Appointment of Edward J. Melanson, Jr., for the Personal Rank of Ambassador While Serving as Chief Negotiator for Defense and Space

The President today announced his intention to appoint Edward J. Melanson, Jr., of Virginia, to be accorded the personal rank of Ambassador in his capacity as Chief Negotiator for Defense and Space.

Since 1991 Mr. Melanson has served as Deputy Negotiator for Defense and Space for the U.S. Delegation to the Nuclear and Space Arms Negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland. From 1989 to 1991, he served as Assistant for National Security in the Office of Presidential Personnel at the White House. Mr. Melanson served as senior defense adviser for the United States Delegation for the Nuclear and Space Arms Negotiations with the Soviet Union in Geneva, 1985 - 88. He served at the Department of Defense as Assistant for International Space Policy, 1982 - 85; Assistant for International Intelligence Policy, 1979 - 82; Defense Representative to the U.S. - U.S.S.R. Anti-Satellite Negotiations, 1978 - 79; and Assistant for International Negotiations Policy, 1975 - 78.

Mr. Melanson graduated from Tufts University (B.A., 1967) and George Washington University (M.S., 1972). He served in the U.S. Navy, 1957 - 88. He was born December 14, 1935, in Stoneham, MA. Mr. Melanson is married, has two children, and resides in Springfield, VA.