Former colleague Peter Phillips, who was head of marketing and communications under Mr Horne, gave a cautious welcome to the appointment.

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In a speech in the United States on Tuesday, Irish Foreign Minister Brian Cowen repeated Dublin's welcome for the re-appointment of UUP ministers to the executive and Mr Trimble's decision to seek re-election as first minister.

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"As Archbishop of Melbourne and President of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, I joyfully welcome the glad news of the appointment of Pope Francis, " he said in a statement.

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His appointment was widely seen as a welcome sign that Mr Koizumi had finally decided to grasp the nettle.

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"Whilst I welcome the court's refusal to quash Mrs McDougall's appointment, I am disappointed by the finding that the appointment was unlawful and I will be appealing that in the strongest possible terms, " he said.

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Bolton, a recess appointment as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations was as welcome as it was necessary.

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