Gen. Wesley Clark Resigns From Stephens

ArkansasBusiness.com ^ | February 28, 2003

[HAL9000]

Retired Gen. Wesley K. Clark, the Little Rock native and former NATO supreme allied commander in Europe, has resigned as managing director of merchant banking for the Stephens Group Inc. of Little Rock effective Friday, a company spokesman confirmed.

"He told several of us that his first assignment would be to Kuwait City for CNN," Stephens spokesman Frank Thomas said. "It was a very amicable parting, very comfortable."

Clark couldn't be reached for comment Friday morning.

He joined Stephens in July 2000, the same month he retired from the Army. He serves on the boards of directors of Acxiom Corp. of Little Rock; Entrust Inc. of Dallas; Sirva Inc. of Westmont, Ill.; and privately held Time Domain Inc. of Huntsville, Ala.

Reportedly, Clark has been weighing a run for president. In the last months, he has met with Democratic Party leaders throughout the country, including Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe. Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Feb. 16, Clark said he had thought about running for president but has not accepted any political money or hired any political consultants.

[HAL9000]

From Arkansas Democrat-Gazette -

Clark says bye to job at Stephens

BY ANDREW DEMILLO

Saturday, March 1, 2003

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark, who is considering a bid for the White House in 2004, is stepping down as managing director of merchant banking for the Stephens Group Inc.

Clark said he gave his resignation, effective Friday, so he could prepare for possible war in Iraq. A military analyst for CNN, Clark said he expects the network will dispatch him to Kuwait. "When the war starts, I'll probably be sent out there," Clark said Friday. "It's just very busy right now and I felt like the time was right."

The former NATO commander said he told the company of his plans a month ago and said it had nothing to do with a possible presidential bid.

The 58-year-old Little Rock resident has said he is thinking about running in 2004, but he said he doesn't have a timeline for the decision. If he runs, Clark has said, it would likely be as a Democrat. "I am not a candidate," Clark said. "I'm not going to speculate on that stuff."

Clark said he will soon open his own business services firm in Little Rock. He joined Stephens in July 2000.

Author of the best seller Waging Modern War, Clark said in an interview last week that he believes war with Iraq is imminent.

He has also been sharply critical of the Bush administration on foreign policy. "There is a perception of the U.S. going it alone that is deeply unsettling," Clark said in an interview Monday.

A former Rhodes scholar and Vietnam War veteran, Clark led NATO's 11-week bombing campaign in Kosovo. He currently also serves on the corporate board of Acxiom Corp. in Little Rock.

Frank Thomas, a spokesman for Stephens, described Clark's departure as amicable. "He had been active in the aerospace and defense sectors for us," Thomas said. "We wish him well and we hope to work with him again in the future."

[TADSLOS]

Big time Clinton butt boy. Not to be trusted.

[woofie]

Wow ...Stephens!This seems like old times trying to figure out the Arkansas mafia

[mewzilla]

So CNN's now got not one but two Toon rumpswabs reporting for them. Boy, CNN just don't get it, do they?

[Semper Paratus]

When Hackworth talks about the Army's "Perfumed Princes" Wesley at the top of the list.

[syriacus]

A Vain, Pompous, Brown-noser, Meet the Real Gen. Clark

[hermes509]

Hey watch your sources. These Counterpunch guys are about as far left as you can get. They hate all Generals and military it appears. Here is a sample of their leftist propagand from the first paragraph on their main page.

"Palestinian suicide bombings are vicious and grave abuses, clearly war crimes under international law for intentionally killing civilians. They have also been a strategic disaster for Palestinian national aspirations. They have driven the Israeli public to embrace the Israeli far right's expansionist agenda and have severely damaged the Palestinian cause in the court of world opinion. Nevertheless, it is nearly impossible to avoid concluding that the current Israeli government of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has either deliberately provoked a number of them or at least undertaken actions that would clearly risk them. Either way, it is complicit in the deaths of scores of Israeli citizens."

[ErnBatavia]

When Hackworth talks about the Army's "Perfumed Princes"

....just part of this cesspool; judging by Hackworth's little black outfit, Caesarean coiff, and topped by his simpering lisp, IMO he's been involved with one or two too many 'perfumed princes'.

He and Wesley are both toilet flushing material...

[MinuteGal]

IMO, Clark is shedding the Stephens baggage before accepting the Dem vice-presidential nomination.

The 'Rats need a front to show they're not soft on foreign and domestic security and they think the weasel General will fill the bill.

Leni

[syriacus]

Hey watch your sources. These Counterpunch guys are about as far left as you can get. They hate all Generals and military it appears. Here is a sample of their leftist propagand from the first paragraph on their main page

Thanks.

[BlueLancer]

I'm confused ... not an uncommon state for me to be in .. but these two articles are dated February and March, 2003, and are five or six months old.

This would indicate that Clark was leave Stephens to report for CNN, as he did, with respect to the war against Iraq that was pending at that time.

Is there something here that I'm missing? I don't see how this applies at all to anything with respect to a prospective Presidential/Vice-Presidential run by Clark.

[BlueLancer]

"When Hackworth talks about the Army's "Perfumed Princes" Wesley at the top of the list."

Only if Hackworth resigns his position.

[HAL9000]

Is there something here that I'm missing? I don't see how this applies at all to anything with respect to a prospective Presidential/Vice-Presidential run by Clark.

I think he wanted to discontinue that association early in order to diminish it as an issue when he announces. He still remains at some less controversial companies like WaveCrest, Messer-Griesheim, Acxiom Corporation and SIRVA Corporation.

There is also the matter that Stephens is mostly affiliated with GOP candidates. They were never close to Bill Clinton as many people here believe, and Clark would probably not have the full support of Stephens in 2004.

[Shermy]

Some research areas for Clark here.

[Shermy]

"Acxiom" looks interesting. They are/were up to provide the software for Poindexter/DARPA's "Total Information Awareness" system. Just put "darpa acxiom" in a search engine.

Here's some more.

http://public.thecorporatelibrary.net/Transactions/rel_ACXM_2003.html
"...During the past fiscal year we had an agreement with an affiliate of Stephens Group, Inc. ("Stephens"), whereby we retained the consulting services of a former Stephens employee who is also one of our board members, General Wesley K. Clark, in connection with our pursuit of contracts with various government agencies. Under the agreement, commissions were payable to the Stephens affiliate on revenue from government contracts attributable to Clark's efforts, which commissions were to be offset against an annual consulting fee of $300,000. As of March 1, 2003, General Wesley K. Clark resigned from Stephens and founded Wesley K. Clark & Associates, a business services and development firm. As of that date we replaced the agreement with the Stephens affiliate with an agreement with Wesley K. Clark & Associates for the consulting services of General Clark. Under the terms of the new agreement, Acxiom will pay Clark an annual retainer of $150,000 plus commissions for new business obtained through Clark's efforts, which commissions will be offset against the retainer.

[Mo1]

If I recall correctly .. Stephens Group bailed Clinton out during a campaign because Bubba was low on funds .. something around the tune of 3 Million

Also if I recall correctly, Stephens Group had strong ties with the Rose Law Firm and Hellary

And and .. if I recall correctly there are also ties to ... Riaddy

Starting to smell to me .. how about you?

[Shermy]

Oh, I'm finding a lot of stuff out there. Harken, DARPA, TIA; McLarty; indonesia, etc. etc.

I'm thinking of posting this article, with the "tip" that Clark is on the board of Acxiom.

http://www.rense.com/general32/whyw.htm

Do you think I should?

[Mo1]

Don't do it if you are going to use Rense.com as a reference. It's not a totally reliable site for info

If you can find that info from a more reliable site .. then I would

[Shermy]

What about directly from Mr. Rarey's website?

http://www.strike-the-root.com/columns/rarey/rarey5.html

[Mo1]

I have no idea who that guy is ..

[Shermy]

All I can find is that Messer-Griesheim is a German company that makes industrial gases. They have a plant in Belgium, though.

[Peach]

You've done some terrific research here, Shermy. I'll look at it again tomorrow.

[mewzilla]

He serves on the boards of directors of Acxiom Corp. of Little Rock; Entrust Inc. of Dallas; Sirva Inc. of Westmont, Ill.; and privately held Time Domain Inc. of Huntsville, Ala.

Something else to look into :)

[Shermy]

Note - click "acxiom" key word above for newer stories posted here.

[Shermy]

The stuff we and others are finding about Clark is creepier and creepier.

Any way, here's somethng about his son, involved in a strange movie business - to say the least. Posted here on FR and few other places on the web. Can't find anything about how the dispute ended up.

