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U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. (AP)
Last update - 02:44 14/12/2008
In Gulf meet, Gates warns U.S. opponents: Don't test Obama
By Reuters
Tags: Robert Gates, Barack Obama 


U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates issued a warning to opponents of the United States on Saturday against trying to take advantage of the early months of the new Washington administration to "test" U.S. resolve.

Gates also said the United States would remain deeply involved in efforts to achieve stability in the Middle East and the Gulf under incoming president Barack Obama's administration.
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"I can assure you that a change in administration does not alter our fundamental interests, especially in the Middle East," he told a regional security conference in Bahrain.

Gates's statements came hours before he arrived in Iraq on an unannounced trip to meet with commanders as the U.S. prepares to cuts its troops levels and begin to pull forces out of the cities.

Many foreign policy experts, including vice-president elect Sen. Joe Biden, have suggested enemies of the United States will try to provoke a crisis early in Obama's term while the new administration is still finding its feet.

Gates, who will stay on as defense secretary under Obama, said extensive planning had gone into preparing for the transition.

"Anyone who thought that the upcoming months might present opportunities to test the new administration would be sorely mistaken," he told the Manama Dialogue conference, organized by the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies.

"President Obama and his national security team, myself included, will be ready to defend the interests of the United States from the moment he takes office on January 20th."

Gates, a former CIA director, said the security of the Gulf had long been a central concern for Washington and he brought a message of continuity and commitment from Obama to U.S. allies in the region.

He repeated longstanding appeals for Sunni Arab states to support Iraq's U.S.-backed government with full diplomatic relations and forgiveness of Saddam Hussein-era debts.

Sunni Arab powers have harbored deep reservations about the Baghdad government, believing it to be sectarian and too close politically to Shi'ite-dominated Iran.

Gates said Sunni states should welcome a chance to forge close relations with Iraq, partly to prevent Iran from doing so.

"There is no doubt that Iran has been heavily engaged in trying to influence the development and direction of the Iraqi government - and not as a good neighbor," he said.

"Iraq wants to be your partner," he told his audience. "And, given the challenges in the Gulf, and the reality of Iran, you should wish to be theirs."

Gates restated U.S. complaints that Iran supports militant groups such as Hamas in the Palestinian territories and Hezbollah in Lebanon and said its nuclear program was "almost assuredly" meant to lead to atomic weapons - a charge Tehran disputes.

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      1.   Gates and USA need to realize 10:13  |  An American 13/12/08
      2.   Stop to support Arab dictators 12:01  |  Athamna nur 13/12/08
      3.   Answer to 1 12:19  |  zettl christina 13/12/08
      4.   Opening gambit 12:23  |  Samar 13/12/08
      5.   Thanks for posting that, Samar. 12:58  |  Roo 13/12/08
      6.   It was to be expected... 2nd try 14:05  |  S 13/12/08
      7.   Gates is the wrong guy for a reformist.. 14:10  |  Ben Lollo 13/12/08
      8.   Gates Said That In Bahrain? 15:07  |  Jeff Northridge 13/12/08
      9.   El Baradei recently said santions have failed/backfired 15:34  |  Avi 13/12/08
      10.   Athamna nur 15:58  |  utagawa 13/12/08
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      12.   Middle East 16:50  |  Harold 13/12/08
      13.   El Baradei and sanctions 16:57  |  Harold 13/12/08
      14.   #3 17:16  |  An American 13/12/08
      15.   Is Iraq a " “Trojan horse “ !?? 17:48  |  Samar 13/12/08
      16.   Bahrain has already told the US it will not stage war w/iran from 17:51  |  Bahrain. 13/12/08
      17.   Develop alternative fuel. 19:00  |  Great White North 13/12/08
      18.   Bahrain - in the distance out at sea 19:55  |  Mark Lincoln 13/12/08
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      20.   Patrick Warner - why not? 02:29  |  Mark Lincoln 14/12/08
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