This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-21608051
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Chuck Hagel: US must not dictate to the world | Chuck Hagel: US must not dictate to the world |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Shortly after his swearing-in as defence secretary, Chuck Hagel says the US should engage with the world rather than dictating to it. | |
| Mr Hagel told Pentagon employees that the US must lead with its allies. | Mr Hagel told Pentagon employees that the US must lead with its allies. |
| He made the remarks a day after the Senate approved his appointment following a bruising nomination battle. | He made the remarks a day after the Senate approved his appointment following a bruising nomination battle. |
| Mr Hagel was confirmed by a 58-41 vote after Republicans stalled his nomination, questioning his past positions on Israel and Iran. | Mr Hagel was confirmed by a 58-41 vote after Republicans stalled his nomination, questioning his past positions on Israel and Iran. |
| He replaces Leon Panetta, who was confirmed unanimously in June 2011. | He replaces Leon Panetta, who was confirmed unanimously in June 2011. |
| Use resources 'wisely' | Use resources 'wisely' |
| In 15 minutes of remarks at the Pentagon, Mr Hagel called for the US to continue building strong relationships with old and new allies. | In 15 minutes of remarks at the Pentagon, Mr Hagel called for the US to continue building strong relationships with old and new allies. |
| "We can't dictate to the world, but we should engage with the world," said the nation's 24th defence secretary. | "We can't dictate to the world, but we should engage with the world," said the nation's 24th defence secretary. |
| He added that the US was a "force for good" and that the US military should use its resources around the globe "wisely". | He added that the US was a "force for good" and that the US military should use its resources around the globe "wisely". |
| The former Nebraska senator arrives at the Pentagon two days before $46bn (£30bn) in across-the-board cuts are set to hit the military programmes. | The former Nebraska senator arrives at the Pentagon two days before $46bn (£30bn) in across-the-board cuts are set to hit the military programmes. |
| On the budget cuts, Mr Hagel thanked staff for working to figure out how to deal with the reductions. But he said the real danger was the "uncertainty of planning, the uncertainty of commitment". | On the budget cuts, Mr Hagel thanked staff for working to figure out how to deal with the reductions. But he said the real danger was the "uncertainty of planning, the uncertainty of commitment". |
| The new defence secretary also said he was committed to making sure that both US troops and civilian workers are treated fairly and equally. | |
| Two weeks ago, Republicans delayed a vote, questioning Mr Hagel's past positions on Israel and Iran, and his qualifications for the post. | Two weeks ago, Republicans delayed a vote, questioning Mr Hagel's past positions on Israel and Iran, and his qualifications for the post. |
| But they dropped the filibuster stalling tactic, the first time it has ever been used to delay confirmation of a defence secretary, after a week-long recess. | But they dropped the filibuster stalling tactic, the first time it has ever been used to delay confirmation of a defence secretary, after a week-long recess. |
| President Barack Obama's Democratic Party holds a 55-45 edge in the chamber, and Mr Hagel ultimately only needed 50 votes to be confirmed. | |
| Republican Senators Thad Cochran, Rand Paul, Richard Shelby and Mike Johanns voted in favour of Mr Hagel's appointment. | Republican Senators Thad Cochran, Rand Paul, Richard Shelby and Mike Johanns voted in favour of Mr Hagel's appointment. |