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Generals reportedly reject war czar position

By WASHINGTON POST
Published April 11, 2007

WASHINGTON - The White House wants to appoint a high-powered czar to oversee the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with authority to issue directions to the Pentagon, State Department and other agencies, but has had trouble finding anyone able and willing to take the job, the Washington Post reported, citing people close to the situation.

At least three retired four-star generals approached by the White House in recent weeks have declined to be considered for the position, the Post said, underscoring the administration's difficulty in enlisting top recruits to join the team after five years of warfare.

"The very fundamental issue is, they don't know where the hell they're going," said retired Marine Gen. John "Jack" Sheehan, a former top NATO commander who was among those rejecting the job.

"Rather than go over there, develop an ulcer and eventually leave, I said, 'No thanks,' " he said.

The White House has not disclosed its interest in creating the position, hoping to find someone President Bush can anoint and announce for the post all at once. Officials said they are still considering options for how to reorganize the White House's management of the two conflicts.

The administration's interest in the idea stems from longstanding concern over the coordination of civilian and military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan by different parts of the U.S. government. The Defense and State departments have long struggled over their roles and responsibilities in Iraq, with the White House often forced to referee.

The highest-ranking White House official responsible exclusively for the wars is deputy national security adviser Meghan O'Sullivan, who reports to national security adviser Stephen Hadley and does not have power to issue orders to agencies. O'Sullivan plans to step down soon, giving the White House the opportunity to rethink how it organizes the war effort.

Unlike O'Sullivan, the new czar would report directly to Bush and to Hadley, and would have the title of assistant to the president, just as Hadley and the other highest-ranking White House officials have, the sources told the Post. The new czar would also have the power to issue directions to other agencies, they said.

Besides Sheehan, the White House or intermediaries have sounded out retired Army Gen. Jack Keane and retired Air Force Gen. Joseph Ralston, who also said they are not interested, the Post said. Ralston declined to comment; Keane confirmed he declined the offer, adding. "It was discussed weeks ago."

Fast Facts:

Bush vs. Congress

Come to a showdown: President Bush invited lawmakers Tuesday to the White House next week to try to break a stalemate on Iraq war funding, but he made clear he is not budging on his key demand: no "artificial deadlines" for withdrawal and no restrictions on his commanders on the ground.

Ramping up pressure: At the same time, Bush used a morning visit to American Legion Post 177 in Fairfax, Va., to renew pressure on Congress to send him the spending bill, warning that the Pentagon will soon be forced to transfer $1.6-billion in funds from other accounts to make up for a looming war funds shortfall.

[Last modified April 11, 2007, 02:29:14]