With a smile and a no comment, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates fended off speculation Wednesday that president-elect Barack Obama may ask him to stay at the Pentagon.

It was the first question put to Gates at a media availability after he met here with Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip: had he had any discussions with Obama or his representatives about the defense chief's job?

Gates smiled mischievously and said: "I have nothing new to say on the subject."

His future has been a subject of intense speculation since a top Obama foreign policy adviser, Richard Danzig, told reporters October 2 that Gates had been a good defense secretary and "would be a better one in an Obama administration."

The Wall Street Journal, citing two unnamed advisers to the president-elect, said Tuesday that Obama was leaning toward asking Gates to stay on at the Pentagon for a least a year.

That would help smooth the transition at a time when the country is embroiled in two wars and faces potential challenges from Iran, North Korea and Russia.

Gates' visit here was in part to assure the Baltic countries of US support in the wake of Russia's invasion of Georgia in August.

But it would run counter to Obama's campaign promise of change, and Gates has opposed a firm timetable for the withdrawal of US forces from Iraq.

Nevertheless, Obama advisers have not ruled it out and Gates in public comments has pointedly left open the door to remaining on the job if asked.

John Podesta, the co-chair of Obama's transition team, told reporters Tuesday that the incoming president had "great respect" for Gates, but would wait to hear the findings of experts he is sending to probe Defense Department operations.

"We'll have a team that's going to the Pentagon that will be briefed about ongoing operations, ongoing programs ... he'll render judgement as a result of and after those briefings occur and he's had a chance to meet with his key advisers," Podesta said.