Black Ambassador to S. Africa, 18 Other Diplomats Confirmed

The Senate confirmed 19 nominations for diplomatic posts Wednesday, including ambassadors to South Africa and Mexico.

The Senate confirmed Edward J. Perkins, 58, as ambassador to South Africa. The career diplomat will be the first black to serve as ambassador to Pretoria.

Senators also confirmed the nomination of Charles J. Pilliod Jr., 67, as ambassador to Mexico. Pilliod, an executive with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., is a former director of the company’s international operations.

Frank J. Shakespeare, a former president of RKO General and later chairman of the Board of International Broadcasting, was confirmed as ambassador to the Holy See.

Theodore Gildred of Solana Beach, Calif., was confirmed as ambassador to Argentina. Gildred is an executive with Lomas Santa Fe Cos. and Torrey Pine Bank.

The Senate also approved the nominations of these career diplomats:

--L. Paul Bremmer as ambassador at large for counterterrorism.

--David Fields as ambassador to the Central African Republic.

--Alexander Fletcher Watson as ambassador to Peru.

--James Daniel Phillips as ambassador to Burundi.

--Peter Murphy to the rank of ambassador while serving as special negotiator for U.S.-Canada Trade and Investment Issues.

--James Roderick Lilley as ambassador to South Korea.

--Ronald DeWayne Palmer as ambassador to Mauritius.

--David Korn as ambassador to Togo.

--James Rawlins as ambassador to Zimbabwe.

--Everett Bierman as ambassador to Papua New Guinea and to the Solomon Islands.

--Everett Briggs as ambassador to Honduras.

--Donald Petterson as ambassador to Tanzania.

--Walter Edward Stadtler as ambassador to Benin.

--Eleanor Greer Constable as ambassador to Kenya.

--Helen Marie Taylor as a U.S. representative to the United Nations.