By Phil Stewart
WASHINGTON Wed Feb 27, 2013 12:59pm EST
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Decorated Vietnam veteran Chuck Hagel had been sworn in when U.S. defensive admin upon Wednesday after a bruising Senate confirmation battle, as well as assured for you to renew aged U.S. alliances in addition to forge fresh ones with out wanting to "dictate" towards world.
Addressing Pentagon workers shortly after a new small, closed-door swearing-in ceremony, Hagel chatted optimistically, in case vaguely, regarding international conflicts onward and the importance involving American authority abroad.
"We won't be able to shape towards world. But must employ the actual world. We have to guide using our allies," Hagel said in what made an appearance to get unscripted remarks.
"No nation, seeing that great when America is, can do every of your alone."
He also admittedly acknowledged this prospect of looming automatic spending plan cuts, known as the actual sequester, stating flatly: "That's some sort of reality. We should figure this specific out. You are generally executing that."
"We have to have to be able to package using this type of reality," he added, while desires dim around Washington that Congress might take action over time in order to stop $46 thousand within Pentagon cuts, because of do its stuff on March 1.
Hagel, a an old two-term Republican U.S. senator from Nebraska, split coming from his party in the administration regarding George W. Bush to become a fierce critic from the Iraq war.
Many Republicans opposed to Hagel's nomination scorned the pup above Iraq in addition to higher questions about whether he or she seemed to be sufficiently supportive of Israel, tough enough on Iran as well as truly focused on preserving your stronger nuclear deterrent.
The 58-41 Senate vote to ensure your pet late on Tuesday has been the nearest vote ever before that will approve your protection secretary, with just several Republicans supporting him.
AMERICA MUST USE POWER "WISELY"
Hagel would not admit virtually any Republican criticisms or perhaps reveal any personal fears with regards to working together with Congress during their comments with Wednesday. But this individual managed articulate his views within the dependence on caution while America flexes its muscle abroad.
"We have got wonderful power and precisely how many of us employ our strength is usually specially important," Hagel said.
"That engagement in the world really should be performed wisely. And this means of which most of us employ regarding each of our united states in addition to our allies need to often end up being applied wisely."
Hagel's ideas connected with battle as well as rules regarding American military power have been shaped simply by means of their encounters around Vietnam, in which he fought just as one infantryman down his frankly and was given not one but two Purple Hearts, this honor offered to troops wounded inside battle.
Hagel nevertheless offers the actual shrapnel out of probably his injuries and he could be the initial Vietnam seasoned for you to lead the Pentagon.
Introducing Hagel around the actual Pentagon auditorium, an Army infantryman along with not one but two travels within Afghanistan said Hagel "knows the very serious cost of war" along with ended up being guided by way of principals to apply push only when necessary.
Among their first tasks, Hagel will become analyzing around with vital decisions about the Afghan war, notably the size in addition to setting of this American pressure this President Barack Obama could get away from behind from the country once NATO reports their overcome objective above when they get home associated with 2014.
Leaving lower soldiers as compared to U.S. commanders advocate could possibly produce tension together with the particular military, and become a lightening-rod problem with Republicans.
Hagel's predecessor, original defense secretary Leon Panetta, discussed together with NATO allies throughout Brussels a week ago trying to keep a new NATO power regarding in between 8,000 and also 12,000 troops. A senior NATO standard said previous month of which the actual United States needs other NATO allies to chip in concerning your lastly and half how many troops Washington provides.
(Editing simply by Warren Strobel and Paul Simao)
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