Tue Apr 3, 2007 5:50pm EDTWASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon's top civilian official on Asia and Pacific affairs, Deputy Under Secretary Richard Lawless, has resigned, U.S. defense officials said on Tuesday.
Lawless cited personal reasons for his resignation, according to one official. He will leave his post in a few weeks, that official said.
Lawless, a Korea expert, played a major role in negotiations with U.S. allies South Korea and Japan over the realignment of U.S. forces and military bases in those two Asian countries.
His departure comes as defense officials, analysts and lawmakers focus on China as a potential military peer and possible threat to the United States. The Pentagon is due to give Congress a report on China's military power within weeks.
It also comes as American military officials try to improve ties with the Chinese military, a move to give U.S. officials better insight into China's strategy and intentions. Efforts during Lawless' tenure have boosted dialogue between U.S. and Chinese military officials.
The head of China's naval operations is scheduled to meet Wednesday at the Pentagon with his U.S. counterpart, Adm. Michael Mullen. They will likely discuss agreements meant to prevent incidents at sea from evolving into unintended conflicts, according to a U.S. Navy official.
(Additional reporting by Paul Eckert)
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