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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.
'Chaos' warning '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 GatesProfile: 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.
His answers are expected to provide the first detailed insights into his thinking on US defence strategy. 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.
"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. 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.
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.