WORLD : Bush Picks New Panama Envoy

WASHINGTON — President Bush today appointed diplomatic trouble-shooter Deane Hinton to be U.S. ambassador to Panama, replacing Arthur Davis.

Hinton, 66, a career Foreign Service officer, who is now Bush’s envoy to Costa Rica, previously held such sensitive diplomatic assignments as ambassador to El Salvador and Pakistan.

The White House gave no immediate explanation for Hinton’s sudden posting to Panama City.

Davis, who was recalled to Washington last year to show U.S. displeasure with Panamanian strongman Manuel A. Noriega, returned to his post two weeks ago after a U.S. invasion drove Noriega from power.