Joint Statement of the U.S.-Republic of Korea-and Japan Meeting at Shangri-La

U.S. Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Republic of Korea (ROK) Minister of Defense Kim Kwan Jin, and Japan Parliamentary Senior Vice Minister of Defense Shu Watanabe shared views on the regional security situation and reaffirmed the value of trilateral defense cooperation at their meeting on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 2, 2012. 

The three ministers concurred that North Korea's continued provocations including its sinking of the ROK corvette CHEONAN and shelling of Yeonpyeong Island in 2010, and its missile launch in April 2012, pose a serious threat to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula, Northeast Asia, and the world.  North Korea needs to understand that it will achieve nothing by threats or by provocations, and that such behavior will only deepen its international isolation.

The three ministers reaffirmed the April 16, 2012 Presidential Statement of the UN Security Council, demanding that North Korea comply with its obligations under UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874, including that it abandon all nuclear weapons and existing nuclear programs.  They welcomed that the Security Council made clear its determination to take action in the event of a further North Korean launch or nuclear test.  The ministers reaffirmed that North Korea’s provocative behavior threatens all three countries and will be met with solidarity from all three countries.  They agreed to continue to reinforce trilateral policy coordination in order to deter North Korean provocations. 

The three ministers affirmed the importance of trilateral collaboration for regional peace and stability, and they decided to expand the scope of this collaboration that includes humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, maritime security, protecting the freedom of navigation, and non-proliferation.  They also decided to pursue Defense Ministerial trilateral meetings at the Shangri-La Dialogue in the future.

50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Commemoration

As Delivered by Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, DC, Monday, May 28, 2012

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I’m honored to be here today with all of you as we begin the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of America’s participation in the Vietnam War.

Memorial Day is an appropriate opportunity for all Americans to come together, to pay tribute to all those who have fought and died for our country, across more than two hundred years, and on battlefields near and far.

America’s sons and daughters have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our liberties, to give all of us a better life.

At this hour, at this hallowed and haunting memorial, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War – a war that occupies a central place in the American story.

Millions of Americans were sent across the Pacific to a little known place to fight in the service of the country they loved.

Not only at this hour, but at all times, we remember and carry in our hearts the more than 58,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen whose names are inscribed on this dark wall for eternity.

For me personally, this is an especially moving moment.  As a member and later chairman of the Vietnam Era Veterans Caucus in the House of Representatives, I had the honor to work on the endowment of this memorial.  To see the names of soldiers that I served with inscribed on this wall.  To see the names of officers who went through ROTC with me at Santa Clara inscribed on this wall.  To know my good friend Everett Alvarez, a hero from this war and a classmate of mine, who served with great distinction in that war.

No memorial better reflects the pain of the sacrifices that were made.

Many more came home from that war to a country that failed to fully acknowledge their service and their sacrifice, and failed to give them the honor they so justly deserved.

That experience, that failure to thank those who were willing to put their lives on the line for this country, was burned into the soul of my generation.  For too many Vietnam veterans, the recognition of their bravery came too late. 

The Vietnam generation, my generation – is graying now.   But this commemoration effort gives the country an opportunity, today and in the years ahead, to try and right the wrongs of the past, to remember those who served in this war and what they did for us, their service, and their sacrifice on our behalf.

Last week, I had the opportunity to join the President in paying tribute to a fallen member of that generation, Specialist Les Sabo, who posthumously received the Medal of Honor.

Les Sabo died in Vietnam saving his brothers-in-arms.  And it was those same brothers of his from the 101st Airborne Division who campaigned to re-open the Medal of Honor process for Les more than ten years ago.  The story of Les in many ways is the story of the Vietnam war.  We forgot, and now we finally remember.

Next week, as Secretary of Defense I will have the opportunity to travel to Vietnam to continue strengthening the growing ties our two countries have been re-establishing since in 1995.  We have come a long way since the war ended, and it was veterans of Vietnam who led the way for our two nations to begin the process of trying to heal the wounds of the war.

Today, Department of Defense personnel are working diligently to identify and locate the remains of fallen service members missing in action in Vietnam.  Let me assure you: this sacred mission will continue until all of our troops come home and are accounted for.

