Evening star., 1961-11-29
New Task of BowIes
VitoI Kennedy Says


Chester Bowles' new job will
make much more effective USE
lof his extremely obvious tai
Ients." President Kennedy said
today.
Mr.. BowleS has been shifted
from his post of Undersecretary
of State to become the Presi-
dents special adviser on Asian
African and Latin American
affairs.
Mr.. Kennedy told a news
conference he regards Mr.
Bowles' new assignment as "ar
increased opportunity" for him
and one "vitally important "a
the United States"
His aim. the President indi-
Gated, is to prevent preoccupa-
ton with problems in Western
Europe at the expense of at
tention to those in South Amer
ica, Africa, the Middle East
and Asia.
Gratitude Expressed
II am encouraged by the
changes" the President COM
mented, "and I am grateful to
Mr.. Bowles for taking on that
assignment. 1 think he can
render real service as he has
in the past. ="
Mr.. Bowles said yesterday he
looked forward with "the keen
est pleasure" to his new duties,
Il shall be working with the
President in an area he be-
lieves and I believe may we'll be
decisive in the future of our
country" Mr.. Bowles told an
international Association OF
Machinistk conference on world
trade at the Sheraton Park
Hotel here last night.
In his first public appearance
since the shift was announced,
Mr.. Bowles offered his warm
est congratulations" to my
old and good friend" who be-
comes the new No. 2 man in
the State Department.
George Ball, former Under
secretary for Economic Affairs,
moved into Mr.. Bowles' post; |;
George McGhee, became Under
secretary for Political Affairs,
Averell Hartman was named
Assistant Secretary for Far
Eastern Affairs, and Walt w.
Rostow became chairman of the
Policy Planning Council.
Background Moves Seen
Secretary of State RuSk re-
portedly broke the news of the
transfer to Mr.. Bowles Sunday
afternoon at the State Depart
ment.
According to one version of
that meeting, Mr.. Bowles
startled the Secretary by refus-
ing to accept Mr.. Harriman's
job as rowing ambassador. This
caused some revision in the
Sunday announcements for the
press.
1t was the understanding of
the President and Secretary
Rusk, however, that Mr.. Bowles
was agreeable to continuing in
the administration in a position
which was at that time not
defined.
At the White House Monday
afternoon, Mr.. Bowles was Of
fered not only presidential ad-
visory and representative role,
but also ex-officio membership
on the Policy Planning Council.
Added Opportunity Noted
In effect, Mr.. Bowles was
offered a job comparable to
the one he was doing but with
the added opportunity for di-
rect access to President Ken
nedy. AS Undersecretary, MI.
Bowles repeatedly had been
scrupulouS in channeling his
recommendations and memo
randa to Secretary RuSk with
out taking advantage of his
close political connection with
the President.
Mr.. Bowles' speech last night
indicated he intends to channel
his considerable output of
memoranda directly to the
President from now on.
Privately, however. Mr..
Bowles has diSclaimed any in
tention of disrupting White
House-State Department re-
lationships.
Mr.. Bowles spoke in strong
support Of liberalizing trade in
his appearance before the lam