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Pentagon nominee faces US Senate Pentagon nominee faces US Senate
(about 2 hours later)
A US Senate panel is set to discuss the nomination of Robert Gates as the country's new defence secretary.A US Senate panel is set to discuss the nomination of Robert Gates as the country's new defence secretary.
Mr Gates is expected to be confirmed in office to replace Donald Rumsfeld, who resigned last month amid criticism of his handling of the war in Iraq.Mr Gates is expected to be confirmed in office to replace Donald Rumsfeld, who resigned last month amid criticism of his handling of the war in Iraq.
Senate hearings begin a day before the Iraq Study Group - of which Mr Gates was a member - publishes its findings.Senate hearings begin a day before the Iraq Study Group - of which Mr Gates was a member - publishes its findings.
Mr Gates is expected to signal changes in policy and to say mistakes have been made in Iraq, BBC correspondents say.Mr Gates is expected to signal changes in policy and to say mistakes have been made in Iraq, BBC correspondents say.
The former CIA director supported Mr Bush's decision to invade Iraq and opposes a quick exit for US troops, the BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says.The former CIA director supported Mr Bush's decision to invade Iraq and opposes a quick exit for US troops, the BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says.
But he may suggest a new openness to dialogue with US enemies in the Middle East, our correspondent adds. Mr Gates has previously criticised the administration for not talking to Iran.But he may suggest a new openness to dialogue with US enemies in the Middle East, our correspondent adds. Mr Gates has previously criticised the administration for not talking to Iran.
The start of Mr Gates Senate hearing came on another violent day in Iraq. The start of Mr Gates' Senate hearing came on another violent day in Iraq.
More than 30 people were killed in shootings and car bomb attacks in Baghdad, Iraqi officials said. At least 30 more died in violence in northern and south-western Iraq.More than 30 people were killed in shootings and car bomb attacks in Baghdad, Iraqi officials said. At least 30 more died in violence in northern and south-western Iraq.
'Chaos' warning'Chaos' warning
Mr Gates, a former CIA director, will be questioned first by the Senate Armed Services Committee.Mr Gates, a former CIA director, will be questioned first by the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Profile: Robert Gates If the panel approves his nomination, the 63-year-old is likely to appear before the full Senate for a confirmation hearing later this week.Profile: Robert Gates If the panel approves his nomination, the 63-year-old is likely to appear before the full Senate for a confirmation hearing later this week.
His answers are expected to provide the first detailed insights into his thinking on US defence strategy.His answers are expected to provide the first detailed insights into his thinking on US defence strategy.
In written testimony to the Senate committee last month, he appeared to oppose a sudden withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.In written testimony to the Senate committee last month, he appeared to oppose a sudden withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.
"I believe that leaving Iraq in chaos would have dangerous consequences both in the region and globally for many years to come," he said."I believe that leaving Iraq in chaos would have dangerous consequences both in the region and globally for many years to come," he said.
He also suggested mistakes had been made in managing the conflict so far.He also suggested mistakes had been made in managing the conflict so far.
"With the benefit of hindsight, I might have done some things differently," he wrote."With the benefit of hindsight, I might have done some things differently," he wrote.
Democratic senators are thought unlikely to oppose Mr Gates's nomination not least because they are keen to see Mr Rumsfeld leave the role quickly.Democratic senators are thought unlikely to oppose Mr Gates's nomination not least because they are keen to see Mr Rumsfeld leave the role quickly.
Phased withdrawalPhased withdrawal
Beyond that, Mr Gates has given little indication of the direction he believes the US should take in Iraq.Beyond that, Mr Gates has given little indication of the direction he believes the US should take in Iraq.
He stood down from the bipartisan Iraq Study Group - which has been asked to recommend ways of tackling the problems the US faces in Iraq - after President George W Bush picked him to replace Mr Rumsfeld.He stood down from the bipartisan Iraq Study Group - which has been asked to recommend ways of tackling the problems the US faces in Iraq - after President George W Bush picked him to replace Mr Rumsfeld.
The group's recommendations are widely expected to include a gradual phased withdrawal of US troops over the next 18 months.The group's recommendations are widely expected to include a gradual phased withdrawal of US troops over the next 18 months.
It is also thought to favour the idea of holding a regional conference on Iraq that would involve Syria and Iran, with whom Washington has refused to negotiate directly.It is also thought to favour the idea of holding a regional conference on Iraq that would involve Syria and Iran, with whom Washington has refused to negotiate directly.
Mr Bush has indicated he will look closely at, but not necessarily follow, the group's suggestions.Mr Bush has indicated he will look closely at, but not necessarily follow, the group's suggestions.
Mr Gates served as CIA director for just over a year in the early 1990s, during the presidency of Mr Bush's father.Mr Gates served as CIA director for just over a year in the early 1990s, during the presidency of Mr Bush's father.