Pentagon: No plans to end ‘don’t ask-don’t tell’

updated 3:59 p.m. ET May 19, 2009

WASHINGTON - The U.S. military says it has no plans to repeal the "don't ask-don't tell" policy regarding homosexual troops.

Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Tuesday the military's top leaders have had initial discussions with the White House about whether gay troops should be open about their sexuality.

Under current rules, openly gay troops can be discharged from the U.S. military.

Morrell said the White House has not asked for the 1993 policy to be scrapped.

"I do not believe there are any plans under way in this building for some expected, but not articulated, anticipation that 'don't ask-don't tell' will be repealed," Morrell told reporters at the Pentagon.

President Barack Obama committed during the 2008 presidential campaign to act to end the Clinton administration-era policy.

The 1993 law was enacted as a compromise between openly gay people being allowed to serve in the armed forces and forcing homosexuals out of the services.

Morrell said Defense Secretary Robert Gates and the Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, both have discussed the issue with Obama.

"They're aware of where the president wants to go on this issue, but I don't think that there is any sense of any immediate developments in the offing on efforts to repeal `don't ask-don't tell'," Morrell said.

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