----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2001 5:24 PM Subject: Rumsfeld Calls for Missile Defense [STOPNATO.ORG.UK] STOP NATO: NO PASARAN! - HTTP://WWW.STOPNATO.ORG.UK --------------------------- ListBot Sponsor -------------------------- Start Your Own FREE Email List at http://www.listbot.com/links/joinlb ---------------------------------------------------------------------- [Gracias mi amigo, Rick Rozoff -- Kev.] =============== + ================= Rumsfeld Calls for Missile Defense http://www.newsday.com/ap/text/topnews/ap741.htm ================ + ================ Rumsfeld Calls for Missile Defense by PAULINE JELINEK Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- Donald Rumsfeld pledged Thursday that as secretary of defense he would press for a missile defense system as part of a transformation of America's military to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Testifying at his Senate Armed Services Committee confirmation hearing, Rumsfeld also emphasized improving force readiness and strengthening intelligence and space capabilities. ''Forces in world politics have created a more diverse and less predictable set of potential adversaries,'' Rumsfeld said. ''If confirmed, I look forward to working with President-elect Bush and the Congress to meet the challenge of bringing the American military successfully into the 21st century,'' he said. He said his first priority would be to strengthen deterrence. ''Missile defense ... must be achieved in the most cost-effective manner that modern technology offers,'' Rumsfeld said. Opening the hearing, Sen. Carl Levin of Michigan, the committee's senior Democrat, touted improvements to the armed forces during the Clinton administration, saying Rumsfeld ''will inherit the most dominant military force in the history of the world.'' And he argued against developing and deploying a system to defend against incoming missiles. Levin pointed out the expense, world opposition and questions about whether a workable system can be developed. ''Missile attack is a threat, but it is one we have successfully deterred,'' Levin said. Rumsfeld is expected to win committee support for his second stint as defense secretary, but not without facing tough questions about Bush's military agenda. ''He's going to fly through like a stealth aircraft through enemy defenses, unscathed and with high impact,'' Patrick Cronin of the U.S. Institute of Peace said Wednesday. ''But they'll try to pin him down on priorities ... because you just can't pay for everything.'' Among the biggest concerns, Democrats say, is how fast the new administration will want to move on the proposed missile defense program that Bush supports. A veteran of Republican administrations going back to the Nixon years, Rumsfeld, 68, has been widely hailed as a candidate of great experience and ability. Among previous posts was his 14 months as secretary of defense under President Ford from late 1975 to early 1977. Out of government, Rumsfeld has remained involved in big defense issues. He led a national commission that examined the risk of missile attacks against the United States and another that looked at possible threats to U.S. satellites. But among some 30 policy questions put to him in a pre-hearing questionnaire, Democrats said one of the most important is how Rumsfeld sees missile defense fitting in with a host of other stated priorities, such as modernizing the Army and boosting military salaries, particularly in a slowing economy. ''He has bitten off a very big chunk,'' said William H. Kincade, American University professor of international relations. ''I would say there's an opportunity for a budgetary train wreck and that's going to take a lot of sorting out.'' Sen. John Warner of Virginia, the committee's top Republican, said the new administration deserves time to do that sorting. ''He's prepared to give good straightforward answers,'' Warner said Wednesday. ''But how much more defense spending? He's not prepared to do that until he's made a good analysis.'' Warner said the hearing would likely explore when the United States should send its troops into harm's way -- and what changes the new administration might make in deciding how they are deployed. Bush has said he believes the United States should limit its participation in peacekeeping. Other issues include how Rumsfeld would maintain strong relations with allies, who oppose a U.S. national missile defense system and are worried about Bush's position on peacekeeping. ''Members of Congress will try to challenge him to come clean on how he expects to keep our alliance strong,'' said Cronin, adding that Rumsfeld ''knows the importance of allies and will try to emphasize the role they will play.'' Pentagon officials say Rumsfeld set a record in the 1970s in serving as a roving ambassador for the department more than any of his predecessors had done. ''He brings to this office a great deal of experience and I'm confident he can establish strong ties with our allies,'' Warner said. AP-NY-01-11-01 1100EST< 01/11/2001 ================= + =============== ______________________________________________________________________ To unsubscribe, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
