WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- President Bush nominated John Negroponte as deputy secretary of state and retired Vice Admiral Mike McConnell to succeed him as national intelligence director.
Negroponte, who began his government career in 1960 as a foreign service officer in the Eisenhower administration, has served the United States in a variety of foreign service posts, including U.S. ambassador to Iraq. He was the first national intelligence director.
McConnell was director of the National Security Agency during the 1990s and intelligence officer for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Operation Desert Storm.
"John Negroponte's broad experience, sound judgment and expertise on Iraq and in the war on terror make him a superb choice," Bush said Friday.
The president said McConnell "has the experience, the intellect and the character to succeed in this position."
