Negroponte Said Uncomfortable As Spy Chief

Friends and colleagues of John Negroponte say the outgoing U.S. spy chief appeared uncomfortable in his position and sought a return to policymaking.

They said Negroponte, who recently announced his resignation as the nation’s first director of national intelligence in favor of a position as deputy secretary of state, was dissatisfied with his position, The New York Times reported Friday.

Top officials within the Bush administration told the Times U.S. President George Bush personally asked Negroponte to fill the diplomatic position last month after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice requested Negroponte for the position over the summer, the Times said. The officials said the move was delayed while Bush searched for a replacement to fill the position Negroponte would vacate to return to the state department.

The officials said Rice wanted Negroponte for the position because of his expertise on China, North Korea and Iraq, the newspaper reported.