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O
O
O
O
GENERAL BRENT SCOWCROFT
MEDIA ARTICLES
APRIL - AUGUST 1989
April 1989
O
SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 1989
TheWashington Post
OUTLOOK
Commentary and Opinion
my
MP
THE BUSH-FORD TRIO: DICK CHENEY, BRENT SCOWCROFT, JAMES BAKER-BY FORREST GREENE FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
WASHINGTON POST
2 APRIL 1989
Pg. C2
Bush's Very Own Ford Foundation
The Cheney-Scowcroft-Baker Team Learned the Same Lessons in the 70s
By David Gergen
doors away in the West Wing.
two years ago Cheney took Baker up into the
The two went with Ford to Helsinki anc
Wind River Range of his native Wyoming for
I
F PERSONAL friendships were the
Vladivostok as he negotiated arms controi
a week of riding and fishing. They were to go
key to conducting a successful foreign
with the Soviets, and they tried to extricate
again last summer but Cheney had a mild
policy, George Bush should be lining
him from his gaffe over Poland in his ill-fated
heart attack and Baker took Bush instead.
up soon for a Nobel prize. Not since Harry
debate with Jimmy Carter. After Ford left
This summer? The two made plans for an
Truman has any president assembled a
office, they remained close as Scowcroft
August trip even before Cheney was named
team of top advisers SO closely knit togeth-
brought Cheney into a series of national-se-
to Defense, and last week Cheney penned a
er by trust, temperament and philosophy as
curity study groups at Aspen and elsewhere.
private note saying the invitation was "still
the triumvirate that Bush finally has in
"I saw him as a coming power in the Repub-
valid".
place: James Baker at State, Brent Scow-
lican party, and he was damn smart.
To observers such as Steve Hess of
croft at the National Security Council and
Dick's like an old shoe now, and we will get
Brookings, the three are "uniquely men of
Dick Cheney at Defense.
along beautifully in our new positions," says
good will, a combination that is remarkable in
the corridors of power." All three see the
These three men share the bond of hav-
Scowcroft.
ing fought in the same trenches during the
It was in those same days that Baker came
others as team players, self-confident and in-
presidency of Gerald Ford. Thus, like Tru-
to know both men. He and Scowcroft linked
dependent-minded but not hungering for
man's brain trust, they come to their new
up on the Ford campaign plane, traveling
power or the camera. All three have also
together during the fall of 1976 when Baker
signed up for the long haul, intending to stay
positions of leadership with a particular
frame of reference, shaped in their case, by
was Ford's campaign manager. Another fre-
for four years and perhaps longer if Bush is
quent flyer was Alan Greenspan, then Ford's
still president. Cheney, 48, would still have a
the post-Watergate period of disorientation
and reconstruction. Their shared lessons
chief economist and now chairman of the
career beyond but for Baker, 58, and Scow-
include:
Federal Reserve Board and a continuing con-
croft, 64, these jobs are probably the culmi-
fidant of all three men. Baker and Scowcroft
nation of their public service. That's why all
Play as a team. The backbiting and sus-
picion that pitted Kissinger vs. Schlesinger,
quickly developed mutual respect and were
of them have a special stake in their mutual
allies in the Bush campaigns of 1980 and
success.
Brezinski vs. Vance etc. warps policy mak-
It may not all be smooth riding, however.
1988. "I realized on day one of the 1988
ing and erodes presidential power.
Unless they instill a greater sense of urgency
campaign, when Brent began helping out,
Govern from the top. Bureaucratic wran-
in the administration over budget and trade
that George would probably like to have him
gling slows things down and produces un-
deficits, the world's economic system could
as NSC adviser if he won the election," says
planned leaks to the press, making life more
one day collapse around them. Foreigners
Baker.
difficult.
point out that only Scowcroft has the exten-
Keep your guard up, especially in foreign
rom the first, the Bush team members
sive experience in diplomacy normally asso-
affairs. Detente looked good until we began
F
have been trying to stay pals. During
ciated with his job. Like-mindedness also has
to take it for granted.
the transition, Baker and Scowcroft
its own perils: It can stifle healthy disagree-
The returning Fordites came in the mid-
agreed that Baker would have the lead on
ment. Scowcroft, for example, has long been
1970s from the moderate wing of the GOP.
foreign policy while Scowcroft and the NSC
eager to discard plans from the Reagan ad-
would have no operational role and Scowcroft
ministration to build a rail-based MX missile
Some never found a home under Ronald Rea-
himself would be a low-profile "honest bro-
while Cheney apparently leans toward a rail-
gan. Bush himself served as CIA director
ker" within the administration. Along the way
garrison. The administration would be better
under Ford and was long identified with that
wing of the party. A growing number of oth-
they would avoid niggling disagreements
served to have a full-fledged, front-page de-
er "Ford people" are signing up with the new
over public speeches, television interviews,
bate than to smother dissent in order to keep
administration. But if the moderates are
ambassadorial visits and the like. For Baker,
internal peace.
back, the old moderate policies are not. Pre-
it was a welcome difference from the day
that Reagan's new secretary of state, Al
A
S Scowcroft recognizes, they still face
cisely because of their experiences in the
Haig, apparently misled by the president
a residue of suspicion, jealousy and
Ford days, the new foreign-policy team un-
about the scope of his duties, came calling
backbiting from years of internal
der Bush may prove surprisingly more cau-
with a paper claiming far more turf than the
struggle between their institutions. Scow-
tious and even hardline than the conserva-
White House wanted to relinquish. Relation-
croft and Cheney had ring-side seats for the
tives under Reagan.
ships with Haig slid downhill from there.
bitter feuds between Henry Kissinger, Ford's
Baker, Scowcroft and Cheney all enjoy
But if Baker is close to Scowcroft, it is
first NSC adviser, and Jim Schlesinger at De-
reminiscing about their pasts together, and it
Cheney who is his real buddy-just as
fense. "They were two of the best minds in
is clear that one of their attractions in joining
Cheney is also closer to Scowcroft. "I'm the
the country, but they just couldn't get along,"
Bush was a chance to work with old friends
guy who named Jim campaign manager for
says one official from those days.
again. In conversations over the past week,
Ford," Cheney proudly remembers. The two
From the Reagan years, Baker has fresh
both Cheney and Scowcroft recalled that
became fast friends, so that when Baker was
memories of the continuing battles between
their relationship blossomed when Ford pro.
Reagan's chief of staff and Cheney was then
Caspar Weinberger at Defense and Al Haig
moted them to top positions on the same
in Congress, the two talked frequently,
and then George Shultz at State. The sniping
day-Cheney to be chief of staff at the age of
Cheney tipping him off to the latest twists on
between Zbigniew Brezinski at NSC and Cy-
34, Scowcroft to be NSC adviser, only a few
Capitol Hill. Both love the back woods, and
rus Vance at State during the Carter years,
FORD FOUNDATION
as a grand strategist in the Kissinger or
Ford aside for the Republican nomination by
Nixon mold, and some critics argue they are
attacking detente SO sharply that Ford had to
not strong conceptualizers, either. "This is a
CONTINUED
drop the word-and almost had to drop Kiss-
government of incrementalists," says one Re-
inger.
publican authority. "Kissinger thought three
the distance between LBJ and Dean Rusk,
Not surprisingly, all three men-along
or four moves ahead; these guys may be two-
with Bush-come to office determined not to
the exasperation of Ike with "Engine Charlie"
move players," says another. A few who have
Wilson at Defense-all those left indelible
be swept away by changes in the Kremlin.
dealt directly with him think Bush may be the
impressions, too, of disrupted policy making
"You can't look back upon the experience of
best foreign-policy thinker, while Scowcroft
and participants drained of both energy and
the 1970s without being a bit skeptical about
is given credit for being an excellent judge of
good will.
the prospect of long-term change in the So-
others' ideas and Baker is seen as a superb
The Bush trio hopes to set a pattern of co-
viet Union," observes Cheney. In a speech he
tactician. In truth, it is too early to tell much
operation early on and see it seep down into
personally wrote for his Pentagon inaugu-
about their capacities in their new roles.
their bureaucracies. Baker believes the sys-
ration, Cheney said, "There are those who
It won't be long, however, before the
tem is already producing benefits: He was
want to declare the Cold War ended.
But
press and perhaps foreign governments be-
able to work closely with Scowcroft and Bush
I believe caution is in order." And in a pas-
gin to make judgments, since the adminis-
in devising a new Central American plan and
sage Gorbachev must have found striking,
tration should soon complete its long-awaited
then negotiate on Capitol Hill without the
Cheney added this test for the Soviets: "To
national-security and foreign-policy reviews.
plan leaking to the press and possibly derail-
date, there's been no reduction in the stra-
Below top levels, officials are already trying
ing. By nature, Baker is also impatient with
tegic systems targeted against the United
to lower expectations, saying that most of
long bureaucratic wrangling, and he. was
States."
the studies are bottom-up summaries of con-
pleased that he could work out a framework
Reagan and some of his team came to
ventional wisdom. One source says that only
for his first major speech on arms control,
Washington with traditional Cold War views
the studies of the strategic reduction talks
delivered recently in Vienna, by asking
of the Soviets but because they had not per-
and strategic modernization questions (e.g.,
Scowcroft and Adm. William Crowe, chair-
sonally presided over the souring of detente
whether to build a mobile missile) are likely
man of the Joint Chiefs, to come to his suite
in the 1970s, they apparently found it easier
to be significant, and a third study may sur-
for lunch.
to change their minds. Persuaded that Gor-
face some interesting options on Eastern Eu-
The procedural danger is that by working
bachev represented a break with the past
rope. But, as Kissinger found during a similar
the system from "top down", some good
(why, he even talked about God), Reagan
exercise in the Nixon years, the reports are
ideas and refinements may be lost from the
swung from the pessimism of his "evil em-
likely to leave all the big questions in the laps
experts closer to the bottom. Foreign-service
pire" speech to the optimism of Reykjavik.
of the big players: Bush and his triumvirate.
officers are openly criticizing Baker already
Cheney was troubled by the outcome of
Friendships do matter. The last time an
for ignoring them. Baker's defenders say that
Reykjavik and has vowed to steer a straight-
administration had so many friends at the top
he will gradually bring them into his circle,
er course.
saw a burst of creative brilliance, as George
but before he went to State, he was urged
hether their caution will encourage
Marshall, Henry Stimson, Dean Acheson and
not to be "captured" by the bureaucracy like
Shultz. "Those foreign-service officers ran
W
the kind of imagination and daring
others helped Harry Truman erect a system
that the times require is a large, un-
of alliances and policies that kept the peace
Shultz on almost every issue, and Baker is
answered question, one that all of them are
for 40 years. They had the additional advan-
right not to allow it," says one high-ranking
now pondering. Certainly, they recognize
tage, however, of coming through a great
official.
that the postwar structures are rapidly shift-
war together. When the war ended, they
The more interesting question is whether
ing beneath their feet as the perception of a
knew they were living through a hinge point
they will get along as well with the world as
Soviet threat recedes in public minds and as
in history, and they were prepared for it.
they do with each other. Cheney and Scow-
old partners in Europe and Asia become stiff
The Bush advisers know that they, too,
croft were both at the Ford White House
economic competitors. Bush has said repeat-
are living through a watershed period and
when detente crumbled as the Soviets built
edly that the United States now has major
they are counting on their friendships to
up both their military and their empire. They
opportunities to reshape the world, and Bak-
help. Whether they can also summon the wis-
painfully remember how U.S. soldiers were
er echoes him, "We must not let an oppor-
dom of the Truman years is probably their
lifted from rooftops in Saigon and the North
tunity go by from an excess of caution, but
biggest test.
Vietnamese obliterated the peace agree-
it's a line you've got to be able to walk with
ments. And Baker has vivid memories of a
David Gergen, editor at large of U.S. News &
great care."
World Report, was special counsel to
conservative Ronald Reagan almost pushing
None of Bush's top advisers sees himself
President Ford.
Calling for a Redesign
The Washington Post
The New York Times
4-E
The Washington Times
Of National Security
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
By RICHARD HALLORAN
USA Today
WASHINGTON
The Chicago Tribune
N the summer of 1949, the Soviet Union
The Personal Touch
exploded its first atomic bomb and
Date
Communists came to power in China.
To emphasize the importance of this ven-
2APR 1989
Taken aback, President Truman asked
ture, Mr. Bush personally wrote parts of the
his advisers on foreign and military policy
marching orders early last month. While he
to reassess American objectives in war and
wanted the premises of national security to
peace. In the spring of 1950, they produced a
be re-examined, he wrote: "I don't expect
far-ranging document to guide the delibera-
this review to invent a new strategy for a
tions of the National Security Council.
new world."
Known as NSC-68, it has governed Amer-
"It's fairly ambitious," said one official,
ican foreign and military policies for nearly
"but it's intended to produce a disciplined
forty years now. It rejected isolation as ap-
evolution." Mr. Bush has said he will make
peasement and preventive war as disas-
no decisions or announcements until com-
trous, and provided the strategic underpin-
pletion of the review in mid-May, when he
ning for the containment of the Soviet Union
expects to begin delivering a series of
and China. It led to establishing the nation's
speeches on the new strategy.
first large armed force in peacetime, forg-
As with NSC-68, an assessment of the
ing a network of alliances centering on
Soviet Union's economic and military
NATO and deploying of American forces
power is clearly central to National Se-
around the world. It also argued for enlarg-
curity Review 12. NSC-68 stated: "We can
ing the nuclear arsenal intended to deter
expect no lasting abatement" of East-West
adversaries.
tensions "unless and until a change occurs
President Bush, addressing Congress in
in the nature of the Soviet system." The
February, called for a wide-ranging review
question today: Do Mr. Gorbachev's re-
of security strategy, recognizing that the
forms signal the beginning of such a funda-
world of 1989 is fundamentally different
mental change?
from that of 1973, when American involve-
Similarly, an objective set by NSC-68 was
ment in the Vietnam war ended, let alone
"the gradual retraction of undue Russian
that of 1949.
power and influence from the present per-
Thus last week, Mikhail S. Gorbachev
imeter areas around traditional Russian
presided over the freest nationwide Soviet
boundaries." With Eastern Europe once
elections since 1917. Just after World War
again restless, should this retraction re-
II, the Soviet Union's economy was recover-
main a goal for the United States?
ing; today it is stagnant. Japan, crushed in
Senior Administration officials have
World War II, has become a leading eco-
begun to hint at directions the review has
nomic competitor and Washington has
taken. Secretary of State James A. Baker
begun to view economic policy as an equal
3d said last week that the United States
to traditional foreign and military policy as
might seek negotiations with the Soviet
an element of national security.
Union aimed at loosening Moscow's grip on
The United States is no less concerned to-
Eastern Europe. Secretary of Defense
day with the containment of communism,
Richard B. Cheney has said the need for
but with the Soviet Union's retreat from Af-
stationing forces around the world was
ghanistan and other more farflung spots,
being examined.
Washington policy makers have seen signs
In many ways, National Security Review
of flexibility in Soviet policy. To test that
12 has its roots in the Vietnam war, which
flexibility, the Bush Administration last
shattered the American consensus on for-
week appealed to Mr. Gorbachev and his
eign policy and especially on the use of mili-
ally, Fidel Castro, "to end all aid that sup-
tary power. Each administration since has
ports subversion and destablilization in
made minor policy adjustments without ac-
Central America."
knowleging a need to undertake a broad re-
In his address to Congress, Mr. Bush said
examination of ways to protect national in-
he had asked for a review of "our national
terests.
security policies and defense strategies
President Reagan, for instance, early in
with a view to ensuring compatibility
his first term ordered a study of diplomatic,
among our commitments, strategies, capa-
economic, military and intelligence policies
bilities and resources."
that are subsumed in national security poli-
Known as National Strategy Review 12, it
cy. But the State Department, Treasury
is expected to put President Bush's imprint
and other agencies failed to respond.
on national security policy without demol-
Late in Mr. Reagan's second term, a De-
ishing earlier strategies.
fense Department panel led by Fred C. Ikle,
the Undersecretary of Defense for Policy,
and Albert Wohlstetter, a defense consult-
ant, produced "Discriminate Deterrence,"
a study that has since gathered dust.
The latest review is being supervised by
President Bush's national security adviser,
CONTROLD
Page
16.
Brent Scowcroft, with the State and De-
fense Departments, the Treasury and Cen-
tral Intelligence contributing. R. James
Woolsey, a Democrat who was Undersecre-
tary of the Navy in the Carter Administra-
tion and a member of several bipartisan
commissions, is an adviser The main
topics being examined include Soviet-
American relations, arms control, global
issues outside relations with the Soviet
Union and defense policy.
But the extent to which policy will change
in many instances will be shaped by the
financial resources available. Mr. Cheney
has said he would like to have finished the
strategic review before revising the budget
to make Mr. Bush's military spending
lower than that requested by President
Reagan. But with the deadline for the
budget coming before that of the strategy
review, Mr. Cheney said, "that won't
work."
The gap between strategy and money is
not new. In an assessment valid in both 1949
and 1989, NSC-68 said: "It is true that the
United States armed forces are now
stronger than ever before in times of appar-
ent peace; it is also true that there exists a
sharp disparity between our actual
strength and our commitments."
17.
Journalists Debate the Risks
New york
Times
As President Woos the Press
4/2
By MAUREEN DOWD
reached out to Democrats in Congress,
a White House reporter for The Chi-
Vice President Dan Quayle has
Special to The New York Times
using the trappings of his office to try
cago Tribune - agreed to ⑈ to the see-
begun having his own private sessions
to win them over and make them part-
WASHINGTON, April Jessica
sien but said they did not intend to act
with journalists, and Helen Thomas of
ners in his conciliatory approach to
as ad hae foreign policy advisers.
United Press International, who IS the
Lee can remember exactly how it felt,
making policy.
"Marth mid that the President
senior member of the White House
the night she attended a dinner party at
Conceding that he lacks President
would really like to pick our brains,"
press corps, went to one such lunch for
the Bushes', to drive her rusty blue
Reagan's potent screen presence, he
said Mr. Friedman. "I went because I
six reporters on Wednesday. Ms.
Datsun sports car through the iron
has avoided the nationally televised
wanted to pick his brain."
Thomas openly took notes and pressed
gates and up the driveway to the White
evening press extravaganzas. Instead
Howell Raines, the Washington bu-
until the lunch was put on the record,
House. "I couldn't get over it, a Wash-
of using the press as a foil, he is meet-
reau chief of The New York Times,
and Mr. Quayle made news talking
ington reporter parking in front of the
ing with reporters in frequent spon-
said: "We have serious misgivings
about his growing confidence and his
taneous news conferences, as well as
door," said Ms. Lee, the White House
about this approach. We've told our re-
impressions of the Soviet Union.
offering invitations to small groups of
reporter for USA Today.
porters not to give advice, to avoid ex-
Benjamin C. Bradlee Jr., the execu-
journalists for private chats, with the
pressing opinions that would cast doubt
tive editor of The Washington Post,
Like some other journalists who
contents not to be published or broad-
on their objectivity and to withdraw if
said he became fed up during the late
have enjoyed the extroardinary new
cast, hoping that they in turn will
they feel they are being co-opted or
1960's by the proliferation of private
access that President Bush is allowing
present his case in a more positive
compromised."
sessions by the Administration and told
in an array of off-the-record private
light.
Although none of the reporters were
his reporters to refuse to participate.
lunches, dinners and chats at the White
Just as he impressed members of
able to write an art. about the inter-
"We struck out boldly," he recalled.
House, Ms. Lee said the chance to see
Congress and their spouses with cock-
view, which took place in the Presi-
"But we were whomped right away."
the Gettysburg Address in the Lincoln
tails on the Truman balcony, he is now
dent's study and included his Chief of
When no other news organizations
Bedroom and other parts of the resi-
offering journalists the tantalizing
Staff, John Sununu, and his National
followed suit, and with The Post's re-
chance to see how his thinking is evolv-
dential quarters was "thrilling."
Security Adviser, Brent Scowcroft,
porters losing important information,
ing on critical foreign and domestic
She does not fear that such privi-
they said the meeting provided valu-
Mr. Bradlee told them to return to the
issues.
able insights.
private briefings. He said he regards
leged and relaxed sessions with the
Some journalists and media experts
Mr. McNulty said he did not think the
President Bush's greater accessibility,
President will compromise her objec-
say this provides an important element
President's motives are "so Machia-
both on the record and with various
tivity. Rather, she said she believes she
of truth and depth for reporting; others
vellian." Rather, he said, "I think he
other ground rules, "more enlight-
is getting a fuller picture of Mr. Bush's
say it is dishonest to the public, who
never learn the proper context and
enjoys the give and take. I got the im-
ened" than President Reagan's inac-
personality and forging a bond that will
pression that a lot of discussions at the
cessibility.
help her get more access on future
motivation for the information that
news events.
then colors the reporting without attri-
White House are held that way, that
bution.
Bush has a family dinner table style of
Old Debate Revived
arriving at solutions."
'A Very Heady Wine'
Mr. Fitzwater said the President
The President's style of dealing with
"President Bush is doing what other
does net need reporters to give him ad-
the press, dramatically different from
Presidents, like L.B.J. and John Ken-
vice. He merely wants to give them ex-
Ronald Reagan's carefully managed,
nedy did, who believed that if you could
posure that he thinks would help them
television-oriented approach, has re-
get close enough to the press, you'd
do their job. "It is hard for me to imag-
vived an old debate in journalism cir-
have them on your side," said Fred
cles. Some reporters say such private
Friendly, the director of Columbia Uni-
contacts give them additional insights.
versity seminars on Media and Society.
But many other journalists and media
"It's a very heady wine when a Presi-
Bush offers a
critics are skeptical, remembering the
dent asks you to have lunch at the
Camelot days when John F. Kennedy's
White House, and there you are with
tantalizing
courtship of reporters seemed to turn
the fancy dishes and impressive serv-
ice.
chance to see his
many of them into cheerleaders, and
"But what a President is trying to do
the tense days when Lyndon B. Johnson
when he goes off the record is to co-opt
tried to build support for the Vietnam
somebody. And reporters have to be
thinking evolve.
war with intense, personal persuasion
wary of that."
of the press corps.
Mr. Friendly said journalists must
beware of the dangerously seductive
ine a journalism school in America
In both cases, many. journalists wor-
phrase. from a Chief Executive who
that would tell any reporter not to talk
ried afterwards that they may have
asks, "If- you were President, what
to the President for any reason," Mr.
would you do?"
Fitzwater said.
cressed the line from journalism to ad-
He recalled that when he was a CBS
Some journalists argue in favor of
vocacy.
News official, he was called to the
discussions with the President or Vice
Mariin Fitzwater, the President's
White House by President Johnson,
President that are agreed in advance
press secretary, argues that the cur-
who put an arm around him and asked
to be all or partly not for publication,
rent post-Watergate crop of reporters
his advice on Vietnam.
called "off the record" or "on back-
are such "competitive, cynical charac-
"He told me that if we didn't stop the
ground" among journalists. They say
Communists where they were, the next
that once the session begins, they can
ters" that they could never be turned
into advocates. But Bush officials are
thing we knew they would be in San
then try to obtain an agreement to
Francisco. He didn't want my advice.
allow some of the contents back on the
eager to WOO the press anyway, per-
That's why he had Dean Rusk and Rob-
record.
haps remembering the lesson of
ert McNamara. He just wanted to get
R. W. Apple Jr., the chief Washington
Jimmy Carter, a President who did not
me on his side."
correspondent of The New York Times,
court the press and whose image suf-
had lunch with the President and three
Last Tuesday, Mr. Fitzwater tele-
fered because many journalists did not
phoned three reporters who had writ-
other journalists last week, and asked
like him.
ten about the Middle East and told
Mr. Bush if the ground rules could be
Congressional Approach
them the President wanted to have a
changed to "background," so that the
material could be used without disclos-
private lunch Wednesday before his
"George Bush recognizes the press's
meetings with President Hosni Muba-
ing its source. "If I can't use any of
need to get information and its value to
rak of Egypt and Prime Minister Yitz-
what you say, it's not of much use to
him as a leader of the country," said
hak Shamir of Israel.
my readers,' Mr. Apple told Mr. Bush,
Mr. Fitzwater. "You tell the press what
The reporters Thomas L. Fried-
who indicated that he would leave it up
you're doing and you tell them why and
man, the diplomatic correspondent for
to Mr. Fitzwater. The press secretary
agreed to change the rules for that ses-
you hope to do it in a such way that they
The New York Times; Charles Seib, a
sion, but has now decided he wants to
understand and support."
White House reporter for The Wall
keep all such future sessions com-
Mr. Bush is reaching out to journal-
Street Journal, and Timothy McNulty,
pletely the record.
ists in the same flattering way he
WASHINGTON TIMES
3 APRIL 1989
Pg.3
Reagan SDI gets lower priority on Bush budget agenda
well as from the troubled B-2
By Warren Strobel
ICBM is king. Long live the
that defenses are one of the alterna-
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
"stealth" bomber, the Air Force's Ad-
ICBM.
And they suck up all the
tives," the administration official
vanced Tactial Fighter aircraft and
money."
said.
With military brass eyeing the
other weapons projects.
According to a White House of-
Strategic Defense Initiative's huge
Concerned about just that possi-
ficial, concern over the direction
The defense secretary said the
budget and senior officials question-
bility, the top Republican on the
program has made considerable
that the review might take prompted
ing its potential contribution to U.S.
House Armed Services Committee
Vice President Dan Quayle to de-
technical progress in recent months.
security, the program appears to be
last week urged Mr. Bush and De-
clare in a March 23 speech that "the
"We've also come up with some ways
taking a back seat in the Bush ad-
fense Secretary Dick Cheney to re-
Bush administration remains com-
to achieve that capability at signifi-
ministration.
ject the deal unless defense spend-
mitted to the development and de-
cantly less cost than was originally
Supporters of the missile defense
ing is raised to cover the cost of
ployment of a viable strategic de-
anticipated," he said.
project say recent developments in
Midgetman.
fense system."
The latter statement is widely in-
Pentagon budget deliberations and
"The Small ICBM is a good sys-
terpreted as a reference to a new
in a White House review of Washing-
tem and our national security would
But a senior administration
anti-missile concept called "Bril-
ton's strategy and goals have
benefit from having it," said Rep.
official involved in the review ap-
liant Pebbles," which has been
heightened fears that SDI will not
Bill Dickinson, Alabama Republi-
peared to differ with the vice pres-
praised in recent weeks by Mr.
retain the priority status accorded it
can. "But if the cost of the program
ident.
Quayle, as well as the former and
by former President Reagan.
IS gutting SDI and other programs
"SDI may or may not be the salva-
current directors of the SDI re-
Most immediately, SDI is being
while defense budgets continue to be
tion of our strategy," this official said
search program.
squeezed between President Bush's
reduced, then we are better off with
recently. "Like every other element
Existing SDI plans call for space-
directive that the Defense Depart-
no deal."
of our defense posture," he said, "it
based missile interceptors that
ment slash $6.3 billion from its fiscal
"SDI's going to be cut, period" and
ought to stand or fall on its contribu-
would be housed in colonies of 10
year 1990 budget request and the
probably by up to $2 billion, said an
tion" to deterrence.
aboard large, complex "garages."
perceived urgent need to modernize
aide to committee chairman Rep.
Les Aspin, a prime mover behind the
One official acknowleged that SDI
Brilliant Pebbles, by contrast, envis-
U.S. land-based nuclear missiles.
may be put on the back-burner for a
ions thousands of individual in-
After arguing for 10 years about
MX-Midgetman compromise.
while, but said he is more concerned
terceptors in orbit, each with com-
which new missile to build and how
According to various officials, the
that avenues for developing anti-
puters and sensors sophisticated
to base it, Congress and the admin-
administration's strategic review as-
missile systems are not cut off in
enough to select and home in on a
istration appear intent on a compro-
sumes that the primary means to de-
arms proposals to the Soviets.
rising Soviet missile without outside
mise in which both the 10-warhead
ter nuclear war with the Soviet
help.
MX, carried on rail cars, and the
Union will continue to be offensive
The project's advocates were en-
Early prototypes are due to be
single-warhead Midgetman, will be
weapons.
heartened last week when Mr.
tested intensively over the next two
fielded in the 1990s.
For top Bush appointees like Na-
Cheney said during a television in-
years and the results could help de-
The MX rail program would cost
tional Security Adviser Brent Scow-
terview that missile defense "would
termine SDI's future.
about $8 billion and Midgetman, for-
croft, who is overseeing the review,
add very significantly to deterrence
The administration's review is ex-
mally known as the Small ICBM, be-
"the clock stopped in 1975," said one
because of the possibility that it
pected to generate for Mr. Bush a
tween $25 billion and $35 billion.
frustrated Pentagon official, refer-
would interfere with any Soviet first
half-dozen options on what to do with
In a tight defense budget, the
ring to the year in which the United
strike
in
major
ways.
And
I
think
SDI.
money is all but certain to come
States abandoned the small missile
it ought to be looked at in those
from SDI for which Mr. Reagan
defense it was allowed under the
terms."
According to a White House of-
requested $5.9 billion in 1990 as
Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. "The
"It's clear that he has it in mind
ficial, one will likely recommend jet-
tisoning the Pentagon's current, $69
billion "Phase One" plan in favor of
research on Brilliant Pebbles and
deployment of a ground-based sys-
tem to defend against accidental
missile launches, like that suggested
by Senate Armed Services Commit-
tee Chairman Sam Nunn.
While this would cut SDI spend-
ing over the next five years from $40
billion to $33 billion, the official said,
another option for "research only"
would cut the program's share of the
five-year defense plan in half, to $20
billion.
AIR FORCE TIMES
3 APRIL 1989
Pg. 4
Cheney gets on-job training,
march through many briefings
By Charlie Schill
Times staff writer
Cheney was introduced to strategic-moderniza-
WASHINGTON Richard B. Cheney, who
Mike Nichols.
tion challenges facing the Pentagon during a
On March 24, he conducted his first
admits he has a lot to learn about the military,
three-hour briefing. Those issues include whether
news conference as defense secretary. It
spent his first week as secretary of defense in on-
to continue controversial plans for rail garrison-
the-job training.
was followed by a classified operations
ing of Peacekeeper (MX) missiles, whether to ac-
Unlike most of his predecessors, Cheney has
briefing.
quire the Small Intercontinental Ballistic Missile
not had extensive experience in military affairs
Cheney was scheduled for a four-hour
and he did not serve in the armed forces. He
(Midgetman) and whether NATO allies politically
update on Pentagon intelligence operations
spent much of his first week at the helm of the
can support the modernization of U.S. short-
and a three-hour status briefing on the
Department of Defense in a series of briefings in-
range nuclear missiles and artillery rounds
NSC national security review to close out
tended to fill gaps in his knowledge.
in Europe.
his first week in the Pentagon.
"Anybody who takes over as defense secretary
Cheney and Deputy Secretary of Defense-
His first-week schedule also included
needs to be brought up to speed on current de-
designate Donald J. Atwood received two
meetings each evening with Atwood and
tails of military programs and issues," said a Pen-
classified briefings lasting nearly three
Adm. William J. Crowe Jr. (USN), the
tagon official who spoke on condition he not be
hours on military operations during the
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who
week.
identified.
are working on budget-reduction options,
"In Cheney's case, it's a matter of starting al-
The new secretary of defense also was
the internal management review and the
most from scratch. The briefings have to deal
briefed by Donald J. Rice of Rand Corp.
national security study.
with the broad implications of issues before we
about ongoing studies commissioned by the
Since the Bush administration took office
can move onto the nitty-gritty," he said.
Pentagon. Rice served in the Pentagon and
Jan. 20, Crowe's staff primarily has been
Cheney publicly took his oath as defense secre-
OMB during the Johnson and Nixon
concerned with supporting the national se-
administrations.
tary March 21 in a Pentagon courtyard ceremony
curity review and evaluating the effects
attended by President Bush, defense officials and
Cheney ate lunch with Rep. William L
that various cost-savings proposals to trim
a throng of generals and admirals.
Dickinson of Alabama, the ranking Repub-
the Pentagon budget would have on com-
lican on the House Armed Services Com-
He used the occasion to reaffirm his commit-
bat-readiness.
ment to reforming the defense procurement sys-
mittee, and later met separately with the
tem and to maintaining military strength despite
committee's chairman, Rep. Les Aspin, D-
Wis.
recent Soviet offers of force reductions in Europe.
Cheney said the Cold War has not ended and
A committee aide said talk during those
he cautioned against optimists who would re-
meetings focused on pending military legis-
lation. Potential areas of friction between
spond to Soviet rhetoric with cutbacks in funding
and forces for NATO.
Congress and the Pentagon - including
"Until we see a significantly lessened military
sharing of the defense burden by U.S. al-
capability on the part of the Soviets, we cannot
lies, overseas troop levels, base-closure ef-
possibly justify major reductions in our own,"
forts and funding for personnel programs
- also were discussed.
Cheney warned.
Here is how Cheney's first few days in office
Cheney also was briefed on the status of
an internal review of Pentagon manage-
were spent.
The new secretary's day started with a break-
ment practices. Directed March 1 by Bush,
fast meeting with Secretary of State James A.
that review is expected to develop a plan to
Baker III and national security adviser Lt. Gen.
fully implement the report of the 1986
Brent Scowcroft (USAF Ret.) to discuss the cur-
President's Blue-Ribbon Commission on
rent national security strategy review.
Defense Management, also called the Pack-
The strategy assessment is being managed by
ard Commission.
the National Security Council staff, with the as-
The review also is to provide recommen-
sistance of officials from DoD and the Depart-
dations for redefining the role of the Penta-
ment of State. The strategic review, ordered by
gon's acquisition undersecretary, streamlin-
Bush Feb. 9, is scheduled to be completed by ear-
ing acquisition management, redefining the
role of the policy undersecretary, saving
ly May.
money through management efficiency and
Cheney attended a 90-minute gathering March
reforming the relationship between govern-
22 with Republican members of Congress to dis-
ment and the defense industry.
cuss his successor as the party's minority whip in
Following that was a late-afternoon
the House. In a close secret-ballot election, Rep.
meeting with Rep. Bill Frenzel of Minneso-
Newt Gingrich of Georgia was chosen.
ta, a member of the House Republican Poli-
Cheney also met with Office of Management
cy Committee.
and Budget Director Richard G. Darman to dis-
Cheney attended a formal dinner with
cuss the continuing effort to trim the defense
network television newscasters, including
budget by more than $2 billion in outlays without
Sam Donaldson and Diane Sawyer of ABC,
cutting military manpower or reducing readiness,
at the Washington home of movie director
according to a senior officer.
ESSAY
William Safire
Sununu's
'Different
Template'
WASHINGTON
A
joke is told in politico-eco-
nomic circles, attributed to
replied, "I'll mention that to Cheney."
"It's an alternative to the line-item
Robert Strauss, about the un-
He had caught the obscure allusion to
veto," he said, suggesting Bob Dole
hurried deliberation - or lack of nec-
inept Presidential motorcading during
as the best source about that, I pre-
essary urgency - that characterizes
the Ford Administration when Dick
sume to avoid letting it appear to be
the Bush Administration.
Cheney was chief of staff.
an executive initiative.
The President is awakened by the
On the other hand, he is still insecure
The power to impound - to not spend
sound of puppies crying in the night
and wet behind his White House ears.
- funds appropriated by Congress was
and goes down to the White House
In our interview, which was on fore-
taken away from a weakened President
kitchen for a snack of pork rinds and
ground, he had his deputy sit in to take
in 1974; Mr. Reagan's counterattack,
a glass of milk. Unfamiliar with the
notes, sign of a player new to the big
the line-item veto, never had a chance
surroundings in the dark, he bonks his
leagues and fearful of being misquoted.
of passage. That leaves a middle
head on the refrigerator and is out
He had his secretary rush in with a
ground of "rescission," or getting Con-
cold for three and a half years.
message about being late for a meeting
gress to agree to rescind parts of ap-
When he opens his eyes in 1992, re-
with the President, which he waved off
propriations, to be "enhanced" by mak-
freshed after his long rest, he sees the
to flatter his visitor but also to impress
ing unnecessary the current affirma-
face of White House chief of staff
him with the value of the time being
tive legislative action.
