FACTBOX-Bush shuffles advisers ahead of Iraq plan
Source: Reuters
Jan 4 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush has replaced many of the top U.S. 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. The following are some of the changes announced and anticipated. RESIGNATIONS DONALD RUMSFELD - Stepped down as U.S. 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 - U.S. 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 - U.S. Defense Department's top intelligence official and close aide to Rumsfeld resigned effective Dec. 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 U.S. 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 - Currently U.S. 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. GEN. JOHN ABIZAID - The head of U.S. Central Command, which is responsible for U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, he is expected to be replaced by Adm. William Fallon, the top U.S. military commander in the Pacific, ABC News reported. GEN. GEORGE CASEY - The top ground commander in Iraq, Casey is expected to be replaced by Lt. Gen. David Petraeus, ABC said, citing unnamed officials. (Reporting by Washington bureau)
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