Gates says U.S. would consider Iraq alternatives

updated 10:54 p.m. ET Feb. 7, 2007

WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Robert Gates told a House panel Wednesday that the U.S. should know in a few months if the Iraqi government is making progress toward peace and whether the United States “is going to have to look at other alternatives and consequences.”

In stark contrast to predecessor Donald Rumsfeld, Gates also said there was no doubt the Army and Marine Corps needed to be larger if they are to deal with future wars and give troops enough rest between combat tours.

“We need the full range of military capabilities,” including ground combat forces to battle large armies and nimble special operations troops to scout out terrorist threats, Gates told the House Armed Services Committee.

“We don’t know what’s going to develop in places like Russia and China, in North Korea, in Iran and elsewhere,” he said.

Gates testified alongside Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as the House was gearing up for its first full-fledged debate on the Iraq war since the Nov. 7 elections. House Democrats plan next week to bring to the floor a measure that would flatly oppose President Bush’s decision to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq.

Pace and Gates said they did not think debate in Congress would hurt the morale of troops in combat, undercutting an assertion by many congressional Republicans that members opposing the war were undermining the fighting forces there.

“As long as this Congress continues to do what it has done, which is to provide the resources for the mission, the dialogue will be the dialogue, and the troops will feel supported,” Pace said.

Gates added that troops understand members of Congress want to find the best way to win the war. “I think they’re sophisticated enough to understand that that’s what the debate’s really about,” he said.

Mixed messages to troops?
Earlier in the hearing, Rep. Duncan Hunter, the top Republican on the panel, said he would oppose any resolution on Iraq.

“I do not think you can send a message that is going to raise the morale of the troops while at the same time sending a message that we don’t support the mission,” the Californian said.

Gates said U.S. forces might be able to start leaving Iraq before the end of the year, if the Iraqi government makes strides to subdue violence and reach a political settlement.

“That is essentially the best-case story. And that is our hope,” he told the House panel.

MORE FROM MIDEAST & N. AFRICA

Mideast & N. Africa Section Front

Carter defends handling of Iran hostage crisis   U.N.: Iran nuclear facility to start in 2011 Saudi cleric accuses Iran of ties to Yemeni rebels Bingo’s comeback erases divisions in Baghdad Mideast & N. Africa Section Front   Add Mideast & N. Africa headlines to your news reader: