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Bush says gates is the right man for the job { November 2006 }

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   http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/12/18/D8M3EG1O0.html

http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/12/18/D8M3EG1O0.html

Gates: Iraq Failure Would Be 'Calamity'
Dec 18 2:11 PM US/Eastern

By ROBERT BURNS
AP Military Writer

WASHINGTON

Robert Gates assumed the helm at the Pentagon on Monday, saying Iraq is his top priority and warning that failure there would be a "calamity" that would haunt the United States for many years.

"All of us want to find a way to bring America's sons and daughters home again," Gates said after taking the oath of office as defense secretary from Vice President Dick Cheney at a Pentagon ceremony. "But as the president has made clear, we simply cannot afford to fail in the Middle East. Failure in Iraq at this juncture would be a calamity that would haunt our nation, impair our credibility, and endanger Americans for decades to come."

Gates said he intends to travel to Iraq soon to hear the views of U.S. commanders on how to improve the situation, "unvarnished and straight from the shoulder." The remarks seemed to contrast with critics' complaints that the man he replaced, Donald H. Rumsfeld, did not listen enough to the advice of the military's top officers.

President Bush called Gates, 63, "the right man" for the multiple challenges the face in Iraq and in the global war on terrorism.

"We are a nation at war," Bush said. "And I rely on our secretary of defense to provide me with the best possible advice and to help direct our nation's armed force as they engage the enemies of freedom around the world. Bob Gates is the right man to take on these challenges. He'll be an outstanding leader for our men and women in uniform."

Gates assumed the job earlier Monday in a private swearing-in ceremony at the White House, replacing Donald H. Rumsfeld.

He said that since his Senate confirmation earlier this month he has participated in meetings on Iraq at the White House, received briefings at the Pentagon and held in-depth discussions with the president on ways ahead in Iraq.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press.


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