CNN: Ross to be named next week

by Steven J. Rosen  •  Feb 20, 2009 at 2:12 pm

http://www.meforum.org/blog/obama-mideast-monitor/2009/02/cnn-ross-to-be-named-next-week

Elise Labott at CNN reports that "sources tell us that Ross's new job in the State Department won't be quite what many expected.

Rather than being called an 'Iran envoy,' Ross will have a title along the lines of Special Adviser to the Secretary of State dealing with Middle East issues. Senior officials tell us the announcement will come early next week after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton returns from Asia.

What's the difference? The problem with the "envoy" title is expectations. It sets them too high. Yes, Ross will be handling the Iran portfolio. But "envoy" is such a lofty title that it would suggest that Ross would talk with Iran, and visit Iran, and deal directly with this nation that the State Department has listed as the State Department lists Iran as the most active state sponsor of terrorism because its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were directly involved in the planning and support of terrorist acts.

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