Appointments (May, 2001) Embassy of China • Yiang Jiechi became the People’s Republic of China’s ambassador to the United States on March 13, 2001. The ambassador served most recently as China’s Vice Foreign Minister from 1998-2000. Prior to that position he had been serving as Assistant Foreign Minister since 1995. Ambassador Jiechi was born in Shanghai, China in May 1950. He was educated at Bath University and the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, in the UK. He is married to Ms. Le Aimei. They have one daughter. Embassy of India • Mr. Lalit Mansingh assumed the position of India’s Ambassador to the United States on March 15, 2001. Prior to his appointment as the Ambassador of India to the United States, Mr. Mansingh served as India’s Foreign Secretary and High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. From 1989-1992 he served in Washington, DC as Deputy Chief of Mission. Born on April 29, 1941, Mr. Mansingh graduated with honours in History and obtained his Master’s Degree in Political Science. He is married to Indira, a senior media professional. The Mansinghs have two children. Embassy of Norway • Ambassador Knut Vollebaek assumed duties as Norway’s chief of mission to the United States on March 1, 2001. This appointment is the latest in a distinguished diplomatic career. The ambassador served as Norway’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from Oct. 1997 – Mar. 2000. Ambassador Vollebaek joined the Norwegian Foreign Service in 1973. He has served in India, Spain and Zimbabwe and was ambassador to the Central American States, resident in Costa Rica. He has held numerous positions with the UN, OSCE and ILO. Ambassador Vollebaek is married to Ellen Sofie Aadland Vollebaek. They have one son. Embassy of Lithuania • Vygaudas Usackas assumed duties as Lithuania’s ambassador to the U.S. on March 13, 2001, replacing Ambassador Stasys Sakalauskas. He is serving concurrently as Ambassador for Special Missions at the Ministerial Advisory Group. Most recently the ambassador served as chief negotiator for Lithuania’s accession to the European Union. A career diplomat with the Lithuanian foreign service, Ambassador Usackas is also an accomplished author of foreign policy articles that have appeared in the Lithuanian and international press. The ambassador speaks English, Russian and French. He is married to Loreta Usackiene-Bilkstyte and has two children. Embassy of Malawi • Mrs. Martha Chongwe-Chikuni has assumed duties as Second Secretary. • Mrs. Dorothy Amini has left the post of Third Secretary. Embassy of Palau • Mr. J. Marvin T. Ngirutang, Jr. has assumed the post of Counselor. Embassy of the Republic of Congo • Mr. Pascal Itoua has assumed duties as administrative attaché.