BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON SECRETARY HAIG S RESIGNATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP83M00914R002200160053-7
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 10, 2009
• Sequence Number: 53
• Publication Date: June 25, 1982
• Content Type: REPORT

CABINEr AFFAIRS STAFFING MEMORANDUM
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
DATE: 6-25.-82
NUMBER: 0 77 34 2CA
DUE BY:
SUBJECT: Background information on Secretary Haig's resignation.
ACTION FYI
ALL CABINET MEMBERS
Vice President
State
Treasury
Defense
Attorney General
Interior
Agriculture
Commerce
Labor
HHS
HUD
Transportation
Energy
Education
Counsellor
Dom:,
(CIAO
,_UN
USTR
CEA
CEQ
OSTP
Baker
Deaver
Clark
Darman (For WH Staffing)
Harper
Jenkins
CCCT/Gunn
CCEA/Porter
CCFA/Boggs
CCHR/Carleson
CCLP/Uhlmann
CCNRE/Boggs
REMARKS: Background information is attached.
State Dept. review completed
NSC review completed.
RETURN TO:
^ Craig L. Fuller
Assistant to the President
for Cabinet Affairs
456-2823
Becky Norton Dunlop
Director, Office of
Cabinet Affairs
456-2800
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C~m
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June 25, 1982
President Reagan accepted Secr
greatest regret because, as he said
the Secretary has served the countr
selflessly.
As a personal note, we want to
Secretary's decision with greatest
Haig as a partner and as an excelle
At this time the President wis
United States foreign policy, and I
do that.
Toward that end, George Shultz
tomorrow at Camp David, and we plan
his nomination.
George Shultz, in the Presiden
the country to now assume the post
He has a distinguished career
stretching back nearly 30 years. T
member of the Cabinet -- as Secreta
Office of Management and Budget, an
Treasury. In that latter post, he
formation of international economic
acquainted with many leaders in bot
President Reagan, of course, r
personal friend and he has relied u
a good number of years. Mr. Shultz
served as chairman of the President
advisers and he recently visited Eu
request in order to talk with their
President's trip there.
I might also emphasize that be
friend of many in the Administratio
player, because he commands widespr
every confidence that the execution
will continue on a sound and steady
tary Haig's decision with
earlier today, he believes
extremely well and
emphasize we also greet the
egret. We all regarded Al
t Secretary of State.
es to stress continuity of
can promise you that he will
will meet with the Presidnet
to move forward promptly with
n government service
ree times he served as a
y of Labor, Director of the
then as Secretary of the
as deeply involved in the
policy and became closely
Europe and Japan.
gards George Shultz as a
on his wisdom and advice for
as you know, currently
s board of outside economic
ope at the President's
leaders prior to the
ause George Shultz is a close
, because he is a team
ad respect overseas, we have
of American foreign policy
basis.
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'1.111: \\'1 1IT F. I 10 U SE
June 25, 1982
Dear Al: -
It is with the most profound regret that I
accept your letter of resignation. Almost
forty years ago you committed yourself to
the service of your country. Since that
time your career has been marked by a
succession of assignments demanding the
highest level of personal sacrifice, courage
and leadership. As a soldier and statesman
facing challenges of enormous complexity
and danger, you have established a standard
of excellence and achievement seldom equalled
in our history. On each occasion you have
reflected a quality of wisdom which has been
critical to the resolution of the most
anguishing problems we have faced during
the past generation -- the conclusion of
the Vietnam war, the transfer of executive
authority at a time of national trauma and
most recently, advancing the cause of peace
among nations.
The nation is deeply in your debt. As you
leave I want you to know of my deep personal
appreciation, and in behalf of the American
people I express my gratitude and respect.
You have been kind enough o offer
ronfurent
continued counsel and you may
that I will call upon you m in the years ahead.
Nancy joins me in extending our warmest
personal wishes to'you and Pat.
Sincerely,
The Honorable
Alexander M. Haig, Jr.
The Secretary of State
Washington, D. C. 2.0520
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WASHINGTON
June 25, 1982
success in the future.
Dear Mr. President:
Your accession to office on January 20, 1981 brought
an opportunity for a new and forward looking foreign policy
resting on the cornerstones of strength and compassion. I
believe that we shared a view of America's role in the world
as the leader of free men and an inspiration for all. We
agreed that consistency, clarity and steadiness of purpose
were essential to success. It was in this spirit that-1
undertook to serve you as Secretary of State.
In recent months, it has become clear. to ine tliat -the
foreign policy on which we embarked-together was shifting
from that careful course. which we had laid out. Under
these circumstances, Z feel it necessary to request that
you accept my resignation. I shall always treasure the
confidence which you reposed in me. It has been a great
honor to serve in your Administration, and=I wish you every
Sincerely,
The President,
The White House.
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