US daily says Tauscher "demoted" in talks with Russia

WASHINGTON (Itar-Tass) - A U.S. daily said Undersecretary of
State Ellen Tauscher, who has been leading U.S.-Russian missile defense
talks, was given "a demotion of sorts".
The Washington Times quoted an unnamed senior U.S. national security
official on Thursday as saying Tauscher "has annoyed colleagues and
critics with her abrasive style."
The daily quoted Pentagon sources as saying Tauscher was no longer the
lead Obama administration official for the U.S.-Russian talks on missile
defenses.
Instead, the Pentagon's Jim Miller, principal deputy undersecretary of
defense for policy, is now the key negotiator, even though Tauscher
technically will be in charge overall.
The newspaper quoted an aide to Tauscher as saying the daily was
"misinformed" about her position in the talks.
The aide said Tauscher and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei
Ryabkov have overall responsibility for U.S.-Russian missile defense
talks, while Miller and Russian Deputy Defense Minister Anatoly Antonov
deal with developing "practical steps."