2 special envoys prove well-heeled

[laststeamtrain]

Source: USA TODAY

2 special envoys prove well-heeled
By Ken Dilanian, USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — Two diplomats appointed recently to run key aspects of President Obama's foreign policy earned hefty fees last year consulting for financial firms and giving speeches, their newly released financial disclosure statements show.

Richard Holbrooke, the State Department's envoy in charge of Afghanistan and Pakistan policy, was paid nearly $1.7 million in 2008 for speeches, consulting, work at a private equity fund and service on the board of American International Group (AIG), which has received $180 billion in federal aid to prevent its collapse, according to his disclosure statement.

Dennis Ross, a "special adviser" whose portfolio includes Iran, was paid $818,000 in 2008, his disclosure statement shows. Ross, a former U.S. envoy to the peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, took in $421,775 for speeches, including $214,605 from Israeli and Jewish groups, the disclosure form shows.

The disclosure statements were released by the State Department late Friday in response to a long-standing request by USA TODAY. Officials said disclosure forms for two other senior diplomats, Middle East envoy George Mitchell and North Korea envoy Stephen Bosworth, were still being reviewed.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-05-18-envoys_N.htm

[WCGreen]

1. And this is news because....

These envoys, special or mundane, get paid very little to do their job, often times absorbing costs in order to get the job done. They have to be "well-heeled" in order to take the position.