Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE74959
2009-07-17 20:47:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Secretary of State
Cable title:
PRESIDENT REQUESTS RELEASE OF SACT GEN MATTIS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0007 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHC #4959 1982103 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 172047Z JUL 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHNO/USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY 0340 INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 5347 RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEAIIA/CIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY 0067 RHEFDIA/DIA WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
UNCLAS STATE 074959
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: NATO PREL MOPS MARR
SUBJECT: PRESIDENT REQUESTS RELEASE OF SACT GEN MATTIS
This cable conveys the text of President Obama's July 16
letter to NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
requesting the early release of General James Mattis, United
States Marine Corps, as Supreme Allied Commander for
Transformation.
Begin text:
Dear Mr. Secretary General:
I am addressing you as Chairman of the Defense Planning
Committee of the North Atlantic Council with the request that
the appropriate action be taken at an early date to secure
the release of General James N. Mattis, United States Marine
Corps, from his assignment as Supreme Allied Commander for
Transformation. In making this request through you to the
member nations who appointed him, I ask that they give
favorable consideration to his release.
The full trust and confidence extended by all nations to
General Mattis during his tenure as Supreme Allied Commander
for Transformation, will, I am certain, continue with the
assumption of these responsibilities by another commander.
If the Committee approves the release of General Mattis, I
have been advised that the President of France is prepared to
nominate to the Committee a well-qualified successor.
Sincerely,
/s/
Barack Obama
CLINTON