US Defence Secretary Robert Gates
Photo: AP
President-elect Barack Obama
Photo: AP
Gates: Don't test Obama administration
US Defense Secretary speaks before Persian Gulf leaders in Bahrain, warns terrorists: 'Anyone who thought upcoming months present opportunities to 'test' new administration is sorely mistaken', adds US seeking to change Iran's behavior
US Defense Secretary Robert Gates warned the US's enemies to beware of "testing" president-elect Barack Obama's administration. He directed the warning at Iran's leaders as well as terrorist organizations.
During a meeting with Persian Gulf leaders in Bahrain, Gates urged them to help fight the spread of violent extremism by funding and training Afghan security forces and reaching out more aggressively to the Iraq government.
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Gates, who will continue as Pentagon chief under Obama, also warned that "anyone who thought that the upcoming months might present opportunities to 'test' the new administration would be sorely mistaken."
He said Obama and his national security team "will be ready to defend the interests of the United States and our friends and allies from the moment he takes office on Jan. 20."
In his speech, Gates took a more reserved tone on Iran when compared with his sharper criticism in remarks last year that Tehran was a chaotic and destabilizing threat.
On Saturday, Gates pressed Gulf nations to penalize Iran, but added that they can be even more influential "by welcoming the new Iraq into the Arab fold," as many American troops will soon be leaving the country.
Gates said Tehran is meddling and attempting to destabilize the region, but said the US is not working to change the government, just Iran's behavior.
