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Bush names war czar
By UPI Staff
United Press International
May 16, 2007
WASHINGTON (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush named U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Douglas E. Lute as the White House's new "war czar" to coordinate U.S. efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In the new position, Lute will oversee operations by both the military and the U.S. State Department.
"General Lute is a tremendously accomplished military leader who understands war and government and knows how to get things done," Bush said in a statement, The Washington Post reported.
At least five retired four-star generals refused to be considered for the "war czar" job, the Post reported.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates told the Financial Times that Lute would have a "911 number" for military commanders and would be empowered by the president to phone the Cabinet and say, "The president would like to know why you haven't delivered what's been asked for yet."
Sources told the Post that Lute was concerned about the effectiveness of the "surge" of troops in Iraq announced in January.
Copyright 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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