Rumsfeld replaced after poll loss

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Source:  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6130296.stm! Z1 p6 K$ r% g7 |* f! W
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.+ d  ?8 e. E% s' a+ n1 y+ [6 j3 B
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President George W Bush said that he and Mr Rumsfeld had agreed that a "fresh perspective" was needed in Iraq.公仔箱論壇5 p' t. Q4 B6 I% d
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Former CIA Director Robert Gates has been nominated to replace Mr Rumsfeld.TVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。2 C, p! ~+ w4 \* z

' Z+ v* O$ K0 ^. Q2 r公仔箱論壇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.tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb& z( g( R1 t* V5 T! Q

, e3 I$ R$ o, ~+ p% o"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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; `; N$ X% d4 v: ^2 M5.39.217.76As 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. 5.39.217.76$ v3 J' K2 }; I+ R+ L8 H! A: ?( Q1 u
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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.TVBNOW 含有熱門話題，最新最快電視，軟體，遊戲，電影，動漫及日常生活及興趣交流等資訊。& J$ {; i. A( v5 M7 z! f

1 L$ S# b' K& M: k- f/ F公仔箱論壇He described the Iraq conflict as a "little understood, unfamiliar war" and said he was confident of ultimate success there.tvb now,tvbnow,bttvb. o: R0 Z  \$ \8 k0 n) x

% T8 B& c) ]$ h$ R5.39.217.76But 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".
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* Z, Q" R( @, e. I5.39.217.76"America is safer and the world is more secure" as a result of Mr Rumsfeld's leadership, he said.
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However, Democrats welcomed Mr Rumsfeld's resignation.5.39.217.76# l4 l4 U+ q4 }) ^0 C
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"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.