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| Obama's nominee for defense secretary Chuck Hagel [Official Photo] |
By RFE/RL
Washington: U.S. President Barack Obama's nominee for defense secretary
told a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that he was ready to back
military action if necessary against Iran or other adversaries.
Former Republican Senator Chuck Hagel told lawmakers he endorsed
Obama's stance on Iran's nuclear program, with military force as an option if
diplomacy fails.
"My policy has always been the same as the president's
-- one of prevention, not of containment," he said. "And the
president has made clear that is the policy of our government. As secretary of
defense I will make sure that the department [of defense] is prepared for any
contingency. That's my job, that's my responsibility."
The hearing was the first time Hagel has publicly addressed
criticism that he is not sufficiently pro-Israel or tough enough on Iran. He
has also been questioned by Republicans about his vote against the U.S.
military surge in Iraq, which he voted against when he was a senator, and which
many people view as a success in helping to end U.S. involvement in Iraq.
John McCain (Republican-Arizona) questioned him sharply on
this issue as well as if Hagel supports the U.S. becoming more involved in the
civil war in Syria.
Hagel was also criticized in the past for his comments about
the influence of a "Jewish lobby" and his description of a diplomatic
nominee as "openly, aggressively gay."
Hagel also told the committee that it will be important to
obtain immunity from prosecution for any U.S. troops who remain in Afghanistan
after the allied combat mission ends in 2014.
He maintained that if U.S. forces stay in Afghanistan after
2014 their role should be limited to to a few defined activities.
"President [Barack Obama] has made clear, and I agree,
that there should be only two functions for the U.S. troops that remain in
Afghanistan after 2014 -- counterterrorism, particularly to target Al-Qaeda and
its affiliates, and training and advising Afghan forces," he said.
"It's time we forge a new partnership with Afghanistan -- with its
government, and most importantly with its people."
Hagel insisted that he wanted to ensure that America's armed
forces remained the strongest in the world, and addressed criticism for his
support for cuts in nuclear weapons.
"While we pursue the reductions in our deployed
stockpiles and launchers consistent with the new START treaty, I am committed
to maintaining a modern, strong, safe, ready, and effective nuclear
arsenal," he said.
"America's nuclear deterrent over the last 35
years has played a central role in ensuring global security and the avoidance
of World War III."
If confirmed by the Senate, Hagel would replace outgoing
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
Copyright (c) 2013. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the
permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
Washington DC 20036.