It reflects the determination of our military and our country to leave no man or woman behind, and to honor those who have honored us with their service, valor, and sacrifice.

During the last decade of war, another generation of warriors has answered the call to fight and sacrifice on foreign soil.  They have done all this country has asked them to do and more.

As they have returned from overseas, America, with our Vietnam veterans front and center in the effort – has embraced this new greatest generation of service members, showing that we have learned perhaps the most important lesson to come out of the Vietnam war – the debt we owe to those who fight and who die for our freedoms.

The President and Mrs. Obama have done so much to encourage Americans to do more to recognize and support these great patriots, they have led the fight for the men and women who fought for our nation.

As this country faces tough economic times, we must do everything we can to ease the transition of the thousands of service members who come home from war to civilian life.  They fought for us.  The least we can do is fight for them.

It is now my honor to introduce one of those Soldiers who fought in Vietnam, Senator Chuck Hagel.  He led an infantry squad in Vietnam during the bloody fighting following the Tet Offensive.  Like millions of our generation, he demonstrated bravery, patriotism, and heroism on the battlefield, and he also demonstrated that patriotism and that patriotism and that heroism in the life of public service that has followed.

Chuck, we thank you for honoring us with your presence today, and thank you for your commitment to the United States of America.

Vietnam War Commemoration National Announcement and Proclamation Ceremony

On Monday, May 28, 2012, Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns will lay a wreath at the Vietnam War Commemoration National Announcement and Proclamation Ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, DC.

Congress tasked the Department of Defense to lead the United States in commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. Secretary of Defense Leon E. Panetta will host this ceremony to thank and honor America’s Vietnam Veterans on behalf of a grateful nation. President Obama will be the keynote speaker at the event which will include 2,500 Vietnam Veterans, their loved ones, current and former State officials who served at the Embassy, Gold Star families and leadership from the military services, Cabinet and Congress. In addition to President Obama, the ceremony will feature remarks by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey, Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta and Senator Chuck Hagel; a moment of silence; music; and ceremonial elements. Other government officials laying wreaths will include Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood.

Actor Tom Selleck will serve as Master of Ceremonies. Ms. Cindy Coleman, wife of the late Foreign Service Officer Joseph Fandino, who served at the U.S. Embassy in Vietnam from 1971-1972 and passed away at Bien Hoa Air Force Base in 1972, will lay a wreath with Deputy Secretary Burns.

Panetta Says U.S. Unwavering in Support of South Korea

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Dec. 19, 2011 – Officials across government have collectively conveyed America’s unwavering commitment to South Korea, Defense Department officials said today.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta spoke with South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin about the death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il in a 15-minute telephone call this morning, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little said.

“The secretary conveyed to Mr. Kim the strong commitment of the United States to peninsular stability and to our alliance,” he said. “He made it clear that the United States stands with Korea in this time of uncertainty.”

Little stressed there has been no increase in force protection for U.S. forces in Korea and that there is “no truth” to rumors that U.S. families would be evacuated.

No unusual military movements connected with the death of Kim Jong-il have been detected, Little said. There are 36,000 U.S. service members based in South Korea.

The two defense leaders agreed that it is critical for both countries to remain prudent with respect to all matters related to the security posture on the peninsula. Both promised to consult often in the days and weeks ahead.

U.S. officials would not comment on an announcement from North Korean officials that Kim’s son, Kim Jong-eun, will take over the isolated country.

“I wouldn’t comment on the particulars of succession at this stage,” Little said. “Obviously, we are closely monitoring the succession process. The North Koreans are in a period of mourning at this point, and that being said, the military does exercise a prominent role in North Korea, but I wouldn’t want to speculate at this stage.”

U.S. and South Korean officials believe that a North Korean missile test conducted earlier today was pre-planned and not connected to Kim’s death, a senior Pentagon official said on background.

Panetta was briefed on Kim’s death immediately after word reached the outside world last weekend, Little said.

“He has been closely monitoring the situation ever since,” the press secretary said. “He has been in contact with senior officials here in the department.”