John Sununu peering down at him.
taken up. That hoary heave-ho tech-
The upshot would be a substantial
Mr. Bush's first words are "How
nique is known to Oval Officiators as
giveback of executive authority, as
fares the nation?"
"the 10-minute bounce."
evidence that the Tower appointment
"Everything is in great shape," Mr.
Asked about the perception of lei-
precedent and the contra-veto usur-
Sununu reports. "Peace, prosperity
sureliness in governance, the near-
pation were not waves of the future. It
without inflation, the kinder-gentler
palindromic aide offered a fresh
would show, too, that the Bush White
thing doing fine. One of Millie's
metaphor to explain the failure to un-
House was effectively at work behind
grandpuppies just had her first litter,
derstand the Bush approach: "Ours
the scenes, progressing without
and the Post Office is delivering the
is a different template."
grandstanding.
announcement cards."
Translation: You can no longer use
Will Mr. Sununu and budgeteer
The President warily asks for spe-
the Reagan template on the keyboard
Dick Darman win this for President
cifics: "How much does it cost to
of power. (A template in this sense is a
Bush? I don't see how, if their stand-
mail a letter from Washington to
plastic instruction sheet cut out to over-
ard becomes a white feather on a
California?"
lay the computer's keys.) The Bush
flapping doormat, but for my differ-
"Same as last year," shrugs Sunu-
template reflects a different processing
ent template, I am willing to plunk
nu, "300 yen."
system: if you hold down Alt and push
down about 300 yen.
To discover if such complacency is
F9, you will now get conciliation where
rampant at the center of power, and
you used to get confrontation.
to track down the source of a trou-
I take this to mean, for example, that
bling new phrase, I visited Governor
the deal made with Speaker Wright to
Sununu in his West Wing office.
keep the contras fed while giving a
He is, as they say, sharp. When I re-
policy veto on Nicaragua to Congress
called hours spent in that corner office
would be an unprincipled cave-in on
with a previous occupant, and added
the Reagan template, but is a net prag-
wistfully, "Say what you like about
matic gain on the Bush template.
Haldeman, nobody ever ran into his
The chief of staff "had a little chat
motorçades," Mr. Sununu smiled and
with" Boyden Gray about the way the
President's counsel, shut out of that
Baker-Sununu-Scowcroft project, ob-
jected publicly. I think Mr. Gray was
right in trying to stop an evisceration
of Presidential power, but Mr. Sununu
disagrees.
He was not trapped by what was
artfully presented as a linguistic
question. The phrase enhanced re-
scission is being whispered in the cor-
ridors of power. Sounds like a tricky
euphemism; what does it mean?
NEW YORK TIMES, 4/ 3 /89, p.A-23
Such a Civilized Event
At the
Every spring about this time, these
natural enemies-the press and pub-
lic figures-get together at the Capi-
tal Hilton. It has something to do with
something that will show the nation
symbiosis. They roast each other in
what faith I have in you, in your ma-
Gridiron,
skits and speeches with baby bro-
turity and sense of responsibility
mides and newsy jokes. "Singe but
Would you like a puppy?
never burn" is a club motto.
Of Secretary of State James Baker,
Even
so
"That was rough!" said
the vice president said: "I owe him so
Redskins quarterback Doug Williams,
much. During the campaign he took
The Wig and
after his first Gridiron. "I've never
me under his wing-and kept me
there."
seen so many potshots taken at politi-
cians in all my life. Playing football is
A John Tower joke came as a sur-
a lot easier than sitting in there."
prise, and won the evening's biggest
laugh. "I do wish the Democrats
"I thought I got off a lot lighter
The Wags
would have given John Tower the
than I usually do," said Republican
National Committee Chairman Lee
benefit of the doubt. John frequently
did innocent things that were misun-
Atwater-a favorite target along
derstood." Quayle then told a story
with Dan Quayle, Jim Wright and
about Tower sunbathing on a hotel
The First Lady's April Fool Joke
John Tower. "So I'm delighted."
roof in the Caribbean, while on a
Vice President Quayle took hits all
fact-finding mission.
Highlights the Annual Dinner
evening. According to one observer,
"Seeing no one around, he stripped
President Bush never laughed at the
to the buff and lay down, modestly
WP 4/3 01
Quayle jokes, but looked into his lap
putting a towel over his behind
instead. "I wish they wouldn't pick on
By Martha Sherrill
Suddenly the hotel manager burst up-
Quayle," said Eugene McCarthy after-
Washington Post Staff Writer
on the roof, yelling. 'Senator, you
ward. "It's kind of sad."
must come down at once. This is in-
Barbara Bush did it without a troupe of profession-
Quayle was the subject of a skit, in
decent.'
al gag writers, without two weeks of preparation and
which a Richard Nixon character
" 'What do you mean?' Quayle
rehearsal, without having to step on stage. Saturday
sings to him (to the tune of "I Believe
said Tower replied. T'm covered
night at the annual Gridiron dinner-that lovefest of
in You"):
with a towel.'
low blows between the press and politicians-she
You've got the cool, clear eyes of a
'But senator, you're lying on our
made her own kind of April Fool's joke.
seeker of wisdom and truth,
dining room skylight.' "
She showed up wearing a reddish blond wig. She
You're not the intellectual midget
Quayle later became serious. He
wore it all night. She left wearing it. She never let on it
you seemed in your youth
invoked the name of his grandfather,
was a joke.
You're not the dim bulb I had been
Indiana publisher Eugene Pulliam-
There was.a certain amount of confusion.
led to believe I would see.
which reminded everyone he is a
Arriving at the dinner, the first lady sat down at
Are you an airhead dilettante light-
newspaperman twice-removed. "He
the enormously long head table. The 40 other people
weight? You sure could fool me.
sitting there leaned forward-all at once, someone
came to these Gridirons quite often
said-to get better
Who, What, When
He certainly enjoyed them. And
look. Only atte bitter
This slap-shtick has been going on
carrying on the tradition, I've enjoyed
end of the evening
for some time. Saturday night's was
the evening too."
when George Bush
"He had that debate look," said one
stood up to give his re-
the 104th annual Gridiron dinner, to
journalist afterward, "like a guy
marks-was there any
which the 60 members of the Grid-
who'd just been punched."
reference to is. "Lucki-
iron Club (referred to as "journalism's
ly," said the president,
Ron Brown, Your Turn
elite") invite bigwigs from the gov-
"Barbara has not react-
ernment, corporate America and the
The other party was represented
ed in the slightest to: all
media to put on white tie and ditch
by new Democratic National Com-
the comments about her
their spouses at home. It was a stag
mittee Chairman Ron Brown. "To-
give help
thing until 1975. Now some of the
night I was looking forward to this
Still, people kept talk-
dinner," Brown began. "I arrive here
spouses are men.
ing.
There were 630 members and
feeling good about myself, resplen-
"It wasn't a red wig,"
dent in this white tie, proud of my ac-
guests there this year. And they
said one observer-a
were mostly Very Important. The
complishments. And I see [columnist]
man. "It was copper."
Bob Novak at the door. He walks up
head table ran the width of the ball-
"It wasn't copper,"
to me with a big smile on his face,
room-to accommodate all the pres-
said PL 3' Judy Wood-
and then hands me his coat and a
tige. It accommodated the president
ruff. "It was strawber-
quarter
and the vice president. Barbara Bush.
"Frankly I was a little offended," he
ry-blondish."
Marilyn Quayle. Ron Brown. Jim
continued. "At least [former DNC
"I thought it was sup-
Wright. Dick Cheney. Dick Thorn-
chairman Robert] Strauss gave me a
posed to be Nancy Rea-
burgh. James Baker. Marlin Fitzwa-
dollar."
gan hair," said one pub-
ter. Tom Foley. Brent Scowcroft.
He spoke of the Reagans. "And,
lisher.
Dick Darman. William Sessions. Alan
frankly, tonight I miss Nancy and
"Our table spent the
Greenspan. And not quite a majority
Ronald Reagan. For eight years, they
whole night trying to
of Supreme Court justices.
set a standard for entertainment, sto-
figure out whether it
In the center of all this sat Gridiron
rytelling and amusement that will be
was a wig or a dye job,"
President Lawrence M. O'Rourke, of
difficult to match," he said. "And they
said a columnist.
the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
also did a great job here at the Grid-
"It was great. She
The "working press" is never invit-
iron
looked awful," said
ed to the Gridiron-another tradi-
"To tell the truth," said Brown.
speechwriter Landon
tion. Somehow it winds up in the pa-
"I'm more comfortable now that the
Parvin-the jokemeis-
per anyway.
amateurs are back in charge."
ter famous for scripting
Nancy Reagan's trium-
Quayle Shoot
phant "Second-Hand
BY CRAIG HERNDON
Clothes" gig at the Grid-
After being the butt of others'
-THE WASHINGTON POST
iron in 1982. "It looked
jokes, Quayle got up and made fun of
From top, Ren Brown,
like she had Millie on
himself. This is how others-Nancy
James Baker and Doug
her head."
Reagan, Don Regan-helped human-
Wash
Williams at the Gridiron
ize themselves. (Sometimes the ef-
Club's annual dinner.
fects wear off immediately.) This is
Post
what the Gridiron is all about. Hu-
manness. Humble pie. Total-but
Apr 3
tender-humiliation.
"The president has been so sup-
portive of me," said Quayle. "The oth-
er day he called me into the Oval Of-
fice and said, 'I know you've had
Mr. President
conjured by Bush himself and his in-
house staff-the first draft reported-
"This is the largest white-tie group
ly written by new White House
I've seen," said George Bush, "since
speechwriter Edward McNally.
those coming-out parties in Iowa
The day before the dinner, DNC's
"People say I'm indecisive," he
Mike McCurry said that "the usual
said, "but I don't know about that.
suspects have been scrounging the
"People say I lack political cour-
earth to come up with ideas" for Ron
age," he continued. "But don't forget,
Brown's speech. "Ron actually has a
I went right into the heart of Armish
good sense of humor-so most of it's
country and told them: Just Say No."
up to him."
What people said about Bush after
"He knows what's funny," press
the event was that he looked relaxed
secretary Dave Beckwith said on
during his speech-which went over
Thursday of Quayle, who had most of
well. He didn't seem too haunted by
his speech penned by a professional.
the ghost of the Gridiron pro.
"In fact, he wrote a couple jokes him-
"Let's face it," Bush said, "if I was
self this afternoon."
funnier than Ronald Reagan, I would
Landon Parvin admits the Gridiron
have won in 1980. And he'd be up
isn't an easy gig. "It's tough. I've
here tonight trying to laugh away the
seen people really be awful. You can't
Bush deficit."
try out your material-like in a com-
The line everyone remembered
edy club, the way comedians do. You
was this: "We know the NRA's posi-
open and close in the same night--
tion," Bush said. "Guns don't kill peo-
and in front of a very powerful audi-
ple-grapes do."
ence."
Like everyone else, he had to com-
ment about the puppies. He said he
At Marion Barry's Expense
was glad one of them was a boy.
The mayor-who did not attend
"Now Congress will have to be more
specific when they refer to that SOB
the Gridiron this year-managed to
in the White House."
get a few dishonorable mentions. A
Marion Barry character-wearing an
About the Soviet elections, he said:
angel's wings and white robes--sang
"I had a feeling Yeltsin would win-
(to the tune of "Granada"):
once I saw his opponent on television
Why must I make news with the
riding around in a tank."
room that I cheese
At the end he got serious-with
At Ramada?
one final yuk-yuk. "Laughter is part
I can't make à stop without find-
of the magic of America-the magic
ing some cop
of our politics and our press. A year
At Ramada.
from now-gosh, a week from
now-you'll have all sorts of new ma-
Forget all those topics involving the
terial," Bush said to the crowd. "I
tropics,
wish you happy hunting. I wish you
And pour me a subpoena colada.
laughter in your work. And I promise
Even the president couldn't resist.
"I'm worried about the situation in
to do my part
Remember Pearl
Harbor."
D.C.," said Bush. "You'd think the
White House would be safe from
Who Writes This Stuff?
crime. But last night Barbara was
headed out the door to walk Millie,
The campy skits are written by the
looked back and said: 'Cover me."
Gridiron members-after all, print
journalists are professional writers.
Special correspondent Cristina del
The president's jokes this year were
Sesto contributed to this report.
NYT 4/4 AI
Bush Takes Mubarak Out to the Ball Game
By MAUREEN DOWD
nouncer boomed, there was "the
Special to The New York Times
President of Egypt - Mubarak." Al-
until the fourth inning. But at one
point the Orioles got a runner to sec-
BALTIMORE, April 3 - The two
though the name Williams got a roar
ond, and pointing to him Mr. Bush ex-
Presidents sat in the sky box, watch-
from the crowd, the name Mubarak
plained to the Egyptian President,
ing the baseball game with their Ori-
provoked only silent wonderment.
who said he had seen baseball on tele-
oles caps, their hot dogs, their pickles,
Hosni Mubarak tried on his Orioles
vision but never in person, that the
their horseradish, their Cokes in Ori-
cap for the Eqyptian journalists -
player had a chance of scoring by
oles plastic souvenir cups, their
going all the way around the bases
who seemed befuddled at being
player lineup sheet on White House
and reaching home.
whisked to Baltimore to watch men in
stationery, their little white binocu-
(As it turned out, the Orioles did a
costume hitting balls with bats - and
lars and a black secure phone.
bit more running around the bases,
was asked by American reporters
and won, 5-4, in 11 innings, 6 innings
The announcer at Memorial Sta-
how he was enjoying his first baseball
after the Presidential party left.)
dium came on the loudspeaker to say
game.
As a crowd of 54,000 cheered, Mr.
there were some celebrities in attend-
"Very good teacher," he said, smil-
Bush had opened the game by, run-
ance for the season opener between
ing at President Bush. Over the paper
ning out onto the field in his shirt-
the Baltimore Orioles and the Boston
plates and a cut-glass relish tray, the
sleeves - and black and orange tie in
Red Sox. There was Ted Williams, the
captain of the 1948 Yale baseball
honor of the Orioles' colors - to
rock star Joan Jett and, the an-
throw out the first pitch.
team was explaining some of the fine
The President, who keeps his old
points of the American pastime to his
first baseman's mitt from Yale inside
guest.
"Of course," Mr. Mubarak said,
his desk drawer in the Oval Office
and says he still gets the itch to
pointing to Mr. Bush, "he was the
throw, looked eager today as he
captain of the biggest team in the
stepped up to the mound. At Yale, Mr.
United States."
Bush was known as good field, erratic
President Bush grinned. "That's
bat. "He bats right-handed, he throws
what-I told him," he confessed.
left," the announcer said. "He's the
The two leaders - sitting in a box
41st President of the United States."
with Egyptian officials, Secretary of
The ball arced up and to the right, a
State James A. Baker 3d; the director
little high and outside, and the Oriole
of the Office of Management and
catcher Mickey Tettleton snagged it
over his right shoulder with little ef-
Budget, Richard G. Darman; the
fort.
White House chief of staff, John H.
Sununu; Mr. Williams, and the base-
When the reporters went up the sky
box later to quiz the President on how
ball commissioner, A. Bartlett Gia-
he thought he had performed, they
matti - mixed light talk about the
mentioned that it looked a little high
game with serious foreign policy dis-
and outside. "High and outside," he
cussion.
repeated, with mock umbrage, insist-
It was unclear who was running
ing that the catcher "caught it before
it started breaking."
things back in Washington since so
many of the President's advisers and
aides had felt the need to accompany
him on this important mission. Secre-
tary of Defense Dick Cheney and Sec-
retary of State Baker each flew over
in their own helicopters, and the na-
tional security adviser, Brent Scow-
croft, and Marlin Fitzwater, the
President's spokesman, and several
other top aides were all on hand as
well.
President Bush had a hard time ex-
plaining the game to his guest at first
because the first run was not scored
NEW YORK TIMES
5 APRIL 1989
Pg.
22
The Man Who Got the Pentagon's Attention
self-confidence.
By ANDREW ROSENTHAL
pressure to cut $6.3 billion out of the
fense Department will depend
"He came into the building with a
Special to The New York Times
1990 military budget, initiate man-
greatly on his subordinates and on his
squeaky clean, nice guy, personable
WASHINGTON, April 4 - The
agement reforms promised by Mr.
relationships with the military, the
image," said another officer. "Now in
Monday morning after he surprised
Bush and begin his diplomatic role in
White House and Congress.
the back of everybody's minds is the
and angered the officer corps by slap-
the North Atlantic Treaty Organiza-
On March 24 when he saw The
thought that we better think things
ping down the Air Force Chief of Staff
tion.
Washington Post, in which General
through with this guy."
in public for discussing policy with
Lower-level staff members are
Welch was quoted as saying he had
But many uniformed officers were
members of Congress, Secretary of
largely barred from Mr. Cheney's
talked to influential Congressmen
incensed. Their anger cooled by the
Defense Dick Cheney gathered the
convocations, which are limited to the
about the controversy over the MX
end of last week, but a sense of dis-
Pentagon's top civilian officials in his
principal.players in the decision at
and Midgetman nuclear missiles, the
trust lingered, and they complained
third-floor conference room.
hand; he made his initial choices for
Secretary seized the moment. Ex-
that Mr. Cheney, the outsider, had
He exuded, some of them said, an
top Pentagon jobs in tight secrecy, al-
pecting. to be asked about General
violated a rule of behavior. "Praise in
air of satisfaction about his dramatic
lowing only two or three subordinates
Welch at his first news conference, he
public, chastise in private," said one
show of power. In his clipped, just-
into the process, and typically, he
decided to respond firmly.
officer.
the-facts style, Mr. Cheney said that
brought in people he knew. One ap-
Later in the day, he drove the new
On the same day that he chastised
he had since met with Gen. Larry D.
pointment that has caused particular
ground rules home, calling General
General Welch, Mr. Cheney issued a
Welch and that they had reached an
comment in the officer corps is that
Welch into his office and saying that
curious memorandum that said it
"understanding."
of a trusted Congressional aide,
he would not allow the generals to
was illegal to pass sensitive informa-
"He was very polite, but firm, and
David S. Addington, whom Mr.
"get out in front" on matters of poli-
tion to contractors, spy on military
he clearly felt he had gotten his politi-
Cheney has given the office next door
cy, even though discussions like the
suppliers, or use government infor-
cal mileage out of that move," one of
to his. To do-so, Mr. Cheney moved
one General Welch had were com-
mation "for private gain."
the officials recalled. "It was a pre-
out a uniformed officer, and revived
mon. But Mr. Cheney also told the
All very obvious, but also part of
meditated shot and it served its pur-
the post of Special Assistant, vacant
general that the matter was closed,
"setting the tone."
pose."
in the Reagan Administration.
officials said..
"Unlike with Welch, the memo was
It was also only one of several occa-
In some ways, the appointments re-
So far, the reviews are mixed.
not inspired by an incident," a Penta-
sions, albeit the most dramatic, in the
flect exactly what the incident with
"He's got our attention now," said a
gon official said. "It was to make the
17 days since Mr. Cheney took office
General Welch did: Mr. Cheney's
senior officer about the public rebuke
point that Cheney wants to have an
in which he has moved to assert con-
keen awareness that the exercise of
of the general. Like some others, the
above-board operation, that he's here
trol over the Pentagon's vast bureau-
his statutory authority over the De-
officer gave Mr. Cheney credit for
and serious."
cracy. "It set a tone for the way the
new boss is going to operate," is the
way one official put it.
So far, the "tone" has mixed Mr.
Cheney's much-advertised drive and
political instinct with a steely-man-
agement style. "I don't feel like I'm
engaged in any kind of struggle with
anyone for control of the deparment,"
he said today while reflecting with a
group of reporters about the rebuke
to General Welch. But, he added, "It's
necessary from time to time to lay
down markers so people know what
to expect of them."
People who have worked with Mr.
Cheney before know what that
means. As Secretary of Defense he is
demonstrating the same abhorrence
of "leaks" and penchant for inner-cir-
cle councils that were his earmarks
as chief of staff to President Ford and
as a senior Republican on the House
Intelligence Committee.
Mr. Cheney personally takes care
of contacts between the Pentagon and
the White House, speeding across the
Potomac River almost daily to meet
with President Bush or Brent Scow-
croft, the national security adviser.
He fits in easily. A close relationship
with Mr. Scowcroft dates back to the
Ford days, when Mr. Scowcroft was
national security adviser; Mr.
Cheney is a fly-fishing partner of
James A. Baker 3d, the Secretary of
State, and encouraged him to buy a
ranch in Wyoming last year.
"Obviously Baker is going to pro-
tect his own interests and Cheney will
protect his," said a Pentagon official
who knows both. "But it's not going to
be a feud like Caspar Weinberger and
George Shultz."
The 48-year-old Secretary's sched-
ule is packed. Today, as on most days,
he was at work by 7 A.M., and had 20
events, Including a Rose Garden cere-
mony and a National Security Council
meeting, on a schedule that would not
get him home until about 10:30 P.M.
This frantic pace is not simply a
matter of style; Mr. Cheney is under
27
ESSAY
William Safire
'You Tell Him This'
WASHINGTON
about: free elections under some sort
srael's Prime Minister, Yitzhak
of international supervision.
Shamir, sent this invitation to
As if he had been waiting for that
Egypt's President, Hosni Muba-
precise formulation, The President of
rak: Stay an extra day in Washington
Egypt leaned forward and put his fin-
and let us meet in President Bush's of-
ger on my chest. "You tell him this.
fice. The Egyptian refused.
You tell him if he is willing to have
Mr. Bush, who had been asked by
elections under international supervi-
Israel to facilitate these talks, did
sion, I'll help."
nothing to bring the Israeli and Arab
How much will he help?
leaders together. Instead, he dam-
"I'll help to the maximum."
aged his credibility as mediator by
As God, and the V.P., our national
calling for "the end of the occupa-
security adviser, the Egyptian Am-
tion" of territories Israel considers
bassador and our nail-nibbling Chief
vital to its security.
of Protocol are my witnesses, that's
Why did Mr. Bush gratuitously in-
what the man said. It's a good bet
sult Israel's elected leader by an-
that's also what Mr. Mubarak said
nouncing his conclusion before Mr.
privately to Mr. Bush and Mr. Quay[e.
Shamir could even make his case?
Let us now review the state of play.
At a reception for Mr. Mubarak in
Israel can be expected to hedge its
the home of the Vice President, I put
free-elections proposal with restric-
that to Brent Scowcroft, our national
tions, among them: not until the inti-
security adviser. He would say only,
fada violence stops; no P.L.O. candi-
"We did not intend to make news."
dates; the first stage only for munici-
If that is true, then the State De-
pal offices, and the polls supervised by
partment aide who drafted the state-
ment, the N.S.C., which cleared it, and
the President who spoke the blunt
words did not consider as newswor-
thy a U.S. call for Israel to get out of
the West Bank. Such ignorance of a
change of position would reveal in-
credible ineptitude at all levels.
I think the statement was not a mis-
take, but was a Bush-Baker calcula-
tion, more heavy-handed than even-
handed, to pressure Israel and pla-
cate the P.L.O. Many in the diplo-
Israelis with invited observers.
matic press corps swallowed State
This opening position will be
Department protestations that noth-
frowned on by Egypt as "not enough,"
ing was new, but Barry Schweid of
dismissed by ABC News as "warmed-
the A.P. and Tom Friedman of The
over Camp David" and denounced by
New York Times put that major
Yasir Arafat, who worries about los-
change in their leads.
ing his authority to freely elected
The Egyptian Ambassador, Raouf
local Palestinian leaders.
el-Reedy, spotted me at the fruit-
However, the Shamir offer pro-
kebab table and motioned me over to
vides running room for mediators -
meet his boss. I cheerfully identified
even those who impose settlement
myself as a right-wing pro-Israeli
terms before negotiations begin.
hawk and asked Mr. Mubarak why he
The intifada could cool it without
had refused to meet Mr. Shamir in
agreeing to ice it; non-P.L.O. candi-
the Oval Office.
dates could proclaim their P.L.O. af-
"I once offered to go to Jerusa-
fection; the municipal officers could
lem," said President Mubarak ani-
have a territories-wide function; and
matedly, "and he issued the invita-
while the Zionism-is-racism U.N.
tion, but then he started talking about
would hardly be disinterested, supervi-
his three 'no's,' so how could I go?
sion by a few countries with demo-
What would be the public opinion?"
cratic experience would be acceptable.
He left out the part about condition-
Now watch how the bash-Israel
ing his visit on Israeli acceptance of an
crowd tries to turn "free elections"
international conference, but my con-
into dirty words. Not "new"? Nothing
cern was this week's snub: What would
could be newer to most Arabs than a
have been the harm in meeting in
secret ballot. Arab regimes do not tol-
Washington, since both were in town?
erate elections that offer genuine
"To talk about what?" he counter-
choices; they do not want West Bank
queried.
and Gaza Palestinians to lead the way
Free elections on the West Bank
because democracy is contagious.
and Gaza, for a starter.
But President Mubarak says to tell
"Free?" He made a skeptical face.
Mr. Shamir he is ready to "help to the
It's not for the press to negotiate for
maximum" to conduct such elections
anybody, but since he was asking, I
under international supervision. Mes-
threw in the compromise being bruited
sage passed. Worth following up.
NEW YORK TIMES, 4/ /89, P.A
conflicts of interest. This was the point
On March 8, the day after Mr. Eagle-
where the bid by former Senator John
burger informed Congress about his
Tower to become Secretary of Defense
$440,000 severance arrangement, Mr.
encountered problems. His disclosure
Scowcroft filed a second amendment to
that he advised contractors on arms
his financial disclosure statement. The
control issues soon after leaving his
new amendment showed, for the first
post as arms control negotiator was a
time, that Mr. Scowcroft owned one
significant factor in his rejection by the
share of stock in Kissinger Associates.
Senate.
He said in the statement that he had
Mr. Scowcroft, as national security
"arranged to sell in the very near fu-
adviser, is not subject to the confirma-
ture" the share for a price between
tion process. He told the White House
$50,001 and $100,000.
he had to disclose only the name of Kis-
In two separate interviews in March,
singer Associates, not the specific
Mr. Kissinger said the share had been
clients he worked with, because he was
bought back. He later explained that he
merely a consultant to the firm.
had valued the share by using an out-
Indeed, when he described his posi-
side investor's previous offer for a
tions in his financial disclosure state-
stake in the privately held firm as a
ment, filed on Feb. 21, Mr. Scowcroft
benchmark. Mr. Kissinger said that
put down "consultant" but did not men-
Mr. Scowcroft's share was then valued
tion that he was also a vice chairman.
as if it were equal to 1 percent of the
He finally disclosed the position in a
company, or one out of 100 shares.
third amendment to his filing on March
Error on Size of Holding
17, one day after a reporter asked him
why he had not reported it.
According to the company's latest
Kissinger Implied Wider Role
annual report, however, Mr. Scowcroft
does not own one-hundredth of Kissin-
In an interview last January, how-
ger Associates, but one nine-hundredth,
ever, Mr. Kissinger gave the impres-
since the firm has 900 shares outstand-
sion that Mr. Scowcroft's work for
clients was more direct than that of a
ing.
Government officials are prohibited
consultant. "We divided them up," he
from accepting gifts of more than
said of his clients, through an informal
nominal value from anyone who could
arrangement among Mr. Eagleburger,
Mr. Scowcroft and himself.
be significantly affected by their ac-
tions. If the stock purchase deal were
Gary Davis, general counsel of the
intended to be an indirect severance
Office of Government Ethics, said it
payment, it would have had to have
was unclear whether this additional in-
been disclosed as such and approved
formation about Mr. Scowcroft's posi-
tion would have required him to dis-
by Government attorneys.
When Mr. Kissinger was questioned
close the names of the clients he
further about the transaction, Mr.
worked with.
Masin, the attorney, responded, "A
Mr. Scowcroft's public disclosure
subsequent review of the documents,
form indicates that he will disqualify
however, determined that rather than 1
himself from specific matters involv-
percent, General Scowcroft owns one
ing companies he holds stock in and
share of Kissinger Associates."
former clients such as Kissinger As-
Mr. Masin added that this resulted
sociates, but not from matters involv-
from an "honest mistake of recollec-
ing the firm's clients.
tion" and that no money had yet
Mr. Eagleburger agreed, on the
changed hands before the transaction
other hand, to disqualify himself for
was revised.
one year from any matter involving the
"Proper disclosure of the transac-
clients he dealt with, and under Senate
tion will be made by General Scowcroft
pressure he adopted the same standard
at the appropriate time," he said.
for a few other, confidentially disclosed
foreign clients.
Differing disclosure practices were
an issue addressed broadly by Presi-
dent Bush's ethics commission, which
called for more uniformity across all
arms of the Government.
Scowcroft's Stake
Adjustment Made
On Stock Sale
The Bush ethics commission also ad-
dressed the severing of financial ties
between incoming Government offi-
cials and their previous employers, an
issue also pertinent to Mr. Scowcroft.
26.
SUPPLEMENT: THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1989
INTERVIEWS
sea power
APRIL 1989
Pg. 15
A Visit with the Watchstanders
Interview with Secretary of the Navy William L. Ball III
Sea Power Editor in Chief James D. Hessman and Con-
tributing Editor Vincent C. Thomas recently met with
Secretary of the Navy William L. Ball III in his offices at
the Pentagon 10 discuss the state of today's Navy;
Thomas met again with the SecNav in Key West, Fla.,
and accompanied him on a visit to the Navy's PHM
[patrol hydrofoil missileship] squadron there. Following is
the text of the interrupted two-site interview (completed,
it should be noted, prior to final Senate action on the
nomination of former Sen. John Tower to be secretary of
defense).
SEA POWER: Do you have any guidance yet on what
cuts you will have to take as a result of President's
Bush stated goal of allowing only zero growth, plus
inflation, in the defense budget?
BALL: We got our official word today, in the wake of
the president's speech, that we need to find an additional
amount somewhere between $2.0 and $2.2 billion in
FY 1990. These are outlays, overall Navy. If you sit back
and look at how the preparation of the FY 1990 budget
went, we won more than our share of fights within the
Pentagon on budget issues. And we had a pretty good
package that went to the Hill.
Of course, we sort of knew at the time that we might
have to re-open the issue. We don't look forward to do-
ing that, but now we have to bite that bullet.
But it is so much better to have to face it now rather
than in the middle of the fiscal year
...
BALL: What worries us is that Congress has not spoken
Secretary of the Navy William L. Ball III, shown here accompanied
yet, and we don't know where we are going to end up.
by French and American officers and other dignitaries, was a prin-
Given the strong words in the president's speech, I feel
cipal guest of honor at the Aisne-Marne American Military Cemetery
that there will be strong support for the services and for
in France, where he spoke at a Memorial Day service last year com-
the Department of Defense from the White House for
memorating the 70th anniversary of the Barile of Belleau Wood. 6-26
holding the line at where the president now has gone-to
July 1918.
Scowcroft
37
B
6
SUPPLEMENT:
THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1989
INNOVATION
CONTINUED
development. One of the most valuable attributes of this pro-
the services, or establishing computer linkage between simi-
gram is that it uncovers potential problem areas prior to the
lar ranges, could well provide more effective and efficient
commitment of large investments. It is the Navy's primary
testing as well as training.
means of transitioning new high-payoff concepts into weapon
The Navy plays an active role in international armaments
systems. and because of its importance it will continue to grow
cooperation. Meaningful collaboration with our allies in de-
over the next several years.
veloping systems that meet common requirements is becom-
Although the ATD program was allocated only 25 percent
ing increasingly important as weapon needs expand. costs
of the overall advanced technology development account, the
increase, and funding shrinks.
success of the program has convinced us to apply the ATD
For any number of reasons, there are certain areas of tech-
principles to other programs. consolidated under a single
nology in which the United States does not excel. Working
manager. Our goal is for 50 percent of the program to con-
with our allies helps offset the resultant disadvantages. But
sist of technology transition ATDs by FY 1991. This includes
there are other reasons for cooperating in the development
need-driven project selection, closed-ended tasks, and up-
and acquisition of systems and equipment: the elimination
front transition planning. In essence, we select the highest
of duplicative R&D, for example; enhanced interoperability
payoff programs for demonstration. review them annually for
and standardization; economies of scale; and accelerated
a vote of confidence, and get them into full-scale engineer-
availability dates of the systems and equipment needed.
ing in three to five years.
The Navy is for all of those reasons aggressively pursuing
cooperative programs with our allies. Among the avenues fol-
Aggregate Gains From IR&D
lowed are:
Independent research and development (IR&D) also has
Senior national representative (SNR) meetings between
provided significant benefits to the Navy. Virtually every Navy
the director of research, development. test, and evaluation
system has at least some of its roots in IR&D. The IR&D ef-
and allied counterparts which provide the forum to focus in-
fort. which encourages contractors to mount their own
ternational multi-lateral and bilateral collaborative programs.
research and development programs. not only allows a con-
Synergistic data exchange agreements with foreign
siderable hedging of the Navy R&D investment, but also en-
governments that provide for the sharing of data and tech-
sures a competent "marketplace" when the Navy acquires
nology. Currently. 300 of these agreements are in effect.
systems.
The NATO cooperative R&D program. established by
Although there is no "free lunch." the IR&D effort more
section 1103 of the FY 1986 DOD Authorization Act. to en-
than pays for itself. Industry is allowed to use a modest share
courage cooperative projects between the United States and
of its overhead costs to fund the program. In the aggregate.
one or more allies to develop new conventional defense equip-
industry recovers about $600 million from the Navy, and for
ment and munitions and modify existing military equipment
that we gain access to nearly $5 billion of military-relevant
to meet U.S. and allied requirements. Since program incep-
technology.
tion, the Navy has been involved in 22 cooperative projects
Looking at the IR&D program from a broader perspec-
totaling $324 million in U.S. and allied funding.
tive. a recent study on IR&D found that, on the margin, for
Foreign weapons evaluation (FWE) and NATO compara-
each dollar increase in DOD IR&D invested, longer-term
tive test programs. which assess foreign weapons systems and
IR&D funding increased by two dollars. The DOD contrib-
technologies to determine their potential for U.S. service use.
utes about 40 cents of each IR&D dollar; but 95 percent of
Some 59 funded projects were included in the FY 1988 pro-
the IR&D effort addresses DOD needs. From any point of
gram. at a cost of $25.1 million. It is estimated that if. the
view. IR&D is cost-effective and well leveraged.
Navy had to develop similar systems unilaterally. it would
The Navy, in conjunction with the other services, OSD
have cost over $1.4 billion in FY 1988 dollars.
(Office of the Secretary of Defense), and industry. has been
We plan to increase Navy and Marine Corps involvement
exploring new initiatives to make IR&D more efficient and
in international cooperative programs. International cooper-
even more cost-effective. The Navy's technical community
ation will ensure access to and sharing of allied technologi-
has been tasked to increase its interaction with the industry
cal developments to build the most operationally capable and
IR&D effort. Since the technical evaluation process is the
cost-effective weapons systems needed by the United States
principal method of data exchange. its emphasis will be in-
and our allies.
creased. both in quality and frequency. In a related effort.
The nation-and the Navy-relies on a forward-deployed
Navy planning data will be more accessible to industry.
strategy: our national as well as our economic interests re-
The services are under increasing pressure to upgrade test
quire it. We also know that if we are called upon to go "head
and evaluation of weapons and systems. As we look to the
to head" with our primary adversary we will be outnumbered.
future, we can see that our facilities will be hard pressed to
Future Navy RDT&E strategy and plans must take into ac-
fully test advanced stealth, counterstealth, and ASW weapon
count the "first to fight" global and regional responsibilities
systems and complex battle group arrangements. We have a
of our naval forces. the nation's critical need to develop and
master plan to upgrade existing T&E facilities, but we need
produce significantly more effective weapon systems. and our
to be more bold in execution. There are, however, manage-
quantitative manpower limit vis-a-vis that of our potential ad-
ment approaches that can assist us in alleviating the situa-
versaries. We must ensure that the future does not find us
tion. For example, modeling and simulation may offer a more
with too many programs and too few dollars. In a time of
practical way to forecast potential operational capability in
declining resources we must have the courage to push the very
the earliest stages of the acquisition process. To reduce or
best ideas, while understanding the risk. to ensure that the
eliminate inter- and intra-service duplication. and that be-
needs of our future naval forces are met. Our research and
tween R&D and training facilities, sharing facilities among
development program is the key to our future.
