Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) ends things after one round of questions without objection. “It’s critical to get you in place” before the Easter congressional recess, he tells Chris Hill. “People need to review this record today and expedite the nomination this week.” Kerry says Hill has “shown today why you’re More…
Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) asks Hill what the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement and Strategic Framework Agreement require of the United Statesfor long-term commitments. “You’re talking about the drawing down of forces instead of the withdrawal of forces,” he says, and starts quoting from the SOFA. “There’s quite loose language More…
So here’s the first on-panel GOP resistance to Hill: Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) takes up Brownback’s North Korea questioning. What about the “assurance” Hill gave Brownback in a public hearing? Hill says he’s reviewed the transcript. “Words are very important,” Wicker says. “Did it occur to you that perhaps you More…
An auspicious indicator for Chris Hill as he moves through his hearing. So far two GOP senators have questioned him, Sens. Bob Corker of Tennessee and Johnny Isakson of Georgia. Neither has gone after him on Brownback’s North Korea-based criticisms, and instead have asked substantive questions about security contractors, the More…
Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) takes up Sen. Sam Brownback’s (R-Kans.) criticism that Hill’s tenure as envoy to North Korea should disqualify him from serving as ambassador to Iraq, for allegedly being disinterested in human rights in North Korea. In particular, Brownback feels Hill misled him on working with President George More…
Hill takes on his North Korea experience. All of the north’s neighbors “come with a long history, so you’ve got to work these issues through.” With Iraq, “it’s obviously a different mission, a different goal we’re trying to… accomplish,” but included is the role of ensuring “these countries respect Iraqi More…
These are the main points U.S. Ambassador to Iraq-nominee Christopher Hill wanted to hit in his opening statement for his nomination to be ambassador to Iraq:
The drawdown of U.S. troops will be “combined with a political diplomatic and civilian effort … to lay the foundation for lasting peace and More…
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