Thursday, December 09, 2004
Snow stays as US Treasury chief
BBC NEWS |"US Treasury Secretary John Snow is to remain in his post for George W Bush's second term as president, the White House has confirmed.
There had been speculation that Mr Snow, 65, would resign from the cabinet to work as a congressional enforcer for Mr Bush's economic policy.
Eight members of the cabinet have already resigned from their posts.
Mr Snow joined the administration when Mr Bush's first treasury secretary, Paul O'Neill, stood down in early 2003.
White House spokesman Scott McClellan said there was no indication whether Mr Snow would serve for a full four years."
Rumsfeld to stay as defence chief
BBC NEWS | "Donald Rumsfeld has accepted a request from President George W Bush to stay on as US Defence Secretary, a senior administration official has said.
Mr Rumsfeld was a proven leader in difficult times, the official said.
The defence secretary had faced calls to go, especially over the abuse of Iraqi prisoners by US soldiers at Abu Ghraib and military setbacks in Iraq.
But Mr Bush clearly regards Mr Rumsfeld as a key figure as he overhauls his cabinet, correspondents say.
Mr Bush asked Mr Rumsfeld on Monday to stay in his post and he agreed, said the official.
'Secretary Rumsfeld is a proven leader during challenging times. We're fighting a different kind of war and it's crucial that we win this war,' the official said. "
