AMBASSADOR OTTO JUAN REICH ENDORSES JOHN MCCAIN FOR PRESIDENT

U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today announced that Ambassador Otto Juan Reich has endorsed John McCain for president.

"John McCain has my support for the presidency because of his commitment to the people of Florida and to those who yearn for freedom," said Ambassador Reich. "No one has more national security experience than John McCain, I know he is the best person to keep us safe at home and abroad, and I am proud to support him for president."

John McCain thanked Ambassador Reich, saying, "Ambassador Reich has served America with distinction by representing our fundamental values of freedom and democracy around the world, and I am grateful for his support."

Otto Juan Reich was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs in 2002, and served as President Bush's Special Envoy for Western Hemisphere Initiatives until 2004. He has spent over 30 years in international affairs, government, private enterprise, and the U.S. military. From 1986 to 1989, he served as Ambassador to Venezuela. Ambassador Reich has previously served as Special Adviser to the Secretary of State and Assistant Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development. At the request of President George H.W. Bush, Ambassador Reich served as Alternate U.S. Representative to the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva. Ambassador Reich has also been a Director of numerous private and non-profit corporations.

Ambassador Reich also served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army (1967-1969) in the 3rd Civil Affairs Detachment (Airborne), Panama Canal Zone. He received a Bachelor's degree in International Studies from the University of North Carolina and a Master's degree in Latin American Studies from Georgetown University.