[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 47 (Monday, November 22, 2004)]
[Page 2828]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Resignation of Colin L. Powell as Secretary of State

November 15, 2004

    Colin Powell is one of the great public servants of our time. He is 
a soldier, a diplomat, a civic leader, a statesman, and a great patriot. 
I value his friendship. He will be missed. On behalf of all Americans, I 
thank him for his many years of service, and I wish him and Alma all the 
best.
    In his 4 years as Secretary of State, Colin forged new alliances 
that are helping America win the war on terror and reinvigorated old and 
honored friendships. He has helped to build two great coalitions that 
have liberated more than 50 million people in Afghanistan and Iraq from 
brutal dictators and which are now helping those nations emerge as 
successful democracies. He was a key architect of the Broader Middle 
East Initiative, which is helping to spread freedom and democracy in 
that region.
    His diplomatic skills also helped to end regional conflicts and 
lower tensions on the Indian subcontinent. Through his advocacy, he 
focused the world's attention on the plight of the suffering in Sudan, 
Liberia, and Haiti. His role in resolving the EP-3 incident early in my 
administration showed the calm judgment and steady resolve he has 
brought to our foreign policy. Thousands of dedicated foreign policy 
professionals are grateful for his leadership in modernizing and 
strengthening the Department of State.

 Note: The Office of the Press Secretary also made available Secretary 
Powell's letter of resignation.