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US chief seeks new tack on Iraq US chief seeks new tack on Iraq
(about 3 hours later)
President George W Bush's nominee to be the new commander of US military forces in the Middle East has called for a "new and different" approach in Iraq.President George W Bush's nominee to be the new commander of US military forces in the Middle East has called for a "new and different" approach in Iraq.
Admiral William Fallon told a Senate confirmation hearing that "time is short" for the US to turn Iraq around.Admiral William Fallon told a Senate confirmation hearing that "time is short" for the US to turn Iraq around.
His comments came on another day of bloodshed in Iraq.His comments came on another day of bloodshed in Iraq.
About 40 people were killed across the country in a series of bomb and mortar attacks as Shia Muslims celebrated the festival of Ashura. About 40 people died and more than 100 were injured in a series of bomb and mortar attacks across Iraq as Shia Muslims celebrated the Ashura festival.
In the worst attack, a suicide bomber killed 19 people at a mosque in Baladruz, north-east of Baghdad.
Elsewhere, 11 people died in an attack in Khanaqin, in the same region.
And in Baghdad, at least 10 people were killed by mortar fire in the mainly Sunni district of Adhamiyah.
More than 100 people were injured in the attacks.
'Sensitive time''Sensitive time'
In Washington, Adm Fallon told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the previous US strategy in Iraq was "not working".In Washington, Adm Fallon told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the previous US strategy in Iraq was "not working".
We need candid assessments, and you'll get them from me Adm William Fallon Profile: William Fallon Call for containmentWe need candid assessments, and you'll get them from me Adm William Fallon Profile: William Fallon Call for containment
"I believe the situation in Iraq can be turned around but time is short," he said."I believe the situation in Iraq can be turned around but time is short," he said.
"What we have been doing has not been working. [What] we have got to be doing, it seems to me, is something different.""What we have been doing has not been working. [What] we have got to be doing, it seems to me, is something different."
Adm Fallon, who currently heads the military in the Pacific, is poised to become the first US navy officer to head Central Command, or Centcom.Adm Fallon, who currently heads the military in the Pacific, is poised to become the first US navy officer to head Central Command, or Centcom.
He is replacing Gen John Abizaid, who is retiring after nearly four years as Centcom chief and if confirmed would become the immediate boss of Gen David Petraeus, who was recently confirmed as the commander of US forces in Iraq.He is replacing Gen John Abizaid, who is retiring after nearly four years as Centcom chief and if confirmed would become the immediate boss of Gen David Petraeus, who was recently confirmed as the commander of US forces in Iraq.
The commander's reputation as an able diplomat is being seen as an important asset at a very sensitive time for US policy in Iraq, says the BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Washington.The commander's reputation as an able diplomat is being seen as an important asset at a very sensitive time for US policy in Iraq, says the BBC's James Coomarasamy, in Washington.
'No guarantees''No guarantees'
If confirmed, the admiral will have to oversee the deployment of more than 20,000 US troops in a "surge" operation in Iraq.If confirmed, the admiral will have to oversee the deployment of more than 20,000 US troops in a "surge" operation in Iraq.
"There are no guarantees but you can depend on me for my best effort," Adm Fallon said."There are no guarantees but you can depend on me for my best effort," Adm Fallon said.
We don't believe that [Iran's] behaviour, such as supporting Shia extremists in Iraq, should go unchallenged John NegroponteNominee for deputy secretary of state
"We need candid assessments, and you'll get them from me.""We need candid assessments, and you'll get them from me."
Adm Fallon's comments echoed the grim but more realistic tone currently coming from the White House, our correspondent says.Adm Fallon's comments echoed the grim but more realistic tone currently coming from the White House, our correspondent says.
Separately, John Negroponte, the first US director of intelligence and a former ambassador to Iraq and to the UN, for the post of deputy secretary of state, answered questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Separately, John Negroponte, the first US director of intelligence and a former ambassador to Iraq and to the UN, now nominee for the post of deputy secretary of state, answered questions from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
He backed recent tough talk towards Iran, saying Tehran was meddling in Iraq, and insisted that a diplomatic channel was already open with Syria.He backed recent tough talk towards Iran, saying Tehran was meddling in Iraq, and insisted that a diplomatic channel was already open with Syria.
"I would characterise our policy as desirous of resolving any issues we have with Iran by peaceful means," he said.
"But at the same time, we don't believe that their behaviour, such as supporting Shia extremists in Iraq, should go unchallenged.
"If they feel that they can continue with this kind of activity with impunity, that will be harmful to the security of Iraq and to our interests in that country."
His comments came as Democrat Senator Barack Obama expressed fears that the US would inadvertently stumble into active hostilities with Iran.