
The following is a statement released by Amb. Ryan Crocker, dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service, following his nomination as Ambassador to Afghanistan:
“I am deeply honored to have the confidence of the President, the Vice President and the Secretary of State for this important mission. The challenges are formidable and the stakes are high. 9/11 came to us out of Afghanistan; our enemy must never again have that opportunity. I thought I had found a permanent home as Dean of the Bush School at Texas A&M. But we are a school of public service, and I am proud to answer this call to serve.
Over nine years ago, I had the privilege of reopening our Embassy in Kabul after the fall of the Taliban. If confirmed, I look forward to returning to build on what has been achieved in recent months, working with the courageous men and women at our Embassy, in our military, with our NATO allies and the UN and especially with the people of Afghanistan. I look forward to rejoining my old battle buddy, Dave Petraeus, however briefly, and am delighted that I will have the opportunity to carry forward with another good friend and comrade, General John Allen.”