News reports claiming Adm. William J. Fallon, the top U.S. commander for Iraq and Afghanistan, was at odds with President Bush over Middle East policy "became a distraction at a critical time," Fallon said yesterday in confirming he is resigning early from the position and retiring.

Fallon, 63, left Pacific Command at O'ahu's Camp Smith only a year ago to take charge of U.S. Central Command. Since then, he repeatedly has been linked to calls for restraint in the possible use of military force against Iran — in opposition to stronger language from some members of the Bush administration.

"Although I don't believe there have ever been any differences about the objectives of our policy in the Central Command area of responsibility, the simple perception that there is makes it difficult for me to effectively serve America's interests there," Fallon said in a statement.

Fallon is traveling in Iraq. The statement was issued by his U.S. headquarters in Tampa, Fla.

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Akaka, D-Hawai'i, said Fallon's resignation represents a "significant loss to our military and our nation at a time when our armed forces need a strong, independent leader who is willing to make honest assessments of this administration's strategic policies."

"Adm. Fallon's decision to resign is yet one more example of this administration silencing our top military leaders," said Akaka, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. "It is not only necessary but mandatory that these military experts who have spent years in the field serving our country have the ability to express their concerns without fear of censure or reprisal."

An Esquire magazine story on Fallon may have been the last straw.

The article, titled "The Man Between War and Peace," states that Fallon "is that rarest of creatures in the Bush universe: the good cop on Iran."

U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates yesterday announced the change and said he approved Fallon's request to retire "with reluctance and regret."

Effective March 31, Army Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, will serve as acting commander.

"Adm. Fallon has served his nation well throughout a distinguished military career for over 40 years, first in the Navy and then at the helm of two of the most important and dynamic operational commands, Pacific and Central Command," Gates said.

Gates said Bush administration policy "is to try and deal with the Iranian challenge through diplomatic and economic pressures and sanctions."

Fallon "obviously was fully supportive of that," Gates said. He added, though, that the administration also has "talked about all options being on the table." The U.S. is concerned about Iran's nuclear capability.

Fallon's decision to retire was "a cumulative kind of thing," Gates said. "It isn't the result of any one article or any one issue."

UNUSUAL DEPARTURE

Fallon was part of a new team of senior officials, including Gates, chosen by the president to implement a revised Iraq war policy.

He was the first Navy man placed in charge of U.S. Central Command, which is primarily in charge of two ground wars — a move that raised questions about what the Bush administration was trying to accomplish.

It is highly unusual for a senior military commander to resign in wartime, and Fallon's departure also leaves question marks.

Army Gen. David Petraeus, who runs the Iraq war from Baghdad but is technically subordinate to Fallon, was known to have differences with Fallon over the timing and pace of troop drawdowns in Iraq. Fallon has favored a faster pullback.

Adm. Timothy Keating, who succeeded Fallon as head of U.S. Pacific Command, was testifying yesterday before a Senate Armed Services Committee, and did not issue a statement.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. "Randy" Mixon, who heads up U.S. Army Pacific at Fort Shafter, had praise for Fallon. Mixon said he got to know Fallon while Fallon was at Camp Smith and also as head of U.S. Central Command.

Fallon visited Mixon twice while Mixon was in charge of U.S. forces in northern Iraq.

"He was extremely supportive and very insightful as to the challenges that the nation faces in Iraq and the region," Mixon said. "I greatly appreciated his candor with me and his willingness to listen to my concerns about the overall situation in northern Iraq. He is a great patriot and strong supporter of our soldiers and families."

U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye, D-Hawai'i, chairman of the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee, said he was sorry to see Fallon's "brilliant career come to an end this way."

"His service to our nation has been invaluable, and we owe him much," Inouye said.

U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, also a Hawai'i Democrat, declined to comment on Fallon's resignation until he knew more about it, said Dave Helfert, spokesman for the congressman.

U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawai'i, said she met Fallon during his time as commander of U.S. Pacific Command.

"I would like to thank Adm. Fallon for serving the people of Hawai'i, and our country, with distinction and honor," she said.

'UNHELPFUL ACTIONS'

Fallon had been tempering Iran war rhetoric since his final days in charge of Pacific Command.

In an interview at Camp Smith before he took on his new role, Fallon said Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons was "destabilizing, unhelpful actions that are inimical to what we would like to see in this region."

"And we want to make sure that they are discouraged from taking steps that would be unhelpful along these lines. Does that mean we would like to go to war with Iran? I don't think so," he said.

Fallon, a New Jersey native and 1967 Villanova graduate, flew in the Vietnam War and commanded a carrier air wing during a combat deployment to the Arabian Gulf in Operation Desert Storm in 1991.

He is credited at Pacific Command with building on successful engagement with China that was increased by by his predecessor, Adm. Tom Fargo.

Fallon and his wife, Mary, had been contemplating retirement a year ago, but instead Fallon was thrown into the frying pan of Middle East tensions.

"It's a challenge that needs to be met," he said a year ago of accepting the new assignment. "We've asked thousands and thousands and thousands of American soldiers and Marines, sailors and airmen to go out there and to serve our country in difficult circumstances."

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com and Dennis Camire at dcamire@gns.gannett.com.