The stealth nature of the announcement & the fuzzy job description indicate that Obama is aware" that Ross' appointment is "problematic"

The CABLE, here

"...sources suggested the U.S. government was sensitive to Iran's perception that Ross, a former senior fellow at the WINEP, is a pro-Israel hawk whose writings on U.S. policy toward Iran have suggested a high degree of continuity with the Bush administration's approach of carrots and sticks.

"I understand the Iranians have let it be known that they won't deal with him," said one former senior U.S. official who has dealt with Persian Gulf issues.

"I think the stealth nature of the announcement and the fuzzy job description indicate that folks in the administration are aware" that the Ross appointment is problematic, the former senior official continued. "But that will not make it more workable -- even if the real heavy lifting is done by [Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs William] Burns, as some insiders claim..."