The Washington Diplomat

Appointments - August 2006

Chile
Mariano Fernández became ambassador of Chile to the United States on July 3. Ambassador Fernández previously served as ambassador to the United Kingdom (2002-06), to Spain (2000-02), to Italy (1992-94) and to the European Community (1990-92), as well as vice minister of foreign affairs (1994-2000). In addition, he was a researcher and member of the executive committee of the Centre of Studies for Development from 1982 to 1990. After joining the Chilean Foreign Service in 1967 and serving as third secretary at the Chilean Embassy in Germany, Ambassador Fernández went into exile in Germany from 1974 until 1982, during which time he was chief editor of two German news agencies. He was also later an editorial board member of several Chilean newspapers and magazines. Ambassador Fernández holds a law degree from the Catholic University of Santiago and is married to María Angélica Morales and has three children.

Czech Republic
Petr Chalupecky departed the post of third secretary (political) on June 16.

Zuzana Isabella Tornikidis assumed the position of second secretary (political) on June 8.

Holy See
Monsignor Claudio Cricini assumed the position of first secretary in July, replacing Monsignor Cecilio J.B. Rotor, who departed the post in April.

Pakistan
Mahmud Ali Durrani became ambassador of Pakistan to the United States on June 8. Ambassador Durrani previously served in the Governing Council of the International Institute of Strategic Studies in London from 2001 to 2004. After retiring from the Pakistani Army, he was also actively involved in the peace efforts between Pakistan and India, and, as part of a process sponsored by the United Nations, he worked with former senior officials from the United States, Russia and Iran to find a peaceful settlement to the Afghan crisis. Ambassador Durrani graduated from the Pakistan Military Academy in 1961 and served in various command and instructional appointments during his army career, including Pakistan’s defense and military attaché in Washington (1977-82), military secretary to the Pakistani president (1983-86), and chairman and chief executive of the Pakistan Ordnance Factories Board (1992-98). In addition, he is the author of several books and studies, including “India and Pakistan: The Cost of Conflict and the Benefits of Peace,” and “Pakistan’s Security Imperatives Year 2000 and Beyond.” Ambassador Durrani is married with three children.