Ricciardone ends stint

Tuesday, 05/03/2005
Michaela P. del Callar

US Ambassador to Manila Francis Ricciardone has ended his tour of duty to the Philippines.

Ricciardone, who served a total of three years in the country, will be replaced by Cameron Hume, current US Ambassador to South Africa.

Hume, a conflict resolution expert, has an extensive background in the US mission at the United Nations, where he served as minister-counselor for political affairs for three years, beginning in 1994. He had also been an adviser and senior adviser on Middle East matters in 1990.

Although not familiar with Asia, Hume has links with the US Institute of Peace, which currently is playing a supporting role in the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moslem separatist group Moro Islamic Liberation Front being held in Malaysia.

Ricciardone was named ambassador to the Philippines in February 2002.