United States defence secretary nominee Robert Gates admitted on Tuesday the US is not winning the war in Iraq, and said he was open to all options to stop the conflict spiralling into regional chaos.
Gates, President George Bush’s pick to replace tarnished Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, also cautioned against any attack on Iran expect as an ”absolute last resort” and also came out against a strike on Syria.
”Mr Gates, do you believe that we are currently winning in Iraq?” asked Democrat Senator Carl Levin early in his Senate confirmation hearing.
”No, Sir,” replied Gates, in remarks which contrasted sharply with Bush’s own comment in a press conference on October 25, that ”we’re winning and we will win” in Iraq.
Gates also said any military operation against Iran, with which Washington is locked in a nuclear showdown, would have a ”dramatic” impact on US security.
”Military action against Iran would be an absolute last resort,” Gates said when questioned by Democratic Senator Robert Byrd.
”We have seen in Iraq that once war is unleashed it becomes unpredictable; the consequences of a military conflict with Iran could be quite dramatic,” he said. ”Therefore, I would counsel against military action except as a last resort.”
Asked by Byrd whether he would endorse an attack against another US foe, Syria, he said ”No, Sir.”
The hearing opened a critical week for US policy on Iraq, as the long-awaited report by the bipartisan Iraq Study Group on US strategic options in the conflict was due to be made public on Wednesday.
Though he said he was open to change in strategy in Iraq, Gates stressed the final decision would rest with Bush, the commander in chief of US armed forces.
”Of course, it is the president who will decide what, if any, changes are made in our approach,” Gates, said in his opening statement.
”I am open to alternative ideas about our future strategies and tactics in Iraq,” Gates, a former CIA director said.
”All options are on the table,” he said, when asked what strategies were possible in Iraq, following Bush’s vow American troops will stay until the mission is complete, and Democrats calls for a phased withdrawal.
”We need to work together to develop a strategy that does not leave Iraq in chaos and that protects our long-term interests in and hopes for the region,” Gates said.
Gates also warned that the coming months were crucial to bringing peace to the troubled country.
”My greatest worry, if we mishandle the next year or two, and if we leave Iraq in chaos, … a variety of regional powers will become involved in Iraq and we will have a regional conflict on our hands.”
Before he headed into the lion’s den, Bush predicted Gates, would do an ”excellent job” if approved by the committee and, likely later this week, by the full upper chamber to take over from embattled Rumsfeld. — AFP