B
5
SUPPLEMENT: THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1989
WATCHSTANDERS
CONTINUED
That means you are going to have to take quite a
whack
a zero real growth and nothing less But. like it always
BALL That means it is not a cosmetic reduction But
11. it still will be a struggle.
that is not a final figure What we will do now IS pro-
vide the acting secretary of defense. Mr Taft [William
How is this going to impinge upon what you certainly
Howard Taff IV]. specific proposals for how we would
consider a vital aspect of naval operations-the floor
take such a reduction Those proposals are due to him
of 15 carriers? Will you be able to maintain that
toward the end of the month. But I also have talked with
number of battle groups?
Senator Tower and gotten his perspective on that-and
BALL With this number I am confident. yes This is an
he. of course. will get briefed by Mr. Taft. Then the
issue that will he joined this year. no matter what
process moves on to the White House and the Office of
changes are put to the budget usell It is clear that we
Management and Budget. So before the budget is in final
will have that amendment |un amendment to reduce the
form. there will be a lot of give and take.
number of carrier battle groups| again. as we did last
year. in the Senate It may be drawn a little differently.
Are you going to have to address that overall reduc-
but " may affect [the aircraft carriers USSI Midway
tion when you make your first appearance before
[CV-41] and [USS] Coral Sea [CV-43]. and it may affect
Congress [in March]?
others.
BALL: I am sure the House Appropriations Committee
What I hope we can do is not put the focus on force
will want to know the justification for what budget we
structure per se. which Congress tends 10 do. but in the
have and. in as much detail as we can provide. how we
case of naval forces look at what the force structure sup-
are going to take a reduction down to the new numbers
ports. how It fits into the deterrent. and in the case spe-
He have been given The Department of the Navy pro-
citically of carriers how they serve as instruments of the
gram was at about 1.4 percent real growth in FY 1990 in
president's diplomacy-and what you can do with a force
the budget that 1131 submitted to Congress by President
of 15 versus what you can do with a smaller force I was
Reagan. These new numbers will take us down below
very glad that in his confirmation hearing Senator [John]
that and we will be below the level of zero real growth
Tower had a chance 10 speak to that He knows and un-
derstands that issue far better than most.
Does that mean you are likely to have to cut your
ship and aircraft procurement programs?
You have seen no indication thus far. with President
BALL Well. everything is on the table Of course. the
Bush coming in. and with [Lt. Gen.] Brent Scowcroft
five-year shiphuilding program no have in the budget at-
[USAF. Ret.] as the new national security advisor.
ready has had some changes to II. He had to take two
that the commitments to which the Navy very likely
Los Angeles class [SSN-688 nuclear-powered attack)
will have to respond are being diminished at all?
submarines out. which we did not want to do. and had
BALL They have made It clear that there will be a top-
to defer an amphibious ship for a year But I want to see
to-bottom review of strategy and objectives. and that
how we can make this kind of reduction minimizing im-
everything will be on the table But there have been no
pact on the shipbuilding program and on the aircraft
indications given yet that the commitments given to the
plan.
Navy will decrease at all.
We have. after several months of hard work sent to
In the past. when such reviews have been undertaken.
Congress it long-term aircraft-procurement program. with
very often the Navy's commitments have increased And
the Navy and Marine Corps in agreement about what
certainly one can argue that. given developments of the
our long-term plans are going to be This is the first
last four or five years-prior to the INF Intermediate-
time we ever have had that kind of coordinated Navy.
range nuclear forces) treaty-and the way in which inter-
Marine Corps aircraft acquisition plan setting forth our
national forces have changed and international disputes
requirements and our program as to how we are going to
have changed. there is a greater need. not a lesser need.
get there.
for the ability to display the capacity to project power
into many of these troubled regions. That would argue
That indicates the MV-22 [tilt-rotor Osprey] and the
for more emphasis. not less. on naval aviation and on
AV-8B [Harrier V/STOL (vertical short takeoff and
our submarine programs And more emphasis on the
landing) jumpjet] are solidly fenced into that
kinds of R&D (research and development] that we need
program?
to stay ahead of the threat of the 1990s-air. surface. and
BALL Correct no have two programs. the ATA (ad-
subsurface.
vanced tactical aircraft] and the MV-22. on the verge of
I can't prejudge what this strategy review will yield.
entering into production. plus the LRAACA Hong-range
But I am confident that it will focus on those kinds of
air-ASW-capable aircraft] program
issues. and marry up those issues with what the presi-
dent's objectives are going to be
Are you happy with the ATA. or would you rather
have gone along with a variation of the A-6 [Intruder
Do you have any further information to impart now
attack aircraft]?
about the status of the Navy budget?
BALL I am convinced that to deal with the sophisticated
BALL We have moved another step in the budget
threats we see emerging. not just in the Soviet Union but
review We now have the numbers across the five-year
in the air-defense capabilities a number of other coun-
defense plan. and those numbers total some $22 billion
tries are investing in-look at what the Libyans have as-
In new reduction] over five years
sembled in the way of an air-defense capability-we need
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are short of maximum efficient rates-but, nonetheless.
WATCHSTANDERS
CONTINUED
rates that we think we can sustain in budget review. The
the technology of the ATA program. We have looked at
one area where we have had to accept a shortage for the
that technology very carefully and with a lot of research.
mid-1990 time frame is in medium attack.
and Il has proven that it is a system with capabilities that
we have to have if we are going to maintain the power-
Do you have a concern over the steady decline in the
projection capabilities that we have in the fleet today.
ability to procure enough ships and aircraft, and then
Nothing, I think. is more central to the future of naval
Congress saying: "You have gotten by for five years
aviation than that investment. It is a steep investment.
without procuring what you say you need, and don't
and up front It IS a tremendous cost to us getting ready
seem to be in any great trouble. Therefore, we are
to produce the airplane. But it is worth it because it is
simply not going to fund in the future those things
so central to what capabilities uc know we are going to
you think you need to bring yourselves back up to a
have to have. We have a team that thus far has made
certain level.``?
good progress-the McDonnell-Douglas/General Dynam-
BALL: The five-year defense program that was prepared
ics team that has been assembled and that won the de-
in 1987 I think was put together at a time when it was
velopment contract.
abundantly clear that the climate on Capitol Hill for fur-
But that program has caused us to go without some
ther increases in defense spending already was eroding.
things that we would like to have.
When I took office. we already were in the process at
the White House of realizing. having just gone through
Aren't you going to be short a good many combat
budget summit negotiations. that Congress was going to
aircraft, given the fact that you have had to slip from
continue to seek reductions in defense spending Out of
what you hoped, three or four years ago, to get in the
the overall defense budget we lost $33 billion in the 1987
outyears. and that you now are going to project that
budget summit. And I had to participate at the table dur-
slippage still further? In FY 1990 you are asking for
ing the summit negotiations with Secretary Carlucci.
only about 46 percent of what you forecast in
then-Secretary of the Treasury Baker, and OMB Director
FY 1987 you were going to get funded in FY 1990.
Miller. I saw clearly what we were up against in the de-
How much is that kind of slippage going to hamper
bate over defense spending versus domestic spending.
the Navy's capability?
And the administration was trying to seek not cuts. but
BALL: In our study we acknowledge a shortage in our
reduced increases in certain domestic programs-
medium attack aircraft. Now. that doesn't mean we are
Medicare and other domestic entitlement programs. In
short in the numbers of aircraft we will need to flesh out
Washington, you know, when we talk about budget cuts
15 carrier decks with 13 active wings and two reserve
that means something quite different from what a fellow
wings, plus the Marine Corps medium attack squadrons.
outside the Beltway means when he talks about budget
Where we will have a shortage. though. is when we add
cuts. Most taxpayers think that when you cut the budget
up all of our total requirements for all purposes. includ-
you spend less than you did the year before. But that is
ing training, R&D. expected attrition. et cetera. We have
not the case in Washington, where a budget cut means
a shortage that will emerge-we don't have it now-in
you spend less than you would have spent had you con-
the mid-1990s. and there are some things we are going to
tinued the budget increase that was built in to the entitle-
have to do to adjust to that. We had considered the A-6F
ment program. So there was a hue and cry in 1987. and
[Intruder attack aircraft upgrade] program, but were un-
there is with this budget. as to budget cuts in domestic
successful in getting it through Congress. The A-6G pro-
and social programs. But they are not budget cuts at
gram was considered and a package was assembled and
all-they are recommended changes in the rate of in-
submitted within the Defense Department for review. It
crease. The budget for Medicare. for instance. continues
didn't succeed, either. But it was a program that would
to go up. but the proposals on the table are to reduce the
have filled this gap in medium attack aircraft prior to the
amount of increase. The Department of the Navy budget
full introduction of the ATA. which under the current
in FY 1990. I want to point out, will be-for the first
plan requires us to rely on older A-6Es and do some
time in our country's history-less than the amount of
things to update them through the SWIP [system weapon
money spent on Medicare.
improvement program] underway now.
But we have to assume a certain risk in dealing with
Turning from hardware to people, how are these
that shortage in the mid-1990s. I can't fault DOD offi-
reductions which you know you are going to have to
cials for not giving us our day in court, for we had a
somehow make-$22 billion over five years-going to
thorough debate about that capability and what this par-
affect people, with regard to the programs you need
ticular proposal would bring to our medium-attack capa-
to keep aviators in, to make sure you have the re-
bility. However, I was firm in not wanting to make any
enlistment bonuses you need to keep top-flight techni-
sacrifices in the A-12 investment.
cians in, et cetera.? Will there be some real hardships
At the same time we will continue with the F-14D
coming up?
[Tomcat fighter upgrade] program, which is holding up
BALL: If we manage it properly it will not affect the
pretty well. We have a plan now for a combination of
things that are important to our people. If we do a good
new production and a re-manufacture of F-14s that will
job of planning this budget change, and absorbing these
be supported by Congress. We also have proposed a con-
reductions, if we do it right. we will avoid impacting on
tinuation of the EA-6B [Prowler electronic warfare air-
people and the programs that are necessary for our
craft] through re-manufacture and a continuation of the
retention and recruiting efforts.
other production lines for tactical aircraft at rates that
But let me say this: The Navy in the past has shown
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publicized-right now no one knows very much about
WATCHSTANDERS
CONTINUED
some of these initiatives?
BALL: You are right. We have initiated a lot of things
all too frequently in times of budget cuts that it has
that have not gotten public recognition from the media or
moved to absorb budget cuts in areas that did affect peo-
Congress. Beginning in the early 1980s the Navy under-
ple adversely. And. if there is one thing that I have al-
took some major changes in the acquisition system. I
ready told our budget reviewers I want to avoid, it is a
guess the most fundamental change was the degree of
repetition of past mistakes.
competition we sought across the board in all of our pro-
The accounts that seem inevitably to emerge as candi-
grams, and the savings we gained from that, in ship con-
dates for reduction during times of budget constraints are
struction and aircraft procurement across the board, still
accounts that do relate directly to readiness and people.
are paying us a big dividend today.
We are benefiting now from the highest levels of readi-
We have worked hard to streamline the acquisition
ness we have seen in the fleet since World War II
process, and although the "Ill Wind" revelations [the so-
called "Pentagon procurement scandals"] have resulted in
You have had a chance to see that first hand in a
a lot of criticism from Congress, those critics don't real-
number of places, have you not?
ize what we have done to address that problem in ad-
BALL: I have made an effort to get around in the fleet
vance of these allegations. Indeed, one of the things we
and see many different aspects of the force at work on a
did was to set up a fraud-awareness program under the
deployed basis at sea, and have urged members of Con-
Naval Investigative Service [NIS] to teach people work-
gress to do that, too. Not just go visit our ships along-
ing in the acquisition field how to detect fraud, how to
side the pier or visit our shore installations, but get out
find it, and what the symptoms were.
and see our people at work at sea. We have set up pro-
grams to fly members to the Sixth Fleet [in the Mediter-
Has that program borne any positive dividends so
ranean], and to other places where ships and aircraft are
far?
operating at sea, because we want them to see how our
BALL: It has. I guess the biggest positive dividend is
sailors and Marines are doing the job.
that a person who had gone through that training was,
because of the information gained in that program. able
I gather you visited one carrier that at that time had
to contact NIS and provide the first lead that has led to
almost the highest degree of readiness ever attained in
the investigation-which is still underway, but which
peacetime
clearly is going to identify fraudulent activities that we
BALL: I went aboard the [carrier USS] Forrestal
have to root out.
[CV-59] when she was deployed in the North Arabian
The president is totally supportive of an aggressive,
Sea, and the carrier wing aboard had a phenomenal
tough, zero-tolerance program to counter the kind of
record of readiness. That was a tremendous tribute to the
waste and fraud that has plagued defense procurement
people in the wing, and also to the logistical and supply
since 1776. And we have plenty of history of abuses that
effort, which perhaps was unmatched for a short period
have occurred in the past.
of time, that we were able to maintain for those units in
The president looks at it, I think. in exactly the right
the Persian Gulf and in the North Arabian Sea.
way: It is a disservice to our men and women in uniform
But let me say that there are no easy cuts in making
whenever unscrupulous individuals or companies try to
this $33 billion reduction in the FY 1988-89 program.
take advantage of the government and try to provide less
We already have had to squeeze the shore establishment.
than the very best that our money can buy. We are just
We have had to cut back on certain types of moderniza-
not going to put up with second-rate efforts on the part
tion programs for ships and aircraft. We have had to take
of contractors, managers. and those who are charged
a tuck here and there where in the past we have had
with buying the best equipment for our sailors and
more generous levels of funding. Having done that, it is
Marines.
especially tough to look for further efficiencies, but I
The president spoke. during his visit to the [aircraft
think we can do it and maintain a balanced program.
carrier USS] America [CV-66] of being on board a sub-
And let me say one more thing that is very important:
marine during World War II. The submarine. which was
The president knows how tough it is going to be, and
under a depth charge attack. had rescued him, after he
spoke to that in his State of the Union address. He
had been shot down. He spoke in a very poignant way of
knows it is not easy to provide more defense for less
how, while sitting in that submarine as a naval aviator.
money, but he also knows that we can always be more
he hoped that those who had put that submarine together
efficient, always drive a tougher bargain with our con-
were as concerned about its survivability, and the integri-
tractors, always reduce the overhead, cut the layers of
ty of that hull, as he was when he was riding out that
oversight and excessive management that actually inhibit
attack.
efficiency. We know that under his leadership we can do
And that said it all! We need to instill in the industry
more, and we will do that.
team, in the thousands of people who are a part of the
acquisition system, that kind of sense of responsibility. I
The Navy has initiated, and you certainly have fol-
think we have the right idea and the right approach
lowed up on, a number of management programs that
among the vast majority of those who are participants in
have streamlined the procurement process. And you
the defense acquisition business. But the task is to root
are inaugurating total quality management training.
out that small number of people who still would seek
How extensive is that program, and how do you think
personal gain.
it is going to affect what the Navy is doing in
procurement? Also, how can those efforts be better
It is amazing how quickly a couple of bad apples can
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WATCHSTANDERS
CONTINUED
sure as the budget is constrained to re-open some of
ruin a whole barrel in this business. But no one ever
those decisions and to stretch procurements over a longer
goes back and points out the kinds of things you have
period of time.
just talked about, which is a tragedy.
That, of course, drives up unit costs, and we should
Going back to the fact that you have been in this
avoid it. It may be that in some cases we can't avoid it,
business for some years now-albeit from another
because if it comes down to stretching out a procurement
perspective for quite a while-you saw the turnaround
line or shortchanging readiness and personnel, then we
in the early 1980s from the horror stories of the late
are going to have to look for a way to stretch.
1970s with regard to readiness, to overhauls being
I think we have to protect the readiness of the force,
delayed, to maintenance not being accomplished, to
we have to protect what we talked about earlier, the
people leaving the Navy at a great rate. You saw the
things that are important to our people, and then seek to
Navy come back. Are you concerned that you might
be efficient in the acquisition of sustainability items as
well see a recurrence of that kind of thing because of
best we can.
the current delays in overhauls, the lack of main-
Now, on spares-aviation spares in particular-we
tenance, spare-parts budgets being cut, et cetera? Is
tightened down the screws on those accounts in 1987 and
the potential there for a return to that kind of thing
1988, and now really have to assess carefully the impact
unless you can make sure Congress understands the
of that. I intend to lay that out before Congress, because
problem?
we do have high readiness levels in the fleet today, and
BALL: Let me answer that in three ways. First, I draw
there is no secret how we got there. We have invested a
on my experience as a division officer in the early
lot in the maintenance programs at the naval aviation
1970s-1970-1971-aboard a DDG [guided missile des-
depots [NADEPs] and through competition have im-
troyer], when I saw a ship struggling to maintain the lev-
proved the efficiency of our aircraft maintenance
el of readiness expected of it with a severe shortage of
programs.
spare parts, with morale problems in the crew because of
But the great dividend we have received has been in
a shortage of funds for PCS [permanent change of sta-
readiness, and there is no significant sum of money that
tion; PCS funds pay for transfers from one duty station
we can take out of that program without paying a heavy
to another], for those things that are basic to our way of
price..
life in the Navy. And I saw how the penalties we pay
over the long term when we shortchange those things
There was a very interesting statistic that Admiral
vastly outweigh the savings that the headquarters thinks
Dunn [Vice Adm. Robert Dunn, assistant chief of
we are getting in the near term. So now that I have a
naval operations (air warfare)] cited a couple of years
chance to see things from a different perspective, I am
ago, the fact that the S-3 [Viking ASW aircraft] went
determined we are going to avoid those kinds of mistakes
up from a readiness rate of some 36 percent to above
that create long-term costs for us, that create morale and
70 percent simply because adequate spare parts final-
readiness problems.
ly were available-and for no other reason.
However, we have constrained parts of the budget that
BALL: In FY 1988 we achieved our goal of 73 percent
affect readiness and sustainability in preparing this budg-
mission-capable for aircraft. Funding cuts in FY 1988 to
et for FY 1990 and 1991, and there is just not much
FY 1991 will cause the rate to decrease somewhat, but,
more we can do to be more efficient there, because
in general, that is a level we have to protect.
when you cut those things any further it creates long-
But there are no short cuts to readiness-it takes hard
term problems. It is my vivid recollection of the trials
work, and we simply must fund those elements we have
that we had at sea on deck in 1970 and 1971 that remind
to have. Now, we can always look for more efficient
me daily of the need to avoid those mistakes.
ways to provide logistical support and to achieve our
maintenance objective. I visited [Naval Air Station]
Have the pipelines for spares, and for weapons in
North Island. [in Coronado, Calif.] and the air rework
particular-which were almost to the full point before
depot there, and it has just won a competition for inter-
the Navy started backsliding two or three years ago-
mediate maintenance on the F-14. That exercise demon-
started to empty now? Are you going to have a hard
strated to the civilian managers at that facility that by
time maintaining the levels which you think you must
really hustling and finding ways to cut costs during the
have for really outstanding readiness? I see you are
competition they went through that they could be more
not buying as many Tomahawk, Standard, and Tri-
efficient. That was a healthy exercise. and we have to
dent missiles, for example.
continue to do that sort of thing.
BALL: Let me say two things. With regard to the pur-
Our productivity improvements in shipyards and
chases that provide us with sustainability-that is, the
NADEPs and all of our other maintenance facilities are
percentage of missiles in the bins, ammunition in the
very important and are going to continue to pay a divi-
bins, et cetera-we have set our goals and have made a
dend as long as our leadership in the facilities main-
lot of progress in buying the quantities that we should.
tenance and engineering business aggressively continues
We are now to the point where in many cases, and espe-
to pursue cost-cutting moves.
cially in many categories of missiles, we are close to but
just short of our objective. Our plan now is to try to buy
Would it be a correct assumption that over the last
out that objective in a shorter period of time and main-
three to four years there has been an upsurge in effi-
tain the efficiencies of a high production rate, and then,
ciency in the shore establishment, too, with regard to
wherever we have attained that goal, shut down that
the kind of thing you have just talked about?
production line.
BALL: Yes. In our shipyards, our NADEPs. and in our
It worries me that there will be more and more pres-
training establishment, I think we have wrung a lot of
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THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1989
WATCHSTANDERS
CONTINUED
deal about. because the retention program has to have
unnecessary overhead and inefficiency out of those sys-
daily command attention. Nothing is higher on a com-
tems. I have seen aggressive managers and leaders really
manding officer's agenda. As the economy has continued
go after those goals, and we have had tough competitions
to be strong. it has become increasingly tough to keep
like that at North Island.
the technical rates in. But we know what the things are
I also will cite the competition that Charleston Naval
that drive our sailors out of the Navy. And the people in
Shipyard [S.C.] won for some SSN [nuclear-powered at-
Washington who are aware of those things, no matter
tack submarine] overhauls. In Charleston we saw how
how many good decisions they make, they can't substi-
man hours required for overhaul of our submarines were
tute for the effectiveness of a commanding officer and
significantly reduced, with a sizable savings over some
executive officer who know how important it is to keep
retention high.
of the recent overhauls performed in Charleston. Admiral
Hines [Rear Adm. Dean H. Hines, now deputy com-
mander for industrial and facility management, Naval Sea
Earlier today, before you came aboard [the patrol
Systems Command], then at Charleston and now at
hydrofoil missileship] Taurus [PHM-3], I had the op-
NAVSEA, drove those efficiencies into the program there
portunity to discuss the impact of deployments with
at Charleston. And it showed that, even with as signifi-
the ship's cook. He commented that, with this ship,
cant a mission and as large a workload as they main-
"I'm out a lot, but I am back in without long deploy-
tained down there, there still are ways to root out
ments." That comment says a lot about the view
inefficiency if people at all levels are vigilant.
toward long deployments. But if you lose a couple of
carriers, you are back into that cycle of longer
In your tours through the fleet, and going back to
deployments all over again. That must be of great
concern to you.
your own experiences as a division officer, have you
encountered others in that position today who say:
BALL: Well, it is. When the CNO [chief of naval opera-
"Mr. Secretary, I am concerned now about what I see
tions] set a six-month "cap" on the time away from
with regard to morale, because we are not likely to
home on deployments, which he has fought hard to
get all the things we think we need to maintain our
maintain, we were able to convince some, but not all. in
Congress why that is important.
readiness"? Is that type of problem coming back, or
are we still at an acceptable level before there is a
At my confirmation hearing, I was asked about carrier
sharp downturn?
force levels, and that aspect of operations I immediately
BALL: Morale is, of course, a function of command and
spoke to. We don't see any lessening of the commitments
the Navy is asked to meet around the world with our
leadership. And I have been very pleased to see that in
most of the places I have been it has been very, very
carrier battle groups. The program we have now will
good. I make an effort to get down into the spaces, visit
enable us to meet commitments and still keep deploy-
with the chiefs, get onto the mess decks, and ask a lot of
ment periods capped at six months. That's about the
questions and see how things stand on the deck
most we can go. Again, I have pointed out some of the
plates
horror stories of the past-when [the nuclear-powered
aircraft carrier] Dwight D. Eisenhower [CVN-69] made
You certainly can learn a lot in a hurry in the chiefs'
that 247-day Indian Ocean deployment in 1980 with only
mess, can't you?
five days in port-and I have asked how many sailors
BALL: You sure can! And I like to go down to main
who made that deployment still are in the Navy. I'll bet
that there are not many.
control and talk with the engineers and visit with the
watchstanders. It is a great tribute to the kind of leader-
So when you compute the cost to the Navy of that
ship we have in the senior enlisted grades right now that
deployment, in order to do it right you would have to
compute how much investment went down the tube in the
the morale, the determination, and the professionalism of
our watchstanders and those who are doing the jobs
form of highly trained, skilled people who bagged it
down there are remarkable.
when they finally got back home. We know what those
We have learned the hard way, and certainly know
penalties are, and know what we have to do to avoid
where some of the danger signs are. And I keep my eye
paying those penalties.
Our force structure, as it is now, enables us to meet
on those. Every month, every quarter, we get reports on
those commitments that we have on the horizon. To
retention, on readiness. from the fleet commanders, and
those who would suggest that we have to shrink the force
look at all of the key indicators. But the best indicator,
structure, we have to put the question of what commit-
of course. is to get out and talk to our people
ments we should drop in what areas of the world. and
where we have to diminish our presence.
Is retention starting to slide?
BALL: It has been tough, but in the last month we had a
Are you concerned over the increasing need to ensure
good month for recruiting and retention. We met our
that the ever-growing number of members of Con-
recruiting goal in January for the first time in several
gress who have had little or no military service really
months. And our retention held well in the last quarter
understand and appreciate this problem?
of 1988-we met our first-term retention goal. The num-
BALL: I am concerned about that, and know that con-
bers that you get, though, in terms of meeting your first-
gressional leaders who are veterans of the armed forces
and second-term re-enlistment goals, don't always show
are very concerned about it.
you whether you are keeping those top sailors and Ma-
And they speak to it very often. I meet once a month
rines. or where your attrition is.
for breakfast with a little group at the Capitol which we
That is something I speak to our commanders a great
call "Our Former Navy Members." We invite all senators
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SUPPLEMENT: THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1989
WATCHSTANDERS
CONTINUED
the high-caliber people you have aboard those ships?
and congressmen who have served in the Navy to have
BALL: A lot of key members of Congress-and especial-
breakfast with the CNO and me. There are no holds
ly Congressman Murtha-who have looked closely at
barred, we put everything on the table, talk to them
those two incidents have become almost evangelical in
about what we are doing in the Navy today, and about
talking to their colleagues on exactly that point. Mr.
some of our problems, and respond to all their ques-
Murtha visited Samuel B. Roberts within just a few days
tions. And we have some new members of Congress
of her hitting that mine in the Persian Gulf. He was so
who, I hope, will be joining that group. We have one
impressed with what he saw that he has been back to
Naval Academy graduate who is joining Congress-from
that ship twice. Most recently he went to Bath Iron
Rhode Island-Ron Machtley. Also a Medal of Honor
Works [where Roberts is being repaired and made ready
winner, Senator [Bob] Kerrey, from Nebraska, who was
for sea] and checked on the progress of the repair work.
a SEAL [member of a Sea-Air-Land team], and two or
The crews of those two ships, although they have been
three others.
acclaimed and have gotten some attention, have yet to
Unfortunately, we lost Bill Chappell [D-Fla., a former
receive, in terms of public recognition, the real credit
naval aviator who chaired the Defense Subcommittee of
they deserve.
the House Appropriations Committee] after a close
1 went to Guantanamo Bay [Cuba] and observed the
election
refresher training program down there, and took former
Senator Howard Baker, who then was President Reagan's
We gather, though, that Congressman Murtha [Rep.
chief of staff, with me because I wanted to show him
John Murtha (D-Pa.), who succeeded Chappell as
what it is that we do there. We visited with the damage-
chairman] will be a fine successor
control instructors and I met with petty officer first class
BALL: I agree. I called on Congressman Murtha about a
Perkins-I missed his first name-who had been the
month ago and went over some of the big issues that we
senior damage-control instructor when Roberts had gone
see coming at us.
through training down there. He was a big strapping guy,
a "sailor of the year" at the Fleet Training Group, a
I have gained the impression that, in the last three or
very impressive man.
four years, anyway, the Navy's whole program has
Three weeks later I had been invited by Congress-
been better put together and better articulated than it
woman Lloyd [Marilyn Lloyd (D-Tenn.)] to speak at
had been earlier. Is that a reasonably safe assump-
Armed Forces Day in Chattanooga, and 1 asked my peo-
tion? You have watched it from three different van-
ple to find out where Perkins was; we learned that he
tage points-Capitol Hill, then the White House, and
since had been transferred to Norfolk. It turned out that
now the Pentagon-over that period of time
he was in Chattanooga visiting his family, so I had him
BALL: In the last three years there has been a growing
come to the luncheon, had him stand up before about
awareness in Congress among key members as to not just
300 people, and described what he had done in teaching
what the role of naval forces would be in a global war
damage control to the crew of Samuel B. Roberts and
with the Soviet Union, but also of what we do on a daily
how he had tangibly contributed to the saving of that
basis around the world to deter regional conflicts, to sup-
ship. He got an ovation that lasted several minutes and
port the president's foreign policy, and to serve as a pre-
just about brought the roof down.
cision instrument of diplomacy. And you can't understand
So there really may be more public recognition than
that unless you work at it and go see it working first
we had thought. What we still have to do, though. is
hand, whether it is the Sixth Fleet, the Seventh Fleet [in
convince Congress that that intangible advantage we have
the Western Pacific], or wherever we have forces at
at sea today, that edge in readiness that emanates from
work.
every space aboard ship. is of inestimable value to the
I think we have done a good job of making more peo-
Navy. Also, that if we are not very careful that will be
ple aware of this, both in the public generally and on
one of the first advantages that will start to deteriorate.
Capitol Hill. But we have to keep working hard at it, be-
and that nothing is more important to every commanding
cause unquestionably it is a tremendous asset to the
officer, executive officer. leading chief, and department
president, and to the country. The Navy-as I point out
head than maintaining that edge.
every chance I get-in 1978 could not have done what
That concern goes all the way to the CNO's desk and
the Navy of 1988 did.
to mine, and we have to worry about it to make sure that
One question often is put to me by members of the
what we are doing at our level protects that advantage.
press: "What on earth has been accomplished as a result
of the Reagan military buildup?" It's easy to learn what
Isn't one of the things that is likely to cause that edge
has been accomplished if you dig a little bit. You can
to deteriorate the fact that the proposed pay increases
look at the readiness statistics, look at retention, look at
over the next five years are going to be less than the
the numbers of ships that have joined the fleet. But the
rate of inflation during the last two years?
best way to do it is to get aboard a ship. especially a
BALL: There is no question that we must get compara-
deployed ship that is out there meeting a commitment
bility of pay back on the table and get Congress to ad-
and doing a job.
dress it. We had it in 1981 and 1982, when we got a
couple of good pay raises in a row. But it has eroded
Have you been able to effectively use the fact that the
since that time.
Navy probably would have lost the Stark and the
Every study that has been done since then has shown
Roberts [guided missile frigates damaged while as-
the extent of that erosion, and also has shown that a
signed to duty in the Persian Gulf] had you not had
bandaid approach is not going to suffice over the long
B
12
SUPPLEMENT:
THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1989
WATCHSTANDERS
CONTINUED
haul. We must show Congress what disparities exist and
gis guided missile destroyer] Arleigh Burke [DDG-51]
what they will do to the force.
class and ships of that caliber in place, you may be
able to reduce the size of the fleet-and, therefore,
Are you asked many questions on that subject during
that you need to continue the present emphasis on
your visits?
getting enough advanced-technology ships like that
BALL: I am when I'm out with the fleet, and I expect to
built now, in order to make it possible?
be. Because that subject is on the minds of a lot of peo-
BALL: We will have, with the Ticonderoga class [CG-47
ple. We put a lot of emphasis on professional satisfac-
Aegis guided missile cruisers) and the Arleigh Burke
tion, but we can't expect to continue the improvements
class, invested in those platforms such a broad capability,
we have made in the quality of life that Navy families
and the multi-mission capacity of those ships is an order
are able to enjoy unless we do something about the pay
of magnitude beyond any previous generation. Frankly,
comparability issue. And unless we get Congress to un-
the leap from the DDG-2 class and the CG-26 class
derstand the extent of the problem.
[earlier classes of guided missile destroyers and cruisers]
I think that most members who serve on our commit-
to the DDG-51 and the CG-47 is a greater leap than any
tees are aware that pay comparability has eroded between
previous leap in Navy ship construction from one class
the military and civilian sectors. but I don't believe they
to another. That was brought about by phenomenal tech-
are fully aware of the extent of that erosion.
nological improvements in electronics, sensors, proces-
sors, weapons, et cetera. That will enable us to invest
You have done a lot with regard to the roles of wom-
more capability in smaller numbers of ships.
en in the Navy. How do you look at the future in that
Our Surface Combatant Force Requirements study
respect? And how far can you go with regard to
showed us how a planned force of 224 surface comba-
billets of greater responsibility for women-command
tants of these newer types will be able to handle the fu-
assignments, et cetera?
ture threat. It would take over 400 ships of our existing
BALL: We have made a lot of progress. I don't see any
classes to handle the same threat. But that will not ena-
limit on the contribution of women to the readiness of
ble us to alter the world's geography, so we still know
our forces. The constraints we have in place now are
we are going to have to be prepared to meet commit-
based on the law
ments in those areas where we have vital interests at
stake. And, though we may be able to compose battle
Which is not likely to change?
groups that have greater capability with fewer ships, we
BALL: Which is not likely to change. But the "risk"
still are going to have to put those battle groups forward
rule that has been established by the Secretary of
if we are going to maintain the forward strategy. So I
Defense has enabled us to be more flexible in the assign-
don't look for any dramatic restructuring in the overall
ment of women to ships.
composition of the Navy.
Of course. we have underway now a program to pre-
pare to assign women to combat logistics force ships.
Is Congress relating to the need for Navy capability
That will break new ground for the Navy: I have been
the steady decline in the number of bases from which
aboard tenders and other ships where we have had wo-
our forces can operate overseas?
men in the work spaces. I have talked with great big,
BALL: Not enough. That affects every aspect of military
tough machinist mates on tenders who have female
planning. It affects every aspect of planning the overall
sailors working right there in the spaces with them, and
force structure for each branch of the armed forces.
have asked them what the performances of the women
And we emphasize it time and time again. We cite the
were like. and I have yet to hear any criticism of the way
number of bases worldwide in World War II, which was
in which women have performed. Their abilities enhance
something on the order of 1,800. And now we are down
tremendously the capabilities of our work force across
to 38. That is one major factor that doesn't get enough
the board. That is attributable, 1 think, to the quality that
attention.
we are able to recruit and keep in the Navy-it has been
The second, and equally important, major factor is
extraordinary. Further, I believe that the current genera-
that, in those countries where we do have installations,
tion from which we are drawing our people doesn't have
the international political climate is much changed. And
some of the problems that my generation, and yours,
there is frequently such a lot of political baggage that
might have had in the work place.
these countries, even though they may be friendly toward
It is different now, and our senior supervisory people
U.S. interests, may feel they cannot afford a U.S. mili-
have in some ways a different kind of management
tary operation on or from their soil when it involves
challenge. But so far the results have been all positive.
regional tensions. A classic case is the Persian Gulf,
where in moderate Gulf states we have some good
Your first lady CO, Commander [Deborah Sue]
friends. We have worked hard and worked well with the
Gernes, gets her command in the last quarter of the
Kuwaitis, the Saudis, the Bahrainis, the U.A.E., Qatar,
year?
Oman-all of those Gulf states-and yet there were clear
BALL: I think that is correct. I have met her, aboard
political sensitivities that arose during that operation
[the destroyer tender USS] Cape Cod [AD 43]. where
where we had to respect their wishes not to do certain
she is executive officer; she is a most impressive officer,
things ashore, and to keep certain capabilities afloat that
and I believe she will make a fine CO.
would have been more convenient and more easily main-
tained ashore.
Does Congress understand that when you get the [Ae-
That is a good example of the fact that, had we not
B
13
SUPPLEMENT: THURSDAY, 6 APRIL 1989
WATCHSTANDERS:
CONTINUED
had enough naval forces to do that job, it wouldn't have
this point in detail. I think it is something we have to
gotten done. We had to be creative and do some things a
speak with Congress more about. But it reinforces what
little differently. We had to have minesweepers over there
we already know-namely, that we can't put forces to sea
supported by a mother ship, and aboard those two mo-
that aren't first rate. We can't skimp on the quality of
bile barges we used we put significant elements of force
ships, aircraft, and weapons systems. And we know we
in terms of operating units there. We had Army helicop-
will encounter more sophisticated threats in certain
ters, SEAL units, and other Army, Marine, and Navy
regions of the world that heretofore have not had high-
units operating out of those mobile barges. Certainly this
level technology weapons.
is not the sort of thing you would do unless you had no
other options.
