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New USAID Mission Director for Afghanistan Sworn In
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2003-092
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 7, 2003
Contact: USAID Press Office
WASHINGTON, DC -- James A. Bever was sworn in today as Mission Director to Afghanistan for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) by Administrator Andrew S. Natsios.
"Jim Bever has extensive field experience across the Islamic world, from Morocco to West Bank/Gaza to Pakistan and Indonesia. He has also lived and worked eight years in Southern Asia. Jim's extraordinary skills and achievements have prepared him well for the challenges he will face in Afghanistan," said Mr. Natsios.
The Mission Director will be responsible for managing all USAID programs in Afghanistan, which cover a wide range of efforts to rebuild the country after 23 years of warfare. At present there are thousands of individual assistance projects across Afghanistan, to improve healthcare, education, governance, agriculture, communications, water supply, infrastructure and human rights.
These efforts will include managing over $759 million in FY 2004, part of the $87 billion in supplemental funds signed into law by President Bush yesterday. These funds bolster the "accelerated success" campaign announced by the President, which is intended to expedite Afghanistan rebuilding efforts.
One of Mr. Bever's major tasks will be overseeing the rebuilding of the Kabul to Kandahar highway. This project will reach a significant milestone in December with completion of the first layer of paving. These improvements have already reduced the travel time between these major cities and will benefit a large portion of the Afghan people, making travel safer and faster.
Mr. Bever is a commissioned Senior Foreign Service Officer and has served with the U.S. Foreign Service for 21 years. Prior to his appointment in Afghanistan, he served in several positions within USAID, including Director for South Asian Affairs in the Bureau for Asia and Near East, Deputy Mission Director in India, Office Director for nuclear safety and environment issues in the former Soviet Union/Eastern Europe, and as Country Officer for the West Bank/Gaza Strip. Mr. Bever has a BA in economics from Cornell University and a Masters Degree in Foreign Service from Georgetown University. He is married and has two sons in college.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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