Panetta Pledges Security Support for South Korea

By Karen Parrish

American Forces Press Service

 

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 26, 2011 – The United States remains steadfast in its resolve to provide security support for South Korea, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta told service members here today.

 

The secretary outlined his objectives for his visit and responded to troops’ questions during a town hall meeting at U.S. Army Yongsan Garrison featuring an audience of U.S. and South Korean service members.

 

The secretary said the message he brought to South Korea is simple.

 

“The United States of America is committed to the defense of the Republic of Korea,” he said.

 

Panetta said the message he has brought this week to leaders throughout the region -- in Indonesia in meetings with defense ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and in Japan -- is that the United States is a Pacific nation, and will remain a Pacific power and a force for regional peace and prosperity.

 

“The only way we can do that is, frankly, with men and women like you -- willing to serve, willing to help defend our nation and willing to defend [South Korea],” the secretary said.

 

A lot of blood was spilled by U.S. and Korean forces during the 1950-1953 Korean War that established today’s alliance, Panetta said.

 

“As a result of that, we have a South Korea that is a nation that has grown strong and independent, and really represents the kind of nation that will be an important ally to the United States in the Pacific region,” he said.

 

Panetta told the troops that they and their counterparts have accomplished much in Iraq, Afghanistan and Libya.

 

“Bottom line, the successes in those areas are because of you,” the secretary said.

 

The United States will maintain a strong presence in the Middle East to deter aggression from Iran and other nations who seek to destabilize that region, Panetta said. Successes there, he added, create an opportunity to focus on the Pacific region.

 

“We are a country that wants to promote peace and prosperity in the world,” he said.

 

America’s military presence in South Korea and the larger Pacific region allows U.S. forces to work with allies and partners, Panetta said, to preserve peace, allow for free and open congress, and afford young people the opportunity to succeed.

 

Panetta reiterated that he will not break faith with U.S. military members by cutting benefits promised to them when they signed up. The president and the chiefs of the military services have made that clear as well, he added.

 

The audience applauded when the secretary said any potential changes in military retirement benefits will not apply to those now serving.

 

Panetta acknowledged the nation’s budget struggles require that cuts be made, but declared he believes the right budget approach now can result in a better defense force in the future.

 

The secretary responded to audience questions on troop drawdowns, education benefits and the possibility of future military retirement options for those who serve less than 20 years.

 

Reductions in force will take place, Panetta said, noting they would have occurred even without a budget crisis, as combat forces leave Iraq and troop numbers decrease in Afghanistan. Over the next few years, he said, the Defense Department likely will see troop decreases of 10,000 to 15,000 a year.

 

“We’ve got to be concerned about that … [and] make sure that those who have served … make that transition back into [civilian life] in a way that preserves their dignity,” the secretary said.

 

Panetta said the president and first lady, as well as officials in the Pentagon and elsewhere, are involved in helping transitioning veterans reintegrate successfully to the civilian sector.

 

The GI Bill, small-business incentives for veterans and private-sector agreements to hire returning service members are avenues that can help reintegrate today’s troops when they leave the military, he noted.

 

“There’s a lot of effort to reach out to the private sector, [and] this is a time when we’ve got to ask America to support those that have supported our country,” he said.

 

Panetta said that while he believes no new fees will be attached to GI Bill benefits, health care and other areas may see some fee increases.

 

Partial retirement may be an option for those in the future who serve less than 20 years in the military, the secretary said, but those currently serving will not see a change to the benefits they signed up for.

 

Before the town hall, Panetta met with Army Gen. James D. Thurman, U.S. Forces Korea commander. The secretary also participated in an hour-long roundtable discussion with three enlisted and three junior officer service members and their spouses, as well as a Defense Department civilian and spouse.

 

Panetta’s South Korea visit will continue through Oct. 28. The secretary has meetings scheduled with South Korean Minister of Defense Kim Kwan-Jin and Foreign Minister Kim Sung-Hwan.

 

Panetta also will take part in the executive session of the 43rd Security Consultative Meeting. The meeting is an annual conference of U.S. and South Korea government defense leaders and delegations.