The Navy withdrew President Clinton's choice for Pacific commander in the wake of criticism over the admiral's handling of a sexual harassment case.
A brief statement issued late Friday by the Navy said Adm. Stanley R. Arthur "regrets that the anticipated delay in Senate confirmation of his nomination to be commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Command, has the potential to create a gap in that key billet."The assignment to the Pacific command would have given Arthur overall control of U.S. military operations in Korea.
Arthur, 59, is now the vice chief of naval operations, the No. 2 uniformed post in the Navy.
A Pentagon official said Arthur was being forced into withdrawing because Sen. David Durenberger, R-Minn., had threatened to place a hold on Arthur's required Senate confirmation because of a sexual harassment case that involved a Navy officer from Minnesota.