North Carolina Exec Named Netherlands Ambassador - by Sean Musselman
A Winston-Salem businessman and top fundraiser for President Bush has been named the new ambassador to the Netherlands. James Culbertson, a former computer executive who directed Bush's fund-raising efforts in North Carolina in 2004, was nominated by Bush at the beginning of the month and confirmed to the position by the Senate late Friday. Culbertson was a Bush fundraising "Ranger," collecting more than $200,000 in contributions for the president, according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a campaign finance watchdog group. Over the last decade, Culbertson and his wife, Germaine, have given almost $35,000 to Republican candidates, according to data compiled by the group. This election cycle, Culbertson was a top fundraiser for former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, who abandoned his White HouseAt a hearing earlier this month, Culbertson told senators that his top priorities would include combating anti-American sentiment held by the country's growing population of Muslim immigrants, and working to heal worsening tensions between Muslim immigrants and native-born Dutch.A spokesperson for the State Dept. said she expected Culbertson to arrive in the Netherlands later in the summer.
Note EU-Digest: It is somewhat amazing that a Diplomat considers his main objective of his job to combat issues which are internal matters of a sovereign nation.
