ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, February 12, 1997           TAG: 9702120081
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL   PAGE: A-9  EDITION: METRO 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO U.N. CONFIRMED

Rep. Bill Richardson won unanimous confirmation from the Senate Tuesday to become U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

Approval of Richardson, who will resign as Democratic congressman from New Mexico, was never in doubt. But there is less support for Clinton administration proposals to pay more than $1billion in overdue U.S. dues to the United Nations.

After a brief, one-sided debate lauding Richardson's self-styled diplomatic efforts as a widely traveled congressman, the Senate voted 100-0 to give him the post vacated by new Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

- Associated Press

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