America names its new man

RIGA -- US Ambassador to Latvia, Catherine Todd Bailey, has confirmed the name of her successor.

The US Embassy in Riga reported that the new ambassador will be Charles W. Larson Jr. The nomination of the new ambassador must still be approved by the US Senate, but this is likely to be a formality and Bailey plans to continue to serve until her successor is confirmed.

Bailey's tenure has included two visits by U.S. President George W. Bush to Latvia and she recently found herself dominating front page headlines when she delivered a strongly-worded speech attacking corruption and oligarchy in the country.

Bailey's term expires on Feb. 4, 2008.

According to the procedure, a USambassador is nominated by the USpresident and then approved by the US Senate. Before travelling to the country of residence, a new ambassador has to give the oath to the U.S.secretary of state.

Larson, aged just 39, was born in Iowa. Larson currently serves as a partner at Lincoln Strategies Group and a major in the US Army Reserve. Prior to this, he served as a state representative and state senator in the Iowa General Assembly. Larson received his bachelor's degree in 1992 and a doctoral degree in law in 1996 from the University of Iowa.

He has served in Iraq and in 2005 founded an organization called Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission, supporting military operations in Iraq.