The Pentagon pledged Thursday to work for a “seamless transition” as it shifts from U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld to his designated successor, former Central Intelligence Agency chief Robert Gates. President George W. Bush indicated that Rumsfeld, who abruptly resigned on Wednesday, is likely to remain in charge of the Defense Department until the end of the year. Gates must be confirmed by the Senate before taking charge of the Pentagon. Until then, Rumsfeld intends to continue to make decisions on Iraq, where U.S. military commanders are accelerating the transfer of control of territory and Iraqi security forces to the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman said. “The department is committed to a seamless transition,” Whitman told reporters. “We will be working with Dr. Gates as he prepares for his confirmation hearings.” He noted that besides the military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon is developing its budget for 2008 and another request for emergency spending. “When Dr. Gates is confirmed, I'm sure we'll be looking at any number of things,” Whitman said. “I can tell you Secretary Rumsfeld understands and values having people look at a problem from a new direction. … In the meantime, the department is going about the business of the department.”
