G. Lugar (R-Ind.) threatened to use his own committee chairmanship to retaliate against Sen. Jesse Helms for bottling up Weld's confirmation. Lugar said the Agriculture Committee, which he chairs, will hold hearings in September on the recent tobacco settlement, an issue of enormous concern to Helms (R-N.C.) and the 100,000 tobacco farmers in his home state.

Massachusetts' charismatic, blueblood governor, William F. Weld, intends to announce his resignation today to concentrate his efforts on his beleaguered bid to become the next U.S. ambassador to Mexico, White House officials traveling with the president in Los Angeles confirmed. Weld, a moderate Republican, spoke with White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles on Sunday to inform him of his plans, White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said.

In a rare combative mood, President Clinton intends to defy Sen. Jesse Helms and to formally nominate Massachusetts Gov. William F. Weld as ambassador to Mexico, the White House announced Wednesday. "The president is going to stand up and fight for Gov. Weld," White House spokesman Mike McCurry told reporters. "The president looks forward to fighting hard for that nomination." Helms (R-N.C.

The odds seem heavily against him and his political future hangs in balance. But in deciding to resign as Massachusetts governor to devote all his energy to becoming U.S. ambassador to Mexico, William F. Weld is pursuing a strategy designed to bring him a long-run net gain, even if he loses his battle for the diplomatic post.

Massachusetts' charismatic, blueblood governor, William F. Weld, intends to announce his resignation today to concentrate his efforts on his beleaguered bid to become the next U.S. ambassador to Mexico, White House officials traveling with the president in Los Angeles confirmed. Weld, a moderate Republican, spoke with White House Chief of Staff Erskine Bowles on Sunday to inform him of his plans, White House spokesman Joe Lockhart said.