US military to remain in Asia: Gates

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (file photo)

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/182700.html

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates says possible Pentagon budget cuts will not change Washington's role in Asia and the US military will remain in the Pacific.

The top US defense official, who is set to address a security conference in Singapore on the weekend, told reporters during a stop in Hawaii that America's budget deficit and military budget cuts would not affect the US presence in Asia.

“The critical message is that even as we look at potential budget reductions, there is no slackening of the US commitment to our presence in Asia,” AFP quoted Gates as saying on Wednesday.

“We are a Pacific nation, we will remain a Pacific nation, we will remain engaged,” he said, adding, “And we will continue to build relationships with friends, partners and allies in Asia.”

Earlier in November, in an official visit to Australia, Gates elaborated on Washington's plans to expand its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, but denied that the move is a challenge to China.

The US defense secretary is scheduled to depart for Singapore on Wednesday to attend Singapore's defense summit.

Prior to delivering a speech to the conference on Saturday, Gates is due to meet with his regional counterparts including the defense ministers of China and Japan on Friday.

US threatens Iran with 'severe sanctions'

Source: PressTV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=117814§ionid=351020104


US Defense Secretary Robert Gates says Iran faces "severe sanctions” from the US and major world powers over its nuclear program.

Gates noted that US President Barack Obama's warning last week that Iran's statesmen would suffer "growing consequences" if they ignored international obligations meant tough sanctions were in the offing.

"I think in the near term it's more likely to be severe sanctions imposed partly by the UN Security Council and partly by the United States and like-minded countries," Gates told the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday.

He did not specify what financial or other sanctions might be imposed on Tehran.

Tehran has repeatedly declared that it will not relinquish the Iranian nation's legitimate nuclear rights under the West's pressure.