New American ambassador will miss Obama’s visit

America’s newest ambassador for Belgium, Denise Bauer, will not be at her post when President Obama visits later this month. Bauer has been away since January when she underwent surgery in California to remove a benign tumor. Although her doctors expect her to fully recover, the ambassador will not resume her post until mid-June. Until then, Bauer will continue to recover in California.

Due to Bauer’s absence, President Obama will have to go without her warm welcome when he visits Belgium on March 26. While she is away, Deputy Chief of Mission Mark C. Storella will fulfill the duties as Chargé d’Affaires ad interim. 

In a statement released by the embassy, Bauer expresses complete faith in the embassy’s staff and wishes them success when they twelcome the president.