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Journalism of Courage
President Bush8217;s top national security aides said on Tuesday that their double-barrelled show of diplomatic and military support for friendly Arab allies this week is not a shot across Iran8217;s bow.
8220;We are here to talk about the long term,8221; US Defence Secretary Robert Gates said, as he and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began two days of meetings among Persian Gulf allies and Egypt.
Gates noted that US relationships in the Gulf and beyond predate the current unease over Iran8217;s ambitions and influence. If Iran perceives the joint visit and US overtures differently, 8220;that8217;s in the eye of the beholder,8221; Gates said.
The Cabinet secretaries also said during a joint press conference in this Red Sea resort that they had heard worries from Arab allies about the future of the US military presence in Iraq. Gates pledged 8220;understanding that this needs to be done carefully and not leave Iraq in chaos8221;.
Gates and Rice later travelled to Saudi Arabia to meet King Abdullah and other leaders.
The US won no specific new promises of Arab help for struggling Iraq on Tuesday, but Rice said she heard the right expressions of support after a gathering of nations listed as recipients of an aid and weapons package for friendly states in the region.
Iraq8217;s Arab neighbours repeated a general pledge to promote stability in Iraq, torn by more than four years of war and sectarian divisions . 8220;I think we know what the obligations of the neighbours are,8221; Rice said.
Rice and Gates were making a rare joint show of diplomatic force during two days of meetings with Arab allies8212;part of an 11th-hour effort to rally diplomatic and practical help for the US-backed Shiite-led government in Baghdad.
