Topic: Rumsfeld In Iraq For Farewell Visit

Team Infidel

Miami Herald
December 10, 2006
By Peter Yost, Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was visiting Iraq, a Pentagon spokesman said, a day after an emotional farewell at the Pentagon.
''He's there to express his appreciation to the troops and to thank both the troops and their families for the sacrifices they are making,'' said Air Force Lt. Col. Todd Vician, a Defense Department spokesman, on Saturday.
It was Rumsfeld's 15th trip to Iraq since the war began; he was last there in July.
Rumsfeld's trip follows an Friday's Pentagon farewell, where the defense secretary defended his record on Iraq and Afghanistan.
Rumsfeld's Pentagon appearance Friday and his trip to Iraq, where he was Saturday, were among the few public appearances he has made since President Bush announced on Nov. 8 that he was replacing the defense secretary.
His last full day will be Dec. 17. Robert Gates, confirmed Wednesday by the Senate, will be sworn in as defense secretary on Dec. 18.
Rumsfeld's farewell tour follows a grim picture of the Iraq War that was presented this week by a bipartisan commission headed by former Secretary of State James A. Baker III and former Democratic Rep. Lee Hamilton.
The report took direct aim at Rumsfeld. Saying there has been a long tradition of partnership between the military and civilian leaders, the group said the ''tradition has frayed'' and must be repaired. It urged Gates to ''make every effort'' to encourage military officers to offer independent advice.

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