National Intelligence Director John Negroponte, who has been closely involved with US policy on Iraq, will trade in his job as top spy to become No 2 to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Negroponte took over in April 2005 as the nation’s first intelligence chief, responsible for overseeing all 16 US spy agencies. He will return to his roots as a career diplomat to become deputy secretary of state, two US government officials said late Wednesday.One of the officials said the timing of Negroponte’s departure was uncertain, but that it was expected soon. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity.Negroponte, 67, is stepping down as President Bush develops a new strategy on Iraq. He has held a series of tough posts in the Bush administration and has been at the center of the Iraq debate since before the US-led invasion in March 2003. He served as US ambassador to the UN from 2001 to 2004 and ambassador to Baghdad until March 2005 before becoming intelligence chief.Democrats taking control of Congress on Thursday have promised greater oversight of government agencies. The Senate Intelligence Committee, for instance, is planning hearings this month on the intelligence overhaul that Negroponte helped put in place.A top candidate for the intelligence chief opening is retired Adm Mike McConnell, the director of the National Security Agency from 1992 to 1996. McConnell is now a senior vice president at Booz Allen Hamilton, a government contractor and consulting firm.Negroponte’s transition to the State Department must be confirmed by the Senate, as would Bush’s choice for his replacement. Both changes will create new openings for the Democrats to debate the administration’s intelligence and foreign policy direction.Robert Zoellick resigned as Rice’s deputy in July to take a position with the Wall Street firm Goldman Sachs. She is said to have approached several candidates for what is widely regarded as a plum assignment, going for months without any takers.Pelosi taking over as House Speaker WASHINGTON: Jubilant Democrats prepared to elect Rep Nancy Pelosi as the first woman to run the House of Representatives as the party takes control of both chambers of Congress for the first time in 12 years. Pelosi, taking over as House speaker, promised immediate steps to ban gifts from lobbyists and to clamp down on travel funded by private interests. Democrats also planned to vote next week to raise the federal minimum wage, increase federal support for stem cell research and allow the government to negotiate with drug companies for lower prices on prescription drugs for Medicare recipients.
