CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AllPolitics, Jan. 15) -- Congress must invest more resources in international affairs or risk crippling the United State's ability to carry out its responsiblities as a world leader, outgoing Secretary of State Warren Christopher warned during a farewell speech today.

CNN: Secretary Of State Christopher Says Farewell

"A country that depends almost entirely on the international community for the salaries of its soldiers and policemen, for most of its investments and partly on it for its current civil expenditure, cannot be really independent, " Bernard Bajolet, former French ambassador to Afghanistan, said in a recent farewell speech in Kabul, before leaving to become his country's intelligence chief.

WSJ: Kabul's Tax Levies Raise Flags From U.S. Watchdog

His departure from Yemen last week followed the passage of a law giving him immunity from prosecution, and a televised "farewell speech".

BBC: Yemen's President Saleh arrives in US for treatment

In a tear-choked farewell speech to the gathered faithful on Saturday, McClendon assured employees that the company he founded would survive his departure.

FORBES: No April Fooling - McClendon Finally Gone From Chesapeake Energy

The Bank of Italy's outgoing governor, Mario Draghi, spelt things out recently in a hard-hitting farewell speech (before taking the reins at the European Central Bank).

ECONOMIST: The Berlusconi era will haunt Italy for years to come