By Toby Harnden in Washington
(Filed: 11/06/2003)
The Telegraph (UK)
Donald Rumsfeld, the American defence secretary, yesterday selected a retired general as head of the US army, bypassing the military's top brass and stoking tensions within the Pentagon.
Gen Peter Schoomaker, who retired after heading the US special operations command from 1997 to 2000, is to become chief of staff, according to US defence sources.
The extraordinary break with convention is the latest episode in a series of confrontations between Mr Rumsfeld and the US army leadership.
Gen Tommy Franks, commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, and Gen John Keane, the army vice-chief, both opted to retire rather than take the top job in their service.
Recently Mr Rumsfeld sacked Thomas White, the army secretary, and publicly berated Gen Eric Shinseki, the retiring chief of staff, for suggesting on the eve of war that hundreds of thousands of troops would be needed in post-conflict Iraq.
The choice of Gen Schoomaker, which is subject to confirmation by the US Senate and has yet to be announced officially, is in line with Mr Rumsfeld's belief in the importance of special forces.