Gen McChrystal likely to resign over magazine comments

Dunya News

America's top military commander in Afghanistan Gen. Stanley McChrystal is likely to resign after making remarks about colleagues in a magazine profile to be published Friday. Gen. Stanley McChrystal is likely resign today. McChrystal's fate is expected to hinge on a meeting scheduled today with President Barack Obama, who was angry after reading the general's remarks in Rolling Stone. The magnitude and graveness of McChrystal's mistake in conducting the interview for the article were profound, White House press secretary Robert Gibbs said. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said McChrystal had made a significant mistake and exercised poor judgment. McChrystal apologized Tuesday for the profile, in which he and his staff appear to mock top civilian officials, including the vice president. Two defense officials said the general fired a press aide over the article, set to appear in Friday's edition of Rolling Stone. I extend my sincerest apology for this profile. It was a mistake reflecting poor judgment and should never have happened, McChrystal said in a Pentagon statement. Throughout my career, I have lived by the principles of personal honor and professional integrity. What is reflected in this article falls far short of that standard. McChrystal has been recalled to Washington to explain his actions to the president. He is expected to meet with Obama in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Gibbs said. Gibbs refused to speculate about McChrystal's fate, but told reporters all options are on the table. Obama, questioned about McChrystal before a Cabinet meeting Tuesday afternoon, said he had not made a decision. I think it's clear that the article in which he and his team appeared showed poor judgment, but I also want to make sure that I talk to him directly before I make that final decision, he said.McChrystal is prepared to resign if the president has lost confidence in him. The White House will have more to say after Wednesday's meeting. However, McChrystal did not take part in a teleconference Obama had with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and other top officials on Tuesday. Several elected officials have strongly criticized McChrystal but deferred to the president on the politically sensitive question of whether the general should keep his position. A couple of key congressmen, however, have openly called for McChrystal's removal.