Condi's right-hand man stepping down for personal reasons

[IDemo]

U.S. Diplomat Nicholas Burns Stepping Down

By HELENE COOPER
Published: January 19, 2008

WASHINGTON — R. Nicholas Burns, the country’s third-ranking diplomat who has been Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s right-hand man, is retiring for personal reasons.

Ms. Rice is expected to recommend William Burns, the United States ambassador to Russia, to replace Mr. Burns as undersecretary of state for political affairs, administration officials said.

“This is a very bittersweet time for us because Nick Burns has decided that it is time for him to retire,” Ms. Rice said in announcing Mr. Burns’ resignation in the State Department’s ornate Treaty Room. “He has decided that it’s the right moment to go back to family concerns.”

Mr. Burns, 51, has spearheaded the administration’s efforts on Iran, serving as the United States negotiator with the five other countries—Russia, China, Britain, France and Germany—which have been seeking to rein in Tehran’s nuclear ambitions. A career foreign service official, Mr. Burns has thrived under a succession of administrations, both Republican and Democratic.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/19/washington/19diplo.html?hp

[originalpckelly]

1. They need to come up with something new.

"Mr. Burns is leaving to go to Disney World!"

"Mr. Burns has finally decided to finish his courses at bar tending college, he will star in a new documentary: 'Cocktail: The Real Bartenders.'"

"Mr. Burns is planning on being abducted by aliens to another planet."

[opihimoimoi]

2. Another Pub RAT jumping ship......total failure and embarrassing to boot.

The Pubs have lost the TRUST of the American People

[countryjake]

3. Who retires at age 51, with three daughters in college?

hmm...

[kelligesq]

4. Someone who cant abide the admins plans to attack Iran - and by his

sudden resignation - it's probably not far off...rumor had it the plans are long ready and the attack is to be in March...nothing like starting a third war eh georgie.

I think it was Seymour Hersh who either wrote it or was interviewed and I heard it.