KERRY VERY ‘UPSET’ OVER HAGEL RESIGNATION

Washington DC, 2 Shafar 1436/25 November 2014 (MINA) – The U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has said he is very upset to learn about the resignation of U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.

Speaking at a press conference on Iran’s nuclear talks Monday in Vienna, Kerry said “I am very upset to hear that Chuck has made the decision to resign,” World Bulletin quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Tuesday.

A Republican critic of the Iraq war, Hagel, 68, came aboard in February 2013 to manage the U.S. pullout from Afghanistan, and guide the Pentagon during a period of budget cuts known as sequestration.

Kerry said the Pentagon couldn’t have had a finer soldier and public servant like Hagel.

“He has done a super job for helping the Afghanistan transition,” he said.

Hagel served in the Vietnam war and was awarded two Purple Heart medals, the oldest U.S. military award given to American service members.

“I respect his decision, and we will continue to work together until the time that his replacement is appointed,” Kerry added.

The Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has resigned, U.S. officials said on Monday, ending nearly two years in the Pentagon’s top job after a bruising mid-term election that undermined President Barack Obama’s Democrats in Congress.

Hagel, who had struggled to improve his ties with Congress after a contentious 2013 confirmation hearing, submitted his resignation letter after lengthy discussions with Obama that began in October, officials said.

It was the first major change to Obama’s Cabinet since his Democrats were routed in midterm elections three weeks ago, and Republicans, who took over the Senate and now control both houses of Congress, are looking to bring changes.

Hagel was appointed less than two years ago as Obama pushed his signature program of winding down wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, a process now being upended with U.S. re-engagement in Iraq and greater military cooperation with Kabul.

Hagel had privately expressed frustration to colleagues at the administration’s strategy toward Iraq and Syria and at his lack of influence over the decision-making process, a source familiar with the situation said. (T/R03/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)