The commander of the American forces in the Middle East, Admiral William Fallon, is stepping down amid reports he differed with President George W. Bush over Iran, US officials said Tuesday. Defense Secretary Robert Gates declared he had accepted Fallon's resignation just after the admiral issued a statement saying he had requested permission to retire because of a magazine article that portrayed him as opposed to Bush's policies on Iran.
However, Bush on Tuesday hailed the outgoing admiral. "Admiral William Fallon has served our Nation with great distinction for forty years. He is an outstanding sailor -- and he made history as the first naval officer to serve as commander of Central Command," the American president said in a statement.
"Admiral Fallon's job has been to help ensure that America's military forces are ready to meet the threats of an often troubled region of the world, and he deserves considerable credit for progress that has been made there, especially in Iraq and Afghanistan," Bush said.
According to AFP, Gates said at a press conference Tuesday that was "a misperception" and there were no significant differences between Fallon's views on Iran. Asked about Esquire magazine's contention that Fallon's removal would signal the United States was preparing to go to war with Iran, Gates said: "Well, that's just ridiculous."
In an admiring profile of the admiral, Esquire writer Thomas P.M. Barnett portrayed Fallon as "The Man Between War and Peace," crediting him with calming tensions with Iran last year while bucking a White House move toward war. "Well-placed observers now say that it will come as no surprise if Fallon is relieved of his command before his time is up next spring, maybe as early as this summer, in favor of a commander the White House considers to be more pliable," said the article.
"If that were to happen, it may well mean that the president and vice-president intend to take military action against Iran before the end of this year and don't want a commander standing in their way."
In his statement, Fallon said: "Recent press reports suggesting a disconnect between my views and the President's policy objectives have become distraction at a critical time and hamper efforts in the Centcom region."
"And 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," he said.
