Hagel: America Must Not 'Dictate' To The World

[HuffingtonPost]

(Fixes slug)                

By Phil Stewart                

WASHINGTON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Decorated Vietnam veteran  Chuck Hagel was sworn in as U.S. defense secretary on Wednesday  after a bruising Senate confirmation battle, and promised to  renew old U.S. alliances and forge new ones without attempting  to "dictate" to the world.                

Addressing Pentagon employees shortly after a small,  closed-door swearing-in ceremony, Hagel spoke optimistically, if  vaguely, about global challenges ahead and the importance of  American leadership abroad.                

"We can't dictate to the world. But we must engage the  world. We must lead with our allies," Hagel said in what  appeared to be unscripted remarks.                

"No nation, as great as America is, can do any of this  alone."                

He also plainly acknowledged the prospect of looming  automatic budget cuts, known as the sequester, saying flatly:  "That's a reality. We need to figure this out. You are doing  that."                

"We need to deal with this reality," he added, as hopes dim  in Washington that Congress might act in time to forestall $46  billion in Pentagon cuts, due to kick in on March 1.                

Hagel, a former two-term Republican U.S. senator from  Nebraska, broke from his party during the administration of  George W. Bush to become a fierce critic of the Iraq war.                

Many Republicans opposed to Hagel's nomination scorned him  over Iraq and raised questions about whether he was sufficiently  supportive of Israel, tough enough on Iran or truly committed to  maintaining a robust nuclear deterrent.                

The 58-41 Senate vote to confirm him late on Tuesday was the  closest vote ever to approve a defense secretary, with only four  Republicans supporting him.                                

AMERICA MUST USE POWER "WISELY"                

Hagel did not acknowledge any Republican criticisms or   reveal any personal concerns about working with Congress during  his remarks on Wednesday. But he did articulate his views about  the need for caution when America flexes its muscle abroad.                

"We have great power and how we apply our power is  particularly important," Hagel said.                

"That engagement in the world should be done wisely. And the  resources that we employ on behalf of our country and our allies  should always be applied wisely."                

Hagel's views of war and the limits of American military  power were shaped in part by his experiences in Vietnam, where  he fought as an infantryman alongside his brother and was  awarded two Purple Hearts, the medal given to troops wounded in  battle.                

Hagel still carries the shrapnel from one of his injuries  and he is the first Vietnam veteran to lead the Pentagon.                

Introducing Hagel in the Pentagon auditorium, an Army  infantryman with two tours in Afghanistan said Hagel "knows the  very real cost of war" and was guided by principals to use force  only when necessary.                

Among his first tasks, Hagel will start weighing in on  crucial decisions about the Afghan war, notably the size and  scope of the American force that President Barack Obama will  leave behind in the country once NATO declares its combat  mission over at the end of 2014.                

Leaving fewer troops than U.S. commanders recommend could  create tension with the military, and become a lightening-rod  issue with Republicans.                

Hagel's predecessor, former defense secretary Leon Panetta,  discussed with NATO allies in Brussels last week keeping a NATO  force of between 8,000 and 12,000 troops. A senior NATO official  said last month that the United States expects other NATO allies  to contribute between a third and half the number of troops  Washington provides.      (Editing by Warren Strobel and Paul Simao)

Via: HuffingtonPost