Fallon resigns as chief of U.S. forces in Middle EastStory Highlights
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/11/fallon.resigns/index.html
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Adm. William Fallon has resigned as chief of
U.S. forces in the Middle East and Central Asia after more than a year
in the post, citing what he called an inaccurate perception that he is
at odds with the Bush administration over Iran.
Adm. William Fallon had been serving as chief of U.S. forces in the
Middle East and Central Asia since 2007.
Fallon, the head of U.S. Central Command, was the subject of a recent
Esquire magazine profile that ****trayed him as resisting pressure for
military action against Iran, which the Bush administration accuses of
trying to develop nuclear weapons.
In a written statement, he said the article's "disrespect for the
president" and "resulting embarrassment" have become a distraction.
"Although I don't believe there have ever been any differences about
the objectives of our policy in the Central Command area of
responsibility, the simple perception that there is makes it difficult
for me to effectively serve America's interests there," Fallon said.
In Wa****ngton, Defense Secretary Robert Gates told re****ters at the
Pentagon that he accepted Fallon's resignation "with reluctance and
regret."
But, he added, "I think it's the right decision." Watch why some
believe Fallon was forced to resign =BB
"Admiral Fallon reached this difficult decision entirely on his own. I
believe it was the right thing to do, even though I do not believe
there are in fact significant differences between his views and
administration policy," Gates said.
In a written statement, President Bush praised Fallon for helping
"ensure that America's military forces are ready to meet the threats
of an often troubled region of the world.
"He deserves considerable credit for progress that has been made
there, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan."
Fallon, a 41-year veteran of the Navy, took over as chief of Central
Command in early 2007. Gates said he will be replaced by Lt. Gen.
Martin Dempsey, his deputy, who commanded an Army division in Iraq in
the early days of the war and led efforts to train the Iraqi military.
The perception that Fallon has opposed a drive toward military action
against Iran from within the Bush administration dates to his
confirmation hearings in January 2007, when he told the Senate that
the United States needed to exhaust all diplomatic options in its
disputes with the Islamic republic.
But he also has said that the United States would be able to take
steps if Tehran were to attempt to block the Strait of Hormuz, the
outlet of the Persian Gulf and a choke point for much of the world's
oil.
And he recently told CNN that the United States is looking for a
peaceful settlement to disputes "in every case."
"We're trying to encourage dialogue and find resolution," he said. "In
fact, that's our message to the Iranians out here, given that
everybody is nervous and anxious about their activities, is to come
forth and explain what they are doing with all the people in the
region."
On Tuesday, Gates said, "We have tried between us to put this
misperception behind us over a period of months and, frankly, just
have not been successful in doing so."
But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Fallon's resignation showed
that independent views "are not welcomed in this administration."
"It is also a sign that the administration is blind to the growing
costs and consequences of the Iraq war, which has so damaged America's
security interests in the Middle East and beyond," said Reid, D-
Nevada. "Democrats will continue to examine these matters very closely
in the coming weeks and months."
Meanwhile, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain offered
words of praise for Fallon.
"Under Adm. Fallon's leader****p at Central Command, the situation in
Iraq has improved dramatically," McCain said in a statement. "All
Americans should be grateful for Adm. Fallon's service and respect his
decision to retire."
Gates' spokesman, Geoff Morrell, said Monday that the secretary and
the admiral still had "a good working relation****p" and that the
Esquire article -- "The Man Between War and Peace" -- had not changed
that.
He said Gates had read the article and had no comment on it. E-mail to
a friend
CNN's Kyra Phillips and Barbara Starr contributed to this re****t.
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