J. Brian Atwood, who has headed the Agency for International Development for the past six years, Tuesday withdrew his nomination to be ambassador to Brazil-saying Senate confirmation was unlikely because of the opposition of Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jesse Helms, R-N.C. the Associated Press reported.
Helms apparently based his opposition on the campaign Atwood waged to defeat Helms' proposal to merge USAID with the State Department.
Atwood said Helms apparently "believes that I pursued this administration position too vigorously. I regret that he feels this way but I do not regret fighting for the independence of USAID."
Atwood noted the U.S. ambassadorship in Brazil has been vacant since last year, adding, "I have concluded that, were I to persist in pursuing this nomination, I would only delay further the appointment of an ambassador to this vitally important country."
In addition to serving as head of USAID, Atwood has more recently assumed duties as chairman of the President's humanitarian relief effort for Kosovo. He indicated that he plans to leave both posts in the near future.