Condoleezza Rice becomes Bush's top diplomat

As the new Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice will have to face major challenges of the American foreign policy.

President Bush on Tuesday picked national security adviser &to=http://english.pravda.ru/mailbox/22/101/399/14595_rice.html' target=_blank>Condoleezza Rice, who once tutored him on global affairs, to be his top diplomat, saying her foreign policy experience and struggle against racism uniquely qualify her to be America’s "face to the world" as secretary of state.

"In Dr. Rice, the world will see the strength, the grace and the decency of our country," Bush said.

Rice will face major challenges across the foreign policy spectrum, trying to advance peace between Israel and the Palestinians, foster democracy in Iraq and persuade North Korea and Iran to step back from suspected nuclear-weapons programs. She is considered more of a hard-liner than Secretary of State &to=http://english.pravda.ru/main/2003/03/01/43889.html' target=_blank>Colin Powell, who was out of step with more hawkish members of Bush’s national security team, reports Fort Wayne.