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December 20, 2012
Ambassadors’ Open Letter:
Senator Hagel Impeccable Choice for Defense Secretary
We support, most strongly and without qualification, President Obama’s
reported intention to nominate Senator Chuck Hagel to be the next
secretary of defense. Each of us has known the senator over the past
twenty years and has found him invariably one of the best informed
leaders in the U.S. Congress on the issues of U.S. national security.
Senator Hagel’s credentials for the job are impeccable. As a decorated
Vietnam veteran, an extremely successful entrepreneur in the private
sector and as a two-term senator, he brings unusually high
qualifications and experiences to the Department of Defense at this
time of budget constraint and challenges to reshape America’s military
power while keeping it strong for the coming decades.
Senator Hagel’s political courage has impressed us all. He has stood
and argued publicly for what he believes is best for the United
States. When he was attacked for opposing the war in Iraq as
“unpatriotic,” he replied, “To question your government is not
unpatriotic – to not question your government is unpatriotic.”
Time and again he chose to take the path of standing up for our nation
over political expediency. He has always supported the pillars of
American foreign policy – such as: a strong NATO and Atlantic
partnership; a commitment to the security of Israel, as a friend and
ally; a determination to stop the proliferation of nuclear weapons;
and the defense of human rights as a core principle of America’s role
in the world.
Each of us has had the opportunity to work with Senator Hagel at one
time or another on the issues of the Middle East. He has invariably
demonstrated strong support for Israel and for a two
state solution and has been opposed to those who would undermine or
threaten Israel’s security.
We can think of few more qualified, more non-partisan, more courageous
or better equipped to head the Department of Defense at this critical
moment in strengthening America’s role in the world. If he is
nominated, we urge the speedy confirmation of Senator Hagel’s
appointment.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Burns, former Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs,
Ambassador to NATO and Greece
Ryan Crocker, former Ambassador to Iraq and Afghanistan
Edward Djerejian, former Ambassador to Israel and Syria William
Harrop, former Ambassador to Israel
Daniel Kurtzer, former Ambassador to Israel and Egypt Sam Lewis,
former Ambassador to Israel
William H. Luers, former Ambassador to Venezuela and Czechoslovakia
Thomas R. Pickering, former Under Secretary of State for Political
Affairs, Ambassador to Israel and Russia
Frank G. Wisner, former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy,
Ambassador to Egypt and India
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