Rumsfeld replaced after poll loss

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Source:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6130296.stm+ i( s. @/ W$ J/ X  U1 ?" F
US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is ton stand down, after anger over the war in Iraq led to bruising losses for Republicans in mid-term elections.
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7 ]% s, z8 g3 v. v" z6 VPresident George W Bush said that he and Mr Rumsfeld had agreed that a "fresh perspective" was needed in Iraq.
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* x; T2 X0 h9 W$ s$ TFormer CIA Director Robert Gates has been nominated to replace Mr Rumsfeld./ W, n1 D  `% I. U, D
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The Democrats won control of the House of Representatives in the polls, and the Senate balance of power hangs on a tight race in just one state, Virginia.6 `1 `8 a& X. H# E. o$ O# _6 T+ {

# }) |1 [: j$ ~. L$ z4 J( N公仔箱論壇"It's been quite a time," said Mr Rumsfeld in a short departing speech, delivered alongside President Bush, two hours after the president had announced that he would be replaced.
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" z% E# j" h. R% \* \: \! c- z, O5.39.217.76As a key architect of the war in Iraq, Mr Rumsfeld had faced growing calls to quit as violence has continued to spiral, three years after the US-led invasion.
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"I have benefited greatly from criticism, and at no time have I suffered a lack thereof, " Mr Rumsfeld said, quoting Winston Churchill.
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He described the Iraq conflict as a "little understood, unfamiliar war" and said he was confident of ultimate success there.
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But BBC News website world affairs correspondent Paul Reynolds says his resignation is a sign and an admission that the US policy in Iraq has not worked, so far.
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Mr Bush described Mr Rumsfeld as a "patriot who served this country with honour and distinction", as well as "a trusted adviser and a friend".tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb( p* K" U4 q% t6 w: Z& X( E9 U2 [
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"America is safer and the world is more secure" as a result of Mr Rumsfeld's leadership, he said.
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0 p& O% y1 V7 V  H# o3 `2 c: D1 bHowever, Democrats welcomed Mr Rumsfeld's resignation.
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0 T" v! W, f' J. e; s' Ktvb now,tvbnow,bttvb"Secretary Rumsfeld's war plans in Iraq have failed. The country is on a dangerous course, and the administration has finally recognised the need for drastic, immediate change," said Senator John Rockefeller, senior Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee.