Panetta: Don't Jump To Conclusions About Allen

Defense Secretary Leon Panetta cautioned Wednesday against reaching early conclusions about the veracity of allegations against the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, Gen. John Allen, who is under investigation for what Pentagon officials have said may be “inappropriate” correspondence with a Florida woman linked to the David Petraeus sex scandal.

At a news conference in Australia’s Indian Ocean coastal city of Perth, Panetta sought to tamp down a wave of speculation about the nature of Allen’s actions, which have added a new dimension to the Petraeus matter.

Panetta said he supports Allen, who has been in command in Kabul since July 2011. He took over that summer for Petraeus, who retired from the Army to head the CIA.