WASHINGTON, June 11: THE field of candidates for the United States' number one uniformed military position is open again and the guessing game has begun.

Air Force Gen Joseph Ralston reluctantly withdrew from contention on Monday to quell a furore over the military's perceived double standards in handling adultery cases. That has left some intriguing possibilities for President Clinton in choosing a general or admiral to be chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, his top military adviser. One of the more interesting options is Army Gen Wesley Clark, 52, who is considered by many to have one of the strongest combinations of soldierly skills and political savvy of the dozen or so potential candidates.

By law, the joint chiefs chairman must be selected from among the four service chiefs and the commanders of the nine major unified and combat commands. The only other possibility is to elevate the joint chiefs vice chairman, currently Ralston. The law allows the President to waive these restrictions. The current chairman, Army Gen John Shalikashvili, 60, took the post after being commander in chief of US European command and head of all NATO forces in Europe. All the candidates are seasoned officers, but Defence Secretary William Cohen, who says he intends to consider the options for at least several weeks before making his recommendation to Clinton, wants more than military knowhow.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.