USIA - Clinton Accepts Christopher's Resignation (96-11-07)
From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at <gopher://gopher.usia.gov>
CLINTON ACCEPTS SECRETARY OF STATE CHRISTOPHER'S RESIGNATION
(With "great regret" and "deep gratitude" for service) (680)
By Alexander M. Sullivan
USIA White House Correspondent
Washington -- Expressing "great regret at his departure" and "deep
gratitude for his service," President Clinton accepted the resignation of
Secretary of State Christopher November 7.
Christopher, one of the President's earliest and most influential advisers,
thus became the first Clinton Cabinet officer to announce his departure.
Clinton did not announce a successor, but told reporters he will cast "a
wide net" in searching for Christopher's replacement. He said he will
consult Christopher as well as others in the national security and
diplomatic community before making a choice.
Christopher will remain in office until his successor is selected, and will
travel as planned to the Cairo Conference, East Asia/Pacific and Europe in
the coming weeks.
White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry told reporters later that
Christopher's departure "is part of the natural churning of personnel as an
administration goes into a second term." He said he expects Clinton to take
some time in selecting a successor, but declined requests to estimate how
long that process will take.
Clinton said Christopher has "left the mark of his hand on history" during
this and three previous administrations, adding he has been "proud and
privileged" to have the secretary at his side throughout his first term.
"Today, if the children of the Middle East can imagine a future of
cooperation, not conflict; if Bosnia's killing fields are once again
playing fields; if the people of Haiti now live in a democracy instead of
under dictators; in no small measure it's because of Warren Christopher,"
Clinton said.
The President said Christopher has been "a tireless ... tenacious advocate
... for the cause of peace and decency." Clinton added that Christopher had
"earned our nation's admiration" because of the "dignity, determination and
skill" he had brought to his office. He said because of the "unbelievable
combination of his intellect, his integrity and his good heart," the nation
owed the secretary" a debt that can never be fully repaid."
On a more personal note, the President acknowledged that "I owe Warren
Christopher a debt that extends far beyond the broad range of his
(official) responsibilities. Few individuals did more to shape my
first administration," chairing the search committee which recommended Al
Gore as Vice President, and directing the selection of the Clinton Cabinet.
"Time and again," Clinton said, "I have reached out to my friend for his
counsel, his judgment and his support."
The President teased his friend about the dignity of his demeanor and the
correctness of his attire, commenting he had seen "a remarkable sight" on
the South Lawn of the White House when he returned from Little Rock
November 6. Christopher, he commented, "was wearing a tee shirt" but he
"did have it on under his Saville Row suit." The tee shirts bore wording
celebrating Clinton re-election and were worn by many Clinton loyalists
during a welcome home ceremony after the election campaign.)
Clinton said Christopher is "the only man ever to eat M & Ms (a popular
chocolate candy) on Air Force One with a knife and fork." That, Clinton
said, gave "new meaning to my conviction that we are entering an age of new
and remarkable possibility."
Christopher thanked Clinton for the support given him in "difficult times"
as well as "moments of high success." To be Secretary of State, he said,
was "to take part in history's relay race;" he expressed gratitude for the
"opportunity to run this leg."
He said he is "grateful to the American people" for their support, adding,
"it is their values and their aspirations that I have sought to uphold as I
have travelled around the world. I'm convinced that especially in this time
of challenge and change, the American people expect our nation to maintain
a strong and principled global leadership; they can be assured that I will
be maintaining our active engagement as I travel to the Middle East, Europe
and Asia."
From the United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at gopher://gopher.usia.gov
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