Monday
Dec112006
Pentagon Update
Monday, December 11, 2006 at 3:00AM
By Wendy Wang
Outgoing secretary of defense caused quite a bit of stir amongst the news corps when he made a surprise weekend trip to Iraq, but failed to invite or notify the major news organizations. In fact, Sean Hannity of Fox news was the only newsman invited along on that trip. This Monday morning, the regular Pentagon press corps wanted to know why.
Pentagon spokesman, Eric Ruff, says the Secretary was in Iraq for 26 hours and held two town hall meetings. He gave no briefing and did not meet with Iraqi officials as the purpose of the trip was to thank the troops there for their service and sacrifice. That Rumsfeld was not "looking for broad news overage of what he's doing." Then, asked the press corps, was Hannity and Fox given the exclusive? Will this be a precedent for the new secretary? We were assured that our concerns are understood and that this is an isolated event and are not indicative of the new secretary's travel policies.
Rumsfeld is expected to meet with the President on Wednesday and will welcome the President to the Pentagon on Friday for a farewell ceremony. Rumsfeld will answer questions at that time, though he is not expected to hold a last press briefing.
Ruff was asked if the Pentagon recommendations for Iraq war strategy have been submitted to the White House. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Peter Pace, spoke of something being presented to the White House last Friday. Ruff deferred that question to the White House but said he will look into the matter.
The incoming secretary, Robert Gates, is in the Pentagon at the moment, going over paperwork for the hand over and participating in various briefing. He will participate in an event with Rumsfeld and President Bush at the Pentagon on Wednesday before he returns to Texas. The swearing in of the new secretary will take place next Monday here in the Pentagon. Gates will not hold any interviews prior to the swearing in ceremony.
Outgoing secretary of defense caused quite a bit of stir amongst the news corps when he made a surprise weekend trip to Iraq, but failed to invite or notify the major news organizations. In fact, Sean Hannity of Fox news was the only newsman invited along on that trip. This Monday morning, the regular Pentagon press corps wanted to know why.
Pentagon spokesman, Eric Ruff, says the Secretary was in Iraq for 26 hours and held two town hall meetings. He gave no briefing and did not meet with Iraqi officials as the purpose of the trip was to thank the troops there for their service and sacrifice. That Rumsfeld was not "looking for broad news overage of what he's doing." Then, asked the press corps, was Hannity and Fox given the exclusive? Will this be a precedent for the new secretary? We were assured that our concerns are understood and that this is an isolated event and are not indicative of the new secretary's travel policies.
Rumsfeld is expected to meet with the President on Wednesday and will welcome the President to the Pentagon on Friday for a farewell ceremony. Rumsfeld will answer questions at that time, though he is not expected to hold a last press briefing.
Ruff was asked if the Pentagon recommendations for Iraq war strategy have been submitted to the White House. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, Peter Pace, spoke of something being presented to the White House last Friday. Ruff deferred that question to the White House but said he will look into the matter.
The incoming secretary, Robert Gates, is in the Pentagon at the moment, going over paperwork for the hand over and participating in various briefing. He will participate in an event with Rumsfeld and President Bush at the Pentagon on Wednesday before he returns to Texas. The swearing in of the new secretary will take place next Monday here in the Pentagon. Gates will not hold any interviews prior to the swearing in ceremony.
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