WASHINGTON, DC – Senator John Kerry made the following statement today about the retirement of Admiral William Fallon. Kerry pressed Congress to pose tough questions about whether Fallon was dismissed for voicing dissent against a rush to war with Iran.

“Congress needs to determine immediately whether Admiral Fallon’s resignation is another example of truth tellers being forced to the sidelines in the Bush Administration. His departure must not clear the way for a rush to war with Iran.

Admiral Fallon has been a voice of common sense and truth in an Administration where candor has been in tragically short supply. He was correct in warning that we diverted resources from Afghanistan to fight a war of choice in Iraq, and correct in warning of the risks of a rush to war with Iran.

Over these last seven Bush years, we’ve seen those who toe the company line get rewarded and those who speak inconvenient truths get retired. We know that George Tenet got the Medal of Freedom for “slam dunk” evidence on non-existent WMD’s and General Shinseki got retired for telling the truth about the troop levels needed in Iraq.

The looming question now is whether the cost of Admiral Fallon’s candor was his job.”