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Gopher

Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:12 pm Post subject: Adm. Fallon Resigns from CENTCOM |
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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.
Fallon, the head of U.S. Central Command, was the subject of a recent Esquire magazine profile that portrayed 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... |
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yawarakaijin
Joined: 08 Aug 2006
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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Sad to see him go. He seemed like the kind of guy who, even though a military man, wasn't interested in getting into wars. The kind of man you want in charge of the military in my opinion. |
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OneWayTraffic
Joined: 14 Mar 2005
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:12 am Post subject: |
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yawarakaijin wrote: |
Sad to see him go. He seemed like the kind of guy who, even though a military man, wasn't interested in getting into wars. The kind of man you want in charge of the military in my opinion. |
I doubt that most military men want to get into wars. Certainly those that have to write the letters home. |
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igotthisguitar

Joined: 08 Apr 2003 Location: South Korea (Permanent Vacation)
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 6:15 am Post subject: |
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US Commander Of Middle East Forces Steps Down
by Jim Mannion
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The commander of US forces in the Middle East, Admiral William Fallon, is stepping down because reports that he differed with President George W. Bush over Iran had become "a distraction."
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced Tuesday that he had accepted Fallon's resignation "with reluctance and regret," saying there was a "misperception" that the admiral was at odds with the administration over Iran.
In a statement, Bush praised the admiral for his more than 40 years of service but made no mention of an article in Esquire magazine that prompted Fallon to step down.
Fallon "served this country with honor, determination and commitment," Bush said.
But the sudden departure of the head of the US Central Command drew an avalanche of criticism from top Democrats who suggested that he had been forced out because of his candor.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called it "yet another example that independence and the frank, open airing of experts' views are not welcomed in this administration."
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton in a statement described Fallon as a "voice of reason in an administration which has used inflammatory rhetoric against Iran," and urged the Bush administration to pursue diplomacy with Tehran instead of conflict.
MORE ...
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/usmideastmilitaryfallon;_ylt=ApaofcZ8.eHEtpoUEzwBdf4DW7oF |
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Kuros
Joined: 27 Apr 2004
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Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2008 5:13 pm Post subject: |
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Here's a Slate article on the dismissal.
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Contrary to the charges of some Democratic lawmakers, this is not another case of an officer's dissent being stifled. Nor does Fallon's departure herald a tilt in U.S. policy toward war with Iran.
To the extent that policy disputes are behind the move, they are much more about Iraq. |
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Gopher

Joined: 04 Jun 2005
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Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:06 am Post subject: |
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(CNN) -- Retired Adm. William Fallon resigned in March as leader of the U.S. military's Central Command after reportedly clashing with President Bush.
During an interview Tuesday on CNN's American Morning," Fallon denied a magazine article's assertion that he had been forced to resign over his opposition to a possible war with Iran.
CNN's Kyra Phillips asked Fallon about his resignation and about U.S. policy regarding Iraq and Iran.
Kyra Phillips: How were you informed that this was it? Who called you...? |
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