对于一些一般性问题，国防部部长会直接发email给国防部全体成员，说明自己的感想或者决策依据。帕内托亚洲之行结束后，他即写信给全体国防部员工，说明自己的访问过程和取得的成果。下面是他的message的全部内容，挺有意思，有兴趣的可以看一下。


WASHINGTON, Sept. 26, 2012 - In a message to the men andwomen of the Defense Department, Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta shared hisperspectives from his recent trip to the Asia-Pacific region.
Here is the secretary's message:


This week I returned from a week-long trip to Japan, China,and New Zealand, my third trip to the Asia-Pacific region as Secretary ofDefense.
The underlying purpose of the trip was to support our newdefense strategy, which calls for the Department of Defense to increase ourfocus on the Asia-Pacific region. This strategy is part of a government-wide effort that includes increased economic, diplomatic, development, and securityefforts  all in order to renew and revitalize America's role in a region thatis becoming more critical to our future security and prosperity.
My first stop was Tokyo, a city that I have visited anumber of times in previous capacities, and on my first trip to Asia asSecretary of Defense last year. I am always appreciative of the warmhospitality and genuine friendship that the people of Japan extend to me andall their American visitors. It reflects the fact that Japan is a very closeally in the region, and that our Alliance has served as the cornerstone of peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific for more than 50 years.
This trip took place during a time of increased tensionsbetween China and Japan over competing claims to the Senkaku Islands in theEast China Sea  an episode that serves as a reminder of the important role theUnited States military continues to play in ensuring peace and security in theregion. My message to the Government of Japan, which I would later repeat inChina, was simple: the United States doesn't take a position on competingsovereignty claims but we urge both sides to exercise calm and restraint, andwe have an interest in seeing this dispute resolved peacefully and throughdiplomatic means.
While in Japan, I had very productive meetings with ForeignMinister Gemba and Defense Minister Morimoto that allowed us to make progresson two key issues for our Alliance. First, we agreed to pursue an additionalballistic missile defense radar, directed at protecting the people of Japan,U.S. forward-deployed forces, and the U.S. homeland, from the North Koreanmissile threat. Second, we set the stage for an agreement, announced later inthe week that reconfirmed the safety of the MV-22 Osprey aircraft, enabled thecommencement of flight operations, and paved the way for the deployment of theaircraft to in Okinawa. The Osprey is an important new capability that willgreatly enhance our ability to defend Japan and respond to crises in the region with twice the speed, three times the payload, and four times the range ofthe platform it replaces.
Before departing Tokyo, I had the opportunity to visit withseveral hundred American service members stationed at Yokota Air Base  acritical hub for our activities in the region. I had the chance to describe ournew defense strategy and point out that the key to our strength rests with them the men and women in uniform serving our Nation. It's always a highlight forme to have the opportunity to interact with service members wherever I travelin the world.
My next stop was Beijing, a visit that marked my first tripto China as Secretary of Defense. The goal of this visit was to build on theprogress we have made toward establishing a military-to-military relationshipwith China that is healthy, stable, reliable, and continuous. Our two nationshave had a series of high-level interactions this year  from the visit of VicePresident Xi to the Pentagon earlier in the year to General Liang's visit inMay  that have helped to build sustained and substantive interactions betweenour leaders. My visit continued this trend. One of the highlights was anelaborate welcome banquet General Liang hosted in my honor at the State GuestHouse in Beijing, which even included a magic show and a few hundred toaststhat we all survived.
In my discussions with key military and civilian leaders,the thing that most impressed me is that we are building the kind ofrelationship where we can talk openly and candidly about our disagreements. Atthe same time, we are increasingly able to identify areas where our militariescan cooperate more  such as counterpiracy and maritime security, humanitarianrelief and disaster assistance, and peacekeeping operations. In that spirit, Iinvited China to send a ship to RIMPAC 2014  the world's largest multilateralNaval exercise.
I was also encouraged by my interactions with youngofficers and cadets at the Engineering Academy of PLA Armored Forces, where Igave a speech focusing on the United States rebalance to Asia-Pacific regionand had the opportunity to join students for lunch in the cafeteria. The questionsthat I got from the young cadets were candid and thoughtful, and it was clearthat they appreciated my message that a stronger defense relationship betweenthe U.S. and China is critically important to security and prosperity in the21st century.
On my third and final day in China, I was able to fly tothe coastal city of Qingdao and visit the headquarters of the North Sea fleet.There, I toured a PLA frigate and a diesel powered submarine. I was impressedwith the professionalism and discipline of the PLA sailors, and it is clearthat they are working to modernize their military. Throughout my visit, Istressed the importance of increasing their transparency as they undergo thismodernization, so it was a positive step for me to be given a tour of theseships.
From Qingdao, we boarded our plane for the final time inChina and took an overnight flight down to Auckland, New Zealand, the finalstop on this trip.
It was the first visit I've ever made to New Zealand, and Iwas struck by the similarities in landscape between Auckland and my nativeNorthern California. It was a special honor to be in Auckland because I was thefirst United States Secretary of Defense to visit New Zealand in 30years.
Soon after I arrived, New Zealand's Defence Forces hosted awelcome ceremony for me that befitted the historic nature of this visit. Duringthe ceremony, a group of Maori tribesman approached me with a ceremonialchallenge. My job was to pick up a dagger while not smiling and maintaining eyecontact in order to signal that I came in peace. Luckily, I passed the test.
My broader purpose in traveling to New Zealand was firstand foremost to recognize that New Zealand has been a stalwart friend over thepast decade of war. In Afghanistan, New Zealand has made a variety ofcontributions to the war effort and continues to lead the Bamiyan provincialreconstruction team. During my visit, I paid tribute to New Zealand's warheroes at their National War Memorial Museum, and I had the opportunity torecognize five individual soldiers from the New Zealand Defence Forces withArmy Commendation Medals.
New Zealand also plays an important role as a provider ofsecurity in the South Pacific, and as the United States rebalances to theAsia-Pacific region we are looking for new ways to partner together to enhanceregional security. To that end, I was pleased to be able to announce while inNew Zealand that the U.S. government is changing some policies that governinteractions with New Zealand's military, which were put into effect after NewZealand passed nuclear-free legislation in the mid-1980s. Specifically, we haveeliminated restrictions on discussions and exercises between our twomilitaries, and we have established a mechanism to authorize individual visitsby ships of New Zealand's Royal Navy to U.S. military and coast guardfacilities, both in the United States and around the world.
Thesechanges sent a strong signal that we are entering into a new era of defensecooperation with New Zealand. More broadly, my entire week-long trip sent themessage that the United States is following through with our strategy torebalance towards the Asia-Pacific region. Throughout the week, it washeartening to hear Allies, friends and partners in the region welcome theDepartment's renewed focus on Asia-Pacific. The high regard they have for theU.S. military is a reflection of the dedication and professionalism of all ourmen and women in uniform, and the civilians who support them. I am proud ofwhat we have accomplished together and grateful for your continued service to astrong and secure America.