Media release: 7 March 2006

Australia, Mali, Cuba and Sri Lanka envoys welcomed

Ambassadors from Mali, Cuba and Sri Lanka present credentials to Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright at Government House tomorrow while Australia’s High Commissioner will be formally welcomed. (8 March, 11am).

Australia’s new representative John Dauth was previously his country’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York. His previous postings include Islamabad, Tehran, Noumea and Kuala Lumpur.

Mr Dauth has also been seconded to Buckingham Palace and served as a Senior Private Secretary to the Australian Foreign Minister.

Ms Guissé Maïmouna Dial is Mali’s new Ambassador to New Zealand. Ms Dial previously held the position of Technical Adviser, in charge of Asia-Oceania-Middle East with the Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. In 1994 to 1998 she was posted to Dakar.

Mr Jorge Porfirio León Cruz is the Ambassador of the Republic of Cuba. Mr León has specialised in the Middle East, and been posted to Kuwait and Libya. He has also served as Cuba’s Ambassador to Qatar.

The new High Commissioner for the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is Mr Kusumpala Balapatabendi. He has worked as a lawyer and been chairman of Sri Lanka Airlines, and has also held the position of Secretary to the Sri Lankan President.

Ms Dial is cross-accredited to New Zealand from Tokyo. Mr León is cross-accredited from Jakarta and Mr Balapatabendi is cross-accredited from Canberra.

ENDS

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