(Foreign Service Officer has extensive Middle East experience) June 22, 2000 U.S. Ambassador-designate to Algeria Janet A. Sanderson June 22 testified before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Sanderson said this assignment to Algeria "represents the culmination of almost 20 years of Foreign Service experience working in the Middle East or on issues related to that region." In her most recent assignment as Deputy Chief of Mission in Amman, Jordan, Sanderson said, she "saw first hand the beginnings of the region's transition to a new generation of leaders. "The pressing issues that have marked my time in the Middle East -- expansion of political rights, economic liberalization, preservation of regional stability -- are those that will figure prominently during my tenure in Algeria," she said. If confirmed, Sanderson said she will "collaborate with Washington on a comprehensive plan for restoring normal Embassy operations based on the sound recommendations made from my predecessors, the Congress, and others on security measures, staffing and resource levels, and quality of life issues. In examining such plans I will be ever mindful of my primary duty to the safety of Americans and local staff entrusted to my care." Following are the texts of Sanderson's statement and her biography: (Begin statement)
STATEMENT OF JANET A. SANDERSON Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee, I am honored to appear before you today. I greatly appreciate the trust placed in me by President Clinton and Secretary of State Albright in nominating me to serve as United States Ambassador to the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria. Mr. Chairman, this posting represents the culmination of almost 20 years of Foreign Service experience working in the Middle East or on issues related to that region. My assignments have ranged from Jordan, Egypt and Israel to the Gulf, and now North Africa. Most recently, as Deputy Chief of Mission in Amman, I saw first hand the beginnings of the region's transition to a new generation of leaders. The pressing issues that have marked my time in the Middle East -- expansion of political rights, economic liberalization, preservation of regional stability -- are those that will figure prominently during my tenure in Algeria. Algeria is at a critical juncture. Last September, Algerians overwhelmingly embraced President Bouteflika's plan of national reconciliation. Emerging from a violent civil conflict that claimed an estimated 100,000 lives, Algerians are now demanding the opportunities, both political and economic, that they lost during the past ten years. The United States is expanding its engagement cautiously as Algeria begins this difficult process of healing. Algeria is, in fact, an old friend. The Algerians fondly recall that it was an American, Senator John F. Kennedy, who, in 1958, urged the U.S. to recognize Algeria's aspirations for independence. The United States was also appreciative of Algeria for its role in helping negotiate the release of our hostages in Iran. Algeria, as current President of the Organization of African Unity, has also collaborated with us on efforts to mediate some of Africa's bloodiest conflicts. In recent months, it has cooperated with us on stopping international terrorists at our borders. Mr. Chairman, the U.S. is seeking broader and deeper relations with Algeria. However, progress in our bilateral relationship, particularly on the military side, must be matched by significant political and economic reforms in Algeria itself. Human rights concerns are also an important component of U.S.-Algeria relations. Although the violence in Algeria has greatly diminished from two years ago, much work remains to bind the wounds inflicted on Algerian society during that period and to ensure the country's long-term stability. Unfortunately, the necessary reforms to address the underlying causes, both economic and political, of popular dissatisfaction have been slow. If confirmed as Ambassador, I will encourage and support the evolving democratic process in Algeria. The course of Algeria's fragile healing process directly affects regional stability, a key U.S. interest. The cost of its civil war not only caused untold losses to the country's economy, but also squandered opportunities for better political and commercial relations with neighboring states such as Morocco and Tunisia. We are assisting Algeria and the other Maghreb states to build stronger ties with one another, as well as with us. The U.S.-North Africa Economic Partnership is designed to help spur economic growth and partnership to improve the region's integration into the world economy and help create the conditions for greater stability and prosperity for the people of Algeria. American companies, already active in the hydrocarbon sector, can make a difference in Algeria. If confirmed as Ambassador, I will vigorously encourage more U.S. businesses to take a serious look at investment opportunities in Algeria as reforms begin to take hold. The Corporate Council on Africa's Planning Trade Mission to Algiers in mid-June, U.S. participation at the Algiers International Trade Fair, and visits by senior level U.S. Government officials, from both the Executive and Legislative branches, are indicative of our growing interest in the Algerian economy and its future. In closing, Mr. Chairman, if you would allow me a personal note. I salute my colleagues who have served at our Embassy in Algiers during the troubled years. All made tremendous personal sacrifices to help maintain an U.S. diplomatic presence on Algerian soil, even when conditions might have argued for a complete withdrawal of staff. If confirmed, I will collaborate with Washington on a comprehensive plan for restoring normal Embassy operations based on the sound recommendations made from my predecessors, the Congress, and others on security measures, staffing and resource levels, and quality of life issues. In examining such plans I will be ever mindful of my primary duty to the safety of Americans and local staff entrusted to my care. Mr. Chairman, members of the Committee, thank you for this opportunity to address you. I would be pleased to respond to any questions you may have. (End statement) (Begin bio)
BIOGRPAHY: JANET A. SANDERSON Janet A. Sanderson, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Jordan, joined the U.S. Foreign Service in January Of 1978. Her first assignment was as Vice Consul and Economic Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Dacca, Bangladesh, followed by assignments in Israel (1980-1982) as aid liaison officer, and petroleum officer in Kuwait (1982-1984). Ms. Sanderson returned to the Department of State in 1994, serving as country officer for Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. She also served as Desk Officer for the U.S. Mission to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) from 1986-1988 in the Department's Bureau of European and Canadian Affairs. In 1989, she was assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan as Economic Counselor. In 1992-93, Ms. Sanderson attended the College of Naval Warfare in Newport, R.I. as part of the Department of State's Senior Training Program. She returned to the Middle East in September 1993 as Deputy Economic Counselor and Financial Economist at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt. In December of 1995 she was re-assigned to Cairo as Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs. In 1997, Ms. Sanderson was assigned Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Jordan, arriving in May of that year to take up her duties in Amman. On February 2, 2000 Ms. Sanderson was nominated by the President to be Ambassador to the Democratic and Popular Republic of Algeria. Ms. Sanderson is the 1996 recipient of the Department's Herbert A. Salzman Award for International Economic Performance, the Department's highest award for economic officers. She has twice been awarded the Department of State's Superior Honor Award: in 1995 for her support of the U.S. Delegation to the UN's International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, and in 1993 for her work in Jordan during the Gulf War. She in also the recipient of the Department's Meritorious Award and three Group Honor Awards. Ms. Sanderson, a resident of Tucson, Arizona, graduated from the College of William and Mary in Virginia in May 1977 with high honors in Government. Prior to her appointment as a Foreign Service Officer, she studied at the University of Arizona. She received her Master of Arts degree with high honors in National Security Studies from the Naval War College in 1993. She speaks Arabic and French. March 2000 (End bio) (Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. )
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