Defense nominee Gates: US 'not winning conflict in Iraq'

Last Updated: Tuesday, 5 December 2006, 16:03 GMT

Robert Gates has revealed little so far about his thinking on IraqUS Defence Secretary nominee


Robert Gates has told a Senate committee that the US is not winning the war in Iraq.

Mr Gates told a confirmation hearing he was open to new ideas on Iraq but warned the situation there would shape the Middle East for years to come.

He is set to be confirmed to replace Donald Rumsfeld, who quit last month amid criticism of his Iraq policy.

The next chairman of the committee said Mr Gates would face a "monumental challenge" in Iraq if he got the job.

Senate hearings on Mr Gates's nomination began a day before the Iraq Study Group - of which Mr Gates was a member - publishes its findings.

The start of the hearings also came on another violent day in Iraq.

More than 30 people were killed in shootings and car bomb attacks in Baghdad, Iraqi officials said. At least 30 more died in violence in northern and south-western Iraq.
'Broken policies'

Mr Gates told the Senate Armed Services Committee that all options remained on the table for Iraq.

Profile: Robert Gates

"Our course over the next year or two will determine whether the American and Iraqi people and the next president of the US will face a slowly but steadily improving situation in Iraq or will face the very real risk and possible reality of a regional conflagration," he said at the start of the hearing.

The next chairman of the committee, Democratic Senator Carl Levin, said he would face "the monumental challenge of picking up the pieces from broken policies and mistaken priorities".
Asked by Mr Levin if he believed the US was currently winning in Iraq, Mr Gates replied: "No, Sir."

If the panel approves his nomination, the 63-year-old is likely to appear before the full Senate for a confirmation hearing later this week.

Democratic senators are thought unlikely to oppose Mr Gates's nomination not least because they are keen to see Mr Rumsfeld leave the role quickly.

Mr Gates met Mr Bush for breakfast at the White House before his questioning.
The president said Mr Gates was the right man for the job.

"Those who wear the uniform will know they'll have a friend in Bob Gates," he said.
"He's going to do an excellent job for us. "

Phased withdrawal

Mr Gates stood down from the bipartisan Iraq Study Group - which has been asked to recommend ways of tackling the problems the US faces in Iraq - after President George W Bush picked him to replace Mr Rumsfeld.

The group's recommendations are widely expected to include a gradual phased withdrawal of US troops over the next 18 months.

It is also thought to favour the idea of holding a regional conference on Iraq that would involve Syria and Iran, with whom Washington has refused to negotiate directly.

Mr Bush has indicated he will look closely at, but not necessarily follow, the group's suggestions.