Admiral William Fallon informed Defense Secretary
Robert Gates Tuesday he wants to retire because of press reports that,
in the admiral's words, are "suggesting a disconnect" between his views
and the president's policy. An article published in Esquire magazine
this week portrays Admiral Fallon, head of U.S. Central Command, as
standing against many people in the Bush administration who, it says,
want to go to war with Iran.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the admiral says he does not believe
there have ever been any differences about policy objectives in his
area of responsibility. But he says the perception of differences makes
it difficult for him to effectively serve U.S. interests in the area.
Announcing Admiral Fallon's departure, Secretary Gates said he
granted the retirement request "with reluctance and regret." He said
there is no policy difference, only the perception of a difference. But
in the end that was enough.
"Part of the problem here, and I think it's finally manifested in
Admiral Fallon's decision that he communicated to me this morning is
that 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," said Robert Gates.
Secretary Gates said the decision was not based on any one article, but the Esquire profile
of the admiral caused some stir in Washington. It called Fallon "the
man between war and peace" and said he had defied the president by
opposing war with Iran. The article, which did not attribute most of
its assertions, also claimed Admiral Fallon might soon be fired, and
that if that happened it could signal a move toward war.
Secretary Gates dismissed that claim.
"The notion that this decision portends anything in terms of a change in Iran policy is, to quote myself, ridiculous," he said.
Secretary Gates has called Admiral Fallon one of the best strategic
thinkers in the U.S. military, and he said Tuesday the admiral's
departure will leave a "hole' in his team. But Gates said the admiral's
views on Iraq will be reflected in a report his command will submit
later this month as part of an Iraq policy review.
The admiral's retirement takes effect at the end of the month, and
will mark the end of his nearly 42 years of service. He had been
expected to remain at Central Command at least until the end of the
year. In that position, he is one of the top 10 operational commanders
in the U.S. military. He is one of very few officers to hold four
four-star commands during his career, and also one of few remaining in
the U.S. military who served in Vietnam.
Secretary Gates said he led with "conviction, strategic vision,
integrity and courage." President Bush said the admiral served "with
great distinction," and gave him credit for what he called recent
progress in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Admiral Fallon will be replaced temporarily by his deputy, Lieutenant General Martin Dempsey.(voa)
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