<html><body><div style="color:#000; background-color:#fff; font-family:times new roman, new york, times, serif;font-size:14pt"><div style="RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">Dear Chuck,</SPAN></div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto"></SPAN> </div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">Warmest greetings!</SPAN></div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto"></SPAN> </div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">I hope with Senator John Kerry as Secretary of State, the issues of landmines/UXO and AO/dioxin in Vietnam will be in the focus and have more concerns and assistance to address them. But, let's see.</SPAN></div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto"></SPAN> </div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">Right now, Sen. Chuck Hagel is still a strong posibility for Secretary of Defence, but not only one candidates. I hope he will overcome his oppositions to the post.</SPAN></div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto"></SPAN> </div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">Have a nice weekend.</SPAN></div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto"></SPAN> </div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">Yours sincerely,</SPAN></div>
<div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: times new roman, new york, times, serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 19px; RIGHT: auto"><SPAN style="RIGHT: auto">Nghi<VAR id=yui-ie-cursor></VAR> </SPAN></div>
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<DIV style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ccc 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LINE-HEIGHT: 0; MARGIN: 5px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 0px; BORDER-TOP: #ccc 1px solid; BORDER-RIGHT: #ccc 1px solid; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=hr contentEditable=false readonly="true"></DIV><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">From:</SPAN></B> Chuck Searcy <chucksearcy@yahoo.com><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> Project RENEW <projectrenewvietnam@gmail.com>; AO Working Group <aowg@ngocentre.org.vn>; Landmines Working Group <ngo-lwg@ngocentre.org.vn> <BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Saturday, December 22, 2012 12:30 PM<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> John Kerry and Chuck Hagel<BR></FONT></DIV><BR>
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<DIV><SPAN>The nomination of John Kerry is good news for U.S. veterans, for Vietnam, and for our efforts here to reduce and ultimately eliminate the continuing problems of bombs and mines, and Agent Orange, the last two remaining legacies of the war.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_80 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_81"><BR><SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_81 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_82"><SPAN>If Chuck Hagel becomes Secretary of Defense that will also a plus for Vietnam and for our efforts.<BR></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_82 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_83"><BR><SPAN></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: verdana, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_83 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_84"><SPAN>CHUCK<BR></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=1><BR><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(128,0,0); FONT-WEIGHT: bold" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_84 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_85"></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(128,0,0); FONT-WEIGHT: bold" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_85 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_86"></SPAN><FONT style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(128,0,0); FONT-WEIGHT: bold" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_86 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_87" size=1>==================================<BR>CHUCK SEARCY<BR>Project RENEW <BR></FONT></FONT><FONT size=1><FONT style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(128,0,0); FONT-WEIGHT: bold" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_87
yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_88" size=1><FONT size=1><FONT style="FONT-STYLE: italic; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(128,0,0); FONT-WEIGHT: bold" class="yiv301005432yui_3_2_0_19_134810707705786 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_88 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_89" size=1>Vietnam Enterprise Group</FONT></FONT><BR>Humpty Dumpty Institute<BR>Veterans for Peace<BR>25 Truong Han Sieu, #302, Hanoi, Vietnam<BR>Mobile: +84 (0) 903 420 769<BR>Email: chucksearcy@yahoo.com<BR>Web: landmines.org.vn<BR>Web: vietnamenterprisegroup.com<BR>Web: thehdi.org<BR>Web: veteransforpeace.org<BR>Skype: chucksearcy<BR>==================================</FONT></FONT><SPAN><BR></SPAN><BR><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 13px"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_90 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_91"><A href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hG9bX7MlcLouTZdGjZ7IJLcYSKCg?docId=CNG.1c9383c4d32989d1cf9d60748477a5f2.651" rel=nofollow target=_blank>http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hG9bX7MlcLouTZdGjZ7IJLcYSKCg?docId=CNG.1c9383c4d32989d1cf9d60748477a5f2.651</A></SPAN></SPAN><BR>
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<H2>Obama picks John Kerry as secretary of state<SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_91 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_92"><SPAN class=yiv301005432byline></SPAN><SPAN class=yiv301005432author2></SPAN></SPAN><BR></H2>
<DIV class=yiv301005432title-meta2><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_92 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_93"><SPAN class=yiv301005432author2>By Stephen Collinson (AFP Agence France-Presse</SPAN>)<BR><SPAN class=yiv301005432date2>Posted on 12/22/2012 8:20 AM | Updated 12/22/2012 8:46 AM </SPAN></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_93 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_94"></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_100 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_95"></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_101 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_96"></SPAN>
<DIV style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; HEIGHT: 0px; VISIBILITY: hidden; PADDING-TOP: 0px" class=yiv301005432jwDisqusArticleCounter><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_103 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_98"></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_104 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_99"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_105 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_100"><SPAN style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 0.5; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #f2f2f2; MARGIN: 10px; DISPLAY: inline-block; MAX-WIDTH: 640px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: top" class=yiv301005432easy_img_caption><IMG style="MARGIN: 0px" class=yiv301005432thinglinkFetching title="NOMINATED. US Senator John Kerry (R) watches as US President Barack Obama announces Kerry as his choice for the next secretary of state on December 21, 2012 in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN" border=0 alt="NOMINATED. US Senator John Kerry (R) watches as US President Barack Obama announces Kerry as his choice for the next secretary of state on December 21, 2012 in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN"
