THE WHITE HOUSE

             Office of the Press Secretary
_______________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                 December 28, 1994


   PRESS SECRETARY STATEMENT ON WOOLSEY RESIGNATION

     The President today announced that he had accepted 
with regret the resignation of R. James Woolsey as 
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. In doing 
so, the President praised Woolsey's many 
accomplishments in advancing the transformation of U.S. 
intelligence in the aftermath of the Cold War. 

     "Jim Woolsey has been a staunch advocate of 
maintaining an intelligence capability that is second 
to none. He has taken initiatives to streamline and 
improve costly collection systems, improve the quality 
of both analysis and intelligence and correct security 
and management lapses in the critical area of 
counterintelligence. Jim Woolsey deserves the gratitude 
of all Americans for his service to our country. He has 
my deep appreciation," the President said.

     The President reiterated the importance that 
intelligence plays in protecting American interests 
around the world.

     "Intelligence is a vital element of our nation's
power and influence. The men and women of U.S. 
intelligence must know how grateful I am for their 
dedicated and often unheralded service. I remain 
committed to ensuring that they have the support, 
resources and leadership needed to continue their 
outstanding service to their country."





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