Gates says Iraq is his No 1 priority

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- New U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said this week that dealing with Iraq would be his number one priority.

Gates visited Iraq in a surprise visit Wednesday only two days after being sworn in as defense secretary to replace controversial Donald Rumsfeld.

The previous day, Gates emphasized the central importance of Iraq to his time in office in an introductory message to all U.S. service men and women and employees of the U.S. Department of Defense.

"The most important issue we face is the situation in Iraq," Gates said in his message. "By removing the brutal and dangerous regime of Saddam Hussein, and by confronting the extremists and insurgents who have sought to derail any progress since, the United States and our coalition partners have provided the Iraqi people a unique opportunity to have a decent future."

"The violence in Iraq must be contained and reduced. Failure in that part of the world would be a calamity that would haunt our nation, impair our credibility, and endanger Americans for decades to come," the new defense secretary said. "A successful outcome in Iraq, one that will help protect our nation and serve her long-term interests, will require all elements of America's national power to work more effectively together, in cooperation with allies and partners in the region."