From this viewpoint it seems that your job, being
So it is not just the bases, but also the political climate
secretary of the Navy, is more challenging and fas-
in those countries where we have existing bases-
cinating than it has ever been
countries where we have good ties and may even be
BALL: I think that is a pretty fair statement! There are
providing tremendous amounts of assistance. Neverthe-
plenty of problems coming at us, and the budget is tight
less, political factors may force us to look for other ways
and getting tighter. But we have tremendous assets. And
of doing business, and that inevitably always means naval
we never before have had, I think, in the things that are
forces. naval aviation, and the ability to move, to enter,
going for us the kind of people we have on deck who
to do the job, and to withdraw.
are smart enough to look for better ways to do things
The rights to use air space represent another problem.
and who take the kinds of initiatives that help us to be
Look what we had to do in the Yom Kippur war, for ex-
more efficient and smarter in the way we do business.
ample, in terms of our resupply of Israel and the routes
We are a huge organization, and if we don't have that
kind of initiative in each and every work space we are
we had to fly.
And. of course, it was the Navy that steered those
not going to be as efficient as we should be.
airlifters into Israel and provided the cover and the pro-
Second, we have a commander in chief who is a naval
aviator and a combat veteran of World War II, and who
tection for those flights.
But you asked if Congress understands all of these fac-
understands the role that our people play. He has spoken
tors enough. and the answer is decidedly "no." I think
twice now just in the short period of time he has been in
that the CNO, the [Marine Corps] commandant. the
office to audiences of Navy and Marine Corps people-
secretary of defense. all the others in the national securi-
first on the America, where he gave a strong message
ty process. and I all have to keep that issue visible and
and sounded his support for our people. And I think he
made it clear to all of us what the challenges are that we
high on the list of concerns.
face.
Are you concerned about the increasing sophistication
Then, last week, I hosted a reception in honor of new-
of weapons, not only in the hands of the Soviets but
ly selected Navy rear admirals and Marine Corps
in the hands of the people of many other nations
brigadier generals, and he came by and spoke to those
officers and their wives and congratulated them on being
around the world?
BALL: Yes. I am concerned about the dispersion of
selected as the Navy and Marine Corps leaders of the fu-
high-technology weapons to so-called Third World coun-
ture. And he gave them a very strong message of support
tries. For instance. we talked earlier about the acquisi-
and encouragement.
tion of sophisticated air-defense capability by the
So he pays attention not only to what we need as a
force, but also to our people. He has served. and under-
Libyans, and that really is the tip of the iceberg. Be-
stands the sacrifices our people and their families make.
cause, technology being what it is, the aggressive efforts
That is a tremendous asset to all of us.
on the part of certain countries to acquire Western tech-
nology for military purposes means that the eΓa of han-
Mr. Secretary, I think we probably should end this
dling a Third World dispute and implementing U.S.
interview on that very positive note. Thank you very
diplomacy by puttering around in a gunboat with a
much for your time, both here [in Key West] and in
.50-caliber machine gun on the bow are forever gone.
Washington. We appreciate everything you're doing
That inevitably affects our ability to deal with contin-
for the Navy and Marine Corps, and I'm sure you
gencies short of global war. There was a very good
know the Navy League is always ready to help in any
study done by [former CNO] Admiral [James L.] Hollo-
way, and Dr. [Fred] Ikle, and others, which addressed
way we can.
.........
B
14
NEW YORK TIMES
7 APRIL 1989
Pg. 8
U.S. Is Urged to Respond to Soviet Initiatives
thought the Administration "should be
much more responsive" than it has
been so far. He raised the possibility
Pressure for bolder American under-
there is no need to rush in any case.
that sluggish responses by Mr. Bush
takings is coming from scholars like
They argue that Mikhail S. Gorbachev,
might hurt Mr. Gorbachev, arguing
By R. W. APPLE Jr.
George F. Kennan, father of the con-
the Soviet leader, has no choice but to
that "if he isn't able to show results, the
Special to The New York Times
tairiment policy in the 1950's; from ca-
continue the process of liberalization,
vote of confidence represented by the
WASHINGTON, April 6 — As star-
reer Foreign Service officers who are
regardless of what the United States
Soviet voting may just fade away."
tling actions and proposals by the
arguing within the bureaucracy that
does in the short term. One policy
Asked why he thought the Adminis-
Soviet Union and some of its allies
the United States is in danger of miss-
maker commented this week that "all
tration was moving so slowly, Mr. Pell
spread around the world, pressures are
ing a historic opportunity; from key
this is being driven by Soviet internal
said it was "partly the slowness of the
mounting on the Bush Administration
Democrats in Congress, and from
politics, not by what we might decide."
bureaucracy in producing the policy
to abandon its passive posture and re-
major allies.
But outside the top ranks of the Ad-
review, which is just what they tell us."
spond to Moscow's initiatives.
President Bush and his main foreign-
ministration, experts here are asking
But he also suspected, he said; "that
Each new front-page development
policy associates, Secretary of State
how long Washington can successfully
there is a worry on the Administra-
radical economic change in Hungary,
James A. Baker 3d and Brent Scow-
play the tortoise to Moscow's hare.
tion's part that what is happening with
the withdrawal of Soviet troops from
croft, the national security adviser,
"This is a very, very cautious Ad-
the Russians isn't permanent, that it
Afghanistan, new ideas on Central
have made it plain from the day they
ministration, despite Bush's and Scow-
might be reversed, and so they don't
America, elections in the Soviet Union
took office that they intended to take
croft's long experience in foreign rela-
want to get overcommitted."
itself produces fresh calls for an
their time. They say they have no inter-
tions," said Representative Lee H.
On the other hand, Mr. Pell said he
imaginative American response, and
est in spectacular early breakthroughs.
Hamilton, Democrat of Indiana, a
welcomed signs that Mr. Bush and Mr.
this week the calls have reached a cre-
What they want, they insist, is slow,
ranking member of the House Foreign
Baker would move carefully with re-
scendo.
lasting progress based on careful ne-
Affairs Committee.
gard to Poland. As important as it is to
The promise of free elections in Po-
gotiation.
"But my sense is that we've reached
provide help to Eastern Europe, the
land, in particular, seems to set before
Publicly, the Administration rou-
the point where we need to stop reflect-
Senator said, "you must not give the
the Administration a platterful of
tinely explains its lack of substantive
ing and start acting," he said. "We
impression that your interest lies in ex-
Insistent questions, most of them cen-
response to Soviet initiatives by point-
have to get at it - respond to their pro-
ploiting weaknesses."
tering on the American response to the
ing to its comprehensive review of for-
posals, test their intentions, advance
Mr. Kennan, who testified on Tues-
Polish economic crisis. So far, how-
eign policy, for which the President has
our own proposals, keep the guard up,
day before Mr. Pell's committee, said
ever, Washington has said next to noth-
be wary but make a start."
the United States "should not allow
set. a mid-May deadline, so he can di-
ing about whether it will be willing to
gest the findings and discuss them with
these initiatives from the Soviet side,
Senator Claiborne Pell, Democrat of
forgive debt or make fresh loans or
NATO leaders on his trip to Western
when they are of an encouraging na-
Rhode Island, who heads the Senate
pave the way for major new invest-
Europe in May and June.
Foreign Relations Committee, said he
ment.
ture, to go unrecognized by us."
rivately, senior officials assert that
"We should certainly not think it in-
cumbent on us to respond positively
immediately to every one of these initi-
atives," the former Ambassador to
Moscow continued. "But each of them
ought to be explored in discussions with
our Soviet counterparts to find out ex-
actly what they have in mind and to
measure that against our own require-
ments and our own interests."
At the moment, few such explora-
tions are under way. A senior Congres-
sional arms-control expert said, for ex-
ample, that he had "no real idea"
where the Administration was putting
its emphasis - whether on the nuclear
arms negotiations, like the Reagan Ad-
ministration, or on conventional-forces
reductions, or on something else.
A key debate; insiders said, centers
on the question of potential American
influence OR Mr. Gorbachev's present
and future courses of action. One camp
argues that American influence is
marginal, the other that what the
United States does matters a lot.
"Where we end up, I have no idea,"
another foreign-policy professional
said. "But unless we see signs of insta-
bility in Eastern Europe, unless some-
thing blows up somewhere, then I don't
think there's all that much urgency. I
just hope that the important people
really are thinking hard and not just
nutting un a smoke screen by telling us
Demonstrations
And a Dinner
Peace Pledge
The White House Hosts Israel's Shamir
WP 4-7 L)
disagree on policy, "the U.S. com-
By Carla Hall
and Martha Sherrill
mitment to the security of Israel re-
Washington Post Staff Writers
mains unshakable."
And Shamir himself said of the Is-
At dusk, dueling demonstrations
raelis, "We pray for peace three
in front of the White House—one
times a day. We despise war and vio-
pro-Palestinian, one pro-Israeli-
symbolized the as yet unresolved
lence." But against increasing pres-
conflict that would be on the minds
sure and suggestions now even by
Bush that Israel return the occupied
of everyone at dinner last night.
land, Shamir added, "But we cannot
As the limousine carrying Israeli
Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and
permit our abhorrence of war to he
his wife Shulamit arrived, the chants
used against us by terrorists and d' -
tators who would force us to submit
of the demonstrators echoed up to
the North Portico, where President
to their demands."
and Barbara Bush stood waiting to
During the brief interlude be-
receive their guests.
tween dinner and the entertainment
Inside, both the president and
when guests mingle with their hosts
Shamir pledged their commitment to
over coffee and liqueurs, President
peace. In his toast to the Israeli lead-
Bush was casual and chatty, banter-
er, Bush said that while they may
See SHAMIR, C2, Col. 1
@g gamely with reporters, though not
matters of substance.
Committee, said right before heading
The guest list for last night's White
When asked about Oliver North's
in to the entertainment, "I've got about
House dinner:
atements about Bush at the North
two acts I've got to get in here." He re-
lersell Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir and Shulamit Shamir
Moshe Ared, ambassador of lerael, and Rivka Arad
trial yesterday, Bush replied, "What did
fused to divulge what they were.
Benjamin Netanyahu, deputy foreign minister
he say?" A reporter explained that
Following the dinner of smoked
Elyahim Rubenstein, cabinet secretary
Yossef H. Ben-Aheron, director general of the prime minister's
North had essentially called Bush an
trout, herbed bow ties, chicken rose-
office
Aviezer Pazner, media adviser to the prime minister
emissary. Bush said, "I'll tell you what
mary turban of spinach and strawberry
Brigadier General Azriel Nevo, military secretary to the prime
sorbet bombe, piano vocalist Michael
minister
Pm going to say-no comment."
Zvi Harry Horowitz, adviser to the prime minister of disspora
Asked what he thought of Shamir's
Carney-whom Bush described as "my
affairs
friend of long standing"-performed
Aryeh Mekel, political adviser to the prime minister
opinion of his positions, Bush said, "I
Joseph Achimeir, director of the prime minister's bureeu
dusty oldies with singer Colleen Casey
Oded Eran, deputy chief of mission, and Miki Eran
refer you to his departing statement.
President Bush and Barbara Bush
That's what T would an hy
in the East Room, quizzing the audi-
Vice President Quayle and Marilyn Quayle
sein. There was some hope that the
Hepburn swept in wearing a black
Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.) and Joyce Murthe
Middle East leaders would meet to-
Jeseph V. Read Jr., chief of protocol
gether at the White House, but Mubar-
satin strapless dress with a pearl-stud-
Seymeur Reich, chairmen, Conference of Presidents of Major
ded black velvet bolero. She confessed
American Jewish Organizations, and Helen Reich
ak rejected the request.
Date Roes, director of policy planning, State Department,
to a certain amount of pleasant befud-
-and Deborah Ross
Bush and Shamir spent much of the
Pote Rozelle, commissioner, National Football League, and
dlement at her invitation to the dinner.
Carrie Rozelle
day together-first in discussions and
"Yes, I was surprised," she said,
Rabbl Alexander Schindler, president, Union of American He
later on a tour of the Air and Space
brew Congregations, and Rhes Schindler
Museum, where they watched the
stopping to talk to reporters at the en-
Gen. Brent Scowcroft, assistant to the president for national
trance to the East Wing. Asked what
security affairs
movie "To Fly."
Bernard Show, anchor, Cable News Network, and Linds She
she'd been up to lately, Hepburn
Jacob Stain, former chairman, Conference of Presidents
Sometime between the tour and
Major American Jewish Organizations, and Jean Stein
launched enthusiastically into a discus-
John Sununu, chief of staff to the president
getting into his tuxedo, the president
sion of her work for UNICEF.
Dick Themburgh, attorney general, and Virginia Thornburgh
had taken off to the Hill for the im-
Ben Wagshal, Wagshal Delicatessen, and Littlen Wagshel
"We leave on Wednesday for the Su-
Byron White, Supreme Court justice, and Marion White
promptu racquetball game. One presi-
dan there's quite a lot of work to
Gorden Zacks, chairman, National Republican Jewish Coall-
tion, and Carol Zachs
dential press aide mused as Bush
be done-and it all has to be done in
greeted his guests, "He must have just
one month-before the rains come,"
gotten out of the shower."
she said, referring to disbursement of
Standing for their portrait outside
food and medication.
the White House, Bush-formally
She went on at some length, until
clad-and Shamir-in a dark suit-
her longtime boyfriend, Robert Wold-
were silent. Barbara Bush, wearing a
ers, slipped a hand about her wraithlike
long black lace dress by Arnold Scaasi
waist and said with a laugh, "Can we
and her usual pearls, gestured warmly
eat now?"
to Shulamit Shamir, who also wore
Bob Hope and his wife Dolores came
black-a combination of lace and vel-
in a clump with Atwater, wearing a red
vet.
cummerbund and red bow tie, and his
Marilyn Quayle was in a not-talk-
wife Sally, in bright emerald green sat-
ing-to-the-press mood. But she was
in.
thrilled to share the admission that her
Atwater wasn't the only man trying
plaid taffeta skirt was 15 years old.
to make a colorful sartorial statement.
At the end of the evening national
Sen. Rudy Boschwitz (R-Minn.) turned
security adviser Brent Scowcroft
up in a loud multicolored cummerbund
strolled out with Commerce Secretary
and black bow tie.
Robert Mosbacher and his wife Geor-
Hope-of course-is no stranger to
gette. They caught actress Audrey
White House dinners. "I go back to
Hepburn in conversation momentarily
FDR," he said.
before Scowcroft and Georgette Mos-
bacher, chummily holding hands, said
their goodbyes.
Lee Atwater, the guitar-playing
chairman of the Republican National
THE DAILY OKLAHOMAN
8
APRIL 1989
Pg. 6
SDI on the Defense
S
TRATEGIC defense as a
the Senate. In an SDI anni-
sensors and targeting com-
means of preventing
puters. The system could
nuclear warfare may yet
versary speech, Quayle
be activated to track and
survive the change in ad-
reaffirmed the administra-
destroy missiles in their
ministrations, but not
tion's intention to continue
"boost" phase.
without a struggle.
research and begin deploy-
ment of a missile defense
Quayle calls the idea
Six years after former
President
Reagan
system at some point.
promising because it could
be deployed earlier and at
launched the Strategic De-
Comments by the new
much less cost than SDI.
fense Initiative, the idea of
secretary of defense, Dick
High Frontier, the organi-
using space-based defenses
Cheney, raise questions
zation that pioneered the
that could make atomic
about how much money
SDI concept, is ready to
weapons obsolete is still
the president is willing to
mount a strong lobbying
being debated.
commit to SDI, however. A
effort in behalf of "Bril-
Although
President
strategic review of U.S. de-
liant Pebbles."
Bush has declared his
fense and foreign policy or-
Not only does the United
overall support for SDI, he
dered by Bush is supposed
States need to have a strat-
wants to put his own im-
to provide guidance for
egy that would make the
print on the U.S. nuclear
budgetary decisions.
Soviet Union think twice
doctrine. His national se-
It's not likely that Bush
about launching a first
curity adviser, Brent
will lock horns, as Reagan
strike attack, but one that
Scowcroft, has been pub-
did, with Democrats in
also would afford protec-
licly skeptical about
Congress who are cool to
tion from intentional or ac-
switching to defensive sys-
SDI. One possible new ap-
cidental launches by the
tems as a primary deter-
proach is called "Brilliant
growing number of Third
rent to nuclear war.
Pebbles."
World nuclear nations.
SDI backers are encour-
Instead of SDI's huge sa-
The sooner the president
aged by the posture taken
tellites, the new concept
and Congress can agree on
by Vice President Dan
calls for thousands of
the best system, the better
Quayle, who was a strong
small orbiting missile in-
prospects will be for a
missile defense advocate in
terceptors equipped with
safer world.
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
NBC News
MEET THE PRESS
Sunday, April 9, 1989
GUEST:
BRENT SCOWCROFT
National Security Adviser
MODERATOR:
Garrick Utley - NBC News
PANEL:
John Cochran - NBC News
Elizabeth Drew - The New Yorker
- - -
This is a rush transcript pro-
vided for the information and
convenience of the press. Accu-
racy is not guaranteed. In case
of doubt, please check with
MEET THE PRESS - NBC NEWS
202/885-4598
(Sundays: 202/885-4200)
MR. UTLEY: On "Meet the Press" today, from Gorbachev,
to the Middle East, to Central America, what does the Bush admini-
stration do next? Our guest is Brent Scowcroft, the president's
national security adviser. If you are interested in and involved
with what is happening around the world, this was a week to make
your head spin. Gorbachev in Cuba, Shamir and Mubarak here in
Washington. In Poland, the promise of a free election. And, now,
amid all of this activity, the direction of the Bush administration's
foreign policy, particularly towards the Soviet Union is beginning
A
4
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
SCOWCROFT
CONTINUED
to emerge. We want to talk about that with General Scowcroft this
morning on "Meet the Press," and joining me today are Elizabeth
Drew of The New Yorker and John Cochran who is NBC's chief White
House correspondent.
General Scowcroft, we're now getting the leaks, if you
will on what this foreign policy review is all about. You, of
course, have overseen it. And one of the first indications to
come out today is that there's no real change planned for our
relationship with the Soviet Union, no indication that you and
the president want to seize this opening, this initiative of
Gorbachev's. Why?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Well, I think the articles that you
saw in the press this morning were premature. The studies are
still under way. They have not been completed. And, so, we
haven't made any final decisions on policy. We have initial
results from the study by the bureaucratic interagency process
and it's probably not surprising that the future looks a lot like
the present in a sort of a straight line projection, but we're
not there yet.
MR. UTLEY: But some people are calling this here in
Washington, in foreign policy circles, quote, status quo plus.
Do you think that that's the way to approach the current relationship
with the Soviet Union or do you not think that we have to show
more initiative, take some risks, go for this apparent opening?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Oh, I think there are two aspects
to that and one is that a major power like the United States
ought not to make sharp dramatic changes in policy. We've had a
fairly consistent policy now through Democratic and Republican
administrations for 40 years. Now, that's the one half. The
other half is that the post-war period, the post World War II--
the cold war period is beginning to change rapidly. A'lot of
things are happening. And it's important now, perhaps for the
first administration in a long time, to look out ahead, to look
toward the end of the century, to say where do we want to be,
what would we like the world to see, What would we like East-
West relations to be like there and to try to work from here
toward that.
MR. UTLEY: The president as part of this review has
asked for a personal assessment of Gorbachev, the man. What do
you think that assessment is going to show us? Is he for real?
Is he going to last?
CONTINUED NEXT P
A
5
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
SCOWCROFT
CONTINUED
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Oh, I think there's no question
that he's for real and that he is a dynamic, modern--in the sense
of understanding, especially communications- and dedicated to
changing the Soviet Union. But the what is in doubt is what--
the character of that change and what his motivation for change
is, and there there's a major question mark.
MRS. DREW: I'd like to follow up on that and learn
more about your thinking on that specific point. In a program
earlier this year, you expressed some skepticism about his long-
range ambition, saying that he wanted to straighten out the Soviet
economy or improve it, make trouble for the Western alliance. So,
do you think basically there's been no change in the Soviet Union's
long-range international aggressiveness and ambitions?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Well, I think the evidence so far
is mixed. There are cases, for example, of Soviet withdrawal
from Afghanistan, but that could simply be a recognition of realities.
There's been some useful move in Angola, but certainly SWAPO,
massive SWAPO incursion into Namibia over the last few days could
have not have happened without Soviet knowledge at least, whether
or not they played a role in it. Certainly, in Central America we
have what the president called clear evidence of old thinking not
new thinking. So, I think it's too early to assess how much he is
really dedicated to substantive change.
MRS. DREW: Do you think it might be the case that in
the end he's not really different from his predecessors, in an
international respect?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: I think he is different in the
sense that he is very, very skillful. There's no question about
that and he knows how to take advantage of media, how to package
things in an appealing way, and he definitely does want to make
change in the Soviet Union.
MR. COCHRAN: But, General, this was a very odd week
for Gorbachev. He went to Cuba, he had nothing new to say about
Central America. We expected some sort of initiative there. He
went to London, met with Margaret Thatcher, made a couple of
cracks about we should not modernize our nuclear forces, our
tactical nuclear forces in Europe, but it was almost as a passing
reference. He also seemed somewhat put out with your administration,
the president for not moving quickly enough on the policy review
regarding Moscow. Is he sort of retrenching? Is he so worried
about domestic affairs that he simply isn't concentrated on foreign
A
6
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
SCOWCROFT
CONTINUED
policy? This was a very lackluster performance by him this past week.
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Well, certainly, his domestic problems
are massive and I think that one can anticipate, you know, a
period of some stability in international relations, because he
does want to concentrate on it. But he had a difficult time in
Cuba. He has major differences with Castro on glasnost, on peres-
troika, on the levels of aid and so on, so maybe this was more in
the way of a damage limitation visit, but certainly there wasn't
anything new. As a matter of fact, it was discouraging to hear
his pronouncements. And in London he announced with great fanfare
a cessation of production of highly enriched uranium as if it were
something new. We stopped that, I believe, in 1964.
MR. UTLEY: General, let's get down to another very
important specific in our relationship with the Soviet Union, SDI
or Star Wars. We're familiar with the debate over it. The Russians
want us to stop it, not go ahead with deployment. The Bush adminis-
tration has to decide what to do. Do you favor or do you see the
deployment of SDI in the foreseeable future or as Secretary of
Defense Cheney said, has it been oversold?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Well, I think it's premature to say
precisely what I favor. But I--it's no longer possible simply to
talk about SDI as if it were a single issue out there. There are
many forms of SDI, from trying to reach the president--President
Reagan's initial vision of making nuclear weapons impotent and
obsolete down to the OWPS (phonetic) the minimum sort of shield
to prevent--against actual--
MR. UTLEY: Where do you stand? Do you support a minimum
shield?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: I think strategic defense IS here
to stay and I think we need vigorously to pursue it. I'm not
prepared to say exactly where down this whole spectrum of things
we ought to go, from continuing research to full deployment.
MR. UTLEY: Let me just try once more. In other words,
you do not see it being deployed in the foreseeable future?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: No, I wouldn't say--no, that's not-
-that's not correct-- I would not--
MRS. DREW: I would like to ask you a kind of big picture
question, given what's going on in the Soviet Union, they had
elections; obviously they weren't our idea of free elections, but
some. very astonishing things happened. Given the Polish government's
agreement with solidarity and their promise of elections, given
A
7
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
SCOWCROFT
CONTINUED
the loosening of the reigns of some governments in Eastern Europe,
do you think we might begin to conclude that communism doesn't work?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: I think we might be prepared to
conclude that. I think what we're seeing now is evidence, you
know, that the West has won. Now, the battle's not over, but it
seems to me that, you know, we're no longer worried about communism
sweeping Western Europe as we were 35 years ago. It's a failed
political system, as we concede by the concessions to at least
some democratic procedures. It's failed as an economic system and
they're borrowing market economics, to try to get their economic
system going again.
So, there's no question that we have every reason to
look back on the past 40 years and say we've been successful.
MRS. DREW: But I'm still not sure what you were saying
earlier that I--it seemed to me you were saying that given all
that, you still don't think that their international ambitions
have changed.
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: I'm not sure that they have and it
seems to me that we-this is a period where we have to be very
prudent and cautious and not throw away the kinds of strength and
determination that have brought us as far as we have before we
can be absolutely certain what's ahead.
MR. COCHRAN: General, let me focus on a decision the
president's going to have to make in the next couple of weeks,
that is to say, whether to go with the MX mobile missiles or the
Midgetman mobile missiles, the Midgetman being single warhead, MX
being multiple warhead. Without getting into all that arcana of
nuclear technology, if taxpayers knew what the Midgetman costs,
they'd be much more interested in the Midgetman missile. You
happen to be for it. You think it would survive a Soviet nuclear
attack better because it can be moved around more easily. I know
you're probably not going to announce the decision today, but do
you think there is the money to pay for this very expensive Midgetman?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Well, there has been no decision
and one of our fundamental problems is in a period of severe
pressure on the defense budget there is, we must really analyze
closely our strategic priorities in terms of an overall concept
and we can't do everything we'd like. And one of the things
we're looking at now is a concept that would help us rank the
kinds of things that we-that are highest priority.
A
8
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
SCOWCROFT
CONTINUED
MR. COCHRAN: It's feasible though that you could pay
for the Midgetman?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Oh, yes, at the cost of other things,
yes.
MR. UTLEY: Let's just call a pause right here for a
moment right here. We'll have more questions for Brent Scowcroft,
the president's national security adviser, in just a moment as
"Meet the Press" continues.
(Announcements)
MR. UTLEY: Continuing here on "Meet the Press" this
morning, Elizabeth Drew, John Cochran and I are talking with
Brent Scowcroft, the president's. national security adviser.
Turning to a bit of recent history, the Iran/contra affair.
At the Oliver North trial, as you are aware, sir, there is some
new information that emerged this week about efforts by your boss,
George Bush, and Ronald Reagan to get aid to the contras through
Honduras by giving Honduras assistance, a quid pro quo arrangement,
which would be in violation or was in violation of the Boland
amendment. Now, you were on the commission, the Tower commission,
which investigated that whole affair. When you saw this information
appear in court, government information, did you feel that you
were misled or that your inquiry was limited because you were not
given that information at that time?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Well, I want to be very careful
here. The information that we got on the Tower board was included
in our report. And I think it speaks for itself. This information
that is out now in the trial--you know, first of all, I wasn't in
the government at the time.
MR. UTLEY: I understand, you were part of the board
that conducted the inquiry.
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: That's right. But in 1985, for
example, it was a very troubled period down there and there were
incursions by the Sandinista regime into Honduras. And the Reagan
administration announced accelerated aid and so on to meet those
incursions and it's my recollection the vice president went down
there to reassure the Hondurans. And I think one has to look at
it in that kind of context.
MR. UTLEY: But the indication in this evidence submitted
by the government, again, and attested to by the government, is
that Mr. Bush, as vice president, did go down, did talk to the
A
9
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
SCOWCROFT
CONTINUED
Honduran president, that part of this arrangement was a quid pro
quo, which was in violation of the Boland amendment. Were you
aware of that at the time of your inquiry?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: I think--have to be very careful
here. There's a trial under way on that--
MR. UTLEY: We're not talking about the trial. I understand
that. We recognize that.
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: No, no, I understand.
MR. UTLEY: We're talking about your investigation,
which is now history.
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Well, there's a difference between
what was submitted at the trial and the documentary evidence in
and of itself, and I think I better not say any farther than
that, but I go back to the statement that I just made about what
the facts were.
MR. COCHRAN: Sir, are you saying that in fact there
was no quid pro quo. It seemed to me that the what you were
saying is we sent the Reagan administration send economic and
military aid to Honduras to stave off a possible Nicaraguan invasion
rather than to help the contras. Is that your point?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: What I'm saying, in 1985, there
were Nicaraguan incursions across the border and we did accelerate
aid there and I--you know, this is all in the newspapers.
MRS. DREW: Wasn't that because the contras were there?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: The Nicaraguan incursions?
MRS. DREW: Yes.
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Oh, oh, yes, I wouldn' I wouldn't
disagree with that.
MRS. DREW: So, it was all part of the contra policy?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Yes, but that's not the basic question
as I understand it.
MR. COCHRAN: But you're saying there was no quid pro
quo? This was not a way of laundering money to the contras?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: I'm not going to say any more than
I've said. I think there are real problems with going further.
MRS. DREW: Let me ask you another one about President
Reagan's role. He told the Tower commission, on which you served,
that he didn't know about, had no role in, getting money and help
from third countries. And it has now come out in the court that
he did. So, didn't he mislead you?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: That--that's a tough question,
A
10
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
SCOWCROFT
CONTINUED
Elizabeth. I don't remember on that particular one exactly what
the president told us. And I just honestly don't remember. You
remember the Tower board spent the bulk of its time on the Iranian
part rather than on the contra part, because the Tower board was
not making a legal investigation. What we were charged with--with
what was what went wrong with the system and what ought to be
done. So, we were not--we were not looking at culpability in any
of these issues. We were trying to find out what happened, and
there the focus was really on Iran.
MR. UTLEY: Well, General, let me ask you another question.
You are now--about today--you are the national security adviser,
would you consider, under any circumstances, any time, at the
White House, in your present post, to carry out the kind of an
arrangement which apparently--and, indeed, was carried out at that
time, in 1984 and 1985, where corners were clearly cut in violation
of the Boland amendment--understanding the pressures that people
were under at that time--but would you envisage the possibility of
doing that under any circumstances?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Let me under--let me answer that
this way. What we have in the contra affair was a constitutional
confrontation between a president who had a policy he firmly
believed was in the national interest and a Congress that either
was objected to or did not agree with that policy. And we were
seeing 1S the unfolding of that constitutional controversy. The
president used the instruments that he had. The Congress used
the instruments it had. Now, I think we have to bend over backwards
to insure that laws on the books are obeyed and I can assure you
that that will be the case.
MR. COCHRAN: Are you convinced that George Bush did
nothing improper or illegal in 1985?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: I'd say--you know, I'm going to
let--let our report stand on that one.
MR. COCHRAN: Well, sir, you've got a pretty good reputation
in this town. Most people would expect you to walk out of the
White House just like that, if you thought you were associated
with a president who had done something improper or illegal or had
in any way misled the Congress. Can we assume by the fact that
you're staying in this White House that you think that--as--the
president has a clean bill of health on this?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: I'm still there.
MR. COCHRAN: So the assumption's correct?
A
11
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
SCOWCROFT
CONTINUED
MRS. DREW: Let me ask you about the Middle East, which
I am sure you might welcome at this point. The administration
seemed to embrace Mr. Shamir's proposal for elections in the West
Bank and Gaza. But, of course, the whole question is in the
details, who can participate in the elections and so on. Does
the administration think that Shamir is ready with a detailed
program for these elections, that you can support and that Arab
nations would consider a real election?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: I think we have taken only the very
first, very tiny steps into a very very difficult problem. The
United States can't make peace in the Middle East. All we can
help is the parties, to bring them together, to build on points
of congruence, or even areas where they may be close together.
And the possibility of elections to bring about some kind of a
dialogue, which at the present time is wholly absent, is one way
to proceed. Now--
MRS. DREW: But do you have a conception of how this
will evolve stage by stage and where you want to get and where
you want them to get? Do you have a plan?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Well, we have a conception as to--
as to how it might work, of course. But it will depend in the
end on the parties themselves each making some compromises to
make such--such a process work. And 1 think it's premature to
say whether this will be a successful avenue.
MR. COCHRAN: Could I ask you about the Soviet sub
which sank off the coast of Norway. Are you satisfied there's no
nuclear radiation hazard from this sub?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: As far as we can tell, there is
none and the indications that we have received from the Soviet
Union is that there 15 none.
MR. COCHRAN: Very quickly, in the Pan Am 103 crash,
the bombing, the FBI director says eventually you're going to
find out who's responsible. You seem to be getting very close.
Are you very close and does it point to this Palestinian terrorist
group based out of Damascus?
GENERAL SCOWCROFT: Well, there's been--just an absolutely
marvelous amount of detective work gone on. We have learned more
than I ever would image we would, but we're not there yet.
MR. UTLEY: With that news, General, thank you very
much. We have to pause. Thank you for being with us today on
A
12
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
SCOWCROFT
CONTINUED
"Meet the Press." Elizabeth Drew, John Cochran and I will be
back in just a moment with some personal observations as "Meet
the Press" continues.
(Announcements)
MR. UTLEY: Talking with Brent Scowcroft this morning,
the president's national security adviser, of course, one of the
main stories is this long awaited policy review on America's
relationship with the world, specifically the Soviet Union, which
is now starting to emerge like a big iceberg and many people are
going to say it's a victory for bureaucratic inertia. It's middle
of the roadism carried to an extreme. Is that fair?
MRS. DREW: Well, General Scowcroft said that it is not
complete. And he was quite candid, I thought, in saying that if
you have an interagency review of the extant by extant bureaucracies,
you're not going to get very much original thinking. So, I don't
think we can really judge it until we see the real results. But
there is a danger when you have interagency reviews that everybody
sort of compromises and works things out and original thinking
doesn't emerge.
MR. COCHRAN: Yes, but I think foreign policy in this
administration is going to be threshed out in meetings between
the president, between the Secretary of Defense, Dick Cheney;
between the Secretary of State, Jim Baker; and, Brent Scowcroft,
those four people--not always all four of them in the room at the
same time--that's what's going to decide, not these interagency
reviews. And after all these are all very cautious men who thought
that Ronald Reagan had much too romantic a view of the Soviets,
that sometimes he was too anti-Soviet, sometimes too pro-Soviet.
These are much more cautious people.
MR. UTLEY: Okay, let's talk about George Bush's personality.
How cautious is he, because in the end it is the president's
decision, isn't it?
MR. COCHRAN: Very.
MR. UTLEY: Is he the kind of a guy who will go for an
apparent opening, who will take a risk?
MRS. DREW: It's not clear and I think in light of what
John was saying the question is why are we having this interagency
review, if, in fact, the decisions are going to be made by the top
guys. They say these reviews will be finished by May, that's
really six months after an election. One wonders what they ve
A
13
SUPPLEMENT: MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
COWCROFT
CONTINUED
been doing. But Bush is not necessarily a bold person and we have
to wait and see what kind of advice he gets.
MR. COCHRAN: He's also being helped by the fact that
Gorbachev is not being particularly bold lately, as we were saying
earlier in the program. This was a very surprisingly poor performance
by Gorbachev this past week. And I don't know if it's because
he's distracted--that's the main theory going around--that he
distracted by problems back at home. That he's simply not focussing
on foreign policy. This makes it easier for this administration
to, if you will, sit back and wait until the president goes to
Europe at the end of May and then spell out his policy.
MR. UTLEY: Then the action may really begin. John,
Elizabeth, thank you very much for being with me this morning
here on "Meet the Press."
If there was a picture, an image from this past week
that sticks in the mind, it is from Havana. Mikhail- Gorbachev
and Fidel Castro together. There was Gorbachev looking towards
the future, embracing change. And there was Castro clearly a
prisoner of his past and, yes, his own rhetoric. It was one of
those moments, which defined what is happening in the communist
world and in ours. It is a time to make decisions. Many people
who are impressed by what Gorbachev is doing or are concerned
about it or both are watching as President Bush decides how to
respond to the Soviet initiatives. What is interesting, though,
is that some conservatives in this country are not waiting to
present their new thinking. For example, last week on this program,
Congressman Newt Gingrich, a bona fide member of the Republic
Party's right wing was asked how he would review deep reductions
in Pentagon spending if the Gramm-Rudman budget cuts have to be
implemented. Gingrich, who 1S a self-described hawk said, "The
fact is with Gorbachev and what is happening in the Soviet Union,
we can look at fundamental reforms of the defense department. I
am very willing to cut defense spending rather than raise taxes if
those are our choices. Well, that could turn out to be a key to
how George Bush responds to Mikhail Gorbachev. If the president
does not have to keep looking over his shoulder at all his conservative
critics, that proverbial window of opportunity between the White
House and the Kremlin could become an open door.
I'm Garrick Utley. I hope you 11 join us this evening
for NBC Nightly News and, again, next week for "Sunday Today,"
and "Meet the Press. "
A
14
SUPPLEMENT:
MONDAY, 10 APRIL 1989
VFW MAGAZINE
MARCH 1989
Pg. 36
NATO'S
DILEMMA
The Key:
By Charles W Corddry
Arms Control Agreements
As argued by Sen. William S. Coher
The shift from nuclear to conventional arma-
(Maine). who is vice chairman of the
ment poses a problem in maintaining balance.
Senate Intelligence Committee, ane
other critics. unilateral cuts by th.
West could simply restore the Soviet
S
oviet President Mikhail Gorba
previous force ratio. Possibly worse
chev. having seen the futility of
it would lower the density - comba
threats and bluster. has found a
units and firepower of defendin
better way to provoke divisions in
pressure to reduce. or anyhow not to
forces.
the Western alhance He is waging a
increase, arms budgets and to under-
The conclusion that flows general
peace offensive
take reciprocal cuts in forces.
from analysis of the Gorbachev mane
"1".
think he's interested in
By a year ago, British Prime Minis-
vers is that reductions in Wester
making trouble within the Western
ter Margaret Thatcher had decided.
forces should be carried out only
alliance." President Bush's national
according to news reports. that The
the context of verifiable arms contr
security adviser. Brent Scoweroft.
Russians bear was easier to deal with
agreements. Optimists, like Jonath:
has said. "and think he believes the
when it looked more like a bear than
Dean, a former U.S. negotiator. belie
best way todon IS a peaceoffensive
it does now. the meer the Russians
the West can -get much more fre
get. the more dangerous they are."
the Soviets" - beyond their a
The ace-accepted need to modern-
nounced plans because of M.
Reliability Factor
ize tactical nuclear weapons, those
cow's concern for domestic restri
Though Gorbachev's announced
with ranges under 300 miles, IS now
turing and better economic relatic
vigorously contested in West Ger
with Europe.
cuts in troops, weapons and military
many. which seems to want to negoti-
The fact is. however, that all hist
spending must be taken seriously. as
ate them down, or away, simultane-
ical experience indicates that
must the proclaimed switch to a
"defensive" military doctrine, they are
ously with negotiations for conven-
negotiation of a conventional ai
tional-arms reductions
agreement will be a long drawn-
still mostly in the realm of promise
rather than implementation.
The NATO military command.
process. The West does not hav
Giving himself two years to reduce
under U.S. Army Gen. John R. Galvin.
fully developed position. And
IS in fact preparing proposals for
Bush Administration is in the m
his forces, he has built in plenty of
time for reversal if Western responses
significant cuts in the arsenal of
of a fullscale review of natio
shortest range battlefield nuclear
security policy, covering defe
are not to his liking. and. of course. if
arms But the general is quite explicit
requirements, control goals
his faltering domestic restructuring
program would allow such a reversal.
that such reductions must be contin
budgets.
As he told a visiting delegation in
gent on development of an improved
mid January, the new doctrine of
ground launched Lance missile with
reasonable "sufficiency" of arms for
areach of about 250 miles and a new
Higher Costs
defensive purposes is dynamic What
air-to-ground missile.
In the field of conventional arms.
By any judgment, meanw
is sufficient. he said, will depend on
how the Western side conducts itself."
Gorbachev's announced plan to cut
NATO has deficiencies and vuli
bilities that demand attention. T
The Soviet leader's steady stream
500,000 men and 10,000 tanks over
of seemingly conciliatory gestures
two years brought predictable urges
are piles of studies on what fixe
needed to achieve what results,
and arms control proposals has had
in Europe to reciprocate. Yet by a
the effect seen by Gen. Scowcroft of
very general estimate, the effect of
accordingly. a wide range of
mated costs.
making trouble for the alhance and
Moscow's action would be to reduce
The lowest estimate came
slowing progress toward both nuclear
its overall force advantage from 3-10
I to 2 to 1. which might well leave
Presidential campaign last year
and conventional goals NATO. 111
Democratic candidate Micha
brief. is cast III one of its bickering
Soviet commanders with the poten-
moods.
nal of mobilizing a 3- or 4-10-1 ad-
Dukakis advocated a U.S. capa
to defeat the Soviet Union in
The contrast bet ween Gorbachev's
vantage at specific points of attack.
ventional war and estimated
approach and that of his rigid prede
(Much would depend here on the
promptness of NATO political leaders'
necessary upgrading of the 1
cessors, and a perception of earnest
would cost $3 billion over four
ness about arms control. have made
response to warning and the Soviet's
him a very popular figure with Euro-
success, or lack of it, in moving rein-
years.
pean publics. The result is more
forcements from the USSR.)
Apart from the implicit 17:
A
15
The Washington Post A-1
The New York Times
Bush Advised to Hold Steady
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
On Nation's Foreign Policy
New York Daily News
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
By R. Jeffrey Smith
Washington Post Staff Writer
Date
9 APR 1989
Three classified reports,
Bush responded to the three re-
about lasting Soviet political re-
presented to President Bush last
ports by asking for some supple-
forms through enhanced economic
week as part of a lengthy review of
mentary information, the officials
cooperation, and some Pentagon
U.S. foreign policy, have recom-
said, but appeared to accept their
officials, who prefer to turn current
mended no major new initiatives
conclusions and did not ask that
Soviet troubles to U.S. strategic
toward Europe or the Soviet Union,
they be redrafted. On Friday, he
advantage.
offering no support for dramatic
publicly brushed aside criticism by
"The consensus is that we should
arms cuts or sharply expanded eco-
Gorbachev that the slow pace of the
make assertive challenges to the
nomic cooperation with the East,
reviews was threatening the mo-
Soviets to put into effect their new
U.S. officials have disclosed.
mentum behind improving East-
thinking on a broad range of issues,"
The reports, prepared by an in-
West relations.
one official said, noting that these
teragency committee and discussed
"We'll be ready to react when we
would largely consist of those
with Bush at meetings of the Na-
feel like reacting" to proposals
raised under Reagan, such as hu-
tional Security Council (NSC) on
made by Gorbachev, Bush said.
man rights, emigration, regional
While some senior officials ex-
Tuesday and Wednesday, deter-
issues and arms control. "We'll have
mined instead that the administra-
pressed frustration with what they
more ambitious goals within the
described as the three reports'
tion should closely follow current
existing framework."
complacent view of the nation's
policies, largely developed during
This prescription was said to be
present role in world affairs, others
Ronald Reagan's presidency, to-
based on an assessment that Gor-
praised the process that produced
ward Eastern and Western Europe
bachev would likely remain power-
them and the reports themselves
and toward the government of So-
ful for at least the next three to five
for helping to "educate" Bush and
years, but that he would also be
viet President Mikhail Gorbachev,
his new appointees on emerging
preoccupied by internal economic
the officials said.
problems in European and Soviet
difficulties.
The officials could point only to
relations and for creating "a paper
The report was skeptical, how-
the possible elimination of some
trail" that might be used in creative
ever, that U.S.-Soviet trade can or
U.S. trade tariffs and other eco-
policy-making many months from
should be dramatically increased,
nomic measures involving Poland,
now.
partly because of wide economic
in response to Polish endorsement
"There is just a hell of a lot of
differences and what one official
of free and open elections, as a spe-
inertia behind the business-as-usual
described as "their inability to make
cific new initiative supported by the
approach," one official sighed in ex-
sufficiently profitable deals."
reports.
plaining the absence of new ideas.
The foreign affairs review that.
On a dozen or so controversial
Only officials at the Commerce
Department-apparently not in-
developed the three reports has
topics, the officials said, the reports
urge a cautious, moderate U.S. ap-
cluding Secretary Robert A. Mos-
occupied hundreds of senior bu-
proach that one described as "the
bacher-supported calls by some
reaucrats throughout the govern-
ment and tied the administration's
lowest common denominator" ac-
prominent business and Jewish
leaders for a waiver of Jackson-
hands on many pressing policy is-
ceptable both to Bush's conserva-
Vanik trade restrictions with the
sues since Bush became president
tive and more liberal advisers.
79 days ago.
At the same time, they stressed
Soviet Union, the officials said.
The officials said the issue would
The reports covering the Soviet
that the closed, interagency meet-
instead continue to be "reviewed"
Union, Eastern Europe and West-
ings on the reports were not as ran-
corous as those conducted during
while a careful assessment was
ern Europe are considered among
the most important of dozens of
Reagan's presidency, and that the
made of interest on Capitol Hill.
results reflected a broader and
Other officials said the roughly
papers distilled from the review
probably more lasting consensus in
25-page report on Western Europe
covering most regions of the world,
the government's senior ranks.
did not support growing calls in
U.S. military policy and arms con-
A senior official said, for exam-
some member-nations of the North
trol.
ple, that the roughly 30-page report
Atlantic Treaty Organization for
A White House official indicated
on the Soviet Union urged that U.S.
dramatic reductions in NATO
the three were part of only a hand-
policy "should not be designed ei-
forces, in concert with larger cuts
ful reviewed so far by a special com-
ther to help or hurt" Gorbachev.
in Warsaw Pact forces.
mittee chaired by Robert M. Gates,
Others explained that this rec-
the deputy national security advis-
ommendation was intended to side-
CONTINUED
er, and approved for submission to
step a dispute between some State
Bush and other members of the
Department officials, who believe
NSC.
the United States can help bring
Page
14.
2.
The report indicated that the
All three reports were developed
Officials said a key report on
West probably needs to develop a
by interagency groups known as
arms control, to be prepared by a
new proposal on conventional arms
"policy coordinating committees"
committee chaired by NSC senior
cuts that has more political appeal
that were chaired by Assistant Sec-
staff member Arnold Kanter; was
than last month's cautious call for 5'
retary of State Rozanne L. Ridg-
also in early stages of preparation.
to 10 percent reductions in three
way. A holdover from the Reagan
They attributed the delay in part to
types of armaments, they added.
administration, Ridgway is a career
the wrenching battle over the John
But they said the report also re-
foreign service officer with long
G. Tower's unsuccessful nomina-
flected the administration's skep-
experience in European and Soviet
tion as secretary of defense.
ticism that negotiated cuts on the
affairs, including service as ambas-
order of 40 to 50 percent, as urged
sador to East Germany and Finland,
Staff writer David Hoffman
last week by retired general An-
who plans to retire from the State
contributed to this report.
drew J. Goodpaster and also en-
Department in June.
dorsed by Gorbachev as a long-term
A separate report on U.S. mili-
goal, would serve, U.S. security in-
tary policy, being prepared by a
terests. The Joint Chiefs of Staffs
committee chaired by former am-
were described as being particular-
bassador Paul D. Wolfowitz, is less
ly opposed to consideration of such
than half-completed, the officials
deep cuts.
said. Only an initial chapter on mil-
The report also takes a middle
itary threats to the United States
road on the issue of European eco-
during the next decade is consid-
nomic integration in 1992, urging
ered finished.
cautious U.S. support combined
Officials described the chapter as
with vigilant opposition to trade
acknowledging that the Soviets are
barriers, officials said.
taking concrete steps to diminish
A similar report on Eastern Eu-
both their "threat image" and their
rope did not embrace a controver-
actual military forces. "The consen-
sial formula advanced by former
sus is that the threat of attack on
secretary of state Henry A. Kiss-
short-warning time is particularly
inger, in which the United States
reduced."
would provide assurances to the
It also predicts a continuation of
Soviet Union that increasing de-
the Soviets' withdrawal from in-
mocratization in those Soviet allies
volvement in Third World conflicts,
would not be answered by new
such as Afghanistan and Cambodia,
Western challenges to Soviet secu-
and notes that the Soviets' current
rity.
economic troubles will bar "aggres-
Indications last month that such a
sive military policies or meddling
plan was under consideration by the
for some time," a senior official
administration brought substantial,
said.
private protests from West Euro-
"It says, in short, that their
pean governments and questions
threat to us will decline, no matter
from Hungary. Their concern was
what we do," the official added. "It
that any U.S.-Soviet deal could in-
also predicts they will place a high-
terfere with the democratic re-
er priority on relations with the
forms under way in the region.
United States than with other coun-
The report lumps Hungary and
tries."
Poland in one grouping, with the
The chapter also notes that many
German Democratic Republic, Cze-
new military threats, such as bal-
choslavakia, Romania and Bulgaria
listic missile proliferation, "do not
in another, and supports the famil-
involve the Soviet Union directly,"
iar Bush policy of "differentiation,"
another official said.
or support for those nations taking
The implications of these new
the greatest steps toward demo-
developments for U.S. military pol-
cratic reform.
icy have not been decided by the
Several officials said a likely de-
Wolfowitz committee. But several
cision to grant Poland and possibly
officials complained last week that
Hungary a "generalized system of
preliminary drafts of other chapters
preferences" designation, lifting
of the report sought only to justify
tariffs for certain trade goods, was
continuing current U.S. military
"consistent" with the report's rec-
policies and programs.
ommendations. Other economic
concessions such as loan guarantees
are said to be under consideration,
although it was not clear whether
these were expressly suggested by
the report.
15.
The Washington Post
B-1
The New York Times
Life After
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
'Containment'
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
Date 9 APR 1989
-Muddling
ready for both possibilities. In defense policy, the Bush
team is wary of any grandiose version of Star Wars, but
it may adopt a modest, ground-based scheme of stra-
tegic defense that can be deployed without violating the
ABM Treaty. The common theme in both instances is
Through
an administration seeking to hedge its bets.
"There is a new centrist, prudent consensus emerg-
ing in Washington that keeps conservative Democrats
together with Republicans," says one high-level admin-
istration official who has been involved in the policy
By David Ignatius
review. The price of this consensus, this official fears,
may be that it produces "flat and uninteresting" options.
OR-ROUGHLY 40 YEARS, the United States
The best test of whether the Bush admin-
F
has embraced a global strategy for dealing
istration is serious about "new thinking" will
with the Soviet Union known as "contain-
ment." Now, the Bush administration is pre-
probably come in defense. The challenge
paring to move to a slightly altered strategy,
there is to look at the vast military estab-
one that might best be described as "hedging your
lishment that was created to support the
bets."
Cold War strategy of containment and de-
"Hedging" may not sound very exciting, and it cer-
cide how much is really needed today. But
tainly won't mobilize the armies of the West for the
it's not yet clear that the review process
ideological battles of the 21st century. But it's probably
will allow that kind of fundamental critique.
a fair summary of what's emerging from the adminis-
As one official involved in the review says,
tration's broad examination of U.S. strategy, known in
"There is a huge momentum for the policies
the bureaucracy as the "National Security Review," or
of the past."
NSR.
The administration's strategic review comes at an
O
verseeing the review are national
appropriate time. Just last week, the architect of con-
security adviser Brent Scowcroft and
tainment, George F. Kennan, declared the old strategy
his deputy, Bob Gates. They will be
obsolete.
aided by Washington attorney R. James
"What we are witnessing today in Russia is the break-
Woolsey, who is taking a leave of absence
up of much, if not all, of the system of power by which
from his law practice. Starting this week,
that country has been held together and governed since
Woolsey will begin reading what are expect-
1917," Kennan told the Senate Foreign Relations Com-
ed to total more than a dozen NSR
mittee. "Whatever reasons there may once have been
studies-on everything from Afghanistan to
for regarding the Soviet Union primarily as a possible, if
arms control. About half are already com-
not probable, military opponent, the time for that sort
pleted.
of thing has clearly passed."
This sort of grand bureaucratic exercise
It falls to George Bush to offer an alternative ap-
proach. But for several reasons, the Bush administra-
is beloved by new administrations. It pro-
tion isn't likely to match the bold vision that character-
duces stacks of impressive-looking NSC
ized postwar American policy. The first reason is that
documents that reassure officials that they
the times are SO different: We're now in a period of un-
do indeed have policies on the major issues.
certainty and transition, rather than one like the late
And it distracts the bureaucracy itself for
'40s, when we faced a clear threat from an expansionist
several crucial months, freeing top-level
enemy. The second reason is the cautious, compromis-
officials to take hold of their agencies and
ing personality of George Bush himself. He's no Mikhail
departments. Indeed, some veterans re-
Gorbachev, and that may be just as well. One risk-
member that Henry Kissinger ordered a
taking, visionary leader may be all the world can handle
similar across-the-board review when he
at any one time.
became national security adviser in 1969-
The review process isn't completed yet, but officials
mainly to keep the bureaucrats out of his
who are taking part see some outlines beginning. to
hair.
emerge. In assessing U.S.-Soviet affairs, the adminis-
tration has concluded that it's unsure whether Mikhail
Gorbachev will succeed or fail-and it wants to be
CONTINUED
Page
36.
2.
The Bush administration has already fol-
lowed another bureaucratic tradition by re-
naming the various interagency groups that
are part of the national-security process.
The Bush administration may in fact be
("Process" is a favorite word in NSC-land,
more skeptical toward Gorbachev than was
as in "The NSDD is hung up at the NFIB
Reagan's. Indeed, some Bush officials pri-
because of a process problem.")
vately argue that Reagan and Secretary of
State George Shultz caught a mild case of
Gone are the IGs (interagency groups)
Gorby-mania during their last two years in
and SIGs (senior interagency groups) of the
office and began to feel they had a stake in
Reagan years. In their place are the PCCs
the Soviet leader's success.
(short for policy-coordinating committees)
"This team is more cautious," says one
and above that, the DC (deputies commit-
official. That caution will protect the admin-
tee), staffed by deputy secretaries and un-
istration from the "downside" risk if Gor-
dersecretaries. The idea, presumably, is
bachev should fail; but it may also limit the
that committees with new names may not
"upside" benefit if Gorbachev succeeds.
be quite so prone to pettifogging and turf
(The Bush group, skeptical to the core, isn't
battles as the old ones were.
even sure that it's in America's long-term
Some officials doubt the elaborate NSR
interest that Gorbachev succeed.)
process will be where the real action is. The
One specific U.S.-Soviet recommenda-
new buzzword in the administration is "off-
tion: The Bush administration has decided
line" discussion of key issues-that is, mov-
to add a fifth category-"global issues,"
ing them out of the PCC and DC apparatus
such as drugs, environmental issues and
and into the hands of Scowcroft, Secretary
terrorism-to the traditional superpower
of Defense Richard Cheney and Secretary
agenda of arms control, regional issues, bi-
of State James Baker.
lateral issues and human rights.
One person who clearly is paying atten-
Eastern Europe. "Differentiation, plus
tion to the NSR process-and anxiously
carrots" is how one official summarizes the
awaiting its completion-is Mikhail Gorba-
policy. By that he means that the Bush ad-
chev. He complained last Thursday in Lon-
ministration wants to continue the Reagan
don about the "prolonged" review of U.S.-
policy of differentiating among the Warsaw
Soviet relations and the administration's
Pact countries and offering special benefits
"hesitation" in developing policy. His
to those that show independence from Mos-
spokesman Gennadi Gerasimov elaborated:
cow. The administration's problem is that
"We understand that the new administra-
because of the budget crunch, it doesn't
tion needs time to develop policy
But I
have many carrots to offer.
think the new administration tries to please
An early test will be Poland, which last
everybody, and that's not easy."
week announced a broad reform program
that brings it close to multiparty democra-
D
etails about some aspects of the Bush
cy. The Catholic Church and the Solidarity
review can be found elsewhere in
trade union are sure to appeal to the Bush
today's Washington Post. Here's a
administration for help. How we respond
brief summary of some of the issues the
will help shape Poland's future, and that of
administration has been debating-and the
the rest of Eastern Europe. The Bush ad-
key problems:
ministration may be able to do little more,
The Soviet Union. Agnosticism about
than encourage private investment.
Gorbachev appears to be a major theme of
Secretary of State Baker has dropped a
Bush review. "The focus was on the internal
tantalizing hint of a more ambitious policy
phenomenon," says one knowledgeable ad-
that would seek negotiations with Europe to
ministration official. "Where will it lead?
end the Yalta division of Europe and loosen
How secure is it? There was a non-euphoric
Moscow's control over the Warsaw Pact
assessment, and all sorts of questions. You
countries. He told The New York Times
have to assume that he's in power, that he'll
last month that the idea was "worthy of con-
survive. But you have to recognize the vul-
sideration because it is a novel approach."
nerabilities. And you have to question how
Western Europe. Officials say the real
far he'll go."
issue hasn't yet been resolved: Can the
CONTINUED
37.
United States learn to love a stronger and
Defense. NSR 12, dealing with defense
more unified Europe?
issues, involves the thorniest issues of all.
One focus for this debate has been the
That's partly because of budget pressures,
interagency dickering over how the United
and partly because decisions about strategic
States should:respond to the planned 1992
and conventional forces are linked to arms-
integration of the European Community.
control policy. According to several officials
Some officials at the Treasury and Com-
involved in the review, defense is the area
merce department are said to see EC-'92 as
where creative thinking is most needed—
the enemy, because it's likely to make Eu-
and where the bureaucratic obstacles are
rope a tougher and more protectionist trad-
biggest.
ing partner. Others at the State Depart-
The challenge, in the simplest sense, is to
ment and the NSC see this stronger post-
decide how much of our global military ma-
1992 Europe as a potential strategic advan-
chine we really need in this era of greatly
tage for the United States.
reduced tensions with the Soviet Union.
Another contentious issue has been
The American military is now organized as
whether European countries should coop-
if war with the Soviet Union is imminent.
erate more closely on defense, through
The Army has 28 combat divisions and 22
what's known in bureaucratese as the "Eu-
combat brigades "capable of projecting
ropean pillar." Traditionalists at the State
prompt, sustained military power anywhere
Department and the Pentagon, who fear
in the world," according to this year's Army
that any basic change in NATO may lead to
posture statement. The Navy boasts that it
its unraveling, are wary of the European
is "a symbol of U.S. involvement in the glob-
pillar. Modernizers favor it, on the grounds
al arena" and "capable of winning a global
that it will make Europe stronger militari-
war." That translates into a Navy insistence
ly-which, after all, is NATO's purpose in
on 15 carrier battle groups, four battleship
the first place. The modernizers hope they
battle groups and 100 attack submarines!
can count Scowcroft among their band, but
The 1989 Navy posture statement dis-
the returns aren't in yet.
"The U.S. can't be seen as defending the
misses the possibility that the nation could
status quo in Europe," warns one official.
conceivably make do with less: "One ques-
"We need to be seen as promoting change."
tion often asked is, 'Why 15 deployable car-
Middle East. Senior Bush administration
rier battle groups? Couldn't you get by with
officials have written so many policy papers
fewer carriers?' The answer, quite simply,
is no
"
and op-ed pieces on the Middle East over
the years that the danger here may be too
That's an example of the resistance the
much strategy rather than too little.
Bush administration will face to innovations
The Reagan years demonstrate that all
such as those proposed by Scowcroft and
the well-crafted peace plans in the world
Woolsey in a paper prepared last fall for a
aren't much use if the Arabs and Israelis
group called American Agenda. The two
aren't ready to talk-and if the president of
officials suggested moving "a larger number
the United States isn't prepared to commit
of units from active to reserve" status.
his personal prestige to breaking the dead-
They proposed relying "more heavily on
lock.
smaller ships or submarines, carrying very
"You can see a strategy emerging" after
accurate conventional cruise missiles, rath-
last week's meetings with Egyptian Pres-
er than on aircraft carrier battle
ident Hosni Mubarak and Israeli Prime Min-
groups
And they suggested greater
ister Yitzhak Shamir, says one official. Of-
use of unmanned aircraft.
ficials say this approach has been outlined in
The generals and admirals aren't going to
a review paper and was discussed at an NSC
like any of that, and it remains to be seen
meeting last week. Key details include con-
whether Scowcroft and Woolsey will actu-
fidence-building measures and mutual de-
ally use the grand bureaucratic machine
escalation on the ground, leading toward
known as the National Security Review to
elections in the West Bank and Gaza.
push their innovative ideas.
David Ignatius is editor of the Outlook section. Post
researcher Lynda Edwards contributed to this article.
38.
The Washington Post
BUSH URGED TO FIND
The New York Times
A1
The Washington Times
A MIDDLE COURSE
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
ON SOVIET CHANGES
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
Date
REACTIONS TO GORBACHEV
Administration specialists say the
9 APR 1989
classified analysis submitted to the
In addition, the Administration has
White House tries to strike a balance
pressed Moscow to cut off arms deliv-
Official Study Recommends
between these two approaches.
eries to Nicaragua, which is discussed
Anti-Terrorism Stressed
in the classified review.
Cooperation on Regional
Administration officials involved in
The analysis advises the President to
the analysis said Soviet willingess to
take advantage of the changes in Soviet
Issues and Terrorism
cut arms supplies to Managua repre-
domestic and foreign policy by care-
sented an opportunity to test Moscow's
fully seeking to broaden the dialogue
intention to cooperate in regional set-
between the superpowers on regional
tlements in the third world.
By MICHAEL R. GORDON
issues to include such regions as the
The study of Soviet policy, known as
Special to The New York Times
Horn of Africa. It also recommends
National Security Review 3, is but one
WASHINGTON, April 8- Adminis-
giving more prominence to joint efforts
of several policy reviews ordered by
tration experts have advised President
to combat terrorism and the spread of
Mr. Bush as soon as he took office to
chemical weapons and ballistic mis-
"insure compatibility among our com-
Bush to steer a middle course between
siles, among other initiatives.
mitments, strategies, capabilities and
a skeptical approach toward the poli-
resources."
cies of Mikhail S. Gorbachev and re-
Administration specialists define
the approach as an "evolution" of the
Complaints About Pace
sponding with bold foreign policy initia-
tives of its own, Administration offi-
current United States policy toward
Soviet officials have complained
Moscow, which they say has been suc-
about the slow pace of the Administra-
cials said today.
cessful. But the analysis is likely to dis-
tion's review, which has delayed a re-
The recommended approach, called
"status-quo plus" by Government spe-
appoint critics who favor more dra-
sumption of the talks to cut long-range
nuclear arms. But Mr. Bush has de-
cialists, is outlined in a classified
matic moves to improve relations.
fended the need for a careful review as
analysis commissioned by President
It is not known what Mr. Bush thinks
a foundation for policy decisions.
Bush as part of the Administration's
of the study, which is about 30 pages
While the review of Soviet policy is
broad review of American-Soviet poli-
long.
well advanced, other assessments are
One senior Administration official
proceeding slowly.
cy.
The analysis - prepared by the Cen-
who supports the review said it was un-
Senior Administration officials re-
viewing arms control policy met for
tral Intelligence Agency. the State Des
clear how influential the study would
partment, the Pentagon and the staff of
be, adding that policy decisions were
the first time on Wednesday - one
the National Security Council - con-
more likely to be thrashed out among
month before Mr. Baker is to go to
cludes that the process of change in the
Mr. Bush and small circle of high-level
Moscow to discuss the resumption of
the strategic arms talks.
advisers.
Soviet Union is likely to continue
"The analysis presented to the N.S.C.
The arms control review, formally
throughout the Bush Administration
called National Security Review 14, fo-
even if Mikhail S. Gorbachev was re-
could be a valuable tool," another offi-
cuses on strategic arms questions.
placed by another Soviet leader, offi-
cial said. "But the vision in there is not
Issues to be considered in the review
cials said.
articulated very strongly, and there
include whether to modify or abandon
are plenty of caveats and what-ifs in
the proposed limit on nuclear delivery
High-Level Skepticism
there. Until that vision is there and
systems, whether to ban mobile mis-
Mr. Bush, Brent Scowcroft, his na-
somebody is pushing from the top very
siles with multiple warheads and
tional security adviser, and Robert M.
strongly, it is not clear whether we will
whether to adjust the American pro-
Gates, the deputy security adviser,
really take advantage of the opportuni-
posal for counting cruise missiles
have tended to take a skeptical stance
ties."
launched by airplanes.
toward Moscow in their public com-
Final decisions on what policies to
A parallel review on military issues
ments. At the same time, some experts
adopt on American-Soviet relations
known as National Security Review 12
will be made by Mr. Bush and his top
is being overseen by Paul D. Wolfowitz,
have complained that this approach is
aides. But some of the initiatives dis-
Mr. Bush's choice to be Under Secre-
too cautious at a time of momentous
change in the Soviet Union and could
cussed in the study have already been
tary of Defense for Policy. But Admin-
taken up by the Administration.
istration officals report that the review
cost the Administration what they see
Secretary of State James A. Baker
is proceeding slowly.
as a critical opportunity to transform
3d, for instance, broached the idea of
Analysis in Two Parts
American-Soviet relations.
American-Soviet cooperation on ter-
The classified analysis submitted to
"The real debate in the Administra-
rorism in his meeting last month in
the White House consists of two main
tion will be between the two centrist
Vienna with the Soviet Foreign Minis-
parts: an analysis of trends in the
positions - the stand-pat school and
ter, Eduard A. Shevardnadze.
Soviet Union and a section on Amer-
the seize-the-opportunity school," said
Mr. Baker also announced in Vienna
ican policy toward Moscow. The first
Representative Les Aspin, Democrat
that the United States would explore
of Wisconsin and chairman of the
the idea of speeding up the withdrawal
of chemical weapons from West Ger-
House Armed Services Committee.
many, a idea developed during the re-
view.
ONTINUED
Page
12.
draft of the section on Soviet trends
Horn of Africa Cited
was prepared by the Central Intelli-
The "status-quo plus" approach says
gence Agency while the first draft on
that the United States should seek to
American policy toward Moscow was
broaden the agenda of regional issues
prepared by the State Department.
to include such disputes as the fighting
Comments were solicited by other
between Ethiopia and Somalia in the
agencies and the report was completed
Horn of Africa.
last month.
It recommends that the United
The analysis of Soviet trends asserts
States give more prominence to joint
that there is a better than even chance
efforts to combat terrorism by sharing
that Mr. Gorbachev will endure as the
information and asking Moscow to put
Soviet leader. It acknowledges that the
pressure on client states to stop sup-
political and economic changes made
porting terrorist groups and to combat
since he took office are substantial but
the spread of chemical weapons and
notes that it will take decades to carry
ballistic missiles.
out some important changes, particu-
The report notes that strong differ-
larly in the economy.
ences remain to be resolved within the
The study argues that Moscow's
Administration on trade. Some Com-
preoccupation with political and eco-
merce Department officials favor a
nomic change will probably continue
more liberal trade policy, but the Pen-
through Mr. Bush's term in office, even
tagon strongly opposes increased
if Mr. Gorbachev is replaced by an-
trade. Officials say the predominant
other Soviet leader. But officials con-
view in the Administration favors a
cede that Mr. Gorbachev's departure
gradual liberalization in trade.
could affect the pace and scope of the
Washington should continue to press
changes.
for human rights improvement in the
The study says there is broad sup-
Soviet Union, the report says.
port for the view that change is needed
The analysis, though advocating a
to help the Soviet Union modernize its
cautious process of advancing initia-
economy and society. Even if Mr. Gor-
tives, projects a long-term goal in
bachev is replaced, Moscow will face
which there would be a truce in the
pressures to divert resources to civil-
military competition between the su-
ian needs from military activities.
perpowers.
Soviet Intentions Unknown
The analysis sidesteps the question
of what Moscow's ultimate intentions
may be, suggesting that they cannot be
known now.
It says the changes may be carried
out for tactical reasons to gain a
"breathing space" to strengthen the
Soviet system and thus prepare for fur-
ther competition with the West. Or it
may represent more fundamental
political and economic changes in the
direction of a pluralistic society.
Critics of the "status-quo plus" ap-
proach say that it underestimates the
importance of Mr. Gorbachev role, is
too sanguine about the inevitabilty of
change in Mr. Gorbachev's absence
and is too cautious in advocating
moves to take advantage of immediate
opportunities to improve American-
Soviet relations.
But defenders of the approach argue
that it provides a basis for undertaking
initiatives, albeit cautiously, in the face
of uncertainties as to Mr. Gorbachev's
future.
"Our argument is that we should not
base policy on whether Gorbachev will
survive or not," an Administration offi-
cial said. "We should base it on U.S. in-
terests. Since we don't have to be too
worried about Gorbachev's survivabil-
ity, we do not have to shrink from put-
ting forth initiatives."
Some Administration officials, such
as Mr. Gates, the deputy security ad-
viser, have publicly presented a some-
what different analysis that questions
the breadth of support in the Soviet
Union for far-reaching change.
13.
WASHINGTON TIMES
11 APRIL 1989
Woerner, Bush will discuss mis
State Department spokesman Rich-
many's allies including the United
ard Boucher would say only that the
States, the United Kingdom and
By Thomas J. Breen
talks will focus on "the alliance,
France.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
NATO's plans [and] issues before
West Germany's opposition to the
NATO Secretary General Man-
NATO."
modernization comes as the West
fred Woerner meets with President
But other administration officials
German public increasingly op-
Bush in Washington later this week
and foreign diplomats said Mr. Woer-
poses any increase in nuclear weap-
amid a continuing dispute between
ner clearly was coming here with
ons.
West Germany and the United States
high hopes of resolving the dispute
At the same time the West Ger-
over whether to modernize short-
before the crucial May 29-30 NATO
man government has been pushing
range nuclear missiles in Europe.
summit in Brussels. There the 16
hard to ensure good relations with
Mr. Woerner, a former West Ger-
NATO countries will lay out strat-
the United States despite the missile
man defense minister, is expected to
egies for continued disarmament
flap.
seek a compromise from Washing-
and dealing with rapid changes in
One German official, Irmgard
ton that would give the green light
the Soviet Union and Eastern Eu-
Adam-Schwaetzer, was sent to Wash-
for modernization but not set a date
rope.
ington last week to smooth some of
for production and deployment.
The NATO leader wants all the
those ruffled diplomatic feathers.
The United States and most other
allies to enter the summit with a
NATO members, including Britain
united front, according to one for-
"I wish to make it unequivocally
clear that the Germans
are
and France, consider moderniz tion
eign diplomat
of the Lance missile key to the secu-
Since February, when West Ger-
firmly embedded in the community
man Chancellor Helmut Kohl
of Western democracies," she said in
rity of Western Europe.
But West Germany repeatedly
shocked his NATO allies by shifting
a public speech. "They [the Ger-
shifts away from that view and op-
his stance and hinting strongly that
mans] are not drifting eastward. In
poses immediate modernization of
the modernization of the missiles
actual fact, it is the Soviet Union un-
the short-range Lance. Most of the
should be postponed until 1991 or
der Gorbachev, and Eastern Europe,
Lances are based in West Germany
1992, the issue has dominated pri-
that are opening up to the West."
and, if used, would fall on West Ger-
vate talks between alliance partners,
During his Washington trip later
man soil.
according to diplomats and analysts.
this week, NATO's Mr. Woerner is
But some diplomats and analysts
Opposition to the modernization
scheduled to meet with Vice Pres-
believe the West Germans would ac-
of the Lance missiles - considered
ident Dan Quayle, Secretary of State
cept the updating of the missiles if
the backbone of the short-range nu-
James A. Baker III, Defense Secre-
there were no firm dates for produc-
clear forces arsenal - strikes at the
tary Richard B. Cheney, National Se-
tion and deployment.
heart of the 40-year-old NATO pact,
curity Adviser Brent Scowcroft and
In confirming Mr. Woerner's trip,
in the view of most of West Ger-
members of Congress.
The Washington Post
The New York Times
The Washington Times
In '61 We Had a President
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
Who Didn't Just Stand There
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
BALT. SUN A-11
Date
14 APR 1989
Washington.
I
T HAPPENED 28 years ago next
ran on a platform of continuity rath-
Monday: A U.S.-financed brigade
friends who remind him of Jimmy
er than change. He was in on foreign
of expatriate Cubans was
Carter. Mr. Carter, too, had high ear-
policy, deeper than he has admitted,
ly ratings. They plummeted when he
dumped into swamps on the south
for eight years as vice president. Pre-
couldn't explain where he wanted to
shore of Matanzas province and effi-
sumably he could make bold moves
go. Mr. Bush should do what Mr.
immediately. without appointing
Reagan did, his worried well-wishers
committees to restudy the world.
By Ernest B. Furgurson
say: use his popularity now, before it
Instead, Mr. Bush has been cau-
disappears, to get the country mov-
tious. His secretary of state, Jim
ing toward his major goals.
Baker, is a negotiator instead of a
ciently mopped up by Fidel Castro's
But he clearly isn't going to head
blusterer. Rather than challenging
army. Thus ended the first great for-
out without a map. Mr. ,Bush isn't
Congress to another showdown over
eign-policy initiative of the Kennedy
Ronald Reagan. Jim Baker isn't Al-
contra aid - and probably losing
administration.
exander Haig. The current national-
again - he worked out a Nicaragua
We will profit by remembering
security adviser, the infinitely care-
deal that quietly abandons Mr.
ful Brent Scowcroft, isn't Richard
the Bay of Pigs in these first months
Reagan's war there.
of the Bush administration.
Allen. George Bush isn't Jimmy Car-
But in great-power relations, mat-
John Kennedy became president
ter, either. Nor is he Jack Kennedy.
ters of East and West, bombs and
Mr. Scowcroft said before the
with the promise to "get this country
missiles, the president has hinted no
moving again" - that youth and
Bush inauguration that the White
new departures. In domestic affairs,
vigor would replace the Chamber of
House review of foreign policy could
events have forced him to take a
Commerce satisfaction of the Eisen-
take up to a year before new initia-
stand here and blow with the wind
hower Fifties. The Kennedy crew
tives were ready. It won't be that
there. Not in affairs abroad.
was led by men who fought World
long. The president's impatient
Many of my opinionating col-
friends and critics will find the
War II, eager to take over from those
leagues, itchy politicians and indeed
waiting easier if they take a moment
who managed it. They would be
Mr. Gorbachev himself have urged
this week to recall the Bay of Pigs.
tough and smart. They would never
Mr. Bush to do something quick, and
be accused of just standing there in-
stop just standing there.
stead of doing something.
His friends are concerned that
Kennedy inherited from Eisen-
the president's low profile allows the
hower the plan to overthrow Castro
peripatetic Soviet leader to win the
with Cubans who had fled the revo-
world public-relations contest. They
lution. Some of the president's ad-
wanted Mr. Bush to do something
visers opposed it, but it was just the
splashy to compete with Mr. Gorba-
kind of action he had implied in his
chev's TV extravaganza in Cuba.
inaugural address. It would make a
The president's ostensible ally, the
statement to America and the world.
chronically indignant Sen. Orrin
He adopted it, and less than three
Hatch, warns that the Democrats
months after his inauguration, the
are likely to move into the foreign-
CIA-trained expatriates went ashore.
policy vacuum if Mr. Bush insists on
The operation was a disaster. It
more "passive pragmatism."
led directly to Nikita Khrushchev's
He needs to enunciate a message
insertion of missiles into Cuba the
What's his agenda?
Who is
following year, which came close to
George Bush, anyway?
What
disaster of another magnitude. If
does he stand for?
When the
Kennedy had taken his time to plan
president doesn't create news,
a new foreign policy, he might have
doesn't offer the networks lively
avoided all that.
sound bites, coverage runs to that
Now, almost three decades later,
kind of analysis and speculation.
we have another new president. He
But he seems unconcerned, because
the popularity polls say he's right.
Even the polls don't convince
Page
24.
The Washington Post
The New York Times 25E
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
AS PUBLISHED
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
Date 16 April
Iran-Contra: The Fog Is Lifting
In Mr. Sullivan's picture, Mr. North and
the illegal "plumbers" as the break-in at
By Scott Armstrong
his superiors - President Reagan, former
Democratic campaign headquarters - one
Secretary of State George Shultz, former
result of which was the creation of a perma-
Washington
Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger
nent independent counsel mechanism to
Watergate, the burglars kept silent
and George Bush as Vice President - in-
deal with such ongoing conspiracies.
Now, in the Iran-contra conspiracy, who
I
until they saw the jail house doors
tentionally diverted foreign aid and used it
as a quid pro quo to gain third country sup-
will tell us once and for all what happened,
1
in the Iran-contra affair, the
first man put on trial has turned in
port for the contras. The evidence makes it
to whom, by whom? And if, as many sus-
his superiors before the jury has
apparent that President Reagan and key
pect, these actions cannot be legally "au-
even retired to deliberate.
advisers lied to Congress, the Tower Com-
thorized" by a President, who will bring the
As is traditional in investigations of
mission, the press and the American people
culprits to justice?
elaborate conspiracies, the independent
to keep these arrangements secret.
Congress is distracted by a debate over
Minutes of a June 25, 1984, National Se-
whether secret third country arrangements
counsel, Lawrence Walsh, started prosecut-
ing at the bottom rung of the organizational
curity Planning Group Meeting reveal a
were permitted by the Pell Amendment.
heated debate about whether seeking third
Some argue that the amendment's lan-
ladder. Oliver North's defense has elicited
country support for the contras would be an
guage provides a loophole through which
evidence that allows prosecutors to climb
several rungs up to Cabinet officials and at
impeachable offense. William Casey, the
money could have been passed legally to
least one- and perhaps two- Presidents.
former Director of Central Intelligence,
countries that supported the contras, as
and Mr. Weinberger concluded that as long
long as contra support was not the sole rea-
In the coming months, the independent
as the Congressional intelligence oversight
son for the aid. Congress would do better to
counsel will face enormous political and
committees were informed. third country
find out what happened and who was in the
practical pressures to drop his vastly ex-
panded inquiries. If he abandons his course
solicitations were legal.
loop before specifying the loophole.
or aborts his mission, he will shortchange
But Vice President Bush had the final
word. Such solicitations, he said, would be
et only Mr Walsh can decide
the nation and jeopardize the future of all
independent counsels.
all right unless "the United States were to
Y
whether to take current and
promise to give these third parties some-
former officials to the grand
Mr. Walsh was forced to drop the conspir-
acy count concerning Mr. North's involve-
thing in return, so that some people might
jury to explain their intent
interpret this as some kind of an ex-
and authorization. They
ment with other low-level conspirators for
fear of disclosing intelligence and covert
change."
could include Mr. Shultz, Mr.
According to trial evidence stipulated by
Weinberger, John Negroponte (Ambassa-
operations. Yet Judge Gerhard Gesell in ef-
fect allowed the defense to put on much of
Attorney General Richard Thornburgh as
dor-designate to Mexico and former Am-
the prosecution's case.
accurate, Mr. Bush's warning was ignored.
bassador to Honduras). Richard Armitage
While the judge did not permit Ronald
The President did personally approve -
(Secretary of the Army-designate and for-
with the active involvement of Mr. Bush,
mer Assistant Secretary of Defense), E.1-
Reagan to be subpoenaed, he allowed the
liott Abrams (former Assistant Secretary
defense to try to show how many of Mr.
Mr. Shultz and Mr. Weinberger - special
of State) and Donald Gregg (Ambassador-
North's far-ranging and questionable ac-
tivities were authorized. Had these defense
aid for Honduras. It was fear of disclosing
designate to South Korea and former Vice
arguments come a year ago, they would
this quid pro quo that forced Mr. North to
Presidential aide).
have made a straightforward case for the
lie to Congress, his lawyer has argued.
In the end, Mr. Walsh may be reluctant to
impeachment of the former President.
The trial evidence also disclosed consid-
prosecute individuals for actions as compli-
eration of and, in some instances the ap-
cated and potentially ambiguous as the
Common wisdom has held that the North
trial would revolve around the arcane and
proval of, similar arrangements with Costa
decisions to give foreign aid, but only his
Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Panama,
continuing investigation can tell us who was
interlocked questions of Mr. North's intent
to commit the crimes alleged and the de-
Taiwan, China, Chile, Israel and, for other
responsible, whether or not it is feasible to
favors, Saudi Arabia. The conspiracy in-
indict or prosecute them.
gree of authorization from his superiors.
Mr. North's lawyer, Brendan Sullivan, has
cluded passing out foreign aid monies to re-
argued that his client never intended to
plenish third country arms and supplies
break any law and was generally author-
passed through to the contras - a criminal
CONTINUED
ized by President Reagan within the
misappropriation of funds specifically ear-
"seamless web" of covert activities.
marked by Congress for other purposes.
Mr. Sullivan also asserts, and such wit-
The Iran-contra affair thereafter is the
nesses as the former national security ad-
story of a cover-up - not just of the diver-
viser Robert McFarlane confirm, that the
sion of profits from the arms-for-hostages
deceptions of which Mr. North is still ac-
deal with Iran, but of the larger unconstitu-
cused were compelled by the need to hide
tionality of having made numerous third
from Congress more serious machinations
country arrangements. Similarly, the
by the President and his Cabinet. For Mr.
Watergate cover-up was as much to hide
North to expose one thread of this "seam-
less web" would have led inexorably to its
Page
14.
center: President Reagan.
The purpose of the independent counsel
And by defining the issue of the Presi-
2
statute is to assure not only the prosecution
dent's role as whether he knew of a diver-
of public officials but the restoration of pub-
sion of Iran arms sale profits to contra cof-
lic confidence. Mr. Walsh is obliged to in-
fers, the committees ignored Presidential
vestigate further. With sworn testimony on
authorizations of illegal and unconstitu-
the record about the former President and
tional activities. They settled for criticizing
his Cabinet, Mr. Walsh would be remiss not
the logic of ransoming hostages from ter-
to take the material to a grand jury.
rorists with arms.
Mr. Walsh's autonomy has been episodi-
Nothing in the charter of the independent
cally challenged by Justice Department
counsel says that he must explain what an
rulings to withhold necessary classified in-
executive commission and several legisla-
formation. However, Judge Gesell allowed
tive committees could not or would not.
into evidence previously classified details
When the Watergate committee originally
of this secret conspiracy and Mr. Thorn-
recommended the creation of an independ-
burgh did not prevent their disclosure. Mr.
ent counsel, however, it understood that
only by requiring a formal report on all al-
Walsh now has a stronger hand.
legations would such politically charged
If a grand jury chose to return more in-
matters ever be put to rest.
dictments, the Attorney General would
Pardons will certainly not end the mat-
have to rethink his earlier decisions to with-
ter. To pardon any or all of those implicated
hold classified information. So much highly
would be as unpalatable as Watergate's
classified information has already come
"Saturday Night Massacre." Unless those
out that any further national security dam-
pardoned step down and become unim-
age is likely to be incremental at worst. And
peachable, pardons would not end Mr.
the political damage is already so extensive
Walsh's obligation to investigate and report
that the Attorney General has a powerful
any potentially impeachable acts.
incentive to clear the air. Mr. Walsh is also
The independent counsel's mandate -
obliged to prepare a report detailing what
the restoration of public confidence - re-
investigations and prosecutions he did and
quires him to prosecute where necessary
did not pursue, and why. Such reports are
and, where prosecution is impossible, inap-
normally made public.
propriate or undesirable, to explain what
These are not his only options. Under the
happened and why. Independent counsels
law, the independent counsel may report to
unearth, expose and explain abuses of
Congress. He may refer information about
power. Should Mr. Walsh be forced to cut
those now awaiting confirmation to new ap-
back his investigation, he will be - by defi-
pointments. In the case of potentially im-
nition and moral authority - the last "inde-
peachable offenses applicable not only to
pendent" counsel.
the President but to any official confirmed
by Congress - the independent counsel
must refer such information.
Scott Armstrong, executive director of the
ut if he is to be truly independ-
National Security Archive, a library and re-
B
ent and effective, Mr. Walsh
search organization, is co-editor of "The
must also assess what the ex-
Chronology: The Day by Day Account of
the Iran-contra Affair."
ecutive branch and Congress
have already done to expose
wrongdoing. He must look to
the Senate Intelligence Committee. the
Tower Commission and the Congressional
Iran-contra committees
The lower Commission - led through its
analysis by Brent Scoweroft, the national
security adviser to Presidents Nixon, Ford
and now Bush - happily concluded that the
National Security Council was a fine organ-
ization led astray by a few bad apples. In
their haste to clear President Reagan and
the N.S.C., Mr. Scowcroft. John Tower and
Edmund Muskie harshiy condemned John
Poindexter, Mr. McFarlane and Mr. North.
While the Tower board may have been
misled about the extent of certain contra-
related operations, it rubber-stamped an in-
teragency process that institutionalizes pri-
vate government - covert actions done
"off the books" without checks and bal-
ances, financed from abroad.
The Senate Intelligence Committee spent
most of its energy determining how many
times it had been lied to by how many Ad-
ministration officials. It and other Iran-cop-
tra investigating committees were unwill-
ing to probe covert activities or expose to
criticism complicit allies. such as Israel or
Saudi Arabia. Declaring themselves unable
to address, much less redress. American
policy toward Central America, committee
members allowed the White House once
more to blame a few zealots.
15.
NEW REPUBLIC
17 APRIL 1989
Pg. 7
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR?
pened if Ford had heeded Cheney's warnings to
admit quickly that he'd erred in declaring Poland
free), Cheney became Wyoming's at-large con-
gressman. He moved immediately onto the House lead-
Dick Cheney, the new secretary of defense, is not as
ership track, rising unopposed this year to the position
prepared for the job as Harold Brown (a former Air
of Republican whip. Had Cheney not suffered a series of
Force secretary) was in 1977 or Melvin Laird (a veteran
heart attacks, it's likely he'd have been Bush's vice presi-
of the House defense appropriations subcommittee) in
dent. (He underwent bypass surgery last summer.)
1969. He was picked because Bush was looking for a
Democrats regard him as a hard-line conservative parti-
quickly confirmable member of Congress to put into
san and a shrewd tactician, but they also like him for
place after John Tower's rejection. He seemed the best
his refreshing directness; he is one of the few right-
of the names assembled by Bush's White House advis-
wingers to call himself "right wing."
ers-the others were Republican Senators William Co-
Cheney is not an expert on defense, but neither is he
hen, Warren Rudman, Jake Garn, and William Ste-
a novice. He's served on several think tank policy pan-
vens-and besides, he was highly recommended by
els, including one organized by Brown and Scowcroft
national security adviser Brent Scowcroft, with whom
last year to review options for strategic weapons mod-
he'd worked closely in the Ford White House.
ernization. He has a record of clear pronouncements
Cheney, as they say. has his work cut out for him. The
on defense issues-almost invariably, hardest-line-
Pentagon is not used to tough management. Caspar
Weinberger, in securing funding for a defense buildup
ranging from SDI to support for the Nicaraguan con-
tras. He is not a defense intellectual, but he is an intel-
that was needed to counter a Soviet threat, simply shov-
lectual. He completed his course work for a Ph.D. (but
eled the money-$1.7 trillion-to the services to spend
got waylaid into government before writing his disser-
as they wished, and then tried to invent a strategy to
explain the results. The Bush administration's chal-
tation), and he has written a book about Congress with
his wife, who's director of the National Endowment for
lenge is to reverse the process: to devise a strategy first,
the Humanities.
and then do the spending.
The early signs are that Cheney won't let the Defense
This is not a revòlutionary proposal. But it is a more
pressing one now than it usually is when made by edito-
Department run him. From talks with Tower and others,
rial writers. The reasons are: (a) the budget deficit;
he apparently gained the strong conviction that the Pen-
(b) Mikhail Gorbachev. Gorbachev is proposing that we
tagon was out of control. He took the earliest opportu-
nitv to demonstrate who's boss by chastising the Air
radically reduce armaments and promising to change
the security environment of the world for the better. We
Force chief of staff, Gen. Larry D. Welch, for allegedly
need to take the opportunity he provides to save money
trying to negotiate a compromise plan on strategic
on defense spending, but we also need to stay prepared,
weapons with Congress before the administration had
decided what its plans were. (Other witnesses claim
and keep our alliances intact, in case he can't or won't
deliver. And we have to do this in an era of exploding
Welch was merely taking soundings, not trying to up-
stage his bosses.) Cheney has also indicated with his first
technology and spiraling costs. The task facing Cheney
is to cut up to $300 billion from projected defense
appointments-notably, Richard Armitage as Navy sec-
spending over the next five years-an amount equal to a
retary and Paul Wolfowitz as policy undersecretary-
full year's Pentagon outlays-and also to build the right
that he means to establish strong civilian rule over the
weapons for America's defense, not those that fit the
building.
services' parochial needs.
To secure true control, however, Cheney will have to
Cheney has the intellectual and political tools needed
finish two major reforms: full implementation of the
to carry out this charge. To be sure, he has his short-
Packard commission recommendations on procure-
comings. Sometimes his hard-liner instincts translate
ment, and the creation of civilian management devices
into a misguided enthusiasm for new weapons systems.
in the secretary's office capable of counterbalancing the
His historically strong and undiscriminating support of
new centralized power over the military services (under
the Goldwater-Nichols reforms of 1986) in the chair-
the Strategic Defense Initiative could stand rethinking.
And he would do well to subdue his excitement about
man of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Packard commis-
anti-satellite weapons long enough to ponder the vir-
sion called for appointment of a new procurement czar
tues of a verifiable anti-satellite weapons treaty. (In both
in the Pentagon; the job exists, but it does not have
cases, insufficient appreciation of the finer points of
czarist powers, nor do subordinate program managers
deterrence theory seems to be the problem, plus a dose
have the power and independence they need to build
of House minority partisan zeal; now a tight budget and
the most efficient weapons at the cheapest price. As one
executive responsibility could be the cure.) But for his
top administration official put it, "The organization
core responsibilities-shrewdly and toughly managing
charts have been rearranged, but the culture of the
the Pentagon, and (when a negotiated agreement makes
Pentagon hasn't changed."
it wise) sensibly cutting NATO's force structure while
Moreover, Weinberger downgraded or ignored for-
adapting it to a changing world-Cheney is better quali-
merly powerful civilian management tools-the Office
fied than John Tower, or just about anyone else we can
of Net Assessment and the Program Analysis and Evalu-
think of.
ation Office-which had been used by previous secre-
Cheney is one of the most formidable politicians in
taries to gauge the threats faced by the United States
America. At 34, he was White House chief of staff, and in
and to choose the best weapons to meet those threats.
that role he was almost universally praised for his fair-
Revitalization of those offices will give Cheney the ana-
ness and decisiveness. He foresaw, when President Ford
lytical muscle necessary to stand up to the military
services.
did not, the 1976 Republican nomination challenge of
Ronald Reagan, and organized a successful defense.
After Ford's nomination, Cheney arranged the promo-
he big defense issues for this administration con-
tion of Ford's delegate hunter, one James Baker III.
to be campaign manager; now the two have im-
T
sist of two questions that are subordinate to a
third. What should the United States do about
portant work to do together again. Two years
European defense, in view of Gorbachev's offers
after Ford's defeat (which might not have hap-
ROOKIE
Pg.
16
ROOKIE
from Pg. 15
baggage of the Reagan years to conduct a
straight cost-benefit study of competing systems.
to make massive conventional cutbacks? What systems
Most conspicuously, there is the question of how to
should the United States deploy to ensure a stable stra-
keep our ground-based missiles invulnerable and thus
tegic deterrent? How should the United States cut the
preserve deterrence even if the other legs of the nuclear
defense budget without harming national security?
triad should become vulnerable. There is no need for a
What the United States needs most-but hasn't got
crash program here, as we are at least years away from
yet-is a strategy for Europe. Gorbachev clearly has
seeing our nuclear-armed submarines, say, become vul-
one-a neutralized Germany and a denuclearized Eu-
nerable. But a decision needs to be made, and the pro-
rope. This much is implicit in the Soviet proposals for
gram embarked upon, if at a moderate, frugal pace. The
"armament limitation zones" (with few tanks in much of
choice is between the mobile Midgetman missile (with
Germany) and abandonment of short-range nuclear
one or two warheads) favored by Democrats or the ten-
weapons, as well as in the assiduous courting by the
warhead mobile MX (favored by Reagan and the Air
Soviets of German financiers. The Soviets also want to
Force): There are also choices as to the precise means of
be considered part of Europe, and wouldn't mind at all
MX mobility. We have had our own preference for
if the United States became increasingly insignificant in
Midgetman, believing that a force of 300 to 500 single-
the region both militarily and economically.
warhead mobile missiles was the deterrent least vul-
Gorbachev has stolen a political march on the United
nerable to Soviet attack and therefore the most stabi-
States by putting forward a proposal for unilateral with-
lizing. We've also been deeply skeptical of SDI-
drawals of 50,000 men and 5,000 tanks from Central
another big-ticket item that Cheney will have to grap-
Europe, and by proposing a conventional arms control
ple with-except as a research program to counter So-
agreement under which tank forces would be reduced to
viet research and to determine whether strategic de-
26,000 on each side-which would involve a reduction
fense can in any form be stabilizing and effective. In
from 30,000 by NATO and of 60,000 by the Warsaw Pact.
both of these positions we've been in good company,
On the surface this sounds like an attractive offer-and
such as that of Scowcroft and Brown-though not of
it in fact is. Even Pentagon consultant and European
Cheney, who's favored the rail-mobile MX and SDI.
defense specialist Phillip Karber, whose hard-line cre-
But he's still young.
dentials no one doubts, has, after studying the Soviet
Finally, on the defense budget, we think the adminis-
initiatives, declared that "we face the possibility of a
tration would do well to follow the lead of Representa-
dramatic reversal of the whole cold war structure of
tive Les Aspin of Wisconsin, who favors cutting first
military deployments" if the Soviets fulfill their prom-
those things that are reversible in case Gorbachev re-
ises of withdrawals.
verses his course or is overthrown, and cutting last that
This is not to say that the agreement is ready for
which can't be replaced. That is, first cut the manpower,
signing. Formidable problems remain, notably that the
training, and readiness budgets, leaving existing units
Soviets want compensating reductions in NATO air
intact and continuing to buy major weapons systems
power. All told, the NATO counteroffer-reductions to
currently contracted for; next, thin out or close down
equal levels of 8,000 tanks in Central Europe and
military units, starting with those based in the United
20,000 in all of Europe-may be a better starting point
States; and last, cancel major weapons acquisitions.
(although, as Karber notes, it has been presented in
Aspin has rightly proposed that big new weapons
such a complex formula as to be "politically unintelli-
proposals-an advanced fighter aircraft, new attack sub-
gible" to the peace-hungry European public). Still, the
marines and tanks- should be researched, but not put
gap between the two sides seems clearly bridgeable.
into production until it's clearer how U.S.-Soviet rela-
An agreement that would help both is within reach.
tions will develop. Unfortunately, there is a distinct risk
and we trust that Cheney's hard-line impulses will
that neither this philosophy nor any other will guide this
merely improve the terms, not block a pact and lose a
year's defense budget planning. Cheney plans to pro-
large opportunity.
duce a revised budget by mid-April, and apparently it's
Of course, a conventional arms agreement can't (or at
being compiled by Weinbergerish methods: letting the
least shouldn't) be signed in the absence of a full-blown
military decide what to cut, just as Weinberger used to
alliance political strategy. Indications are the adminis-
let the military decide what to build during the fat years.
tration is inching toward one, in the form of a design for
This may be an excusable way to cope with the short
a demilitarized Eastern Europe, but it hasn't said what
notice of his new responsibilities that Cheney was given.
that future would hold for Western Europe.
Right away, though, he should start planning for next
n nuclear policy, we hope that the administration
year. The Pentagon can and should be under control by
is divesting itself of enough of the ideological the 1990s.
THE NEW REPUBLIC
17 APRIL 1989
Pg. 12
WHITE HOUSE WATCH
of an astrodome over the entire country, a perfect shield
deflecting all nuclear missiles. Still, he defended that
theory in public. In 1986 Bush toured Europe with Gen.
James .Abrahamson, the SDI chief, to fill in NATO leaders
P
on advances in Star Wars research. He hit it off well with
Abrahamson, though he'd been warned the general was
EBBLES GO BAM-BAM
an SDI zealot. "He ought to be," Bush told an aide.
"That's his job. I'll find other people who'll give me the
criticism."
By Fred Barnes
ush did, hearing from Scowcroft, among others.
ne day last July, President Reagan and Vice Presi-
O
B
And in the presidential campaign last year, he ran
dent Bush gathered in the Situation Room in the
hot and cold on SDI. In a debate with Jack Kemp
White House basement. The room is window-
in Dallas on February 19, 1988, he said he'd only
less, low-ceilinged, and secure, used mostly for
deploy an astrodome. (He didn't mention his doubts
meetings of the National Security Council and for top-
about its feasibility.) Short of that, he said he favored
secret discussions. This time Reagan and Bush heard a
only research, not phased deployment of the land-based
briefing by Lowell Wood of Livermore National Labora-
and space-based parts of SDI. "Premature deployment
tory and Edward Teller, the father of the hydrogen
of something that isn't totally effective would do noth-
bomb. The subject was a research breakthrough in the
ing but cause the Soviets to break out of the ABM Treaty
Strategic Defense Initiative, or Star Wars. Teller
and overwhelm what we've got." Kemp pledged to build
brought a mock-up of "Brilliant Pebbles," a new anti-
and deploy SDI. "It's not that simple, Jack," Bush
missile system. It consists of several thousand small
snapped. He suggested SDI could be bargained away
interceptors that would fly in low orbit in space. They
for a new arms control treaty. "I want to reach out for
would, Teller said, spot Soviet or other missiles as they
peace and, I'm sorry, I think it's good to be doing that."
burst through the clouds in the boost phase, smash into
At the Republican convention in New Orleans, Bush
them at high speed, and destroy them. Reagan loved it.
gave SDI a low priority. His aides even sought, but
Bush asked question after question. He was, said an aide
failed. to soften the platform's strong endorsement of
who accompanied him to the briefing, extremely im-
"rapid and certain deployment." Earlier, in Chicago on
pressed with the answers.
August 2, he said, "I am committed to deployment of
SDI isn't dead yet. True, it has lost its most fervent
SDI, as soon as feasible, and will determine the exact
champion, Reagan, and accumulated other troubles.
architecture of the system in my first term, as the tech-
Money is a big one. In his last budget, Reagan asked for
nologies are tested and proven. As president, I will not
$5.6 billion for SDI in 1990. President Bush is certain to
leave America defenseless against ballistic missiles."
scale that back, but he'll be lucky to get much more than
That meant he favored at least some strategic defense.
$4 billion from Congress in any case. At the Pentagon,
But then in an interview with Gerald Boyd of the New
the service chiefs are as fond of SDI as they are of peace
York Times on August 25, he pulled back from deploy-
protests. Even at the White House, there are SDI skep-
ment, saying that would depend on cost and research.
tics, notably Brent Scowcroft, the national security ad-
At the White House, the crucial figure besides Bush in
viser, and Arnold Kanter, the arms control expert on the
plotting SDI's future is Scowcroft. His skepticism about
NSC staff. But SDI has supporters in the administration,
SDI is profound. But he's a skeptic, not a foe of SDI in all
too, particularly Vice President Dan Quayle and John
configurations. His main objection to Reagan's vision
Sununu, the White House chief of staff. And now there's
was not that it wouldn't work, but that it would weaken
Dick Cheney, the new defense secretary. He backs SDI
deterrence and drain funds from other military pro-
wholeheartedly and views Brilliant Pebbles as a signifi-
grams. In a report he and James Woolsey wrote last fall,
cant breakthrough that should be pursued.
he warned that the astrodome "if pursued seriously
Bush has never been SDI's noisiest advocate, but he's
would clearly be the major defense initiative, perhaps
grown more favorable. When Reagan first renounced
the major governmental initiative, of the new adminis-
the concept of mutual assured destruction in March
tration-in practice forestalling many other courses of
1983 and called for rapid development of a missile de-
action in Defense and otherwise." He wasn't for that.
fense system in space, Bush was lukewarm. He went
But in interviews, he's spoken favorably of a limited,
along for two reasons. Reagan favored it. And Bush
ground-based missile defense, and he's said Bush likes
figured it would give the United States "a helluva lot
this approach, too.
more leverage" in arms control talks with the Soviets, an
Scowcroft's choice as arms control expert on his staff,
aide said. What he never bought was Reagan's concept
Kanter, isn't even for this. In a paper published last
A
1
September, Kanter said any plan to deploy land-based
or space-based defense in the 1990s "should be put. on
the shelf." According to Kanter, "the weight of argu-
ment is against a commitment to early deployment."
Rather, the Bush administration should carry on an
SDI research and development program at $2 billion to
$3 billion a year. This may not fly with Bush, however,
since it's what Michael Dukakis proposed in the
campaign.
Two things happened in 1988 to make Bush more
comfortable with SDI. First, word came from then-
Defense Secretary Frank Carlucci and Abrahamson that
the Reagan astrodome scheme was a dream. The goal in
Star Wars-and indeed the position of SDI support-
ers-quickly changed from a perfect defense to one that
would knock out enough missiles to shake Soviet confi-
dence in attacking in the first place. Second. the idea of
Brilliant Pebbles arrived. Not only was Bush impressed,
but so was Scowcroft when he was briefed on the sub-
ject. William Graham, the White House science adviser.
practically gushes. Brilliant Pebbles "addresses the
problems of cost, weight, and survivability in a direct
and simple manner," he says.
In his final report in February as SDI chief, Abraham-
son called Brilliant Pebbles an "opportunity
for both
improved performance and dramatic cost reduction."
Its feasibility could be proved in two years, maybe as
early as this spring. Deployment would follow in three
years, he said. "This could be accomplished for less
than $10 billion." When a new command and control
capability is added, "the total research, development,
and deployment cost" is $25 billion. much less than
initially envisioned for a space-based system. In fact.
Abrahamson said, it would cost "substantially less" than
making MX missiles mobile and deploying a new single-
warhead missile called Midgetman, a plan favored by
Larry Welch, the Air Force chief of staff, and Represen-
tative Les Aspin, the chairman of the House Armed
Services Committee.
hree days after he arrived at the Pentagon, Che-
T
ney publicly chastised Welch for concocting an
MX-Midgetman deal while the Bush administra-
tion is undergoing a review of defense and na-
tional security issues. He didn't denounce the deal itself.
but in fact he looks askance at it. Cheney is a longtime
backer of MX and SDI. One of his first acts as defense
secretary was to get a fresh briefing on SDI, including
Brilliant Pebbles. At his initial press conference, he
brought up SDI without being asked about it. His friend
from the House, Representative Jon Kyl of Arizona, sent
him a three-page letter arguing that money for Midget-
man would have to come out of SDI funds. In April,
Cheney will advise Bush on MX, Midgetman, and SDI.
Chances are, Brilliant Pebbles will be high on his agen-
da, and Bush will agree. Scowcroft may object, but his
able, and "its use of available, largely demonstrated
influence won't be enough "to turn Bush around," says
technologies would facilitate its development signifi-
a senior White House official.
cantly
It could revolutionize much of our thinking
There's another sign that SDI is alive at the Bush
about strategic defense." He said the Bush administra-
White House. In a speech on March 23, Quayle leaped
tion is committed to SDI deployment. For days before
on the Brilliant Pebbles bandwagon. "Its small size-
Quayle's speech, the text circulated at the White House.
less than 100 pounds fully fueled, barely a meter in
Neither Scowcroft nor Kanter asked Quayle to restrain
length-adapts it to low-cost launch capability and sim-
his enthusiasm for SDI or Brilliant Pebbles. Maybe they
plifies the survivability problem," he said. It's afford-
knew something.
A
2
WASHINGTON TIMES
18 APRIL 1989
Pg. 6
Bush reportedly drops
NSC Latin nominee
"Jones is a liberal Democrat - if
he's not registered, he is one," said a
By Peter LaBarbera
ble to contemplate."
GOP Latin specialist Friday; when
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
A GOP Senate aide voiced a senti-
the nomination appeared more cer-
ment shared by others when he said:
tain. "This is a kick in the face to
President Bush nominated a ca-
"We're starting to wonder who won
Republicans and people who sup-
reer diplomat to head Latin Amer-
this election."
ported Bush."
ican operations at the National Secu-
Mr. Jones is currently deputy
"They should put a conservative
rity Council yesterday but withdrew
chief of mission at the U.S. Embassy
in there or at least a known Re-
the nomination under fire from con-
in Chile. Prior to that, he held the
publican," said another expert with
servative Republicans, according to
same position in Costa Rica.
long experience in the region. "To
.GOP sources close to the NSC.
Reached in Chile yesterday after-
name Jones to this position is to com-
The nomination of George Jones,
noon, he refused to comment. State
plicate the life of Bernie Aronson
a veteran foreign service officer,
Department officials said he visited
and the administration."
provoked outrage among Republi-
Washington last week.
can Latin America specialists. Mr.
The GOP Latin specialists con-
One State official defended Mr.
Jones has been accused of having
veyed their concerns to senior for-
Jones yesterday. "I would say
worked as a "liberal activist" to un-
eign policy officials in the admin-
George Jones fits very much in line
istration over the weekend, GOP
dermine Reagan administration
with the pragmatic, results-oriented
sources said. Among those report-
policies in Central America.
approach of the Bush-[Secretary of
The president's nomination of Mr.
edly contacted was deputy National
State James] Baker foreign policy
Jones was confirmed by an adminis-
Security Advisor Robert Gates.
team," he said.
tration official, but the reported
The official dismissed much of
Constantine Menges, who held
withdrawal could not be confirmed.
the criticism of Mr. Jones as coming
the chief Latin American advisory
The party's Latin specialists had
from the "ideological side of the Re-
position at NSC under President
hoped a member of their own ranks
publican Party." His critics, he said,
Reagan, said, "When a Republican is
would be chosen to fill the NSC posi-
were upset at his role in carrying out
elected president by the American
tion as a counterweight to Bernard
a Chile policy that tilted in recent
people, he needs to appoint Republi-
Aronson, a Democrat picked to head
years toward vocal support for lib-
can foreign policy experts at key
Latin American affairs at the State
eral opposition parties seeking to
jobs at the NSC in order to make sure
Department.
end the military rule of President
he is in charge of foreign policy."
"This guy represents everything
Augusto Pinochet.
Several Republicans said Mr.
that would have been wrong in a
But Republican Latin experts,
Jones had employed "back channel"
Democratic administration in Cen-
most of whom were not willing to
methods to discredit conservative
tral America," said one Republican
speak on record, said the move was
Reagan officials in Latin America -
who worked with Mr. Jones. "To have
another sign that Mr. Bush is aban-
including former United Nations
him pop up as the administration's
doning Mr. Reagan's approach to
Ambassador Jeahe Kirkpatrick and
knowledgeable alternative liberal
Latin America and ignoring candi-
Curtin Winsor, who served as U.S.
Democrat to Aronson, an unknowl-
dates from his own party to run pol-
Ambassador to Costa Rica before be-
edgeable liberal Democrat, is horri-
icv in the hemisphere.
ing ousted after polical infighting.
17
Cheney Urges
man, Cheney essentially embraced
Cheney "looked first at the strate-
the views of the Reagan adminis-
gic necessity [for the Midgetman
tration, which last year directed the
and MX], next at the budget reality
Bush to Back
program's termination by Oct. 1.
and only later at the [missiles' rel-
But his position set the stage for
ative] political popularity."
a possible battle with some of
Until Welch's recent expression
MX Rail Plan
Bush's close advisers, such as na-
of support for deploying both mis-
tional security adviser Brent Scow-
siles, the Air Force backed only the
croft, who have strongly supported
MX railroad plan as the least expen-
the Midgetman.
sive method of obtaining missile
Midgetman Favored
Rep. Les Aspin (D-Wis.) and Sen.
mobility, an attribute the service's
Sam Nunn (D-Ga.), the respective
top leadership feels is largely un-
By Hill Is Rejected
chairmen of the House and Senate
necessary to deter a Soviet attack.
Armed Services committees, have
Consequently, it has been reluctant
also supported the Midgetman, and
to trim aircraft development and
By R. Jeffrey Smith
threatened to insist on its retention
other traditional programs to fund
Washington Post Staff Writer
in the defense budget bill.
the Midgetman.
Secretary of Defense Richard B.
During the presidential campaign
Some officials speculated yester-
Cheney has told President Bush he
last fall, Bush said that modernization
day that if Cheney's approach is
favors removing the nation's 50
of the land-based missile force was
adopted, the Bush administration
one of his top priorities and that "the
could confidently rely on Congress
new MX nuclear missiles from silos
and placing them on railroad cars to
real choice now is to find a possible
to perform the politically difficult
be shuttled around the countryside
mix between the two [missiles]."
task of cutting other programs to
in a superpower crisis, senior U.S.
Gen. Larry D. Welch, the Air
fund the Midgetman.
Force chief of staff, last month also
The SDI ballistic missile defense
officials said yesterday.
embraced a plan to deploy nuclear
program, funded at roughly $4 bil-
Cheney has also told Bush he
does not advise spending additional
missiles aboard both trucks and rail-
lion a year, is widely seen as a top
candidate for such cuts, despite its
funds now to develop and deploy on
road cars, but was publicly rebuked
trucks a smaller strategic missile,
continuing popularity among con-
by Cheney for "free-lancing."
servatives. The Joint Chiefs of Staff
the so-called Midgetman, a scheme
A senior Defense Department of-
have recommended continuing "ro-
with substantial support on Capitol
ficial, speaking on condition that he
bust research" on SDI, the least
Hill, the officials said.
not be identified, explained Cheney's
expensive of seven alternative op-
Cheney met with Bush and senior
decision by saying that "those who
tions, the officials said.
national security advisers yesterday
claimed both missiles could be pur-
to discuss the two land-based mis-
sued as a reasonable compromise
siles and the Defense Department's
just had not looked at the cost."
