Panetta sworn in as new defense secretary

Panetta sworn in as new defense secretary
By Robert Burns - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jul 1, 2011 9:51:38 EDT
WASHINGTON — On his first day as Pentagon chief, Leon Panetta said his top priorities are preserving U.S. military power despite budget cuts, defeating al-Qaida, stabilizing Afghanistan and forging a "real and lasting partnership" with Iraq.

Panetta huddled Friday with the Joint Chiefs of Staff shortly after taking the oath as the nation's 23rd secretary of defense, signaling that he intends to follow the example of his predecessor, Robert Gates, in building ties with the military brass. He said he would, like Gates, put a premium on advocating for the needs of troops and their families.

"Rest assured that ... I will fight for you," he said in a video message to U.S. troops worldwide.

He sounded the same theme at his swearing-in, which was closed to reporters. According to a Pentagon spokesman, Marine Col. David Lapan, Panetta said during the brief oath-taking ceremony in his new office, "There is no higher responsibility for a secretary of defense than to protect those who are protecting America."
read more here
Panetta sworn in as new defense secretary