Bush Adds Rice to Foreign-Policy Team

Dec. 17, 2000 -- Continuing to lay the groundwork for his administration, President-elect George W. Bush named Stanford professor Condoleezza Rice as his national security adviser this afternoon.

“I trust her judgement,” Bush said at a press conference at the governor’s mansion in Austin, Texas. “America will realize she is a wise person.”

Rice, who was Bush’s principal foreign-policy adviser during the presidential campaign, said she was “absolutely delighted” to be taking the position.

She also worked on the national-security staff of Bush’s father, former President George Bush, where she was a senior adviser on Soviet affairs.

Bush named two other members of his White House staff at the press conference. Alberto Gonzales, a Texas Supreme Court justice, will be White House counsel, while campaign spokeswoman Karen Hughes will take on a role as counselor to the president.

‘A Wonderful Time’

In her brief remarks this afternoon, Rice said it was “a wonderful time for the United States in foreign policy,” because “it is a time when markets and democracy are spreading, when our values are being affirmed around the world, and yet it’s a time of great challenge.”

Rice has been a strong proponent of putting U.S. interests at the center of all foreign-policy decisions, and has written that overseas humanitarian missions should be a “second-order effect” of the country’s foreign policy.

The former Stanford University provost did not offer specifics about her foreign-policy goals this afternoon, but said Bush “will conduct a foreign policy that combines humility with strength.”

Rice will become the first African-American to be national security adviser, a day after Bush nominated retired Gen. Colin Powell to become the first African-American secretary of state.

“I think that you will see in the presidency of George W. Bushrecognition of how important it is that we continue the last 30-plus years of progress toward one America,” said Rice. “He will have an administration that is inclusive.”

Powell on Board

In naming Powell on Saturday, Bush called the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff “an American hero, an American example and a great American story.” Bush said from an elementary school in Crawford, Texas.

During the announcement ceremony in Crawford, Texas, Powell talked about a number of global issues that would confronthim as secretary of state adding that the new administration, Powell said, “We are up to the task.”

Regarding the Mideast, Powell said he would monitor any peace talks during the waning days of the Clinton administration. “It is absolutely a given that under a Bush administration, America will remain very engaged in the Middle East.”

Led During Gulf War

Powell, who as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff oversaw the U.S. military during the Gulf War, said Iraq had not lived up to the obligations of the 1991 truce, which called for Baghdad to account for any weapons of mass destruction it possessed and arms technologies programs.

“They have not yet fulfilled those agreements and my judgment is that sanctions in some form must be kept in place until they do so,” Powell said. “We will work with our allies to re-energize the sanctions regime.”

Powell showed a lighter side when he jokingly thanked Bush for not holding the ceremony at the Texas governor’s nearby ranch.

“I’m from the South Bronx,” Powell said, “and I don’t carewhat you say, those cows look dangerous.”

Powell, 63, is certain to be a popular choice, given that he isone of the most admired figures in the Republican Party anddemonstrates Bush’s avowed intent to assemble a diverseCabinet.

Those assets, coupled with Bush’s untested knowledge of foreign affairs, could mean tremendous power for Powell.

“Because of the force of his personality, and because of his experience, I think he will be the dominant voice on international issues in a new administration,” says Anthony Lake, a former national security adviser under President Clinton.

Highest-Ranking African-American

If he is confirmed by the Senate, Powell will be the first black secretary of state and the highest-ranking African-American of any administration.

“They will say that Colin Powell is first African-American to ever hold the position of secretary of state. And I’m glad they will say that,” Powell said. “I want it repeated because I hope it will give inspiration to young African-Americans coming along that no matter where you began in this society, with hard work and with dedication and with the opportunities that are presented by this society, there are no limitations upon you.”

Given Bush’s contested victory on Nov. 7 and the 36-day election battle with Democrat Al Gore for the White House, the time for assembling an administration, a White House staff and a Cabinet before he is sworn in on Jan. 20 has been cut in half.

Like other Cabinet officials, Powell will have to be confirmed inthe U.S. Senate. It is evenly split between Democrats andRepublicans, but he is expected to get bipartisan support.

Mr. Bush Goes to Washington

Following the press conference, Bush is flying to Washington for a three-day visit to the capital, where he will meet with federal reserve chairman Alan Greenspan on Monday, and President Clinton and Gore on Tuesday.

Bush said he was “very optimistic” about the visit, indicating he looked forward to having policy discussions during his trip with Republican and Democratic congressional leaders.

“It’s the beginning of a dialogue that is crucial in order toget some positive things done, not only on tax relief, but oneducation reform and Social Security reform and Medicare reform, theneed to strengthen the military,” he said.

As the president-elect prepares to navigate a veritable political minefield, his troops are moving into the presidential transition offices in downtown Washington. Meanwhile, Vice President-elect Dick Cheney, who is heading up the Bush camp’s transition effort, continues to work out of temporary transition offices in McLean, Va.

ABCNEWS’ Sam Donaldson, ABC Radio’s Ann Compton and Bettina Gregory, and the Associated Press contributed to this report.