U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has decided against a proposal to give U.S. Marines a leading ro

WASHINGTON: U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has decided against a proposal to give U.S. Marines a leading role in Afghanistan as they draw down from Iraq, Marine Corps Commandant James Conway said on Wednesday.
"While it doesn’t appear that additional Marine units will be needed in Afghanistan in the near future, we will continue to be ready to respond if called to serve," Conway told reporters at the Pentagon.