year agreements for U.S. military bases in Romania and Bulgaria which were signed in 2005 and early 2006. The negotiations and agreements were between Romania, Bulgaria and America. The negotiations concluded in troop allotments of up to 2,500 troops at any one time with a maximum of 5,000 troops allowable at both bases for a 90-day period. From September 2001 to July 2004, Loftis was United States Ambassador to Lesotho, where he focused on the promotion of democratic institutions, economic and trade development, and the fight against HIV/AIDS. His work on the May 2002 Lesotho general election encouraged democratic trends in southern Africa, developed a South African led voting system and established precedent for a fair election. The election was a first since the last national election in 1998 caused rioting and claims of vote rigging. Previous overseas assignments include Deputy Chief of Mission in Maputo, Mozambique, Political Counselor at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Political Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington, New Zealand, Political/Economic Officer in Brasília, Brazil, and General Services Officer in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. Domestic assignments included Deputy Director of the Office of Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Operations, Action Officer in the Office of Strategic and Theater Policy, Country Officer for Burma and staff assistant in the Bureau of Inter-American Affairs. Loftis joined the Foreign Service in May 1980. He speaks Portuguese and French and has received several State Department Superior and Meritorious Honor Awards, as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joint Meritorious Civilian Service Award. He earned his B.A. in political science with distinction and honors from Colorado State University. References 1956 births Living people Colorado State University alumni United States Foreign Service personnel Ambassadors of the United States to Lesotho