Nato leader's son in Sarajevo film cash row

[Shermy]

This article about Jr. looks entertaining and provocative, but then, I don't read serbian. You?

Ko je Wesley Clark Jr.?

[Mo1]

What the heck???

Hey check out the link on post #28

[Mo1]

There is also the matter that Stephens is mostly affiliated with GOP candidates. They were never close to Bill Clinton as many people here believe, and Clark would probably not have the full support of Stephens in 2004.

Huh???

The Stephens Group has ties with the Rose Law firm/Clinton & Riaddy .. and now Clark

[Shermy]

Kind of sheds new light on the interesting possibility that Wes, Sr. was paid off after the war for forgoing the bombing Messer Technogas facilities in Serbia.

I'm not saying that's what happened, but there sure is a curious coincidence.

[Mo1]

Well.. you can't say that Clark was paid off because this involves his son

That is what the other side will say.

[Shermy]

Shades of Billy Carter, Neil Bush.

[Shermy]

I didn't mean the film is connected, just implying that the film might represent another, separate, possibly dark enterprise connected to the Balkans.

[Destro]

Mohammed Sacirbey of course is now awaiting a court for theft.

[AGreatPer]

"IMO, Clark is shedding the Stephens baggage before accepting the Dem vice-presidential nomination."

A home run Leni. Right on target.

[Shermy]

Thanks for the tip. Here's a BBC article on him.

Former Bosnian envoy detained

[Mo1]

I know what you mean and I'm sure it is

I'm just saying that it's best to be prepared with what the libs will say if this issue is brought up

They will start screaming the big bad VRWC is after them

They are doing that now and this would play right into their hands

We are in a battle .. and we need to prepare for the war

[HAL9000]

Huh???

Shocking - but true.

[Shermy]

Well, I think this stuff will be throughly explored before the primary is done. Not the bombing connection, but the Acxiom/DARPA/TIA/Stephens/Soros/JetBlue, etc. etc. stuff. I've seen places on the web into privacy rights picking up from posts on FR. The other Demos don't seem to have any Arkansas Mafia/Soros connections, so they'll feel free to blast away at Clark. Heck, all of them are chomping at the bit for something juicy, each frustrated that they can't pander in direct language to the more-ignorant members of the "anti-war" base since each voted for the 1998 Iraq Liberation Act. (Dean doesn't have this problem, so it's his position to plunder.)

Gazing into my crystal ball...if Clark does well in initial primaries count on "leaks" from Brit ex-military, maybe even from their PM, questioning the suitability of Clark. They don't like him for sure.

[Fledermaus]

Talk about a political payoff. Clark has absolutely no credentials to work in finance.

Stephens in LR is just another Dem front.

[Shermy]

JS is connected to both parties - and don't forget the Harken deal!

[HAL9000]

Stephens in LR is just another Dem front.

That is not an accurate assessment. They've contributed to both parties, but lean heavily toward the GOP.

[Mo1]

Maybe so .. but they are deep in bed with the Clinton's

[Mo1]

The other Demos don't seem to have any Arkansas Mafia/Soros connections, so they'll feel free to blast away at Clark.

Don't hold your breath on that to happen

[Dan from Michigan]

Holy #@&#! Jackson Stephens?

I wonder if there's a Mena connection to Klark?

[Shermy]

Here's something new and interesting, from General Shelton:

Retired chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Hugh Shelton does NOT support Clark for prez.

"Retired General H. Hugh Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on 9/11, shared his recollection of that day and his views of the war against terrorism with the Foothill College Celebrity Forum audience at Flint Center, Sept. 11 and 12. ...

"What do you think of General Wesley Clark and would you support him as a presidential candidate," was the question put to him by moderator Dick Henning, assuming that all military men stood in support of each other. General Shelton took a drink of water and Henning said, "I noticed you took a drink on that one!"

"That question makes me wish it were vodka," said Shelton. "I've known Wes for a long time. I will tell you the reason he came out of Europe early had to do with integrity and character issues, things that are very near and dear to my heart. I'm not going to say whether I'm a Republican or a Democrat. I'll just say Wes won't get my vote."

We've been led to believe his firing had to do with military strategy (part of which seems to include happily posing with Serb war criminals). Could it be money corruption? The timing of the firing is near the, possibly, allegedly, dirty deal with his son. What other deals were there, if any???

[Shermy]

Say your Clark post elsewhere. Thought you might be interested in some of the items here.