SHARM EL-SHEIK, Egypt - President Bush's top national security aides said Tuesday their double-barreled show of diplomatic and military support for friendly Arab allies this week is not a shot across Iran's bow.ADVERTISEMENT
"We are out here to talk about the long term," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said, as he and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began two days of meetings among Persian Gulf allies and Egypt. Gates noted that U.S. relationships in the Gulf and beyond predate the current unease over Iran's ambitions and influence.
If Iran perceives the joint visit and U.S. overtures differently, "that's in the eye of the beholder," Gates said.
The Cabinet secretaries also said during a joint press conference in this Red Sea resort that they heard worries from Arab allies about the future of the U.S. military presence in Iraq.
"We are out here to talk about the long term," Defense Secretary Robert Gates said, as he and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice began two days of meetings among Persian Gulf allies and Egypt. Gates noted that U.S. relationships in the Gulf and beyond predate the current unease over Iran's ambitions and influence.
If Iran perceives the joint visit and U.S. overtures differently, "that's in the eye of the beholder," Gates said.
The Cabinet secretaries also said during a joint press conference in this Red Sea resort that they heard worries from Arab allies about the future of the U.S. military presence in Iraq.
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