MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Hard liner Noriega leaves post in September

United States top diplomat for Latin America and Caribbean affairs, Roger Noriega, announced Friday his resignation saying he planned to return to the private sector next September. Under Secretary of State for Hemispheric Affairs Noriega has held the job for the past two years.

"Noriega confirmed this morning that he'll be leaving the State Department and going to the private sector in September" said Sean McCormack State Department spokesperson.

McCormack refused to say who might replace the veteran diplomat, insisting the decision would be announced by President George W. Bush.

However the Washington press has speculated that Thomas Shannon, currently head of Western Hemisphere Affairs in the Security Council is the most likely successor of Mr. Noriega who has been in government for over twenty years, including the current Bush administration when he was first named Ambassador before the Organization of American States.

McCormack said that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice "very much appreciates his distinguished service not only over the course of those 20 years but during her time here as Secretary of State".

Mr. Noriega only two days ago testified before a House subcommittee on the President Bush administration's policy towards Latin America.

During the hearing Noriega said that the region must respond strongly to the "interference of Caracas and Havana" in the internal affairs of Bolivia and other hemispheric countries. Mr. Noriega has proved a controversial figure among other things for his repeated attacks on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his criticism of Argentina's decision to improve ties with the Cuban regime.

The Washington press revealed that apparently Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice did not share the open confrontation strategy displayed by Mr. Noriega.