Bush picks Khalizad as ambassador to Afghanistan

[Barrett808]

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush has decided to name his special envoy to Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, as ambassador to the country.
If approved by the Senate, Khalilzad would succeed Ambassador Robert Finn, who was the first ambassador to Afghanistan in more than two decades. Adolph Dubs was killed in 1979 in a shootout in Kabul after he was kidnapped by Afghan Muslim extremists while being driven to the U.S. Embassy.

Khalilzad would continue to serve as special envoy, said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

Bush met with Khalilzad Monday morning and was formally nominating him later in the day, McClellan said.

"Zal has done a great job as special envoy and the president appreciates Zal taking on this new role at such an important time as we continue to build upon the progress we are making in Afghanistan," McClellan said.

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http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-09-22-Bush-Afghanistan_x.htm