Intitute Professor John M. Deutch, currently on leave serving as deputy secretary of the Department of Defense, has been nominated by President Clinton to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
The President said he will give the position cabinet status. Mr. Clinton made the announcement of Dr. Deutch's selection after Air Force Gen. Michael P.C. Carns withdrew his name from consideration in what was reported be a response to an FBI background check.
Dr. Deutch had been widely mentioned as the President's first choice some weeks ago, before General Carns was nominated, but had opted to retain his key Defense Department post. Senate confirmation is required.
In his announcement, Mr. Clinton said strengthening US intelligence is an effort "to which I attach the highest personal priority. To make that commitment absolutely clear, and to underscore that he will be a full member of my national security team, I have decided to appoint Deputy Secretary Deutch to my cabinet if he is confirmed as director of Central Intelligence."
The President praised Dr. Deutch as "a dynamic, brilliant leader with all the necessary skills for this critical assignment."
A version of this article appeared in MIT Tech Talk on March 15, 1995.
