Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, September 24, 1994                   TAG: 9409270033
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Medium

CLINTON SHUFFLES HIS STAFF

Chief of Staff Leon Panetta said the realignment, the result of a two-month review, was intended to impose discipline on the staff, end a series of embarrassing mistakes and ensure ``greater focus and greater long-term planning.''

As he announced the changes, Panetta himself was in an embarrassing spot. It had been widely reported that he had recommended replacing press secretary Dee Dee Myers. She made a successful 11th hour appeal to the president Thursday night to avoid being unceremoniously brushed aside, and the staff reshuffle as announced preserved and enhanced her authority.

But Myers, 33, is known to have told friends she intends to leave the White House staff by the end of the year, no matter what.

Myers had been widely expected to be replaced by State Department spokesman Michael McCurry. However, that change was overruled by Clinton himself, said White House officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Panetta insisted he had never offered the job to anyone else. But he acknowledged that he discussed the position with McCurry.

The changes announced by Panetta at an afternoon White House briefing included:

A job swap between Small Business Administration director Erskine Bowles and Deputy White House Chief of Staff Phil Lader. As SBA director, Lader will be elevated to Cabinet status. Bowles will be in charge of day-to-day White House operations.

More clearly defined duties for two of Clinton's most trusted aides, George Stephanopoulos and Bruce Lindsey. Stephanopoulos was named executive assistant to Panetta for policy; Lindsey is to work as deputy White House counsel for special projects.

Mark Gearan will move from communications director to a new post as director of strategic planning - reporting directly to Panetta. Panetta said confusion between Gearan and Myers over daily press responsibilities had contributed to the administration's communications troubles.

Myers will keep her press secretary title, get the new rank of assistant to the president and for the first time gain ``direct access'' to the Oval Office and the president, a major change.