Anti-terror chief quits after being 'ignored' The Times
June 29, 2002
By Roland WatsonTHE man chosen by President Bush to co-ordinate America's War on Terror has quit suddenly, raising questions about the future direction of Washington's drive to stem al-Qaeda attacks.
Wayne Downing, a retired army general, was hand-picked to head a new counter-terrorism unit in the White House in the aftermath of September 11 but was said to have grown frustrated that his views were being ignored.
He had clashed with General Tommy Franks over US policy against Iraq, believing that Saddam Hussein could be toppled by US special forces directing an air campaign from the ground, while inciting an uprising among Iraqi rebels.
General Franks and other senior officers believe that it will take an invasion force of more than 200,000 US troops.
A more likely reason for his departure is a growing frustration among some Administration officials with Mr Bush's plan for securing US soil against future terrorist attacks.
The President refused for months to take up General Downing's plan for a new department of homeland security. Earlier this month he surprised Congress by asking it to pass a Bill creating such a department.
General Downing will be replaced by General John Gordon, a former senior official at the CIA who served under President Bush's father.