WORLD / America

Zoellick resigns from US State Department
(AP)
Updated: 2006-06-20 10:17

US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick, the department's No. 2
official, is resigning, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice announced
Monday.

Rice praised Zoellick's "tireless work ethic," and said he had served as
her "alter ego" in the department. She did not announce a replacement.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice(L) announces the resignation of
Deputy Secretary of State Robert Zoellick(R) at the US State Department
in Washington, DC.  [AFP]
"Our nation is stronger and safer because of your work," Rice said at the
State Department.

Zoellick told reporters later that he had informed Rice and the White
House months ago he was thinking of leaving the post. After six intensive
years as U.S. trade chief and then as Rice's deputy, "I determined to
make a change."

Zoellick said he delayed his departure, though, to help make preparations
for the visit of Chinese President Hu Jintao to Washington in April and
to help negotiate a peace agreement for the Darfur region of Sudan last
month.

Zoellick, 52, said he would join the Wall Street investment house Goldman
Sachs Group Inc. and concentrate on trying to develop investment markets
around the world.

A successor was not named immediately, and Zoellick said he did not know
who it would be. "That's for the president and the secretary to
determine," he said.

In his resignation letter, dated June 15, Zoellick did not say why he was
leaving. A former U.S. trade representative, Zoellick reportedly wanted
to be promoted to treasury secretary to replace departing secretary John
Snow, but President Bush nominated Goldman Sachs executive Henry Paulson
instead.

Zoellick praised Paulson as an "extraordinary choice." While not denying
he would have liked to have been selected, Zoellick said, "If I were the
president, I would have picked Hank Paulson, too."

Zoellick holds a panda cub during a visit to a panda preserve in Chengdu,
Southwest China's Sichuan Province January 25, 2006. [newsphoto]

"I'm pleased to have built a first-rate team, offer counsel on a number
of initiatives and back up the secretary," Zoellick said at the news
briefing. "I've accomplished what I set out to do, and it's time to step
down."

Although Zoellick was not widely known beyond Washington, Rice made a
joking reference to one instance when Zoellick's photo was printed around
the world. During a visit last year to a Chinese panda preserve, the
severe, often demanding Zoellick was photographed nuzzling a panda cub
and looking delighted.

Rice said she had given Zoellick tough assignments that required him to
travel often and fill in for her in Washington, "and occasionally even
hug a panda."

Most Commented/Read Stories in 48 Hours

Today's Top News 

� Zoellick resigns from US State Department

� No 'selfish interests' in African deals

� Delegation to watch US navy drills

� Chinese firms appeal ruling over Viagra

� Mubarak, Wen discuss economic ties

Top World News 

� Bush gives Iran an ultimatum

� Top US envoy Zoellick resigns

� Prosecution seeks death penalty for Saddam

� Taliban kill 32 in Afghanistan, 10 more missing

� Iran urged to suspend uranium enrichment

Alibaba is the largest B2B marketplace in the world. Source model ship,
wooden puzzle, one-piece toilet, RC hovercraft, photo album, prom dress,
pocket bike, Vaginal Speculum, Samurai Sword, String Panty and PVC Pipe.

Learn Chinese online, Learning Materials, Mandarin audio lessons, Chinese writing lessons, Chinese vocabulary lists, About chinese characters, News in Chinese, Go to China, Travel to China, Study in China, Teach in China, Dictionaries, Learn Chinese Painting, Your name in Chinese, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese songs, Chinese proverbs, Chinese poetry, Chinese tattoo, Beijing 2008 Olympics, Mandarin Phrasebook, Chinese editor, Pinyin editor, China Travel, Travel to Beijing, Travel to Tibet

Chinese Mandarin - Zoellick resigns from US State Department