US: General Allen declined the position of Supreme Commander of NATO.
On February 19, the White House announced that four-star Marine Corps General John Allen had submitted his retirement request after 38 years of military service to spend time caring for his ailing wife, instead of waiting for Senate confirmation as Supreme Commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe.
On February 19, the White House announced that four-star Marine Corps General John Allen had submitted his retirement request after 38 years of military service to spend time caring for his ailing wife, instead of waiting for Senate confirmation as Supreme Commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe.
General Allen was recently exonerated in the sex scandal that led to the resignation of CIA Director David Petraeus last November.
Marine Corps General John Allen, four-star. (Source: Reuters)
According to a White House press release cited by a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in Washington, President Obama accepted General Allen's resignation at the White House on February 19 and praised the Marine general for his significant contributions to the US military mission in Afghanistan during his 19 months as commander of US and NATO forces in the Southwest Asian nation.
Meanwhile, from headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, a NATO spokesperson said that NATO fully respects Allen's decision.
In October 2012, President Obama nominated General Allen to the position of Supreme Commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Europe. However, the Senate confirmation hearing was delayed after the FBI discovered approximately 30,000 pages of email exchanges between General Allen and Petraeus's two mistresses, Jill Kelley and Paula Broadwell. On January 23, the Pentagon's Inspector General announced the conclusion of the investigation, clearing General Allen of all charges related to the scandal.
General Allen, 59, served as Commander of U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan from July 2011 to February 10, 2013. Before leaving Afghanistan, General Allen proposed that the Obama administration should maintain approximately 10,000 troops in Afghanistan after 2014 to advise and train local forces.
General Allen's decision to retire has forced the White House to find a replacement for the current commander of U.S. and NATO forces, Admiral James Stavrides, who plans to leave the position this summer. One candidate previously considered for the position was retired Army General Douglas Lute.
According to (VNA) - DT
