US President Barack Obama has praised his outgoing National Security Advisor Tom Donilon for playing a key role in strengthening ties with emerging powers like India, as he announced the name of Susan Rice as his successor.
Rice would take over as the new National Security Advisor, replacing Donilon in early July.
Praising Donilon's role the US foreign policy and national security, Obama said he has played a critical role in bolstering the enduring pillars of American power by strengthening alliances from Europe to Asia, enhancing relationship with key powers and moving ahead with new trade agreements and energy partnerships.
"From our tough sanctions on Iran to our unprecedented military and intelligence cooperation with Israel; from new START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) with Russia to deeper partnerships with emerging powers like India, to stronger ties with the Gulf states, Tom has been instrumental every step of the way," Obama said at the White House yesterday.
Obama specially praised Donilon's help in renewing American leadership in the Asia Pacific.
"He has worked tirelessly to forge a constructive relationship with China that advances our interests and our values," he said.
Donilon, who recently returned from China, will join Obama in his meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping in California, starting tomorrow.
In his remarks, Donilon said to serve as National Security Advisor is a privilege of a lifetime.
"Mr President, to serve in this capacity where we've had the opportunity to protect and defend the United States, to improve the position of the United States in the world, has been the privilege of a lifetime," he said.
"To serve during your presidency, however, is to serve during one of the defining moments in our nation's history. This is because of your vision, your principled leadership, your commitment to defending our interests and upholding our ideals," Donilon said.
"Those many hours of meetings and briefings have given me the opportunity to see you as few people do: behind closed doors, away from the cameras, when a leader's character is revealed," he added.
" I've seen you make the most difficult decisions a Commander-in-Chief can make - the decision to send our men and women in uniform into harm's way. I've seen the great care with which you have weighed these grave decisions and I've seen your devotion to the families of our men and women in uniform," Donilon said.
