Mint Flavour

Seema Sirohi October 27, 2003 00:00 IST Mint Flavour -0001-11-30T00:00:00+05:53

In Argentina, they remember him with dread for pushing a debt-swap deal two years ago that analysts say caused both the economy and the government to collapse. Let's hope his tenure in India is more salutary. David C. Mulford, a controversial financial dealmaker, is getting in gear to serve as the next US ambassador with a brief to promote the American economic agenda. He won't sleep on the job. Back in college, they call him the 'Rockford Rocket' after his Illinois hometown and his speed on the football field.

President George Bush nominated Mulford, an old Republican loyalist, after a quiet search and consultations with his father. The White House sent the formal agre'ment to the Indian government about three weeks ago, officials said, adding that once New Delhi gave its nod, the US Senate would begin the confirmation process. Until last week, Mulford was the London-based chairman of Credit Suisse First Boston International, flying around world capitals persuading reluctant bureaucrats to wake up and smell globalisation. Hard-boiled and silver-haired, Mulford is of...