Appointment of Leslie A. Janka as Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs

The President today announced his intention to appoint Leslie A. Janka to be Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Press Secretary for Foreign Affairs. He will assume his duties on September 1, 1983.

Mr. Janka has extensive experience in foreign policy and public affairs, having previously served three Presidents. Since 1978 Mr. Janka has been a consultant and lecturer specializing in Middle Eastern defense and international economic issues. He has been associated with the government relations firm of Neill and Co. in Washington, D.C.

He served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (International Security Affairs) for Near Eastern, African and South Asian Affairs in 1976-1978. Mr. Janka was senior staff member of the National Security Council for legislative and public affairs in 1975-1976. He was staff assistant to Henry Kissinger, then Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, in 1971-1975. He was assistant dean of the School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University, in 1968-1971, and was a management specialist at the United States Information Agency in 1964-1968.

Mr. Janka graduated from the University of Redlands (California) (B.A., 1962) and the School of Advanced International Studies, The Johns Hopkins University (M.A., 1964). He is a recipient of the Department of Defense Outstanding Performance Award (1977) and the Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian's Service Medal (1978).

He was born June 9, 1940, in San Bernardino, Calif. He is married to the former Michele Reichelt and resides in Washington, D.C.