Donald Trump has chosen lawyer John Coale, currently his envoy to Belarus, to become the new US special presidential envoy for hostage affairs, announcing the decision in a social media post on Sunday.
Trump praised Coale's track record in prisoner negotiations with Minsk, where he has been engaged in talks for more than a year. Those discussions preceded Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's pardon of 15 prisoners last month.
Trump cites 65 Americans and 800 prisoners released
In his announcement, Trump credited Coale with having "secured the return of over 65 Americans and Allied Citizens from Belarus over the last year" and with having "negotiated the release of more than 800 political prisoners from multiple countries in Eastern Europe."
Coale replaces Adam Boehler
Coale will succeed Adam Boehler, whom Trump credited with bringing back 196 hostages. Boehler, who helped secure the release of a former American marine from Russia in August, will remain in the administration as a senior adviser on other matters, Trump added.
Sources: Trump picks John Coale as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs — Reuters
Trump praised Coale's track record in prisoner negotiations with Minsk, where he has been engaged in talks for more than a year. Those discussions preceded Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko's pardon of 15 prisoners last month.
Trump cites 65 Americans and 800 prisoners released
In his announcement, Trump credited Coale with having "secured the return of over 65 Americans and Allied Citizens from Belarus over the last year" and with having "negotiated the release of more than 800 political prisoners from multiple countries in Eastern Europe."
Coale replaces Adam Boehler
Coale will succeed Adam Boehler, whom Trump credited with bringing back 196 hostages. Boehler, who helped secure the release of a former American marine from Russia in August, will remain in the administration as a senior adviser on other matters, Trump added.
Sources: Trump picks John Coale as special presidential envoy for hostage affairs — Reuters