src="http://static.rappler.com/images/US-DIPLOMACY-OBAMA-KERRY.jpg" width=640 height=360><SPAN style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 10px; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 10px; PADDING-RIGHT: 10px; DISPLAY: inline-block; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 12px; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; PADDING-TOP: 10px" class=yiv301005432easy_img_caption_inner>NOMINATED. US Senator John Kerry (R) watches as US President Barack Obama announces Kerry as his choice for the next secretary of state on December 21, 2012 in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_109 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_104"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_110 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_105">WASHINGTON, United States - US President Barack Obama Friday nominated Senator John Kerry as his new secretary of state, as he began to reshape his national security team for a second term clouded by overseas crises.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_111 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_106"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_112 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_107"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_113 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_108"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_114 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_109">Kerry, 69, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, defeated former presidential candidate and foreign policy sage, will succeed Hillary Clinton, who is stepping down after four years as the top US diplomat.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_115 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_110"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_116 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_111"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_117 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_112"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_118 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_113">"John's earned the respect and confidence of leaders around the world," Obama said at the White House as he announced Kerry's nomination, his first second-term cabinet pick.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_119 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_114"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_120 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_115"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_121 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_116"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_122 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_117">"I think it's fair to say that few individuals know as many presidents and prime ministers or grasp our foreign policies as firmly as John Kerry."</SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_123 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_118"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_124 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_119">"He is not going to need a lot of on-the-job training."</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_125 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_120"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_126 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_121"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_127 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_122"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_128 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_123">Kerry stepped up following the withdrawal of UN ambassador Susan Rice, the early favorite for the post, who was caught in the political aftermath of the attack of the US mission in Benghazi, Libya in September.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_129 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_124"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_130 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_125"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_131 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_126"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_132 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_127">Obama said that Kerry, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, had played a central role in every US foreign policy debate for 30 years and that his "entire life" had prepared him for his new role.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_133 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_128"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_134 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_129"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_135 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_130"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_136 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_131"><B>'Well-prepared for the job'</B></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_137 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_132"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_138 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_133"><B><BR></B></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_139 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_134"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_140 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_135">Kerry saw life overseas as the son of a Cold War foreign service officer, served as a navy officer in Vietnam, and spent years wrestling with foreign policy issues in the Senate.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_141 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_136"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_142 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_137"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_143 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_138"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_144 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_139">Obama said that Clinton had hoped to be at the announcement, but was still recovering from a serious virus and a concussion.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_145 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_140"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_146 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_141"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_147 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_142"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_148 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_143">The outgoing secretary of state said that Kerry had been tested "in government, and in diplomacy. Time and again, he has proven his mettle."</SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_149 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_144"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_150 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_145">Noting their shared heritage on the campaign trail, she said it was an "enormous asset" to be able to talk candidly to leaders of fragile and emerging democracies "as someone who has won elections and also lost them.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_151 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_146"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_152 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_147"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_153 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_148"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_154 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_149">The White House had hoped to make a clean sweep by announcing all nominations to the national security team, including new chiefs of the CIA and Pentagon at once.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_155 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_150"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_156 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_151"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_157 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_152"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_158 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_153">But a crush of political events, including the "fiscal cliff" economic crisis, has pushed them back. A battle is already raging as opponents seek to tar former senator Chuck Hagel, a possible pick for defense secretary.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_159 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_154"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_160 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_155"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_161 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_156"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_162 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_157">Kerry, who is well known abroad after acting as an unofficial envoy for Obama, is expected to win easy confirmation from his Senate colleagues.</SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_163 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_158"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_164 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_159">He has recently traveled to the Middle East and South Asia, and met Syria's President Bashar al-Assad several times as Washington mulled a diplomatic opening.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_165 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_160"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_166 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_161"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_167 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_162"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_168 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_163">He also sought a renewal of Arab-Israeli peace talks before the outbreak of the Syrian revolt.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_169 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_164"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_170 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_165"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_171 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_166"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_172 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_167">In May 2011, Kerry went to Pakistan to try to ease tensions after the killing of Osama bin Laden, and in February 2009 he made a rare visit to the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, without meeting anyone from the Islamist group.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_173 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_168"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_174 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_169"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_175 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_170"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_176 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_171"><B>Challenges</B></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_177 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_172"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_178 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_173"><B><BR></B></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_179 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_174"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_180 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_175">As soon as he is confirmed in his new job, Kerry will face a huge array of foreign policy challenges, including a critical moment in the Iranian nuclear showdown and what could be the last throes of the Assad regime in Syria.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_181 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_176"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_182 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_177"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_183 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_178"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_184 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_179">Kerry's Senate colleagues welcomed his appointment, including fellow Vietnam war veteran John McCain, who said: "We have known John Kerry for many years. We have confidence in John Kerry's ability to carry out the job."</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_185 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_180"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_186 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_181"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_187 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_182"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_188 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_183">Kerry played an important role in Obama's political career, notably by picking him to give the keynote speech in the 2004 Democratic convention, at which the then unknown Illinois lawmaker burst onto the political scene.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_189 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_184"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_190 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_185"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_191 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_186"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_192 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_187">He also played Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in mock debates staged by the president's team ahead of Obama's successful re-election effort in November.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_193 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_188"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_194 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_189"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_195 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_190"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_196 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_191">Kerry narrowly lost the 2004 presidential race to president George W. Bush, after a campaign that included savage attacks on his war service.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_197 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_192"><BR><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_198 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_193"></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_199 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_194"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_200 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_195">He was lambasted by Republicans who accused him of "flip flops" on the Iraq war, and the Bush campaign ran an ad showing him windsurfing, with the kicker "John Kerry, whichever way the wind blows."</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_201 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_196"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_202 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_197"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_203 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_198"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_204 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_199">Kerry will be the first white, male secretary of state for years, following three women -- Clinton, Condoleezza Rice and Madeleine Albright -- and Colin Powell.</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_205 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_200"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_206 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_201"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_207 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_202"></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_208 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_203">Kerry first shot to prominence in April 1971 when he testified to the Senate committee he would later lead, and famously asked: "How do you ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake?"</SPAN></DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; FONT-STYLE: normal; FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; COLOR: rgb(0,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 16px" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_209 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_204"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_210 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_205"><BR></SPAN></DIV><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: arial, helvetica, sans-serif" class="yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_41_1356139686900_211 yiv301005432yui_3_7_2_42_1356139686900_206">Earlier, during his second 48-day tour in Vietnam, Kerry was awarded three Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and a Silver Star for valor for his work as a lieutenant in charge of dangerous "Swift" gunboat missions in the Mekong Delta.<BR><BR></SPAN></DIV>
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