Apparently, approval for retirement was denied. Mighty convenient for the Bush Administration, as it will mean he won't be testifying before Congress.
More below.
First of all, see this AP story:
Story
The Pentagon on Friday ruled out including Adm. William Fallon as a witness before Congress when the top U.S. military and diplomatic officials in Baghdad testify next month on the way ahead in Iraq.
In declaring that Fallon would not join Gen. David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker as witnesses before Congress next month, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said the decision had nothing to do with Fallon's views on Iran or the reasons for his unexpected resignation and retirement.
"I know there have been requests, in fact, from members of Congress to have Adm. Fallon testify with Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, and I can tell you that Adm. Fallon will not be testifying" with them, Morrell told a Pentagon news conference
Although he is giving up his command, Fallon will remain on active duty until his retirement later this spring. His deputy, Lt. Gen. Martin Dempsey, is scheduled to become acting Central Command commander when Fallon leaves March 31. No permanent replacement has been nominated, and Morrell said Friday that a successor is unlikely to be in place before May.
The tension between the top military command and the White House is as intense as it has been since Vietnam- and for similar reasons. Robert Gates worked hard to get Fallon into the CentCom position, and likely doesn't see his departure from that position as good news. Of course, as the token rational adult Fallon's opposition to extending W's temper tantrum to Iran will still be missed.
Petraeus will now be able to operate without the annoying obstacle of an informed opinion unaligned and unintimidated by our warmonger-in-chief.
I will add more details as I am able to pull them together.