MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Zoellick from Trade to Deputy Secretary of State

US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick considered a supporter of strong and close transatlantic relations has been nominated by President George Bush as the number 2 person in the Department of State behind Condoleeza Rice.

"Rice and Zoellick will made a foreign policy team strong and capable", pointed out President Bush, standing next to both of them in the White House.

Mr. Zoellick, 51, has done "a fantastic job" as Trade representative added Mr. Bush, indicating that he has a great and rich international experience plus having worked closely with National Security Advisor and future Secretary of State Ms. Rice.

Ms. Rice replaces Colin Powell and Mr. Zoellick Richard Armitage. Both however have to be approved by Congress.

During the first mandate of President Bush, Mr. Powell and Mr. Armitage were considered moderates and not always in agreement with the White House decisions regarding the Iraq war.

Ms. Rice has a long career next to Mr. Bush and is one of his closest advisors.

Mr. Zoellick is described as a traditional Republican who support a less unilateral and bellicose policy in international affairs.

Candidates for Trade Representative include Grant Aldonas, currently Deputy for International Commerce; Mr. Zoellick's Deputy, Jossette Shiner and Robert Kimmitt Global Director from Time-Warner.

Among Mr. Zoellick's unfinished agenda is the controversial Free Trade Association of the Americas, a US sponsored project that would involve all countries of the hemisphere with the exception of Cuba. However the project still has to contemporize Brazil's aspirations as well as Argentina and Venezuela's fear of an "expanding imperialism".