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| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| US Mid-East commander steps down | US Mid-East commander steps down |
| (10 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' | '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. |
| I don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command Adm William Fallon Profile: William Fallon | I don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command Adm William Fallon Profile: William Fallon |
| 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". |
| The Esquire article suggested Adm Fallon was standing up to a president supposedly contemplating war with Iran. | 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". | 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, suggested in the article, 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. | 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. |
| 'No war' | |
| But Adm Fallon's resignation is richly suggestive of discord at the top between the military and the White House, says the BBC's Adam Brookes in Washington. | |
| His comments, such as those to al Jazeera TV last year that "I expect there will be no war", incurred the wrath of the Bush administration, says our correspondent. | |
| The Bush administration's official policy towards Iran is to use diplomatic and economic pressures to resolve differences while retaining the possibility of military options. | The Bush administration's official policy towards Iran is to use diplomatic and economic pressures to resolve differences while retaining the possibility of military options. |
| The US and other Western nations suspect Iran is using its nuclear programme to develop atomic weapons - a charge Tehran denies. | The US and other Western nations suspect Iran is using its nuclear programme to develop atomic weapons - a charge Tehran denies. |
| 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. | 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." | "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. | Central Command covers an area from the Horn of Africa into Central Asia and includes responsibility for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. |
| What do you think of Admiral Fallon's decision to take early retirement? Should he have stepped down if there has been a misperception about his views on Iran? How will it affect US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan? Send us your comments using the form below. | What do you think of Admiral Fallon's decision to take early retirement? Should he have stepped down if there has been a misperception about his views on Iran? How will it affect US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan? Send us your comments using the form below. |