Sapiro confirmed deputy U.S. trade representative

Sapiro confirmed deputy U.S. trade representative    On Christmas Eve, the Senate confirmed Miriam E. Sapiro to the position of deputy U.S. trade representative.
   Prior to her appointment, Sapiro was president of Summit Strategies International, which advises non-profit organizations and companies on international Internet and telecommunications policies.
   During the past 20 years, she has represented the United States in numerous complex multilateral and bilateral negotiations. In 1999, President Clinton appointed Sapiro to special assistant to the president for Southeast European Stabilization & Reconstruction.
   From 1997 to 1999, she served at the National Security Council as director of European affairs. Previous to that, she was a member of the State Department secretary's policy planning staff and worked as a legal advisor.
   U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said the Senate Finance Committee has approved the nominations of Michael Punke to U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization, and Isi Siddiqui to chief agricultural negotiator. Full Senate approval is still pending.