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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Pentagon nominee faces US Senate | Pentagon nominee faces US Senate |
| (40 minutes 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, correspondents say. | |
| 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. | |
| 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. |
| 'Chaos' warning | 'Chaos' warning |
| Mr Gates met Mr Bush for breakfast at the White House before his questioning by the Senate Armed Services Committee. | |
| Profile: Robert Gates | |
| 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. | |
| "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. | |
| 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 withdrawal | Phased 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. |