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HH6/Resident Beerwench
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Last Login: 11/20/2008 3:10 PM
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Rumsfeld praises Shinseki
Associated Press
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld used the occasion of the Army’s 228th birthday Friday to praise Gen. Eric Shinseki, the Army chief of staff with whom he had clashed.
Shinseki finished his four-year term on Wednesday. No one from Rumsfeld’s office attended a retirement ceremony for Shinseki on Wednesday, and Shinseki did not mention Rumsfeld in his farewell address.
“I want to make a brief salute to an Army man who began the transformation of the Army from the Cold War to a 21st century fighting force,” Rumsfeld said in remarks at an Army birthday celebration in the center courtyard of the Pentagon.
“One of Eric Shinseki’s predecessors, Gen. John Wickham, wrote about his job as chief of staff,” Rumsfeld said. “He said, ‘Make a difference. The time each of us is in charge is short.’ Well, with his energy and drive, Gen. Shinseki has made a difference.”
Shinseki was not in attendance.
Shinseki, whose Army career spanned 38 years, initiated a drive in 1999 to create lighter, more mobile Army units. Parts of his plan ran into opposition from Rumsfeld, however, particularly investment in a new artillery system called the Crusader. Rumsfeld canceled the Crusader.
Rumsfeld said he had confidence that the acting chief, Gen. John Keane, who had been vice chief of staff under Shinseki, “understands the Army well and will keep it marching along with precision and skill.”
Although no public announcement has been made, Rumsfeld has recommended to President Bush that he nominate Peter Schoomaker, a retired four-star general who is a former commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, to succeed Shinseki.
Keane is due to retire from the Army this summer. It is not clear who will succeed him.
In the audience for the Army birthday celebration was Gen. Tommy Franks, the Central Command chief who ran the wars against Afghanistan and Iraq. Franks is due to leave office July 7. Rumsfeld has recommended to Bush that he nominate Army Lt. Gen. John Abizaid to succeed Franks.
- "Hundreds of thousands of American servicemen and women are deployed across the world in the war on terror. By bringing hope to the oppressed, and delivering justice to the violent, they are making America more secure. "
George W. Bush
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Site Owner/Operator
Group: Administrators
Last Login: Yesterday @ 7:31 PM
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Does anyone else see this as CAREFULLY worded?
hehehe... looks like smile up front... boot in the ass in back.
  Facebook me!
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OIF Veteran
 
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 11/16/2008 11:01 AM
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If Rumsfeld had any praise for Shinseki it was simply PC BS. Remember that he is still looking for a new CSA and he has to play the game.
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