Quote of note:

From his first days at the State Department, Mr. Zoellick has chafed at his subordinate position, frequently remarking that he was finding the adjustment difficult after running his own office

Rice's Deputy Intends to Resign, Aides Say
By JOEL BRINKLEY

WASHINGTON, May 24 — Robert B. Zoellick intends to resign as deputy secretary of state, the department's second in command, after barely 15 months in the job, aides and associates said Wednesday.

From his first days at the State Department, Mr. Zoellick has chafed at his subordinate position, frequently remarking that he was finding the adjustment difficult after running his own office during four years as United States trade representative, which is a cabinet position.

In addition, friends said, Mr. Zoellick had at times felt marginalized at the State Department, where his subordinates, including R. Nicholas Burns, an under secretary of state, manage most of the major issues, including matters related to Iran, Iraq, the rest of the Middle East and North Korea.

Mr. Burns would be the logical front-runner to take Mr. Zoellick's job, but State Department aides said Robert M. Kimmitt, the deputy Treasury secretary, was also under consideration. Still, a senior State Department official said there had been no serious discussions about finding a replacement for Mr. Zoellick because he had not officially resigned.

Mr. Zoellick declined to comment. Those close to him would speak only anonymously because no announcement had been made about his future.