President George W Bush has replaced many of the top US officials responsible for prosecuting the Iraq war, and he is expected to further revamp the team that will carry out his new strategy to be unveiled next week.
WASHINGTON, DC: President George W Bush has replaced many of the top US officials responsible for prosecuting the Iraq war, and he is expected to further revamp the team that will carry out his new strategy to be unveiled next week.
Some changes announced and anticipated:
RESIGNATIONS
DONALD RUMSFELD
Stepped down as US defense secretary after nearly six years in the job. Admired by some as a patriot who reinvigorated the military and painted by detractors as a reckless warmonger who botched the Iraq occupation planning.
JOHN BOLTON
US Ambassador to the United Nations resigned after Democrats were again expected to block his Senate confirmation. He served under temporary appointment that was to expire in January.
STEPHEN CAMBONE
US Defense Department's top intelligence official and close aide to Rumsfeld resigned effective December 31.
APPOINTMENT
ROBERT GATES
Replaced Rumsfeld at the Pentagon. Served as director of the Central Intelligence Agency from 1991 to 1993. Career CIA officer who joined the agency in 1966. Recently a member of the Iraq Study Group which issued alternative ideas for Iraq policy.
ANTICIPATED CHANGES
JOHN NEGROPONTE
Director of US national intelligence, Negroponte will leave his post to take the number two spot at the State Department. A diplomatic heavyweight, his career has spanned 40 years, including ambassadorial assignments at the United Nations and in Iraq.
JOHN MCCONNELL
Retired Navy Admiral is expected to replace Negroponte as director of National Intelligence. McConnell directed the National Security Agency from 1992 to 1996 and is now at the Washington contracting and consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton
ZALMAY KHALILZAD
US Ambassador to Iraq and formerly ambassador to Afghanistan, he is expected to be nominated as the next U.S. envoy to the United Nations.
RYAN CROCKER
A career diplomat and U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, Crocker is the leading candidate to succeed Khalilzad in Baghdad.
GENERAL JOHN ABIZAID
The head of US Central Command, which is responsible for US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, he is expected to be replaced by Admiral William Fallon, the top US military commander in the Pacific, ABC News reported.
GENERAL GEORGE CASEY
The top ground commander in Iraq, Casey is expected to be replaced by Lt Gen David Petraeus, ABC said, citing unnamed officials.
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