An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.
Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary Chuck Hagel's call with Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop

Statement by Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby:

Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel called Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop today to offer his personal condolences for the Australians who lost their lives on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17. The secretary reiterated President Obama's pledge to support an international investigation into the incident.

The secretary and the minister also discussed Australia's proposal for a UN Security Council resolution authorizing an international investigation with immediate, secure, and unrestricted access to the site to determine the cause of the crash.

Secretary Hagel and Minister Bishop agreed that the U.S. and Australia should work closely together as the investigation moves forward.