Gates says U.S. to "enhance" military presence in Asia

[xchrom]

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-06/04/c_13911019.htm

SINGAPORE, June 4 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates reassured its allies in the Asia-Pacific region on Friday that it will maintain and enhance its strong presence in the region, while reiterating the principle of resolving conflict without the use of force.

In a speech that best demonstrates the strategy of the United States for growing its influence in Asia, Gates elaborated on the history of its relations with allies such as Japan and South Korea over the past decades as well as countries such as Vietnam and India.

"Taken together, all of these developments demonstrate the commitment of the United States to sustaining a robust military presence in Asia -- one that underwrites stability by supporting and reassuring allies while deterring, and if necessary defeating, potential adversaries," Gates said.

The defense chief said the United States has taken a number of steps towards establishing a defense posture across the Asia- Pacific "that is more geographically distributed, operationally resilient, and politically sustainable."

[spanone]

1. way past time to get rid of ALL the bu$h* holdovers.....N O W

[xchrom]

2. one would think, anyway. nt

[spanone]

9. gates, cia guy...scary mix of politician and warrior...

[EFerrari]

10. Gates, BFEE fixer since at least Iran Contra.

The Mysterious Robert Gates

Special Report: Defense Secretary Robert Gates is leaving the Pentagon as a Washington “wise man,” admired by both Republicans and Democrats for his supposed judgment and integrity. But does he deserve that reputation — or is he just an especially clever manipulator of the political process? Robert Parry examines Gates’s real record.

By Robert Parry

May 31, 2011

As Robert Gates ends his four-plus years as Defense Secretary, he has accomplished one of Washington’s more notable image makeovers, shedding an earlier reputation as a sneaky ideological chameleon for new skin as a respected “wise man” hailed by Republicans, Democrats and the press.

But the transformation may underscore how great a careerist Gates is rather than mark any actual improvement in his judgment. In his early days, he was viewed as a climber who would change colors to match the political hues of those above him; now, it seems his decades of accommodating the powerful have earned him their appreciation and acclaim.

In that sense, Gates can be compared to Colin Powell. Though taking different routes, both achieved a reputation for integrity and wisdom that didn’t match their actual records, which – if examined carefully – showed them getting a lot wrong but having positioned themselves safely inside a consensus of powerful allies. So, they rose regardless of their many screw-ups.

As Secretary of State in 2003, Powell did suffer what he called a “blot” on his reputation when he gave a thoroughly dishonest speech to the United Nations justifying war with Iraq over non-existent weapons of mass destruction.

http://consortiumnews.com/2011/05/31/the-mysterious-robert-gates/

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. Who appointed this guy?

And, who is dictating the neo-lib policy that he's spouting?

[xchrom]

4. indeed. who did? nt

[Bigmack]

5. We can't afford a "presence" in Asia anymore.... nt

[xchrom]

7. with all that debt & deficit yammering we keep getting 24/7 --

that would be the conclusion one would draw i would think.

[Marblehead]

6. getting ready for WWWlll??

:shrug:

[xchrom]

8. more like showing off our plumage for the chinese. nt