Laurie Kassman

Laurie Kassman "joined VOA in 1983 in Mexico City as correspondent for Mexico and Central America. During her assignment there, she covered the revolutions in Nicaragua and El Salvador and El Salvador's return to democracy.

"Later, she served as diplomatic correspondent in Washington before heading to Paris in 1987 to report on Western Europe's moves toward economic and political integration.

"From 1993-1998, Laurie was based in Cairo and reported throughout the Middle East on news events ranging from peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians to the political and social changes in Iran.

"In 1998, she moved to our London bureau, where she traveled to the Middle East and Eastern Europe to cover crises - from a devastating earthquake in Turkey to a submarine disaster in Russia and the ongoing conflicts in Northern Ireland and the Middle East.

"She is now based out of VOA headquarters in Washington where she provides background features on foreign policy and other issues. Laurie also travels abroad to help VOA expand its news coverage.

"Before joining VOA, Laurie worked for commercial newspapers and radio networks in New York, Paris and Buenos Aires. Her hobbies include golf, tennis and travel." 


 * Director, American Near East Refugee Aid