Strategic Defense Initiative before
The Air Force has said deploy-
departing last night for a two-day
ment of 50 of the 10-warhead MX
meeting in Brussels with defense
missiles aboard railroad cars will cost
ministers from other North Atlantic
$5.4 billion, while deployment of 500
Treaty Organization members.
Bush made no decision at the
single-warhead Midgetman missiles
aboard trucks will cost $23.55 bil-
meeting, a senior official said last
lion. Another $10 billion to $15 bil-
night.
The selection of a deployment
lion would be required to staff and
plan for U.S. land-based nuclear
maintain the missile-bearing trucks
missiles has been billed by senior
and trains at various military bases.
officials and Bush as one of the most
Those who favor the single-war-
important actions to be taken at the
head Midgetman over the multiple-
outset of his presidency.
warhead MX, including many con-
Up to $40 billion in Defense De-
gressional Democrats, reason that
partment expenditures during the
its deployment would diminish So-
next decade or so are at stake, and
viet interest in a preemptive attack,
Bush has said a national consensus
since the Soviets would theoretical-
on the issue is crucial to completion
ly have to expend at least two war-
of a new strategic arms treaty with
heads to be sure of destroying each
the Soviet Union.
U.S. Midgetman warhead.
The Bush administration is
The officials said Cheney appar-
scheduled to reveal its amendments
ently considered, but rejected, trim-
to the Reagan defense budget, in-
ming the Midgetman costs by plac-
cluding its decision on the land-
ing two warheads atop each missile,
based missiles, on Monday when
and deploying half as many. Aspin
Cheney appears before Congress.
and other Midgetman advocates
Bush must trim $10 billion from
have said this is acceptable, because
planned military expenditures to
the missiles' mobility would still
meet spending targets.
make them unattractive targets.
By declining to support funding
The senior defense official said
toward deployment of the Midget-
WASHINGTON POST, 4/19/89, p. AI
WALL STREET JOURNAL 21 APRIL 89 Pg. 2
Bush Pledges Full Cooperation in Probe
Of White House Papers on Iran, Contras
By GERALD F. SEIB
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Council meeting a few days ago, Mr.
WASHINGTON - President Bush
Cheney indicated he preferred a rail-car-
pledged "full cooperation" with lawmakers
ried version of the existing MX missile, a
investigating whether White House docu-
less costly option than building the new
ments were withheld from the Iran-Contra
Midgetman system. But National Security
committee during the Reagan administra-
Adviser Brent Scowcroft is a longtime pro-
tion, but his vague commitment won't end
ponent of the Midgetman, and the senior
the controversy.
official said the administration is debating
The president said guidelines for turn-
whether there is sufficient money in the
ing over documents had been worked out
budget to buy a combination of the two
by the Reagan administration and Con-
missiles.
gress, and added: "I would see that if any
The controversy over Iran-Contra docu-
documents are in control of this adminis-
ments arose when lawmakers who were on
tration, relevant documents, that we would
the congressional committee that investi-
live assiduously by those guidelines."
gated the scandal voiced concerns that the
But Mr. Bush questioned whether docu-
panel may not have been given access to
ments actually were withheld, and other
documents that later surfaced in the North
White House officials said that relevant
trial. The documents dealt in part with the
documents now are controlled by the Fed-
roles played by Messrs. Bush and Reagan.
eral Bureau of Investigation and archivists
and with the possibility the White House
rather than by the Bush White House.
knowingly violated congressional bans on
In a question-and-answer session with a
Contra aid, congressional investigators as-
group of reporters, Mr. Bush declined to
sert.
talk in any detail about his own role in the
White House officials maintain that the
Iran-Contra affair, saying he didn't want to
thousands of pages of documents related to
interfere with jury deliberations in the
the affair were handled by the FBI. They
trial of former White House aide Oliver
say the bureau was given the responsibility
North. But Mr. Bush seemed to pledge to
of searching the documents and determin-
talk more openly about his role at the con-
ing whether they were relevant to requests
clusion of the trial.
for information from the Iran-Contra com-
"I might have something to say on it
mittee and the independent counsel, who
when the trial is over," Mr. Bush said. But
conducted a separate investigation. And
he asserted "my conscience is clear" when
they suggest that any failure to turn over
asked about a document released at the
documents was the result of confusion by
trial indicating that, as vice president, he
the FBI or a failure by committee investi-
served as an emissary promising Hondu-
gators to properly define documents they
ras expedited U.S. aid in return for that
wanted.
country's military support of the Contras.
Committee staff members. however, as-
At the time, Congress prohibited U.S. aid
sert that they asked the White House for
to the Nicaraguan rebels.
direct access to the documents, but were
On another issue, Mr. Bush said he
refused.
hasn't yet decided whether to build the mo-
bile MX strategic missile or the smaller
Midgetman missile. The choice is one of
the biggest defense issues Mr. Bush faces,
and he said he will be "prepared very soon
to make a decision on it."
A senior White House aide said Defense
Secretary Dick Cheney hasn't yet made a
formal recommendation on the missile
LONDON FINANCIAL TIMES
21 APRIL 1989
Pg. 10
President heads for missile row
By Lionel Barber in Washington
A Republican supporter said:
A COLLISION with powerful
arguing that the missiles can
"Dick Cheney is saying there is
Congressional Democrats is
be hidden easily and so offer
nothing inherently wrong with
Midgetman, but this will be the
near for President George Bush
opportunities to cheat on arms
control treaties.
fifth consecutive year of nega-
over the issue of modernising
tive real growth in the defence
US strategic forces.
This week, Mr Richard Che-
budget. We are already cutting
The Defence Department, cit-
ney, Defence Secretary, urged
tanks, helicopters, and F-15
ing cost concerns, has recom-
Mr Bush to authorise removing
fighters - so we just cannot
mended deploying only one
the existing MX nuclear mis-
afford another mobile missile."
mobile nuclear missile, the
siles from their silos and
If Mr Bush sides with Mr
multi-warhead MX, and drop-
deploying them on railway
Cheney, he faces opposition
ping the Democrats' favourite,
trucks that could be shuttled
from two of the most powerful
the single-warhead Midgetman.
around in a time of crisis. The
Democrats in Congress: Sena-
cost is estimated at $5.4bn.
tor Sam Nunn of Georgia, the
Mr Bush said yesterday he
The Pentagon estimates
Armed Services Committee
was close to a final decision on
Midgetman would cost $25bn, a
chairman, and Mr Les Aspin,
the mobile missile issue, which
figure which some suspect is
House Armed Services Com-
has put the White House and
inflated by the US Air Force
mittee head. Both favour the
Congress at loggerheads for
which backs the MX missile. A
Midgetman which they believe
more than 10 years.
cheaper solution - to put two
is far less vulnerable to a
Mr Bush's MX decision will
warheads on each Midgetman
Soviet strike. Mr Brent Scow-
affect the US negotiating posi-
missile - appears to have been
croft, Mr Bush's national secu-
tion in the strategic arms talks
ruled out.
rity adviser, holds this view
with the Soviet Union - soon
Mr Cheney has argued that
but Mr Cheney has calculated
to resume. Washington pro-
the US cannot afford the lux-
that he will remain a broker
poses banning all mobile inter-
ury of both the MX and Midg-
rather an advocate in' the
continental ballistic missiles,
etman.
inter-agency debate.
The Washington Post
Cutback Seen in Bush
The New York Times
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
Request for 'Star Wars'
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
USA Today
By JOHN M. BRODER and MELISSA HEALY, Times Staff Writers
The Chicago Tribune
L.A. TIMES p.l P+I
WASHINGTON-I President
on flatbed rail cars would cost $5.4
Date 22 APR 1989
Bush will ask Congress for about
billion, according to the Air Force.
$4.7 billion for the "Star Wars"
"Star Wars" funding and the
anti-missile program next year,
The national security adviser
substantially less than the $5.9
choice between the MX and Midg-
spoke up forcefully in favor of the
etman have been among the most
billion President Ronald Reagan
Midgetman in a White House
requested in his final budget but
contentious weapons issues facing
the government in recent years.
meeting on Tuesday. Cheney pres-
more than most congressional
ented the Defense Department
Reagan, over the objections of
Democrats have been willing to
view that the country did not need
Democrats on Capitol Hill, advo-
spend, sources said Friday.
the small missile and could not
cated aggressive development of
afford it.
Bush's proposal would accelerate
space weapons.
work on ground-based systems of
"We have seen an opening gam-
The missile issue has congres-
rocket interceptors and continue
sional Democrats, who favor the
bit," one Defense Department offi-
research on more futuristic space-
Midgetman, on one side and the
cial said of Cheney's initial MX-on-
based weapons, but at a reduced
White House and the Air Force,
ly recommendation to the
pace from that recommended by-
which are pushing the big MX
President. "We have not seen the
Reagan. The current budget con-
final move."
missile, on the other. Congressional
tains $3.9 billion for "Star Wars,"
leaders have threatened to kill the
Cheney himself acknowledged
formally known as the Strategic,
rail-borne MX if funds for the
the possibility that his view would
Defense Initiative, or SDI.
smaller missile are deleted.
not prevail when he said Tuesday:
A key component of the Bush
"It may be we come up with some
"Star Wars" proposal would be
Avoided Contra Fight
kind of mix out of the options that
development of a weapon known as
Bush's approach to both contro-
have been provided."
"brilliant pebbles," swarms of
versies parallels his strategy on
Also on Friday, Cheney met with
small space-based interceptors de-
another point of friction with Con-
the chairmen and ranking mem-
bers of the House and Senate
signed to knock out Soviet ballistic
gress-support for the Nicaraguan
missiles headed toward the United
rebels. He avoided a bruising fight
Armed Services committees and
on the Contras early in his Admin-
defense appropriations subcommit-
States.
Because of budget constraints,
istration by cutting a deal with
tees to discuss the missile question
congressional leaders before an-
and his budget priorities. Among
however, the entire "Star Wars"
program will be pushed back about
nouncing a formal policy.
the congressional leaders were
two years, officials said. The earli-
One Administration official, a
staunch Midgetman advocates, in-
est. possible deployment of any
strong MX advocate, called the
cluding Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.),
proposed missile compromise "pre-
Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) and
components-probably ground-
emptive surrender." He com-
Rep. Les Aspin (D-Wis.).
based-is now set for sometime
plained that such deals only em-
None of the participants would
after the year 2000, they said.
bolden congressional Democrats to
comment on the session. Officials
On another major weapons ques-
meddle in executive branch deci-
familiar with the meeting said that
tion, Defense Secretary Dick Che-
sion-making.
Cheney had sounded out the law-
ney is struggling to craft a political
Cheney met with Bush and Na-
makers on a possible compromise
deal with congressional leaders on
which of two land-based nuclear
tional Security Adviser Brent
on the missile issue but, did not
Scowcroft Friday to discuss a plan
commit the Administration to
missiles to build, the 10-warhead
to keep both missiles alive.
funding the Midgetman.
MX transported on rail cars or the
A possible compromise that was
single-warhead Midgetman carried
Aide Favors Small Missiles
on trucks.
Sources said Friday that the
Scowcroft has long supported
Administration is likely to ask for
small mobile missiles because they
present an unattractive target for
CONTINUED
immediate deployment of the MX
the Soviet military, which would
on rail cars and, in a compromise
first have to find them and then
with congressional Democrats, to
expend a large number of warheads
seek funds to continue develop-
to destroy them. He was chairman
ing-but not to deploy-the Midg-
of a 1983 commission that urged
etman.
building a mobile single-warhead
Cheney had recommended to
missile as a means of ensuring the
Bush that Midgetman be killed
survivability of the nation's land-
because of its $24-billion price.
based missile force.
Pulling the existing 50 MX missiles
from their silos and placing them
Page
16.
2
discussed would be to take about
$300 million of the savings from the
"Star Wars" cutback and apply it to
continued work on the Midgetman,
sources said. The program could be
kept alive at that funding level for
several years, with the cost rising
later if the government decided to
deploy the missiles, Pentagon offi-
cials said.
Rising Costs Cited
But defense experts warned that
stretching out weapons programs
increases their cost and often pro-
duces weapons that are obsolete by
the time they are fielded. The Air
Force has warned that a decision
will have to be made immediately if
the Midgetman is to be deployed by
the mid-1990s.
Sen. J. James Exon (D-Neb.)
said that a compromise linking a
rail-mobile MX with a limited
Midgetman development program
"would be unbeatable
I
think he could win with this.
But, if Bush does not bend, he
said, congressional partisans of the
Midgetman are likely to override
him and retaliate against the rail-
garrison program.
17.
39
OFFICIALS SAY BUSH
Setback for Cheney
ate after a surprise nuclear attack.
The decision to go ahead with both
Midgetman supporters aruged that
weapons programs runs counter to the
putting Mr. Cheney's recommendation
advice of Mr. Cheney, who had recom-
to put MX missiles on rail cars was not
WILL BACK A FORCE
mended that Mr. Bush cancel the Midg-
sufficient. This is because the United
States would need to have several
etman program, which he said was too
hours of warning so that it could effec-
expensive. He advised instead that the
OF MOBILE MISSILES
tively disperse the rail cars.
United States move its MX missiles
In addition, Midgetman supporters
from silos onto rail cars, which would
argue, that dispering the rail cars in a
be far less costly.
crisis could alarm the Soviets and fur-
The decision to proceed with both
ther inflame tensions.
MAJOR SECURITY DECISION
programs comes at a time when the
But supporters of Mr. Cheney's view,
Pentagon is cutting its spending plans
argued that the United States would
for many weapon systems.
likely have advance intelligence warn-
The Administration is expected to
ings of a possible attack. They also
President Backs Spending on
announce its position on new land-
noted the United States keeps strategic
based missiles next week when Mr.
submarines at sea to guard against the
Multi-Warhead MX and
risk of surprise attack and expressed
Cheney submits the Administration's
concern over the high cost of the Midg-
military budget to Congress.
etman.
Smaller Midgetman
Concern in Congress
The Air Force has estimated that it
would cost more than $20 billion to de-
Under the Administration's plans,
velop a force of 500 Midgetman mis-
the United States force of 50 MX mis-
By MICHAEL R. GORDON
siles. This does not include the cost of
siles will be taken out of their silos and
Special to The New York Times
maintaining and operating missiles.
put on rail cars, officials said tonight.
WASHINGTON, April 21 - Presi-
The United States will also continue
Backing of State Dept.
dent Bush has decided to proceed with
with the development of a force of
The State Department had favored
the development of a mixed force of
Midgetman missiles.
deploying a mixed force of MX mis-
mobile land-based missiles, Adminis-
Administration officials would not
siles on rail cars and Midgetman mis-
tration officials said today.
provide some specific details of Mr.
siles, arguing that it would improve
The force would consist of 10-war-
Bush's decision, such as the cost of the
strategic stability and help the Admin-
head MX missiles on mobile rail cars,
istration develop a consensus on land-
program and the exact number of
instead of silos where they are now
based missiles with the Congress. This,
Midgetman missiles that might ulti-
in turn, could improve the prospects
based. The Administration will also
mately be deployed. Final decisions on
for ratification of a new strategic arms
proceed with the development of a
deployment do not have to be made
agreement,
smaller truck-borne missile, the Midg-
until development of the missile is
Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Larry
etman, which can carry one or two
completed. Some Pentagon officials
D. Welch, discussed a compromise plan
warheads.
suggested that the United States might
with Congressional leaders last month
The decision on land-based missiles
eventually decide not to follow
that called for taking 50 MX missiles
was one of the most important national
throught with the program.
out of silos and putting them on rail
security decisions before the Bush Ad-
cars. The United States would also de-
The Administration decision to pro-
ministration, and it is likely to be fur-
ploy a force of 300 Midgetman missiles
ceed with a mixed force of MX missiles
ther debated in Congress before final
on truck-like vehicles under the plan
and Midgetman missiles follows strong
discussed by General Welch.
budgetary decisions are approved.
Congressional concerns over Mr.
Mr. Bush's decision followed intense
Question of Risk
Cheney's recommendation to cancel
the Midgetman program.
high-level deliberations throughout the
Driving the debate, which has been
day.
Senator Sam Nunn, the chairman of
argued since the Carter Administra-
the Senate Armed Services Committee,
Mr. Bush met in the morning with
tion, has been concern over the vulner-
warned the Administration that Mr.
Mr. Cheney; Secretary of State Baker;
ability of American land-based mis-
Cheney's recommendation would be a
Mr. Scowcroft and John H. Sununu, the
siles, housed in concrete silos, to Soviet
"hard sell" in the Congress. And Rep-
White House Chief of Staff.
attack.
resentative Les Aspin, the chairman of
Mr. Bush and these senior officials
Proponents of mobile missiles say
the House Armed Services Committee
continued their deliberations in the af-
they would be less vulnerable to a
issued a similar warning.
ternoon.
Soviet attack. Both systems of mobile
Supporters of the Midgetman mis-
Then Mr. Cheney returned to the
missiles have supporters, and Mr.
sile, which would be mounted on a
White House in the late afternoon
Bush's proposal appears in part to be a
truck-like vehicle, argued that the
where he met again with Mr. Scowcroft
political compromise.
weapon was needed to help improve
and Mr. Sununu.
the United States's capability to retali-
Mr. Bush's position was disclosed
after he met this afternoon to discuss
the issue with top aides, including Sec-
retary of State James A. Baker 3d, De-
fense Secretary Dick Cheney and the
White House national security adviser,
Brent Scowcroft. Mr. Scowcroft was a
strong public advocate of the Midget-
man program, before he took office.
NEW YORK TIMES, 4/22/89, p. 1
Quayle in the Spotlight:
A New Model for No. 2
By MAUREEN DOWD
NYT 4-24 A14
Special to The New York Times
WASHINGTON, April 23 - After last
agreements on policy, he said in a re-
November's election, Dan Quayle
cent interview, adding that his only
started shopping at Arthur Adler's,
latitude was in emphasis.
George Bush's favorite men's store, for
Mr. Quayle's approach cuts two
a tuxedo and some conservative suits.
ways. On the one hand, he is emerging
He began describing himself in inter-
as a No. 2 with his own personality. At
views as a spontaneous sort of person
the same time, the spotlight throws his
who liked to add off-the-cuff events to
strengths and weaknesses into relief.
his schedule.
The Vice President is shoring up his
He even took to parroting some of
knowledge of foreign policy issues and
Mr. Bush's trademark phrases, like
has surrounded himself with a staff
"That's history" and, at the beginning
that many inside and outside the White
of a response to a question, "Let me
House describe as solid. In public
help you with that."
speeches, Mr. Quayle can be forceful at
But as Vice President Quayle pre-
times and at other times he seems
pares to depart Monday on his second
timid and hesitant, especially when he
big foreign trip, a 12-day tour of Aus-
deviates from the prepared text.
tralia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thai-
Preference for Visibility
land, he is doing more than following
what Republicans fondly call "the
The Vice President operates with a
George Bush playbook."
higher level of visibility than Mr. Bush
Instead, as Mr. Quayle shapes his
did, which puts him in a position to
persona and is shaped by a cadre of
rebut the campaign criticism that he
lacked Presidential timbre and had a
policy and political experts around
him, he is creating "the Quayle model"
pattern of using his golden-boy charm
and family influence to cut corners.
been able to comfort Mr. Quayle about
of the office.
If Mr. Quayle does well, Mr. Bush
the bad publicity by telling him this:
A Different No. 1-No. 2 Chemistry
can appease conservative groups and
"If you take any bad story written
Working for President Reagan, Mr.
better justify a selection that continues
about you and erase in your mind the
Bush was a silent, subservient Vice
to be a widely debated mystery in
name Dan Quayle and go back one year
Democratic and Republican circles.
and put my name in there, it would
President. A former rival to his chief,
"Bush knew he owed Quayle some
read the same. That's exactly the kind
Mr. Bush showed his loyalty by staying
rehabilitation because after he was se-
of treatment I was getting when I first
in the background and never speaking
entered the Presidential campaign."
out about things on which he differed
The President and Vice President
from his boss. In his own White House,
lunch together once a week, usually on
Mr. Bush is encouraging a different
Thursdays. They meet every morning
chemistry with the man who has taken
his place.
Higher visibility,
in a briefing with the national security
adviser, Brent Scowcroft, and the
Mr. Quayle's stronger, more conser-
vative rhetoric in speeches on such
unlike Bush
White House chief of staff, John H.
Sununu, and in a second meeting with
subjects as human rights, the Soviet
Mr. Sununu on the day's agenda.
Union, Central America and the "im-
under Reagan.
Mr. Quayle has sought friendships
perial" Congress adds a dash of cay-
with mentors, as he has throughout his
enne to the Administration's bland cau-
career. He has become friendly with
tion. And, the Vice President has also
lected, with reporters in a frenzy, the
Mr. Sununu, who seeks out the Vice
emerged as the most vocal defender of
Israel in the Administration's inner
Bush organization clamped down and
President for his opinion on how for-
circle.
took away the tools that got Quayle to
mer Congressional colleagues of Mr.
"Quayle brings a bit of an ideological
the Senate - his ability to communi-
Quayle's are leaning on White House
cate and talk to people directly," said a
initiatives, and with Richard G. Dar-
edge that Bush appreciates and knows
White House official.
man, the director of the Office of Man-
is good for him," said a White House of-
The official was recalling the Bush
agement and Budget.
ficial.
Mr. Bush, who likes colloquies and
Mr. Quayle seems to have gone a
campaign's effort to silence Mr.
step too far in comments after the Sen-
Quayle in the face of cascading disclo-
consensus governing, encourages Mr.
ate defeat of John G. Tower's nomina-
sures at the Republican convention
Quayle to attend the Presidential
staff's domestic and economic policy
tion for Defense Secretary. He accused
that Mr. Quayle had used family influ-
the Democrats of McCarthyite tactics
ence to get into the National Guard dur-
planning meetings and to attend strat-
egy sessions in the Oval Office.
even as Mr. Bush was reaching out a
ing the Vietnam War and to get into
"I have the right to go into his office
conciliatory hand. Mr. Bush distanced
law school despite mediocre grades.
any time I want to," Mr. Quayle told a
himself from that speech, and Quayle
Why did Mr. Bush select the two-
gathering of newspaper editors recent-
aides conceded afterward that a failure
term Indiana Senator? Even Mr.
ly. "I can have a one-on-one meeting
in communications between the two of-
Quayle said that Mr. Bush has never
any time."
fices had left the Vice President out on
fully explained it to him. The Vice
In the interview in his office, the Vice
a rhetorical ledge.
President, with a mock shiver at the
President went further. "I had hoped
Mr. Quayle pulled his head in as
thought of finding out, said over a
for there to be a genuiness and close-
swiftly as a snapping turtle. While he
chicken salad lunch in his ornate office
ness extended to me, but the warmness
said the Vice President can utter
that he believed he was chosen for his
and the warmth is more than perhaps I
things that the President cannot, he
political views and added that he was
had anticipated," he said.
said he does not want to be viewed by
just grateful to be there.
"He treats us as family, as part of
Republicans as a showboat or a fire-
Sheila Tate, Mr. Bush's former press
the extended Bush family," Mr. Quayle
brand.
secretary, said recently that he told
said, adding with a grin, "That's a
"There's no wiggle room" for
her at a White House dinner that he had
rather large family, of course."
WASHINGTON TIMES
Mrs. Thatcher, West Germany's
Bonn's flip-flop
leaders were meeting at about the
same time in what was reportedly a
stormy session that led to a near
break-up of the three-party govern-
threatens NATO
ing coalition. News of the meeting
leaked Friday afternoon, nearly a
week before Chancellor Kohl was
scheduled to announce Bonn's new
position.
By James Morrison
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
They have been seeking Bonn's
Mr. Kohl, whose Christian Demo-
agreement to replacement of 88
crats had opposed talks on short-
LONDON West Germany has
Lance missiles based in West Ger-
range missiles, apparently was
underlined deep divisions in the
many as the short-range weapons,
forced to reverse himself in order to
Western military alliance as Bonn's
developed in the 1960s, approach the
prevent a walkout by one of his coali-
foreign and defense ministers meet
end of their useful life.
tion partners, the Free Democrats,
with President Bush in Washington
led by Foreign Minister Hans-
today and as Brit-
However, many West Germans,
Dietrich Genscher.
ish Prime Min-
whose country has served as NATO's
NEWS
ister Margaret
main staging area and training
Polls and recent local elections
ANALYSIS
Thatcher girds
ground for 40 years, feel the threat
show Mr. Kohl's popularity is declin-
for a showdown
of war in Europe is dwindling.
ing and his chances of winning re-
with Chancellor Helmut Kohl next
election next year are uncertain.
On Thursday, defense ministers of
week.
Some observers predict a possible
NATO's Nuclear Planning Group,
new coalition between the Free
Mr. Kohl's governing coalition re-
meeting in Brussels, Belgium,
Democrats and the anti-NATO
versed on Friday a position taken
agreed to endorse the existing
Greens which could capitalize on
less than 24 hours earlier and de-
NATO pósition that says the missiles
growing anti-nuclear sentiment in
cided to call for talks with the Soviet
"must be kept up to date where nec-
West Germany, where Soviet Pres-
Union on the possible elimination of
essary." The statement was seen as
ident Mikhail Gorbachev's so-called
short-range nuclear missiles.
papering over NATO disagreements
"charm" offensive has had its great-
before next month's summit of the
The North Atlantic Treaty Orga-
est success.
nization allies officially oppose such
leaders of the 16 allies, at which the
Bush administration seeks a firm
A British Defense Ministry offi-
talks unless they follow agreement
decision on modernization of the
cial was quoted here as describing
on cutting the Soviet Union's superi-
missiles.
the shift in the German position as
ority in tanks, planes and other con-
an "unqualified triumph for Gorba-
ventional armed forces and chem-
Mr. Cheney expressed what has
chev's policy of courting West Ger-
ical weapons.
now become premature satisfaction
man public opinion with the aim of
Last week, U.S. Defense Secretary
with keeping West Germany in line
splitting the allies on key policy."
Richard Cheney rejected an April 12
with the NATO position.
Mr. Genscher and the new de-
Warsaw Pact proposal to open nego-
"I was pleased to reach as much
fense minister, Gerhard Stoltenberg,
tiations to eliminate short-range
of an agreement as we did," he told
are to meet Mr. Bush, Mr. Cheney,
missiles.
reporters on the flight back to Wash-
National Security Adviser Brent
London and Washington consider
ington.
Scowcroft and Secretary of State
the short-range missiles a deterrent
James Baker III.
But unknown to Mr. Cheney and
to all-out war with the Soviet Union.
The announcement of their trip
followed what was described as an
"intensive" telephone conversation
between Mr. Kohl and President
Bush on Friday.
Mrs. Thatcher's aides said over
the weekend that she will fly to West
Germany next Sunday to confront
Mr. Kohl over the U-turn.
She is expected to argue strongly
that early negotiations on short-
range missiles will undermine
NATO's chances of securing cuts in
Soviet conventional and chemical
forces.
In the United States yesterday, Mr.
Cheney re-stated Washington's oppo-
sition to negotiating a reduction or
elimination of short-range nuclear
weapons in an appearance on NBC
Television's "Meet the Press."
"We need to have the capacity for
flexible response," he said. "Nuclear
weapons have been the main offset
to overwhelming Soviet conven-
tional supriority for 40 years in Eu-
rope.
"The Soviets have always wanted
to denuclearize Europe. That's still
their goal and objective. And if we
embark now on short-range nuclear
force negotiations, there's a very
real danger we'd end up in that posi-
tion."
-47-
Future of Euromissiles
splits U.S., W. Germany
By Thomas J. Breen
Baker left no doubt that the two
warned against engaging in new nu-
and Peter Almond
sides failed to agree.
clear talks with the Soviets.
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
"They [the West Germans] ex-
State Department spokeswoman
plained their positions, [and] we ex-
Margaret Tutwiler said at a noon
The United States and West Ger-
plained ours," Mr. Baker said. "As a
press briefing, "We think it would be
many failed to reach agreement yes-
result, we understand their position
a mistake to engage in arms control
terday after more than five hours of
better, and they understand ours bet-
negotiations on SNF [short-range
tough negotiations on whether to
ter. We will continue our discussions
nuclear forces]."
modernize short-range nuclear
in an effort to reach an agreement
Mr. Cheney was even more ada-
weapons in Europe or negotiate with
within the alliance."
mant. calling such talks a "serious
the Soviet Union to scrap them.
mistake."
The brevity and terseness of Mr.
The failure to end the split be-
In a midday speech at Fort
Baker's statement "is a clear indica-
tween major NATO allies threatens
McNair, he said "there have been
tion that things went very badly," one
to disrupt an upcoming summit of
calls for negotiations with Moscow
foreign diplomat said late yesterday.
Western alliance leaders scheduled
over a third zero option. We must not
in Brussels, Belgium, next month.
But a spokesman for the West
fall into this dangerous trap. One of
German Embassy said that Mr.
the Kremlin's primary goals re-
In a brief three-page statement
Genscher, who left Washington for
mains the denuclearization of Eu-
after a meeting among Secretary of
home last night, "felt encouraged by
rope. Given this goal, and the peril-
State James A. Baker III, Defense
the intense discussion." Mr. Gen-
ous circumstances that could follow
Secretary Richard Cheney and Na-
scher and Defense Minister Stolten-
in its train if it is achieved, the alli-
tional Security Adviser Brent Scow-
berg are scheduled to meet this
ance [NATO] must maintain the will
croft and West German Foreign
morning in Bonn with Chancellor
to resist the call for a third zero."
Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher
Helmut Kohl.
A triple zero option is arms con-
and Defense Minister Gerhard Stol-
In almost identical terms, both the
trol jargon for elimination of strate-
tenberg at the State Department, Mr.
State and Defense departments
gic, intermediate and short-range
missiles from Europe.
Mr. Bush yesterday said that Mr.
The official position of NATO has
German public expressing its in-
Kohl "knows my view that there
creasing opposition to moderniza-
long been that some nuclear deter-
must not be any unilateral fait ac-
tion and growing desire to negotiate.
rent is indispensable to offset the
compli here."
huge Soviet advantage in men and
The issue seemed at least papered
manpower in Europe their own
After the weekend phone talk with
over last Thursday in Brussels when
home court.
Mr. Bush. Mr. Kohl dispatched Mr.
NATO's Nuclear Planning Group is-
Genscher and Mr. Stoltenberg to
sued a statement saying the missiles
On Friday, however, the Germans
Washington. Mr. Bush, who traveled
should be "kept up to date where
dropped a bombshell, calling for
yesterday to Norfolk for the memo-
necessary" but said nothing about
talks with the Soviets aimed at the
rial ceremony for the 47 sailors
producing or deploying a new gen-
possible elimination of short-range
killed on the USS Iowa, was not avail-
eration of the weapon.
missiles.
able to meet with the Germans.
"I was pleased to reach as much
The U.S. has argued that the mis-
The issue of modernization of
of an agreement as we did." Mr.
siles represent a deterrent to all-out
short-range nuclear weapons has di-
Cheney told reporters on a flight
war in Europe and should be up-
vided the alliance seriously since
back to Washington from Brussels.
dated without entering into discus-
February, when Mr. Kohl switched
But the issue erupted only a few
sions with the Soviets.
gears and indicated in an interview
hours later when the tripartite Bonn
Over the weekend, President
that he favored postponement of a
government held a stormy meeting
Bush talked to the West German
decision on modernizing short-
that observers said almost led to a
chancellor and later to British Prime
range missiles until 1991 or 1992.
breakup of the coalition. At that
Minister Margaret Thatcher to at-
point, Mr. Kohl called for talks on
The short-range missile, known
eliminating the missiles, a conces-
tempt to resolve the crisis. The
as the Lance, is the backbone of
sion to Mr. Genscher's leftist Free
phone calls were described by sev-
NATO's nuclear arsenal in Europe.
eral diplomats as "very, very in-
Democrats, who have strongly advo-
Eighty-eight of the missiles are posi-
tense."
cated a conciliatory approach to the
tioned in West Germany, with the
Soviets.
WASHINGTON TIMES, 4/25/89, P.A-7
CLEVELAND PLAIN-DEALER
25 APRIL 1989
Pg. B6
Splitting the difference
I weapons policy,Policy,P In weapons policy, Bush has mapped
decision on U.S. nuclear
have-it-all approach to military spending
rushed to buy the latest hardware without
a cautious, but promising, two-track strategy. As
deciding how to deploy it.
part of the new administration's review of secu-
Thus the United States is now saddled with
rity policy, Bush has recommended deployment
the worst of all possible weapons: the fixed-silo
of two different land-
MX. As a Reagan-era
based strategic missile
commission headed by
systems. But he has sig-
Scowcroft (then a
naled a major policy
retired Air Force gen-
change by insisting that
eral) realized, the MX is
both systems be mobile.
a missile without a mis-
The decision to build
sion: In fixed silos, the
the Midgetman missile
mammoth MX is just as
is an important step
vulnerable as its prede-
forward, for it may
cessor, the Minuteman;
reduce U.S. reliance on
but it is perceived by
the most illogical
the Soviet Union as a
weapon of the nuclear
greater threat to its
age: the destabilizing
deterrent force. As an
MX missile.
inviting target for a
Splitting the differ-
Soviet pre-emptive
ence between the two
strike, the MX under-
missiles-the 10-warhead MX and the one-or
mines strategic stability.
two-warhead Midgetman-will fully satisfy nei-
Scowcroft has the right idea: Eventually the
ther side in this arcane strategic' debate.
smaller, less vulnerable Midgetman should
Although they both recognized the deterrent
become the backbone of the U.S. deterrent, and
value of having mobile missiles, Defense Secre-
the MX should be bargained away in exchange
tary Richard Cheney preferred a plan (first
for Soviet reductions in the heavy SS-24 mis-
advanced by the Carter administration) to base
siles. If Mikhail Gorbachev is as sincere as he
the MX on railroad cars, while National Secu-
claims to be about arms negotiations, an MX
rity Adviser Brent Scowcroft (like many
tradeoff for the SS-24 could be feasible.
detente-minded congressional Democrats) advo-
Reviving the rail-mobile MX is regrettable:
cated a deployment of Midgetmen hauled on
The idea is sure to provoke opposition, as it did
trucks.
during the Carter era. But as an interim step.
Deploying both the truck-borne Midgetman
preparing for the day when deterrence relies
and rail-based MX risks expensive duplication.
on the Midgetman. it is wise to put the MX in a
But the plan may be the least awkward way for
less dangerous basing mode. Now that he has
Bush to wriggle out of a nuclear-arms dilemma
adopted this cautious strategy, President Bush
bequeathed by the Reagan era. Rather than
can get on with his most vital task: pursuing an
design and build weapons based on a coherent
arms-reduction treaty to stabilize the nuclear
strategic plan, the Reagan Pentagon's you-can-
standoff at a lower level of risk.
Coach Bush's Starting Lineup
SJ Ly-26 A/b
By ALBERT R. HUNT
and Caspar Weinberger under Ronald Rea-
together; the chip that the former New
When Darrell Royal, the highly success-
gan, the congeniality of this trio is striking.
Hampshire governor sometimes wears on
ful University of Texas football coach, was
Even when they disagree, as Messrs.
his shoulder is displayed more often when
asked on the eve of his team's national
Cheney and Scowcroft did on the MX and
it doesn't much matter, such as with the
championship Cotton Bowl game against
Midgetman missiles, it's done with a per-
press, than in the more important councils
Notre Dame in 1970 whether he would
sonal and professional civility lacking in
of government. But in Republican circles
kall
change his staid offense, he answered:
earlier administrations.
on Capitol Hill, concern persists over the
"We're going to dance with the girl who
On the domestic side, the fledgling ad-
political agility of the White House staff,
brung us."
ministration benefits from a rich diversity.
and Mr. Sununu would be well advised to
The sideline critics asking President
There are several idea-generators, princi-
shore his political operations.
