THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

         PRESIDENT NAMES JOAN M. PLAISTED AS AMBASSADOR TO THE 
     REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS AND THE REPUBLIC OF KIRIBATI

     The President announced today his intention to nominate Joan M.

Plaisted of California, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, as Ambassador to the Republic of the Marshall Islands and the Republic of Kiribati.

Ms. Plaisted's 26-year U.S. Government career includes working for the Executive Office of the President, the Department of State, and the Department of Commerce. Since September of 1994, she has served as Office Director for Thailand and Burmese Affairs in the Department of State. From 1991 to 1994, she was Charge d'Affaires ad interim and Deputy Chief of Mission of the American Embassy in Rabat, Morocco. Other overseas assignments include Hong Kong and Paris. In Washington, Ms. Plaisted served in the Office of Chinese Affairs. She also served with the Executive Office of the President Office of the U.S. Trade Representative in Geneva, Switzerland to help launch the Uruguay Round. Prior to joining the Foreign Service in 1973, she started her career with the Department of Commerce working on Japan, Korea and the Pacific Islands.

Ms. Plaisted was born on August 29, 1945 in St. Peter, Minnesota. She received her early education in Willmar, Minnesota and earned her B.A in International Relations and M.A. in Asian Studies from the School of International Service at American University in Washington, D.C. In May, 1993, she was awarded the American University's Lodestar Award as the school's most outstanding alumnus who best exemplifies the University's values. She is a graduate of the National War College Class of 1988 and is a recipient of the Department of State's Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards. Ms. Plaisted speaks French

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