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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| US Mid-East commander steps down | US Mid-East commander steps down |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| The commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, Admiral William Fallon, is to retire from his post early. | The commander of US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, Admiral William Fallon, is to retire from his post early. |
| He cited the "embarrassing situation and public perception of differences between my views and administration policy" as the reason for retiring. | He cited the "embarrassing situation and public perception of differences between my views and administration policy" as the reason for retiring. |
| He was the subject of a recent article by Esquire magazine, which said he was opposed to the use of force against Iran over its nuclear programme. | He was the subject of a recent article by Esquire magazine, which said he was opposed to the use of force against Iran over its nuclear programme. |
| The 63-year-old admiral became head of the US Central Command a year ago. | The 63-year-old admiral became head of the US Central Command a year ago. |
| 'No policy differences' | |
| US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the decision to take early retirement was entirely Adm Fallon's, added that he agreed it was the right thing to do. | US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said the decision to take early retirement was entirely Adm Fallon's, added that he agreed it was the right thing to do. |
| "I have approved Admiral Fallon's request to retire with reluctance and regret," he told reporters at the Pentagon, adding that he would be sorely missed. | "I have approved Admiral Fallon's request to retire with reluctance and regret," he told reporters at the Pentagon, adding that he would be sorely missed. |
| President George W Bush said the admiral deserved "considerable credit for progress that has been made... in Iraq and Afghanistan". | President George W Bush said the admiral deserved "considerable credit for progress that has been made... in Iraq and Afghanistan". |
| I don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command Adm William Fallon | |
| The Esquire article suggested Adm Fallon was standing up to a president supposedly contemplating war with Iran. | |
| He is described in the article as "the strongest man standing between the Bush Administration and a war with Iran". | |
| Mr Gates said the idea that Adm Fallon's departure indicated that the US was planning to go to war with Iran was "ridiculous". | |
| He said "there is a misperception" that the admiral disagreed with the Bush administration's policies towards Iran. "I don't think there were differences at all," Mr Gates said. | |
| In a statement released through Central Command's Florida headquarters, Adm Fallon said: "I don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command. | |
| "The simple perception that there is makes it difficult for me to effectively serve America's interests there." | |
| Central Command covers an area from the Horn of Africa into Central Asia and includes responsibility for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. |