[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 43, Number 20 (Monday, May 21, 2007)]
[Pages 635-636]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.

[[Page 636]]

Note: In his statement, the President referred to Adm. William J. 
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.