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Fallon to resign as top Middle East Commander |
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By Roxana Tiron
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Posted: 03/11/08 04:33 PM [ET] |
Adm. William Fallon, the top U.S. military commander in the Middle East, is resigning his post at the end of March, in the aftermath of an article that portrayed him as at odds with the Bush administration over Iran.
“The current embarrassing situation, public perception of differences between my views and administration policy, and the distraction this causes from the mission make this the right thing to do," Fallon said in a statement presented by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
Fallon’s decision reverberated across Capitol Hill and prompted criticism from Democrats.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said in a statement he was concerned that Fallon’s resignation “is yet another example that independence and the frank, open airing of experts’ views are not welcomed in this administration.”
Fallon was the subject of an Esquire magazine article published last week that portrayed him as a lone opponent in the administration of taking military action to stop the Iranian nuclear program.
Gates said at a Pentagon press conference that he accepted Fallon’s resignation and request to retire with “reluctance and regret.” He noted, however, that, “I think this is a cumulative kind of thing. It isn't the result of any one article or any one issue.”
Gates also said that there was misperception about differences between Fallon and the administration over Iran.
“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,” Gates said.
In a statement, the White House said the Navy veteran “served our nation with great distinction for 40 years.”
Fallon is the first naval officer to head the U.S. Central Command.
Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, will serve as acting commander until Fallon’s replacement is nominated and confirmed.
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