This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6660073.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
US names general to be 'war tsar' | US names general to be 'war tsar' |
(30 minutes later) | |
US President George W Bush has named a senior general to be the first American "war tsar". | US President George W Bush has named a senior general to be the first American "war tsar". |
Lt Gen Douglas Lute, currently serving as director of operations at the Pentagon, will co-ordinate the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. | Lt Gen Douglas Lute, currently serving as director of operations at the Pentagon, will co-ordinate the ongoing conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
He will report directly to Mr Bush as deputy national security adviser. | |
Gen Lute was appointed after a lengthy search in which several candidates apparently turned down the position. He must be confirmed by the US Senate. | |
President Bush is expected to make an official announcement about Mr Lute's appointment on Wednesday. | |
Turf wars | |
If confirmed, Gen Lute, 55, would take his post as the US battles militants in Iraq and Taleban rebels in Afghanistan. | |
LT GEN DOUGLAS LUTE Graduated from West Point academy 1975Active in 1991 Gulf WarCommander, Kosovo, 2002US Central Command, 2004-06Pentagon 2006-07 He would also begin work against the backdrop of attempts by congressional Democrats to restrict funding for Iraq, or to tie future funding to evidence of progress. | |
Correspondents say it is unclear exactly what General Lute will do, and whether the job will involve settling turf wars between the Pentagon and the state department. | Correspondents say it is unclear exactly what General Lute will do, and whether the job will involve settling turf wars between the Pentagon and the state department. |
He will serve as an adviser to the president but will also keep his military position and three-star ranking, reports said. | He will serve as an adviser to the president but will also keep his military position and three-star ranking, reports said. |
The Associated Press news agency reported that the new appointee would speak for the president concerning developments in the conflict areas and smooth over differences between rival departments. | |
Several White House security officials have left the administration in recent months. | Several White House security officials have left the administration in recent months. |