USA: PRESIDENT CLINTON HOLDS 1ST PRESS CONFERENCE SINCE RE ELECTION
(8 Nov 1996) English/Nat Newly elected U-S President Bill Clinton held his first news conference since re-election in the capital, Friday, and announced the resignation of his Chief of Staff, Leon Panetta. This is just one of many such announcements likely to be made over the coming days and weeks as the new administration puts itself into order preparing for the next four years. At the press conference in the White House the President also named Panetta's successor Erskine Bowles. It came as no surprise that U-S President Bill Clinton was losing his Chief of Staff. And the formal announcement was made by the President to the waiting media at the White House, in Washington, Friday. Leon Panetta has served Clinton since 1994 and during his tenure shaped public policy. He is now returning to California to prepare to run for governor in 1998. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I must therefore begin by announcing that Leon Panetta who has been my Chief of Staff since 1994 will be resigning to return to California. I understand why he wants to return home after so many long years and long hours, but that doesn't make it any easier for me to see him go." SUPER CAPTION: Bill Clinton, U-S President In recent days, there has been a flurry of activity among Cabinet members who are rumoured to be stepping down from their post. Panetta says he was glad to have had the opportunity of serving the President, but was looking forward to spending more time with his family in California. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Chief of Staff to the President of the United States is a great honour and a great privilege and I also found out that it was one of the toughest and most challenging jobs in the country." SUPER CAPTION: Leon Panetta, White House Chief of Staff Panetta's replacement is Erskine Bowles, Clinton's former deputy Chief of Staff. He told reporters Friday the decision of accepting this challenging job was a difficult one since it meant leaving his family behind in North Carolina. But he also said he was looking forward to taking up the post, having learnt from one of the best role models. SOUNDBITE: (English) "Leon Panetta has been an extraordinarily effective Chief of Staff and he does without question leave some very, very big shoes to be filled. I was most fortunate to have had the chance to work for and learn from Leon Panetta and his staff for almost a year and a half." SUPER CAPTION: Erskine Bowles, White House Chief of Staff Designate President Clinton has spent most of his post election days addressing the reshuffling of his staff and Cabinet members. And more resignations are expected in the coming weeks. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
