Obama Speaks: Gen Stanley McChrystal Resigns & Gen David Petraeus Steps In
June 24th, 2010 - 1:11 am ICT by Angela Kaye Mason
June 23 (THAINDIAN NEWS) An article which ran in Rolling Stones Magazine revealing critical remarks that had been made about the president and his aides by General McChrystal and his men has led to the resignation of the general, who was the commander of 100,000 men and women who are fighting the war in Afghanistan. After reading the article, President Obama immediate sent a summons to the battlefield, ordering McChrystal to fly to Washington and meet with the president. During that meeting, Obama accepted the resignation of Gen Stanley McChrystal.
“I welcome debate among my team, but I won’t tolerate division” Obama spoke out, as he stated his “considerable regret” and added that it was a “difficult decision” which saddened him. He added that he had great admiration for Gen McChrystal but that his conduct was inexcusable, and that his comments undermined the civilian control of the US Military. He went on to tell America that McChrystal’s resignation was the “right decision for our national security.”
Obama also stated that the remarks made by the general did not “meet the standard that should be set by a commanding general”. He stressed, however, that McChrystal had served faithfully, and that he was grateful for the general’s service. Obama told the world that the replacement was “not a personal insult.”
McChrystal released a statement saying that he strongly supports the war effort in Afghanistan, and that was the main reason for him offering his resignation. He went on to express his support of the men and women fighting for America.
President Obama chose US Central Command General David Petraeus to succeed McChrystal. He said that this would be a change in personnel but not a change in policy and added that the war strategy which McChrystal had began would still be in effect.
Last week, as Petraeus testified at a Senate hearing about the war in Afghanistan, he slumped at the table where he was seated, concerning everyone there. He was able to recover quickly, however and a spokesman stated that the general most likely was suffering from dehydration and jet-lag.
The Rolling Stones article which featured General McChrystal and his men entitled “The Runaway General” can be read in it’s entirety here.
- Ex-NATO commander McChrystal cleared of wrongdoing in Rolling Stone piece - Apr 19, 2011
- Top US commander in Afghanistan resigns (Lead) - Jun 24, 2010
- Obama fires top Afghanistan commander McChrystal (Second Lead) - Jun 24, 2010
- US commander McChrystal derides Vice-President Biden, Holbrooke and envoy - Jun 22, 2010
- Afghan Govt. backs Obama's decision to appoint Petraeus as new NATO boss - Jun 24, 2010
- 'Angry' Obama recalls Afghan commander to Washington - Jun 23, 2010
- Petraeus vows 'relentless' pursuit of Taliban - Jun 30, 2010
- 'Runaway General' McChrystal Summoned by Obama Over 'Rolling Stone' Article - Jun 23, 2010
- General Stanley McChrystal's "Rolling Stone" Story Creates Waves - Jun 23, 2010
- Obama fires top Afghanistan commander - Jun 24, 2010
- General McChrystal to retire after Afghanistan firing - Jun 29, 2010
- Obama in dilemma over sacking McChrystal, Afghan war effort - Jun 23, 2010
- Petraeus to take control of Afghan NATO forces Sunday - Jul 04, 2010
- General McChrystal Willing To Resign Over Comments To 'Rolling Stone' - Jun 23, 2010
- Gen. Petraeus Expresses Caution With Respect To The Proposal Of The American Military's Disengagement From Afghanistan From July 2011 - Aug 14, 2010
Tags: admiration, aides, central command, commanding general, critical remarks, david petraeus, difficult decision, gen david petraeus, general mcchrystal, june 23, personal insult, resignation, right decision, rolling stones magazine, senate hearing, statement saying that, summons, war effort, war in afghanistan, war strategy