USAID Names New Mission Director for Colombia
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
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Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2003-080
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 5, 2003
Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC - J. Michael Deal was sworn in on Wednesday, September 3rd as U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) new Mission Director to Colombia by Administrator Andrew S. Natsios.
"Mike Deal has a broad formal education in Latin American studies with extensive and varied USAID field experience having worked in Central and South America and the Caribbean. Mike's extraordinary skills and achievements have prepared him well for the challenges he will face in Colombia" said Natsios.
USAID/Colombia's five-year (FY2000-2005) strategic plan was approved in June 2000 to help promote peace and remove obstacles to participation in Colombia's political, economic, and social life. USAID is expected to allocate approximately $600 million over five years implement the plan. The strategy addresses three high profile areas of U.S. policy in Colombia: strengthening of Colombian democracy, reducing illicit crop production through alternative development, and providing assistance to internally displaced persons and other vulnerable groups.
USAID efforts in Colombia seek to strengthen weak state structures as a means of ensuring improved security for Colombian citizens, while simultaneously increasing their participation in political and economic decision-making. The USAID Mission is expanding its current efforts to reform the justice system and improve respect for human rights, while initiating new programs to strengthen local governance, combat corruption, broaden citizen participation in political decision-making and back initiatives in support of the peace process. Equally important, USAID will continue to introduce economic alternatives for rural Colombians transitioning to the legal economy and provide assistance to displaced persons.
Mr. Deal has served as a Foreign Service Officer for 26 years. Prior to his appointment in Colombia, he served in several positions within USAID, including Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) and Deputy Mission Director in the Dominican Republic. Deal has a Bachelors degree in Latin American studies from St. Joseph's College and a Masters degree also in Latin American studies from Georgetown University.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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