Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change
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Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change is an ad hoc organization in the United States of 27 retired Foreign Service and U.S. military officers. The group was formed on June 16, 2004, at the National Press Club, when the group published an open letter that stated that President George W. Bush had "failed in the primary responsibilities of preserving national security and providing world leadership" and had harmed international relations so badly that only a new leader can repair them.
DMCC's letter also stated: "since we strongly oppose the re-election of George W. Bush, we obviously prefer the alternative, John F. Kerry."
This statement is especially noteworthy because several of the signatories had supported George W. Bush when he ran for President in 2000, and a large number were appointed to positions by Republican presidents, including Bush's father, President George H.W. Bush.
Members
- William Crowe, ambassador to the United Kingdom under President Bill Clinton and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under President Ronald Reagan
- Jeffrey Davidow
- William DePree
- Charles Freeman, former ambassador to Saudi Arabia
- William Harrop, the first President Bush's ambassador to Israel
- Arthur Hartman
- Joseph Hoar, former commander of U.S. forces in the Middle East
- H. Allen Holmes
- Samuel Lewis
- Princeton Lyman, former Assistant Secretary of State
- Donald McHenry
- Tony McPeak, former Air Force chief of staff
- Jack Matlock, a member of the National Security Council under Reagan and ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1987 to 1991
- Richard Murphy
- David Newsom
- Phyllis Oakley, former assistant secretary of state for intelligence and research
- Robert Oakley, former ambassador to Pakistan, Somalia and Zaire
- John Reinhardt
- Ronald I. Spiers
- Stansfield Turner, former head of the Central Intelligence Agency
- Nicholas Veliotes
- Alexander Watson
Originally 26 members, Robert Oakley was announced as the 27th member June 15, 2004.
External link
- Official web site (http://www.diplomatsforchange.com/)
- News release from the group (http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=137-06162004)
- Webcast of the press conference (http://www.connectlive.com/events/foreignpolicy/) - June 16, 2004 at the National Press Club.