Who was talking to reporters?
Robert Gates
And what's his title?
Defense Secretary
And where was he talking to them?
Baghdad
And what did he tell them?
he intends to retire
And when?
sometime this year
What other issues did he speak on?
possible U.S. government shutdown
And what is causing the possible shut down?
Differences between U.S. Democrats and Republicans
How soon must they act to prevent it?
Friday
If they don't prevent it, will all of it be shut down?
No
How much will be?
parts of the government
And who did the secretary talk to on Thursday?
General Lloyd Austin
And?
James Jeffrey
Where?
Al Faw Palace
In what city?
Baghdad
Will Gates speak with anyone else in the future?
Yes
Who?
Massoud Barzani
What's his title?
president of the Kurdish regional government
And will Gates say something to Iraq's leaders?
Yes
What will he say?
"that it is important for them to complete the government-formation process, particularly to get the security ministries dealt with,"
According to who?
a senior defense official