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TOPICS
Army secretary nominee withdraws, will stay at Air Force
Air Force Secretary James Roche asked President Bush Wednesday to withdraw his nomination to be secretary of the Army, the Associated Press reported.
Roche's nomination had been stalled in the Senate Armed Services Committee since last July, primarily by Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., because of a leasing arrangement for refueling planes supported by Roche.
The panel was also waiting for an inspector general review of how Air Force leadership responded to allegations of sexual assault at the Air Force Academy.
"Given the range of issues before the Senate in a busy legislative year, I accept that my nomination is unlikely to be considered this year,'' Roche said in a statement. "In the interest of the Department of Defense, I decided it was best that I withdraw from further consideration."
Roche will stay on as Air Force secretary.
Defense Secretary Donald said Roche "has served ably as secretary of the Air Force, and would have been a first-rate secretary of the Army. I look forward to continuing to work with him."
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