1.   On Thursday, Weld is scheduled to attend a series of briefings at the State Department and other federal agencies, a standard orientation for ambassadorial appointees.

2.   On business and trade issues, the ambassadorial appointee would appear to have his work cut out for him.

3.   That standoff lasted several months, holding up approval of the ambassadorial appointees and several international treaties.

4.   That standoff lasted several months, holding up approval of the ambassadorial appointees and several international treaties, before being resolved last week.