Obama announces G20 representatives

WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Former U.S. Rep. Jim Leach and former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will represent President-elect Barack Obama at this week's financial summit.

The Iowa Republican and the first female Secretary of State will be available for unofficial meetings with delegations attending the Group of 20 summit in Washington on behalf of Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden, a message on the Obama-Biden Web site said.

"This weekend's summit is an important opportunity to hear from the leaders of many of the world's largest economies," Obama senior foreign policy adviser Denis McDonough said. "President (George) Bush should be commended for calling the summit."

Stressing that the United States had only one president, McDonough said Albright and Leach were "to be available meet with and listen to our friends and allies on (Obama's) behalf."