REFILE-FACTBOX-Four facts on Pentagon nominee Gates
06 Dec 2006 22:57:14 GMT Source: Reuters
(Fixes headline) Dec 6 (Reuters) - Robert Gates, nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to replace Donald Rumsfeld as defense secretary, was confirmed on Wednesday by the U.S. Senate. Here are four facts about the 63-year-old new Pentagon chief, who will be sworn in for duty in the coming weeks. * Served as director of the CIA from 1991 until 1993. The Kansas native was the only career officer in CIA history to rise from entry-level employee to director of central intelligence. Joined the CIA in in 1966. * Has been deeply involved in bipartisan discussions on Iraq as member of the Iraq Study Group headed by former Secretary of State James Baker. The group on Wednesday issued alternative ideas for a way forward in Iraq. * First nominated as CIA director in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan but withdrew amid questions over his and the CIA's role in the secret sales of arms to Iran and the diversion of profits to Nicaragua's Contra rebels. In hearings in 1991, Gates admitted mistakes and said he should have done more to get at the truth. * Served as deputy director of the CIA from 1986 to 1989 and as deputy national security adviser for President George Bush at the White House from 1989 until 1991.
