Letter from Washington

Admiral John Poindexter’s replacement as head of the National Security Council, Frank Carlucci, has begun to reshape the NSC (earning measured praise in the process) by, among other things, bringing knowledgeable veterans into two key positions. Carlucci filled the job of Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs with Lieutenant General Colin Powell, who served at Defense as Cap Weinberger’s point man for Hill lobbying. For the position of Deputy Executive Secretary, Carlucci picked Marybel Batjer, a Laxalt protégée, also close to Weinberger. Miss Batjer will play a key role in advance preparation for presidential visits overseas.

Carlucci has directed his key aides to “ask questions, to challenge things that don’t look proper,” says a key NSC official. “We do not encourage timidity here.” Carlucci has also eliminated the military/political office used as a command and control center by Oliver North.

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Admiral John Poindexter’s replacement as head of the National Security Council, Frank Carlucci, has begun to reshape the NSC (earning measured praise in the process) by, among other things, bringing knowledgeable veterans into two key positions. Carlucci filled the job of Deputy Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs with Lieutenant General Colin Powell, who served at Defense as Cap Weinberger’s point man for Hill lobbying. For the position of Deputy Executive Secretary, Carlucci picked Marybel Batjer, a Laxalt protégée, also close to Weinberger. Miss Batjer will play a key role in advance preparation for presidential visits overseas.

Carlucci has directed his key aides to “ask questions, to challenge things that don’t look proper,” says a key NSC official. “We do not encourage timidity here.” Carlucci has also eliminated the military/political office used as a command and control center by Oliver North.