Appointments June 2003 Italy Sergio Vento became ambassador of Italy to the United States on April 4. A career diplomat in Italy’s Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Vento previously served as Italy’s permanent representative to the United Nations (1999-2003), ambassador to France (1995-99), and diplomatic counselor to the Italian prime minister (1992-95), also serving as Italy’s representative to the Halifax and Lyon Summits of the Group of Seven. In addition, he served as the chief of mission at the Italian Embassy in Yugoslavia from 1989 to 1992. Ambassador Vento began his career in the Foreign Service in 1963, serving various posts in the Hague, Buenos Aires, Ankara and Rome. Ambassador Vento holds a degree in political science from the University of Rome and is married with two children. Panama Roberto Alfaro Estripeaut became ambassador of Panama to the United States on Feb. 26. Ambassador Estripeaut previously served as ambassador of Panama to Italy with concurrent accreditation to Malta (2000-02). He was also the general manager of Proexport International Development Inc. and treasurer of the Board of Directors of Corporación Panameña de Energía, S.A. (1998-99), president of the Board of Directors of Aseguradora La Unión (1997-99), and general manager of Financiera de Seguros, S.A. (1994-97). In addition, Ambassador Estripeaut was Panama’s minister (1991-94) and vice minister (1990-91) of commerce and industry. Ambassador Estripeaut has studied at the George Washington University, the Institute of Higher Studies in Administration in Venezuela, as well as the Canal Zone College, the Center for Studies for Insurance Administration, and the Insurance Superintendence in Panama. He is married with five children. Trinidad and Tobago Marina Annette Valere became ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the United States on Feb. 26 and permanent representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the Organization of American States on Jan. 14. Ambassador Valere previously served as director of the Division of Multilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with primary responsibilities in U.N.-related matters, the environment and the World Trade Organization (1998-2002), and as acting high commissioner of the Trinidad and Tobago High Commission in Kingston (1993-94). Ambassador Valere joined the Foreign Service in 1971 and has held various posts with the High Commission in Ottawa (1974-78), Trinidad and Tobago’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations (1978-81), and the High Commission in Kingston (1990-96). Ambassador Valere holds a degree in economics from the University of Manchester in England and a diploma in international relations from the University of the West Indies.