General 'sacrificed' to clear decks on Iraq | Iraq | Guardian Unlimited

General 'sacrificed' to clear decks on Iraq | Iraq | Guardian Unlimited: "

· Chairman of joint chiefs of staff to stand down
· Senate hearings would have been controversial


The Bush administration yesterday attempted to wipe the slate clean on the Iraq war and chart a new way forward with the surprise announcement that it was replacing General Peter Pace as chairman of the joint chiefs of staff.

The defence chief, Robert Gates, said he had reluctantly decided on the reshuffle - despite his initial support for Gen Pace - to avoid a 'divisive ordeal' at the Senate which would have had to approve an extension of the general's term.

'The focus of this confirmation process would have been on the past rather than on the future,' Mr Gates told the press conference. 'There was a very real prospect that the process would be quite contentious.'" Read complete post here.