The American SecDef always states publicly that we have no intention to use force. Threats to use force are only delivered by the President or the Secretary of State. Remember it was Colin Powell who when asked our plan said “We intend to cut off it’s head and then we’ll kill it.” No one expects Condi to sound like that but all the meaningful words a SecDef has to say are done in private. He mostly deals with logistics and mutual support agreements.