The secretary of the Navy will work as acting defense secretary in the event of the death, permanent disability, or resignation of the defense chief, US President George W. Bush announced on Thursday.

In a memorandum for Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, Bush announced the order of succession of officers to act as defense secretary, in the case that the secretary dies, becomes disabled permanently or resigns.

Former Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz took the office as World Bank president on Wednesday, and Bush's nominee to succeed him, Navy Secretary Gordon England, is yet to be confirmed by the Senate.

"In the event of the death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Secretary of Defense, the secretary of the Navy shall act for and perform the duties of the secretary of defense as acting secretary of defense," he said.

The Navy secretary will also perform the duties of the defense secretary as acting secretary of defense, in the event of the temporary absence or temporary disability of the defense secretary, he said.

The memorandum "shall expire upon the appointment of a deputy secretary of defense, unless sooner terminated by operation of law or by the president," he said.

Bush nominated England, 67, to be deputy defense secretary in April, and designated him as acting deputy defense secretary last month.

Source: Xinhua