

MEDIA RELEASE MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS ALEXANDER DOWNER FA13           25  February  2003



DIPLOMATIC APPOINTMENT - AMBASSADOR TO AUSTRIA

I have today announced the appointment of Deborah Stokes as Australia’s Ambassador to the  Republic  of  Austria  and  Permanent  Representative  to  international  organisations  with   headquarters  in  Vienna.   She  will  have  concurrent  accreditation  as  Ambassador  to  the   Republic of Slovenia, the Slovak Republic and Bosnia and Herzegovina.  Ms Stokes replaces  Max  Hughes  who  has  been  Ambassador  since  March  2000  and  is  expected  to  take  up  her   appointment in early June.

Vienna is a hub of multilateral activity in respect of nuclear non-proliferation and the safe and  secure application of civil nuclear technology.  Ms Stokes will be Australia's Governor on the  Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Permanent  Representative to the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) Preparatory  Commission.  Australia is a strong supporter of the efforts of the IAEA to strengthen the  international nuclear safeguards system and an active promoter of the Comprehensive Nuclear  Test Ban Treaty.  Ms Stokes will advance Australia's interests in a number of other  multilateral bodies based in Vienna including export control regimes for sensitive  technologies.  Ms Stokes will be accredited to the United Nations office in Vienna which  encompasses the UN Office on Drugs and Crime and the UN Office for Outer Space Affairs.   Australia supports the efforts of the UN Drug Control Program to reduce the production,  trafficking and consumption of illicit narcotics.

Australia and Austria enjoy good relations, characterised by cooperation on a range of  bilateral, European and multilateral issues.  Social and cultural links also underpin the  relationship.  Australia's relations with Slovenia, Slovakia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are  supported by strong community links in Australia.  Ms Stokes will continue to develop  relations with these countries.

Ms Stokes is a senior career officer with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and is  currently Minister and Deputy Head of Mission in Tokyo.  Ms Stokes was formerly First  Assistant Secretary, International Security Division with the Department of Foreign Affairs  and Trade (1998-99).  Prior to that, in the Australian Agency for International Development  (AusAID), she was Deputy Director-General, Corporate Development Division (1995-98) and  Assistant Director-General, Development Issues and Corporate Policy Branch (1994-95).

Her previous postings include three years in the United Nations Development Programme  (UNDP) in New York (1989-1992).  She was also Third Secretary in Rangoon with the  Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1984-86).

Educated at the University of Adelaide and the University of Cambridge in the United  Kingdom, Ms Stokes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours and a Masters degree in  Development Studies.  She is married.

Media inquiries: Chris Kenny (Ministerial) 02 62777500 mob 0419 206 890      Julie McDonald (Departmental) 02 6261 1555



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