The Hindu : Blackwill to be Counsellor for Strategic Planning to Bush

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 25, 2003

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International - India & World

Blackwill to be Counsellor for Strategic Planning to Bush

By Sridhar Krishnaswami

WASHINGTON JULY 24. The United States Ambassador to India, Robert D. Blackwill, is to be appointed Deputy Assistant and Counsellor for Strategic Planning to the U.S. President, George W. Bush, informed sources say. Mr. Blackwill, who will be leaving his current post in New Delhi at the end of the month, is expected to take up his new assignment early next month. A formal announcement is expected shortly.

Mr. Blackwill's new assignment is a new job in the White House which will see him dealing with issues relating to Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq, besides involvement in strategic planning. He will be reporting to the President through the National Security Adviser, Condoleezza Rice. Her present Deputy, Stephen Hadley, will remain in his current position.

Mr. Blackwill is known to be close to the President and in his new job will be presenting the "big picture" to Mr. Bush, according to the sources.

The outgoing American Ambassador to India has already visited Afghanistan and met the President, Hamid Karzai, it is learnt. Mr. Blackwill's presence in Washington will be of special interest to India.

The White House is the prime mover on issues pertaining to foreign policy and he is known for his tough views on terrorism. Interestingly, Ashley Tellis, who has been Special Adviser to Mr. Blackwill in New Delhi, is likely to be a Special Assistant to the President. Mr.Tellis, according to sources, could be working with Mr. Blackwill again.

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