The embattled choice for chairman of the National Intelligence Council turned down the appointment.
Charles "Chas" Freeman’s decision was announced Tuesday afternoon in a statement by the director of national intelligence, Dennis Blair , who said he accepted Freeman’s decision "with regret."
The selection of Freeman, a former ambassador to Saudi Arabia, had been controversial since his name became public last month. Pro-Israel advocates objected to his statements blaming the Jewish state for not making peace in the Middle East.
Freeman led a Saudi-funded think tank, the Middle East Policy Council and chaired Projects International, a group that represented U.S. business interests in Saudi Arabia and China.
Subsequent reporting of past Freeman statements apologizing for Saudi and Chinese behavior helped fuel the controversy.
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