Spin, Spin: From Diplomat to Bechtel

From Eli Lake:

A just-retired U.S. diplomat who led negotiations that restored full diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Libya has taken an important job with Bechtel, a major U.S. company that stands to win major contracts in the former pariah state. The firm approached David Welch in his final months as assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs and in December made him vice president for Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Southwest Asia, said a Bechtel spokesman, Francis Canavan.

Mr. Welch did nothing illegal by taking the job, but his new duties illustrate the revolving door that leads so many former U.S. government officials to lucrative posts in the private sector using contacts they developed while on the federal payroll.