    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [May 15, 2007]
    [Page 584]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Appointment of Lieutenant General Douglas Lute as Assistant to the President and Deputy National
    Security Adviser for Iraq and Afghanistan
    May 15, 2007

        I have chosen Lieutenant General Douglas Lute to serve as Assistant
    to the President and Deputy National Security Adviser for Iraq and
    Afghanistan. General Lute is a tremendously accomplished military leader
    who understands war and government and knows how to get things done.
    While serving at Central Command, General Lute played an integral role
    in implementing combat operation plans in Iraq and Afghanistan, and
    gained a critical understanding of the challenges we face in the global
    war on terror. He has already earned the respect and trust of the
    officials with whom he will be working in his new role.
        In his new position, General Lute will be the full-time manager for
    the implementation and execution of our strategies for Iraq and
    Afghanistan and will manage the interagency policy development process
    for these two theaters, working closely with my National Security
    Adviser, Steve Hadley, members of my
    Cabinet, and me. Nothing is more important than getting Admiral
    Fallon, General Petraeus, American commanders in Afghanistan, and Ambassadors
    Crocker and Wood
    what they need, and Douglas Lute can make sure that happens quickly and
    reliably.

    Note: The statement referred to Adm. William J. ``Fox'' Fallon, USN,
    commander, U.S. Central Command; Gen. David H. Petraeus, USA, commanding
    general, Multi-National Force--Iraq; U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C.
    Crocker; and U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan William B. Wood.