Obama to name Crocker to broadcast governing board

[May 11, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama says he will nominate former U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker to the Broadcasting Board of Governors.

The independent agency oversees U.S.-supported, civilian international broadcasts such as the Voice of America.

Crocker cited health issues when he retired last year after serving three decades in world hotspots, most recently in Afghanistan. The Arabic speaker came out of retirement in 2011 to oversee the embassy in Afghanistan at Obama's request.

Crocker also was in charge of embassies in Iraq, Pakistan, Kuwait, Lebanon and Syria.

He pleaded guilty last November to a reduced charge of reckless driving after an accident in Washington state's Spokane Valley. He originally faced a drunken driving charge after colliding with a semitrailer at an intersection, then driving away as a witness followed him.

[Associated Press]

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