News Briefs

Bush names
Baker envoy to Iraqi debt

President George
W. Bush has appointed James A. Baker III, honorary chair
of Rice’s James A. Baker III Institute for Public Policy,
as his personal envoy on the issue of Iraqi debt.

“Secretary
Baker will report directly to me and will lead an effort
to work with the world’s governments at the highest
levels with international organizations and with the Iraqis
in seeking the restructuring and reduction of Iraq’s
official debt,” Bush said in a statement issued by
the White House Dec. 5. “The future of the Iraqi people
should not be mortgaged to the enormous burden of debt incurred
to enrich Saddam Hussein’s regime. This debt endangers
Iraq’s long-term prospects for political health and
economic prosperity. The issue of Iraq debt must be resolved
in a manner that is fair and that does not unjustly burden
a struggling nation at its moment of hope and promise. James
Baker’s vast economic, political and diplomatic experience
as a former secretary of state and secretary of the treasury
will help to forge an international consensus for an equitable
and effective resolution of this issue.”

Central Campus
Garage to be closed

The Central Campus
Garage will be closed Dec. 18-Jan. 11 for resurfacing of
the garage floor. Those with contract parking in the garage
can park in the Alice Pratt Brown (faculty and staff) or
Commuter lots (students). The garage is expected to reopen
Jan. 12. For more information, contact parking supervisor
Kevser Camadan-Qadir at 713-348-2021.