PROFILE: Gates to keep steady defence hand during Obama transition

Dec 1, 2008, 20:04 GMT

Washington - For his foreign and security agenda, president-elect Barack Obama is tapping tried and true figures to lead the way.

The decision announced Monday in Chicago to leave Defence Secretary Robert Gates, 65, in place as head of the Pentagon further seals Obama's intention for a reassuring, seamless transition when he takes office on January 20.

Gates has played a bridging role since Republican President George W Bush named him to replace the polarizing defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld just days after Republicans suffered defeat in the November 2006 congressional elections.

Growing frustration over the war in Iraq fuelled the 2006 takeover of Congress by opposition Democrats, and Gates soon came to gain commendations for his handling of the Pentagon as he oversaw the troop buildup in Iraq which helped produce sharp reductions in violence. He holds the respect of the military brass.

In nominating Gates, Obama said he had 'restored accountability' to the office of defence secretary, won the confidence of military commanders and 'earned the respect of members of Congress on both sides of the aisle for his pragmatism and competence.'

'He knows that we need a sustainable national security strategy. And that includes a bipartisan consensus at home,' Obama said.

Gates has served various roles and six presidents of both political parties during 27 years in Washington, including head of the CIA and as top White House security advisor to former president George HW Bush, father of the current president, for the US-led 1990 effort that ousted Iraq from Kuwait.

At the announcement in Chicago, Gates said he had a 'profound sense of personal responsibility' to men and women in the US uniform and their families.

Gates said he was 'mindful that we are engaged in two wars and face other serious challenges at home and around the world' and that he had no choice but to accept Obama's call for continued service.