EXCERPTS FROM THE BUSH NEWS CONFERENCE ON FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC ISSUES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP99-01448R000401660096-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 22, 2012
• Sequence Number: 96
• Publication Date: May 9, 1991
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

ST A T
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/23: CIA-RDP99-01448R000401660096-7
STAT
Following are excerpts from Presi-
dent Bush's news conference in
Washington yesterday as supplied by
Reuters:
OPENING STATEMENT
It is with a great sense of pride -
genuine pride in his accomplishments
- and long years of dedicated service
to his country, that I announce that
Bill Webster has informed me of his
intention to retire as the Director of
Central Intelligence. Bill will be leav-
ing Federal service after 26 years on
the Federal bench as Director of the
F.B.I. and as Director of the C.I.A.
And as a former D.C.I., I know the
complex organizations and inter-rela-
tionships that comprise our intelli-
gence community.
Bill has brought an integrity, an ef-
fectiveness, and an insight to the
many intelligence-gathering opera-
tions of this nation. He has done a su-
perb job. A strong nation requires a
strong intelligence organization, and
Excerpts From the Bush
News Conference on
Foreign and Domestic Issues
according to the guidelines that I set
down at the beginning of this Admin-
istration, that the C.I.A. would have
the single mission of providing intelli-
gence to the policy makers of this
government. And he's performed ad-
mirably. And that is a very important
point. Intelligence not trying to shape
policy.
There are those who think C.IA
should have a different role, but I be-
lieve Bill Webster has demonstrated
the value of an intelligence organiza-
tion that is professionally directed
and purposely committed It is inval-
uable in defending the security of
America.
I noticed what one of our coalition
partners said - the dependence on
United States intelligence in the re-
cent war. In so many ways he has
performed with great distinction and
the best - the best - in the sense of
service to his country. And I hate to
see him go. This was his choice, but I
offer him my thanks, and I offer him
the thanks of a very grateful nation,
as he finishes this distinguished ca-
reer in government and considers
;other avenues. And he can say a few
110ords now, and then I'll be glad to
take just a few questions. Director,
we're going to miss you, pal, t
you're not leaving right now. Were
. n'ot going to let him go.
..WILLIAM H. WEBSTER: Thank
'you, Mr. President. I have many
mixed feelings about this morning.
re's never an easy time to go,
especially when you are working for
an organization that you believe in
gad for people that you believe in. It's
been an extraordinary experience to
have worked with you, Mr. President.
I think I'm leaving you - I know
I't leaving you - a healthy organi-
t*tion, one that has had, during the
last four years, I think, a good track
k ford for its accountability, insofar
nt than the challenges of the 80's,
I'm very proud of the perform-
e that the entire community ren-
hate to leave, but something tells
that It's a good time to leave. I
have my roots in the law;and this
ue
it to
par s
--
,ether avenues in the private sector.
,there you are.
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Successor to W.bstsr
? ?Q. Did this come as a'surprise? Do
' yeu have a successor in mind?
A. We haven't talked successor -
haven't got anyone in mind, but it did
come as a surprise when Bill brought
thjs up to me. He told me this several
days ago. And it was his decision. I
told him that what I've said - essen-
tially said here publicly - and hp
called in yesterday evening and said
he thought we ought to go with this
announcement.
The Washington Post
The New York Times
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
al.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/05/23: CIA-RDP99-01448R000401660096-7