Obama nominates intelligence expert as ambassador to Phl

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE)— American President Barack Obama nominated a State Department official specializing in intelligence to become the next US Ambassador to the Philippines, the White House announced.

Once confirmed by the US Senate, assistant secretary for intelligence and research Philip Goldberg will succeed Ambassador Harry Thomas at the helm of the embassy in Manila.

His bureau is among the 17-member coalition under Obama forming the powerful US intelligence community that collects information on international terrorist and narcotic activities, other hostile activities of nations, groups and individuals as well as foreign intelligence activities.

Goldberg served as ambassador to Bolivia from 2006 to 2008, when he was asked to leave the country by the Bolivian government following accusations that the US has been funding opposition leaders against Bolivian President Evo Morales.

In an interview with Newsweek on his ouster, Goldberg said that his expulsion was partly due to Bolivian leaders' attempt to distract the public from other political matters in the country.

"The situation in Bolivia had deteriorated to the point of confrontation. And I think it became very easy to blame the United States for that. Secondly, I think there were external factors at work," Goldberg said.

Obama also nominated several individuals in key government positions.

He endorsed Michael Connor to become Department of the Interior deputy secretary, Robert Blake as Ambassador to Indonesia, Thomas Frederick Daughton as Ambassador to Namibia, John Estrada as Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago, Michael Stephen Hoza as Ambassador to Cameroon, Noah Bryson Mamet as Ambassador to the Argentina and Eunice Reddick as Ambassador to Niger.

"I am grateful that these impressive individuals have chosen to dedicate their talents to serving the American people at this important time for our country.," Obama said in an announcement released by the US Embassy in Manila on Wednesday.

"I look forward to working with them in the months and years ahead," he added. - with a report from the Associated Press

This story was first posted on Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 10:51 a.m.