“„“I started making arrangements,” Gen. Zinni said, but became concerned because he heard nothing further from the State Department or White House. He called [National Security Adviser James] Jones Monday night and was told that Christopher Hill, the outgoing assistant secretary of State for East Asia, was getting the job.
“„Gen. Zinni said no explanation was given. “That kind of bothered me,” he said. “I was told that I had it.”