by Basheert @8:52 AM MDT
Robert Gates, Secretary of Defense, is certainly starting to vocalize and make waves. Two days ago, it was revealed that since replacing Donald Rumsfield (heckuva job Rummy), he (and Condisleezy) have made continued efforts to CLOSE Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. Since Cheney et al cannot bear to have the inmates come to the US where they would have actual "rights" (human and otherwise), and Bushie has backed Cheney (duh), it never happened. Robert Gates has again repeated his wish to close that prison.
Now Mr. Gates has taken on Mr. McCain (sleezy also) (From Think Progress):
Gates Contradicts McCain, Says Iraq Debate Has Been ‘Helpful’
Earlier this week, Sen. John McCain appeared on NBC’s Today Show and said that the Senate debate over an Iraq phased withdrawal plan is aiding the enemy:
Look, the only guarantee of failure is to tell the enemy, “Hey, hang on; we’re leaving.” That’s what this message, this vote yesterday, tells them. I mean, a second-year cadet at West Point will tell you you don’t win wars by telling the enemy when you’re leaving."
McCain’s view is not shared by Bush’s Defense Secretary. Testifying before the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, Robert Gates said that the Iraq debate in Congress has been “helpful in bringing pressure to bear on the Maliki government.”
Gates added that the congressional debate informs Iraqis that “there is a very real limit to American patience in this entire enterprise.” That’s a not a message McCain is interested in sending; he prefers signaling an open-ended commitment in Iraq.
Showing posts with label Robert Gates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Robert Gates. Show all posts
Friday, March 30, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Gates dismisses Putin remarks as blunt spy talk
MUNICH, Germany (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Sunday dismissed an attack on U.S. foreign policy by Russian President Vladimir Putin as the blunt talk of an old spy and said it was vital to keep working with Moscow.
In a speech which one U.S. senator said smacked of Cold War rhetoric, Putin told a security conference in Munich on Saturday the United States was making the world a more dangerous place by pursuing policies aimed at making it the "one single master."
A White House spokesman said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the comments and some Europeans said it was a wake-up call from a tougher Russia, newly empowered by a sharp rise in the prices of its oil, gas and metals exports.
But despite their concerns, the White House and Gates underlined the need for cooperation with Moscow.
"Many of you have backgrounds in diplomacy or politics," Gates, a former CIA director, told the same Munich conference.
"I have, like your second speaker yesterday (Putin), a starkly different background -- a career in the spy business. And, I guess, old spies have a habit of blunt speaking.
Gates raised concerns about Russian arms transfers and its "temptation to use energy resources for political coercion" which he said could threaten international stability.
But he said: "We all face many common problems and challenges that must be addressed in partnership with other countries, including Russia."
"One Cold War was quite enough," he added.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, addressing the conference, also underlined the potential for cooperation between the old foes to fight the new threat of terrorism.
"We need to use all the efforts of the world community in countering terrorists and to concentrate our efforts at the most vulnerable spots," he said. He proposed cutting off militants' financial channels and preventing them recruiting.
Click for more
In a speech which one U.S. senator said smacked of Cold War rhetoric, Putin told a security conference in Munich on Saturday the United States was making the world a more dangerous place by pursuing policies aimed at making it the "one single master."
A White House spokesman said it was "surprised and disappointed" by the comments and some Europeans said it was a wake-up call from a tougher Russia, newly empowered by a sharp rise in the prices of its oil, gas and metals exports.
But despite their concerns, the White House and Gates underlined the need for cooperation with Moscow.
"Many of you have backgrounds in diplomacy or politics," Gates, a former CIA director, told the same Munich conference.
"I have, like your second speaker yesterday (Putin), a starkly different background -- a career in the spy business. And, I guess, old spies have a habit of blunt speaking.
Gates raised concerns about Russian arms transfers and its "temptation to use energy resources for political coercion" which he said could threaten international stability.
But he said: "We all face many common problems and challenges that must be addressed in partnership with other countries, including Russia."
"One Cold War was quite enough," he added.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, addressing the conference, also underlined the potential for cooperation between the old foes to fight the new threat of terrorism.
"We need to use all the efforts of the world community in countering terrorists and to concentrate our efforts at the most vulnerable spots," he said. He proposed cutting off militants' financial channels and preventing them recruiting.
Click for more
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