The Hindu : Blackwill quits, to return to Harvard

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 22, 2003

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Blackwill quits, to return to Harvard

By Amit Baruah

NEW DELHI April 21. The U.S. Ambassador to India, Robert D. Blackwill, today announced that he had resigned his post as envoy to return to academic pursuits at the Harvard University, a decision that would take effect at the "end of summer", possibly in August.

Though Mr. Blackwill had informed senior functionaries of the Indian Government in advance about his decision, official sources said the Ambassador's decision had come as a surprise.

The sources also made it clear that Mr. Blackwill, who took over here in July 2001, had no problems with the Government of India. At the end of his tenure, Mr. Blackwill will have completed about two years in the job.

In a statement, Mr. Blackwill said he had informed the U.S. President, George W. Bush, and senior officials in Washington that he would be going back to Harvard at the "end of this summer" to continue his academic career.

Giving an account of his achievements, the statement said: "'With President Bush and Prime Minister Vajpayee showing the route... our consistently troubled past is behind us".

The end of sanctions after the 1998 Indian nuclear tests, the visits by over 100 Bush administration functionaries to New Delhi and joint operations by the U.S. and Indian militaries were some of the achievements Mr. Blackwill listed. "We have vital national interests in promoting peace and freedom in Asia, slowing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and combating international terrorism." He said the Indo-U.S. relationship had a "glittering future".

Mr. Blackwill made it clear that the fight against international terrorism could not be won until terrorism against India ended completely. "There can be no other legitimate stance by the United States, no American compromise whatever on this elemental geopolitical and moral truth."

An appointee of the Bush administration, Mr. Blackwill, had previously spent 14 years teaching at Harvard and 22 more years as a career foreign service officer.

"To play a part in advancing this cause under President Bush's direction has been my duty, my pleasure...'', the Ambassador said, thanking the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, the External Affairs Minister, the National Security Adviser for their "unfailing generosity" to him in carrying out his official duties.

The fact that Mr. Blackwill will continue to perform his duties till the end of summer provides an opportunity for a "smooth transition"' here at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. It will give enough time for the U.S. State Department to name a successor.

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