On Monday, the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice named Karen P. Hughes as undersecretary of state for public diplomacy in an attempt to improve the image of the US in the world.

’’Sadly, too few in the world today know about the goodness and compassion and generosity of the American people. Too few know, too, that American lives have been lost so that others, including Muslims, might live in freedom and that others might have a future of their own making," said Rice.

Hughes is one of the closest advisors of George W. Bush since he was a governor of Texas. Earlier she was a television reporter. Hughes helped run Bush’s presidential campaigns. She served as presidential adviser before returning with her family to Austin in 2002. "Her return to public service in this important position signifies my personal commitment to the international diplomacy that is needed in these historic times," said Bush.

"I’m eager to listen and to learn," Hughes said at a State Department ceremony announcing her nomination.

This is the third woman named by Condoleezza Rice. Dina Powell was named yesterday as the next assistant secretary for educational and cultural affairs.