08-12-2009, 05:24 PM
<b>Kerala origin priest helps to set up US consulates</b>
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->He is a man of god, but Kerala native Fr. Alexander Kurien also plays a crucial role in the American scheme of things. <b>He is, after all, the director of strategic planning in the US Department of State</b>.
He has been helping set up US missions across the world since he was inducted into the department in 1999, but also doubles up as a priest, providing solace to his church members.
"In the last one decade of my job in the US State Department, I have travelled to 147 countries and have played a crucial role in opening 65 new consulates and embassies (also relocating existing ones)," Washington-based Kurien, 45, said.
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<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->He is a man of god, but Kerala native Fr. Alexander Kurien also plays a crucial role in the American scheme of things. <b>He is, after all, the director of strategic planning in the US Department of State</b>.
He has been helping set up US missions across the world since he was inducted into the department in 1999, but also doubles up as a priest, providing solace to his church members.
"In the last one decade of my job in the US State Department, I have travelled to 147 countries and have played a crucial role in opening 65 new consulates and embassies (also relocating existing ones)," Washington-based Kurien, 45, said.
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