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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Pentagon nominee faces US Senate | Pentagon nominee faces US Senate |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| A US Senate panel is discussing the nomination of Robert Gates as the country's new defence secretary. | A US Senate panel is discussing 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, correspondents say. | Mr Gates is expected to signal changes in policy and to say mistakes have been made in Iraq, correspondents say. |
| The former CIA director supported Mr Bush's decision to invade Iraq and opposes a quick exit for US troops. | The former CIA director supported Mr Bush's decision to invade Iraq and opposes a quick exit for US troops. |
| But correspondents say he may suggest a new openness to dialogue with US enemies in the Middle East. Mr Gates has previously criticised the administration for not talking to Iran. | But correspondents say he may suggest a new openness to dialogue with US enemies in the Middle East. Mr Gates has previously criticised the administration for not talking to Iran. |
| The start of Mr Gates's Senate hearing came on another violent day in Iraq. | The start of Mr Gates's 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. |
| 'Broken policies' | |
| Mr Gates met Mr Bush for breakfast at the White House before his questioning by the Senate Armed Services Committee. | Mr Gates met Mr Bush for breakfast at the White House before his questioning by the Senate Armed Services Committee. |
| Profile: Robert Gates | Profile: Robert Gates |
| The president said Mr Gates was the right man for the job. | The president said Mr Gates was the right man for the job. |
| "Those who wear the uniform will know they'll have a friend in Bob Gates," he said. | "Those who wear the uniform will know they'll have a friend in Bob Gates," he said. |
| "He's going to do an excellent job for us. " | "He's going to do an excellent job for us. " |
| 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. | 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. |
| At the start of the session, the next chairman of the committee said Mr Gates would have a huge challenge in Iraq if confirmed. | |
| "[He] will face the monumental challenge of picking up the pieces from broken policies and mistaken priorities for the past few years," Democratic Senator Carl Levin said. | |
| Mr Gates's 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. |
| 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 withdrawal | Phased withdrawal |
| Mr Gates 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. |