Obama to nominate Hill as ambassador

WASHINGTON, March 11 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama said Wednesday he would nominate Lt. Gen. Karl Eikenberry as ambassador to Afghanistan and Christopher Hill as ambassador to Iraq.

Eikenberry and Hill were among several people Obama said he would nominate to key administration posts, the White House said in a release.

Others Obama indicated he also would would nominate include Ivo Daalder as the U.S. ambassador to NATO, Alexander Vershbow as assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs and Richard R. Verma as assistant secretary for legislative affairs at the State Department.

Hill, a career diplomat, currently is assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs. His assignments included heading the U.S. delegation to negotiations on the North Korean nuclear issue, and participating in the Bosnia peace settlement.

Eikenberry has received numerous civilian, government and military awards.

If confirmed, Vershbow and Daalder will coordinate on U.S. defense, development and diplomatic objectives at the NATO summit in April in Germany, the White House said.

"I am honored and grateful that these dedicated public servants have agreed to join my administration as we work to tackle the great challenges of our time," Obama said. "These extraordinarily accomplished individuals have served their country with great distinction, and they have each agreed to take on tough assignments."