Bush to lay out a more sweeping agenda
pally Jack Kemp at the Department of
Nevertheless, Mr. Sununu - probably
for the nation or provide more vision-"th
Housing and Urban Development and drug
the only person in the administration with
Soumal
vision thing" as Mr. Bush once awkwardly
czar Bill Bennett-perfect types to address
an IQ higher than Mr. Darman's-is no
called it-would do well to recall Coach
seemingly intractable problems. Jack
Donald Regan; he's an includer rather
Royal's advice. In the biggest game of his
Kemp is throwing out more ideas on urban
than an excluder.
life, George Bush is better off being what
poverty and unrest than the interceptions
Of course, the key is how George Bush
he is than trying to be somèthing that he
he threw during his career as a profes-
will react when times get tough, in a crisis.
never has been.
sional quarterback.
On the domestic side, the sham of a budget
4-26
After 100 days in office, it's clear that
These are balanced by some exception-
accord put together this year will give way
this president doesn't have an overarching
ally able men of governance, such as At-
to the necessity for some very tough deci-
sense of where he wants to take the coun-
sions next year, and odds are he'll face
try; he frequently is reactive. But that's
More than his recent
a recession sometime in this term.
exactly the way he was in the many jobs
In foreign policy, the tests could come
he held before 1988. The Bush campaign
predecessors, he has sur-
most anywhere. To the dismay of conser-
last year certainly didn't lay groundwork
rounded himself with ca-
vatives, the president will have to deal
for any bold moves.
with the Democratic Congress in all these
But we've had 41 presidents, and you
can count on both hands the number of vi-
pable men and women
issues; that's a price of having failed to
win any policy mandate last November.
sionaries-though, unfortunately for the in-
who bring diverse talents.
One Important Experience
cumbent, one would be his immediate pre-
decessor. But if George Bush isn't any
So far, they have avoided
In such times, we won't be able to count
Thomas Jefferson, it's also clear that he's
on President Bush to inspire citizens and
a very decent, rather open man with a
most petty back-biting.
rally public support. If the first 100 days
strong sense of values, and that he is more
are any guide, he likely will fumble and
torney General Richard Thornburgh and
self-confident and comfortable than before
falter a little at first as he tries to gather
Richard Darman, director of the Office of
he got to the Oval Office.
his bearings. Yet, while a compromiser,
Management and Budget. There have been
the president isn't likely to be the patsy
An Impressive Collection
few public officials in modern times who
that liberals hoped for; on issues ranging
That may be enough to be a pretty good
combine Mr. Darman's knowledge of pol-
from his no-tax-hike pledge this year to
president. More than his recent predeces-
icy with his sense of politics, an observa-
loyalty to political supporters, Mr. Bush
sors, he has surrounded himself with capa-
tion that the budget director-a total
has shown more resolve than critics ex-
ble men and women
stranger to self doubt-no doubt believes
pected.
who bring diverse
understates his talents.
On the other hand, when he does make
talents. So far at
And there have been some pleasant sur-
a decision, the odds also are that it'll be
least, they have
prises. As Alan Murray reported in this
carried out competently by able lieuten-
avoided most of the
newspaper last week, Treasury Secretary
ants. And, based on one important experi-
petty back-biting
Nick Brady, the object of numerous pri-
ence, this is a man who knows how to
that, without a
vate barbs and invidious comparisons to
cut his losses. That was evident after the
strong leader, crip-
his predecessor, Jim Baker, is emerging
John Tower debacle-within 24 hours he
ples government.
as an unlikely star of the embryonic ad-
selected the immensely popular Rep.
In foreign policy,
ministration. He's moving ahead in some
Cheney and the Tower fiasco was almost
James Baker at
critical areas, such as the savings and loan
forgotten.
State,
Richard
crisis and Third World debt, where the
The Bush administration seems unlikely
Cheney at Defense
much heralded Mr. Baker faltered. Trans-
to serve as a rallying point for either con-
and Brent Scowcroft
portation Secretary Sam Skinner already
servative champions or liberal opponents.
at the National Secu-
is the designated crisis hitter for this ad-
President Bush
Passion will be in as short supply as a bold
rity Council are the
ministration, rapidly becoming a real force
agenda or a vision.
most impressive collection of policy
in this town.
That may relegate George Bush to the
makers in decades. Jim Baker is unsurpas-
To be sure, the administration has its
ranks of mediocrity. But Darrell Royal
sed as a political operative, and Brent
dimmer lights. Interior Secretary Manuel
never inspired much passion either. And
Scowcroft combines unusual personal in-
Lujan's main contribution has been an
he won 11 conference and three national
tegrity and professional competence. Dick
early junket to Guam and American Sa-
championships. He also beat Notre Dame
Cheney possesses all of these traits.
moa. The jury is still out on some new-
in that Cotton Bowl contest, dancing with
Moreover, considering the hostility be-
comers such as Health and Human Serv-
the girl who brung him.
tween Cyrus Vance and Zbigniew Brze-
ices Secretary Louis Sullivan.
zinski in the Carter administration or the
John Sununu, the White House chief of
Mr. Hunt is the Journal's Washington
constant friction between George Shultz
staff, and the president work comfortably
bureau chief.
WALL STREET JOURNAL
24 APRIL 1989
Pg. 14
Congress-man
billion to deploy, coming on line two
or three years later than a mobile
To understand why Washington
suffers from policy gridlock, look no
MX. To placate the Hill chiefs, Mr.
further than the debate over a new
Bush has decided to build both.
land-based nuclear missile. After a
Wasn't Congress trying to cut defense
spending?
mere 10 years or so of deliberation,
Congress is still browbeating a U.S.
Now, we can understand Demo-
President into buying a nuclear mis-
cratic relief at finally supporting a
sile the Pentagon doesn't even want.
missile. But what Mr. Bush's non-de-
The debate re-emerged last week
cision doesn't do is advance U.S. nu-
when word leaked that Defense Secre-
clear strategy. Congress wants to
tary Richard Cheney had urged Presi-
spend billions on a new missile to
dent Bush to make that rare thing, a
solve a relatively small problem: a
decision. Agreeing with the military
survivable land-based missile. (We
chiefs and Reagan administration,
have bombers and submarines that al-
Mr. Cheney recommended that the 50
ready are survivable, of course.)
existing MX missiles be redeployed
But the land-based missile be-
from silos onto rail cars. The idea is
comes a great problem only if you be-
to provide more mobility, making
lieve in a world of mutual-assured de-
them more survivable in the event of
struction, or MAD, the notion that to
a Soviet first strike. This would cost
be perfectly safe from Soviet missiles
about $5.4 billion.
we must be perfectly vulnerable. If
Somehow this is just too simple
you believe in the theology of MAD,
and inexpensive a solution for
you spend billions on a new survivable
Congress's military chiefs. "A blow to
missile to continue our 40-year nu-
chances for bipartisanship in national
clear bluff.
security and more importantly to the
Mr. Cheney may understand that
chances" for arms control, said Chief
we can begin to move to a safer world
Rep. Les Aspin (D., Wis.). "It's going
if we invest instead in strategic de-
to be very hard to sell over here,"
fense. Even a modest space-based de-
chimed in Chief Sam Nunn (D., Ga.).
fense would do much more to enhance
Republican Senator John Warner, Mr.
deterrence than Midgetman. Earlier
Nunn's Deputy Chief, said ominously
this year, outgoing SDI boss James
that if Mr. Bush took this path Con-
Abrahamson concluded that a system
gress just wouldn't spend the
of interceptor-satellites known as Bril-
money.
liant Pebbles could be deployed for
The Members, you see, have their
$25 billion over five years. It's no ac-
own pet missile known as Midgetman.
cident that Mr. Aspin has said that
It really should be called Congress-
any funding for Midgetman is likely to
man, because Members of Congress
come from cuts in spending for SDI.
are just about the only people who
By speaking up after Mr. Cheney's
support it. (Though National Security
recommendation, the Congressmen
Adviser Brent Scowcroft also sup-
hoped to bully Mr. Bush into bending
ported it for years past.) It's a per-
their way. It worked. Mr. Bush has
fectly good missile, mobile because
made a non-decision typical of the
it'd be based on trucks, and in a world
way Washington now works, a non-de-
without budgets we might support it.
cision that lets everyone except the
But Midgetman would cost at least $25
taxpayer claim victory.
The Problems of Policy Reviews
are especially vulnerable to deci-
admission of previous error.
group the task of developing
sions made on the basis of the
By David D. Newsom
Policy reviews generally start
particular initiative. The polic
budgets of the respective armed
with the preparation of position
formation process has taken a re
services. A strategy may not be
papers, under a National Security
atively short time, thus reducin
the result of a detached view of
Council directive, and, possibly,
the opportunities for the prema
HE Bush administration is
T
what may be best for the United
in response to certain specific
ture exposure of conclusions be
now in the midst of an
States; instead it is likely to be a
questions posed by a president.
fore an administration is ready
extensive review of US
compromise in which roles and
Through endless drafts and meet-
The opening to the People's Re
foreign and security policy. De-
budgets are preserved for each
ings, the varied assessments and
public of China, for example
tails are being periodically re-
service on a more or less equal
positions are brought closer to-
came about through such a
vealed to reporters. The formal
basis.
gether in order to present a realis-
process.
conclusions are expected in May.
Because of the fear that con-
tic and coherent set of choices. In
Administrations that set out,
Not only do people in the
clusions or partial conclusions
that process, however, creative
with some fanfare, to review pre-
United States await the outcome,
may leak out prematurely, policy
thinking is often discarded in the
decessors' policies raise expecta-
but so do allies and adversaries in
reviews are often confined to a
search for consensus.
tions that, if not met, can lead to
Europe. As one who has in past
relatively small number of offi-
The current policy review
disappointment and political em-
years participated in policy re-
cials. Experts in relevant fields
takes place at a critical time. The
barrassment. In the case of the
views, I hope the results are
may be consulted only on partial
diplomatic and strategic initia-
Bush administration, if no new
worth the anticipation. I am not
aspects, or they may be shut out
tives of Mikhail Gorbachev chal-
initiatives result, some will be
sanguine that that will be the case.
altogether.
lenge the premises on which this
pleased by a continuation of the
IV
It is not easy to shift the gears
When a new administration
nation's post-World War II poli-
policies of the Reagan years, but
of US policy. The process re-
enters office, the primary players
cies have been founded. The ad-
others will see the administration
quires broad consultation -
will be those who have entered
ministration has made it clear
as devoid of ideas or of the cour-
within the executive, the Con-
government only after the elec-
that it will not be rushed to re-
age to pursue new directions.
gress, and with allies. Premature
tion. Some, such as Brent
spond to the Moscow actions. At
Perhaps the Bush administra-
disclosures of conclusions often
Scowcroft, the national security
the same time, decisions are re-
tion policy review will prove that
frustrate the process.
adviser, may have prior experi-
quired on positions for conven-
past experience is not a guide,
A major policy review in the
ence, but that is not the case with
tional arms talks, strategic arms
and the nation will see new and
US government suffers from
all. Those who have been in a
negotiations, and longer-range
imaginative responses to the cur-
many handicaps. Each represent-
former administration may tend
budget priorities.
rent situation. The experience of
ative of a bureaucratic element
to oppose new directions on the
Important shifts in US foreign
one who has been involved in the
tends to look first at the protec-
grounds that they have been tried
and strategic policies have rarely
past suggests it will be a rare ac-
tion of "turf" those particular
before and failed or out of a sense
come through extensive policy re-
complishment if that occurs.
responsibilities and powers ac-
of identification and advocacy for
views within the bureaucracy.
quired and maintained by that de-
earlier policies. For officials to ac-
They have come about because
David D. Newsom is associate
partment or agency.
knowledge that a new policy di-
presidents have established clear
dean and director of the Institute for
Budget considerations are
rection may be possible or even
directions, have asked the tough
the Study of Diplomacy at George-
equally central. Strategic reviews
desirable can be an unwelcome
questions, or have given to a small
town University.
ATLANTA CONSTITUTION
27 APRIL 1989
Pg. 19
Popular 'Gorbachev Show'
Requires Clever Rejoinder
as if he were the stronger.
adviser. Brent Scowcroft, can man-
sumption of close relations. The
The senator notes with some be-
age the shift
prospect is for some shift of power
Someone had better, because
to a Chinese-Soviet axis. And the
Tom
musement that the number of tanks
the Soviet president has promised
absent that, the appearance of dan-
Middle East remains two sticks rub-
Teepen
to remove from East Europe unilat-
gerous fissures in NATO will be
bing together, with the Soviets less
erally is the same that Mr. Nunn
come a serious possibility.
mischievous there than in the past
two years ago proposed that NATO
but by no means part of any solu-
Indeed, we have entered an ex
tion yet, either.
negotiate to remove reciprocally.
traordinarily tricky period for U.S
What is more, the United States
And Mr. Gorbachev, Mr. Nunn
policy and interests overall.
"Amazing." "Bold." "Inno-
says, agreed to concessions in the
As Mr. Nunn notes. the United
is suddenly flying blind. unable any
longer to predict Kremlin behavior
vative."
intermediate-range nuclear forces
States has had remarkable success
Vivid words, and when they
(INF) treaty that the U.S. intelli-
in its major post-World War II
with reliability. According to Mr.
Nunn. no one in Washington had
come from Sen. Sam Nunn (D-Ga.),
gence community predicted he
goals. We have contained Soviet ex-
the foggiest idea what was going on
the ear perks up. Careful Sam Nunn
would reject. (Which adds, provoca-
pansion. (And nationalist yearnings
usually feels his way through a sen-
tively, to the growing indications
Tuesday in the unexpected meeting
in East Europe and ethnic ones
of the Communist Party Central
tence like a man reaching for a
that the INF treaty was an acciden-
within the Soviet Union might even
Committee. (Mr. Gorbachev was re-
light switch in the dark.
tal success for the Reagan adminis-
drum a small recessional.) We have
placing deadwood with more re-
tration, that the administration
Yet these were the senator's
protected access to world markets.
went into negotiations only to pla-
We have rebuilt the war-ravaged
formers. Many in Washington
words, and, even more surprisingly,
cate home-front clamors for arms-
on behalf of a Soviet leader. Mr.
economies, even of former enemies
wrongly suspected the long-sup-
control action, made demands it felt
posed counter-revolution instead.)
Nunn was talking to members of the
Japan and Germany. We have creat-
surely would be spurned and, when
ed an environment in which democ-
When the failed Soviet Union
Commerce Club at an early-morning
do yesterday, and his assessment of
they were accepted instead, was
racy and free trade are prevailing:
and its Kremlin, one of the world's
stuck with a victory it hadn't
most of the Third World has given
motherlodes of mossbacks, can pro-
Mikhail S. Gorbachev was admiring,
wanted.)
up on the Marxist model.
duce a leader who looks like the
within its limits.
As the result of the new Soviet
Yet the burden of debt in the
wave of the future, something more
Sam Nunn is not a fellow who
clever is called for from the West,
initiatives and flexibility, the Gorbo
Third World threatens to beat back
lightly gives away any respect to a
by way of response, than the rote
Soviet boss. Yet he concedes, and
show is playing particularly well in
democracy's tentative rise. Mr. Gor-
recitation of familiar and increas-
worries, that Mr. Gorbachev, al-
West Europe and, Mr. Nunn makes
bachev has reduced Soviet troops
ing irrelevant cautions.
though the Soviet Union is clearly
clear, it requires a more sophisti-
on the Chinese border, eased the
weaker than NATO, has taken the
cated U.S. rejoinder than has so far
Vietnamese out of Cambodia and
Mr. Teepen is editor of The
policy initiative away from the West
been developed. He is hopeful that
retreated from Afghanistan - meet-
Constitution's editorial pages.
President Bush's national security
ing Beijing's conditions for the re-
SMITH HEMPSTONE
The Washington Post
The New York Times
Getting it right at
The Washington Times
F3
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
the start
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
T
he first 100 days of George
Bush's understated presi-
Date 28 APR 1989
dency have not exactly
confrontation and that they must
shaken the very foundations
deal with the world as it is, rather
"The important thing is to get it
of the known world. And thank
than as how they would like it to be.
right at the start, to decide where
Heaven for that.
In this, they make a virtue of ne-
they want to end up and to resolve
The 41st president of the United
cessity, for there is precious little
how to get there.
States is by nature a cautious, unpre-
money available to fund great adven-
"The second thing to understand
tentious man who shuns the trap-
tures abroad, or to finance grandi-
at the beginning is that no American
pings of the imperial presidency. He
ose domestic programs. Given the
administration can solve all the
is not a great orator and he has trou-
necessity of reducing the budget
world's problems in four years, or
ble with what he calls "the vision
deficit, the big-spending days are
eight.
thing."
over.
"The third precept to accept is
Following on the heels of Ronald
Critics of President Bush and his
that not every problem has a solu-
Reagan, the Great Communicator,
team maintain that the White House
tion.
Mr. Bush frequently comes across
has no agenda, no strategy, no con-
"We must act decisively, lest op-
as awkward, ill at ease and inarticu-
victions and no vision. Such crit-
portunities be lost. But always, fes-
late. Who would not? But can anyone
icism, while not entirely without
tina lente; don't make a mess you
doubt that Mr. Bush is the more in-
foundation, is fundamentally super-
can't clean up."
telligent, informed and energetic of
ficial, confusing fanfare with ac-
While there are difficult and chal-
the two men?
complishment.
lenging days ahead, both at home
In any case, the first 100 days of a
In their first 100 days in office, Mr.
and abroad, Mr. Bush has come to
new administration can show dra-
Bush and his White House team have
power at a time when regional con-
matic change only when the new ad-
created a plan to rescue the battered
flicts around the world are cooling
ministration and the old are headed
savings and loan industry, fashioned
off, and there is relative prosperity
by presidents of rival parties. It
a compromise with Congress that at
and tranquility at home. Few boats
would hardly have been appropriate
least keeps the Nicaraguan Contras
are being rocked.
for Mr. Bush, having served through-
together as a force-in-being until
While there is no cause for com-
out the previous administration as
February, worked out an agreement
placency and plenty of room for im-
vice president, to have renounced
with Congress for reducing the fed-
provement (as the president would
the Reagan administration and all its
eral budget deficit and produced a
be the first to recognize), he can af-
works, embarking on new directions
revised program for dealing with
ford to take his time defining his
and articulating new policies.
Third World debt.
aims and formulating his policies.
When they voted for him, the
They have formulated a program
Mr. Bush should move with a combi-
American people were calling as
for economic aid to reformist Poland
nation of due caution and deliberate
much for continuity as for change.
and advocated new measures in the
speed to place his personal stamp on
And that is what Mr. Bush has given
areas of child care, education and
American policy. Most of the prob-
them. A time will come for new de-
ethics. None of this is world-shaking,
lems that exist tomorrow, on his
partures, but change under Mr.
but neither is it inconsequential.
100th day in office, are likely to be
Bush is likely to be incremental
Much time, energy and political
there on his 200th day.
rather than radical, building on what
capital was expended by the admin-
Carping at a president - any
has gone before.
istration in the unsuccessful attempt
president - is a time-honored sport
Lost causes and forlorn hopes are
to get John Tower confirmed as de-
within the Washington Beltway. But
the stuff of best-selling novels, but
fense secretary, slowing the filling
a mid-April New York Times/CBS
they do not make for sound public
of other posts. But as the White
News poll indicates that 61 percent
policy. The Bush foreign-policy team
House team takes shape and gains
of the American people give Mr.
- Secretary of State James A. Baker
experience in working together,
Bush high marks for his perfor-
III, National Security Adviser Brent
more productive days surely will
mance as president, and that's what
Scowcroft, Defense Secretary Rich-
come.
counts.
ard Cheney and CIA Director Wil-
It is true that time and the tides
liam Webster - are pragmatists
wait for no man, that opportunities
rather than crusaders. They under-
lost particularly in respect to poli-
stand that half a loaf can be prefer-
cies toward the Soviet Union and
able to none, that under some condi-
Eastern Europe may never come
tions conciliation is wiser than
again. But it is equally true that ill-
conceived initiatives can be counter-
productive, and poor planning can
Smith Hempstone is a nationally
produce illusory progress.
syndicated columnist.
In this space on Jan. 20 (Inaugura-
tion Day), this observer wrote:
"The motto of the Bush-Baker for-
eign policy team ought to be festina
lente: Make haste slowly.
Page
12.
ARNOLD BEICHMAN
The Washington Post
The New York Times
What isn't getting
The Washington Times
F-1
The Wall Street Journal
The Christian Science Monitor
lost in the shuffle
New York Daily News
USA Today
The Chicago Tribune
he man who helps to
final analysis, can control the Polit-
Date
T
brief President George
buro, the top decision-making body.
28 ApR 1989
Bush on what's going on
The Central Committee did just that
helped provoke the 1967 Middle East
in the world and helps
in 1957 when the then-Politburo
War; in the mid-1970s, they sup-
prepare policy options
tried to oust Nikita Khrushchev. Mr.
ported Cuban surrogate forces in
about what the United
Khrushchev then convened the en-
Angola and Ethiopia; they supplied
States ought to do about it is Robert
tire Central Committee which re-
the wherewithal for North Viet-
M. Gates, deputy assistant to the
versed the Politburo decision and he
nam's final conquest of South Viet-
president for national security af-
remained in power until October
nam; they underwrote the Sandi-
fairs. His immediate boss is National
1964.
nista revolution in Nicaragua; they
Security Adviser Brent Scowcroft,
Mr. Gates has laid out a strategy
sold $12 billion worth of weapons to
Prior to his White House assign-
agenda for the May meeting and any
Libya; they invaded Afghanistan; in
ment, Mr. Gates was deputy director
subsequent meetings. The strategy
1980-81, they forced imposition of
of the Central Intelligence Agency.
was described in a too-little-noticed
martial law in Poland and suppres-
His doctoral academic specialty was
address he made April 1 at the Cen-
sion of Solidarity and the de-
Russian history
ter for Strategic and International
struction of the dissident and human
Mr. Gates is of that school of ana-
Studies. Salient concepts from that
rights movements.
lysts who believe that ideology, even
4,000-word speech must be inter-
"And all this," says Mr. Gates,
in the era of Soviet President Mi-
preted as reflecting, in whole or
"took place against the backdrop of
khail Gorbachev, plays a major role
part, the thinking of Mr. Bush. Here
the greatest peacetime military
in the formulation of Soviet foreign
are some of the highlights of the
build-up in history."
policy. For U.S. policy-makers to ig-
Gates analysis:
Mr. Gates said he offered this
nore or to minimize the importance
"We in government, as a rule,
sketch of Soviet history "to under-
of Marxism-Leninism in the Krem-
spend too little time thinking about
score that our view of the Soviet
lin's operational code is to shackle
and planning for the future. We
Union cannot be based on the per-
policy interpretation to current cul-
spend too little time reflecting on
sonality of one or another leader, but
tural chic. His views must carry
history and experience; we neglect
must be based on the nature of the
some weight in the White House. In
strategy for tactics. The Bush ad-
Soviet
system
itself.
It
is
the
So-
a recent speech he used the pronoun
ministration is trying to resist this.
viet system itself, and the 70-year
"we" or "our" at least 15 times.
Accordingly, our reviews of the in-
continuity we see from leader to
Stimulated by former President
ternational setting and our policies
leader, from Lenin to Chernenko,
Ronald Reagan, the present fashion
are focused on the development of
and even Gorbachev, that shapes our
in thinking about the Soviet Union is
long-range strategy."
view of the U.S.S.R."
that Mr. Gorbachev is a vast im-
"Regardless of the substantial
"[W]e cannot make long-term
provement over previous Soviet
odds against him, we take seriously
decisions and devise strategies af-
leaders because Mr. Gorbachev has
Gorbachev's determination to mod-
fecting freedom and the future that
adopted Leninist rather than Stalin-
ernize the Soviet economy."
depend on the continued political (or
ist principles as part of his "peres-
The Soviet system of rule over a
even physical) survival of one man.
troika" reform program. Mr. Gates
70-year period "has brought to the
Unlike any Western or other mod-
publicly disagreed with that inter-
peoples of the old Russian empire
ern state, politics at the highest level
pretation.
suffering on a scale previously un-
in the Kremlin today are as hidden
President Bush has been the tar-
known in human history
I
believe
from public view as in generations
get of domestic critics as well as
it essential for us today to under-
past. Much has changed, but more
Gorbachev spokesmen for having
stand that this record is not confined
that is fundamental remains the
shunned. since his inauguration, ne-
to the Stalin era alone. was not the
same."
gotiations with the Soviets.
doing of a single demented leader.
"[W]hat Gorbachev has set in
For anybody to whom Bush-
but covers the entirety of Soviet his-
motion represents a political earth-
bashing is not a priority, the admin-
tory, and is the product of the very
quake
He is a figure of enormous
istration position has been fairly
nature of the system itself."
political importance. The forces he
clear: Past U.S. policies vis-a-vis the
"The popular impression of the
has unleashed are powerful. but so
U.S.S.R. need careful review and
Brezhnev period, reinforced by Gor-
are the people and institutions he
that takes time. As Secretary of
bachev, is one of doddering old men
has antagonized - thus setting in
State James A. Baker III put it,
presiding ineffectively and incom-
motion a tremendous power strug-
"When we're ready to talk, we'll
petently over a stagnating economy
gle and purge no less dramatic for
talk."
This is Western historical amne-
the absence of show trials and ter-
The time for talk will come next
sia and Soviet selectivity, if not disin-
ror."
month, May 10-11 in Moscow, espe-
formation."
cially now that Mr. Gorbachev has
In the era of "doddering" Leonid
visibly strengthened his power by
Brezhnev, the following events OC-
nd here is the crucial finding
purging 110 senior party officials, 74
curred: In 1968 the Soviets invaded
A
by one of the highest
of whom were members of the Cen-
Czechoslovakia; they attacked China
policy-making officials in
tral Committee of the Communist
along the Ussuri river, with hints of
the Bush administration,
Party. The Central Committee, in the
a nuclear attack to come; they
one who when he speaks says "we":
Page
14,
"However, elections notwith-
standing, Gorbachev's Leninism still
means the continued political mono-
poly of the Communist Party. Gorba-
chev's dictatorship of the Commu-
nist Party remains untouched and
untouchable. He seeks still a system
based on the same Leninist political
principles that guided his predeces-
sors. As he said in 1987, 'We will not
retreat an inch from the path of so-
cialism, of Marxism-Leninism."
What, then. does Mr. Bush seek
from Mr. Gorbachev's U.S.S.R.?
Nothing more than a counterrevolu-
tion. Or, according to Mr. Gates, a
Soviet Union that is pluralistic inter-
nally, non-interventionist externally,
observes basic human rights, con-
tributes to international stability and
tranquility, "and a Soviet Union
where these changes are more than
an edict from the top and are in-
dependent of the views, power and
durability of a single individual."
I read the Gates speech as a basic
state paper from George Bush to Mi-
khail Gorbachev.
Unfortunately for world peace,
the Soviet response will be a repudi-
ation of Mr. Bush's hopes for a gen-
tler, kinder U.S.S.R.
Arnold Beichman, a Hoover Insti-
tution research fellow. is a
Washington Times columnist.
15.
5
Rowland Evans and Robert Novak
Missile Misery
George Bush has privately passed the word
chev, who visits Bonn from June 12 to June
to advisers that he will not "submit" to
15?
Chancellor Helmut Kohl's call for early negoti-
Not for years has the West German gov-
ations over NATO's short-range missiles, put-
ernment lobbied members of NATO as fer-
ting the 40-year-old alliance on a collision
vently as Kohl and his top advisers are pres-
course and testing the new president's pen-
suring France, Italy and lesser allies to
chant for compromise.
reverse the American refusal to open negotia-
Compromise is not likely this time. Not only
tions. This has infuriated Britain's Prime Min-
is President Bush opposed, but Secretary of
ister Margaret Thatcher, who is just as op-
State James A. Baker III, Defense Secretary
posed to negotiations as Bush.
Dick Cheney and National Security Adviser
Believed to be allied with Kohl on the
Brent Scowcroft each strongly shares his
missile issue are Italy, Belgium, Spain, Nor-
view. Bush fears that with Mikhail Gorba-
way, Denmark and possibly France, which
chev's peace campaign in full stride, negotia-
does not want to alienate its German ally. So
tions would inevitably lead to the removal of
far, only Britain and Canada support Bush.
all short-range missiles, undermining NATO's
Even though the United States by itself
defense strategy.
dwarfs its allies militarily, German pressures
That points the alliance toward a troubling
worry the Americans.
crisis at its meeting in Brussels at the end of
This crisis began building in February when
May. What was planned for Bush as NATO's
Kohl leaked that, at the May Brussels meet-
glorious 40th birthday party may become a
ing, he would oppose any NATO decision to
summit fraught with danger. Gorbachev, cat-
replace the aging Lance missile. Baker, leav-
alyst of Kohl's split with Bush, chose this
ing on his first grand tour of Europe as
moment to show his strength by expelling
secretary of state, was caught unprepared.
Brezhnevites from the Central Committee and
ordering the start of Soviet troop withdrawals
Baker finally and benignly ended up agree-
from Hungary.
ing not to insist on any hard decision on a
Nobody expects the president's determina-
successor missile to the Lance until after the
tion to weaken, and it is taken for granted
1990 West German election. He regarded
here that the chancellor has his political future
that as a major concession to the chancellor
too much at stake to reverse position. Con-
and thought it would not only satisfy him but
vinced that short-range missile negotiations
would give him enough margin to placate
with Moscow are essential to satisfy German
Genscher. Instead, Kohl surprised Washing-
voters mesmerized by Gorbachev, Kohl
ton again by sending Genscher on his over-
stepped up pleas for talks with the Soviets in a
night trip to Washington to demand that the
recent speech to the Bundestag.
United States go- a big step further and
That followed his dramatic dispatch of For-
approve negotiations.
eign Minister Hans-Dietrich Genscher to
Bush administration policy makers privately
Washington earlier this week. Genscher holds
concede there is plenty of blame to go around
the patent on a new policy of much closer ties
as NATO seeks a way out of its missile
between Western Europe and Gorbachev's
misery, and the Reagan administration's arms
new Soviet Union.
control mania gets a big share. As a private
The future of Kohl's conservative party and
citizen, Scowcroft warned that President Rea-
Genscher's liberal party, the coalition part-
gan's treaty banning intermediate-range mis-
ners that govern West Germany, may rise or
siles could start a mindless, irreversible antin-
fall on two questions. How tough a line will
uclear stampede, cleverly encouraged by
Kohl take against Bush on the missile issue?
Gorabchev. Now Scowcroft and his boss are
How soft a line will he take toward Gorba-
trying to stop the stampede.
© 1989, North America Syndicate, Inc.
WASHINGTON POST, 4/28/89, p. A25
The Washington Post
Kissinger and Friends
The New York Times
A1
The Washington Times
The Wall Street Journal
And Revolving Doors
The Christian Science Monitor
New York Daily News
By JEFF GERTH
USA Today
with SARAH BARTLETT
The Chicago Tribune
Special to The New York Times
WASHINGTON, April 29 At a
Date
time when Washington is agoniz-
ates. But many Government offi-
30 ApR 1989
ing over how to insure that official
cials and clients of the firm have
no problem with the multiple
9Mr. Kissinger and Mr. Scowcroft,
responsibilities are adequately
as frequent unpaid members of Fed-
separated from private interests,
roles of iss principals and are
eral advisory boards, advised Presi-
the example of Kissinger Associ-
open in their support.
dent Reagan on arms control issues at
ates Inc. raises some particularly
"I think we're nuts," James D.
the same time that they worked for
thorny questions.
Robinson 3d, chairman and chief
clients involved in missile systems and
Until recently, Henry A. Kissin-
executive of the American Ex-
missile making. The two men have said
ger, a former Secretary of State,
press Company, said of the Sen-
there was no conflict, or even an ap-
pearance of a conflict, between their
and his two senior colleagues,
ate's questioning of Mr. Eagle-
Government advice and their private
Brent Scowcroft and Lawrence S.
burger over his work for Kissin-
consulting.
Eagleburger, were principals in a
ger clients. 'It's almost as though
unique enterprise. On some days,
we want to find someone who's
Firm's Activities
the three might be found discuss-
the least qualified for the job.''
ing East-West relations with top
The Kissinger group is a promi-
An Unusual Claim
American and Soviet officials or
nent instance of a pervasive
serving on Government advisory
Washington phenomenon: the "revolv-
Of Confidentiality
boards. On others, they might be
ing door." Mr. Scowcroft now serves
consulting, for substantial fees,
President Bush as national security ad-
From two discreet, unmarked offices
for some of the world's largest
viser, a post he had previously held
in New York and Washington; more
corporations on behalf of the
under President Gerald R. Ford, suc-
than 20 staff members of Kissinger As-
seven-year-old firm.
ceeding Mr. Kissinger. And Mr. Eagle-
sociates work on research and analysis
burger, who served as Under Secretary
for the presentations, mostly oral, that
The Thorny Questions
of State before becoming president of
Mr. Kissinger and his colleagues make
Through their close relation-
Kissinger Associates in 1984, recently
to their clients. For his efforts, Mr.
ships with foreign governments
stepped up to Deputy Secretary, the de-
Eagleburger earned a total of $674,000
and their extensive knowledge of
partment's second-ranking position.
last year, $214,000 of which was paid by
Kent Associates, an affiliate of the
foreign affairs, they have made a
The jobs are among the most sensi-
company that handles more specific
good living by offering geopoliti-
tive and influential in Washington. Mr.
assignments. Mr. Scowcroft made
cal insight, advice and entree to
Scowcroft now briefs President Bush
on pressing diplomatic and military
Associates. $293,000 as a consultant to Kissinger
about 30 leading global compa-
nies. Among those willing to pay
matters, and Mr. Eagleburger helps
formulate the Administration's strat-
What exactly do they do for that
$200,000 or more to be clients of
egy for East-West relations and other
much money? An executive from H. J.
Kissinger Associates are ITT,
leading issues.
Heinz said that Mr. Kissinger helped
American Express, Anheuser-
The tensions surrounding the revolv-
provide background and introductions
Busch, Coca-Cola, H.J. Heinz,
ing-door issue were at the heart of
when the company was considering
Fiat, Volvo, L. M. Ericsson, Dae-
President Bush's ethics commission.
building a baby food factory in China.
W00 and Midland Bank.
He recently adopted most of its recom-
And an executive at the Swedish bank
In a field as subtle as foreign
mendations on ways to improve the
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken, a for-
policy, can people like Mr. Kissin-
handling of conflict-of-interest issues.
mer client, attributed its early selloff of
Latin American loans to Mr. Kissin-
ger and his associates wall off
Particulars of the Debate
ger's insights.
what they know of confidential
Underlying the case of Kissinger As-
Government discussions from
Other than a few sparse anecdotes
sociates are these particulars:
like those, little is known about what
what they can legitimately advise
9In his financial disclosure state-
Kissinger Associates does for its
their corporate clients? And when
ment, Mr. Scowcroft did not list the
clients. When the Senate Foreign Rela-
people of their stature help shape
Kissinger clients he worked with or his
tions Committee first tried to elicit
Government decisions, can they
positions at the firm. The day after an
more information on the firm's activi-
ignore what they know of their
inquiry by a reporter, he amended the
ties as part of the confirmation pro-
corporate clients' interests?
statement to reflect his position as vice
cess, Mr. Eagleburger "was adamant
chairman.
And finally, is it possible to
in his refusal" to discuss any details,
qMr. Scowcroft belatedly disclosed
according to a committee staff memo-
meet those legitimate concerns
that he held stock in Kissinger Associ-
randum. He invoked a confidentiality
without imposing so burdensome
ates and, according to Mr. Kissinger
clause in the firm's contracts that pro-
a set of requirements that they
and public documents, he arranged last
hibits any discussion of its contractual
drive able people away from pub-
month to have Mr. Kissinger buy it
lic service?
back for nine times its estimated
law. arrangements unless mandated by
worth. Mr. Kissinger subsequently re-
The 'Revolving Door'
duced the price to be paid for the stock,
A number of present and for-
but the deal could have been construed
mer Government officials, none of
as an undisclosed "golden handshake"
whom would allow themselves to
or gift.
be identified, have questions
about potential conflicts of inter-
est involving Kissinger Associ-
Page
24.
Later, he provided a general descrip-
Mr. Kissinger said he had not re-
tion of some of the advice the firm gave
cused himself from any matter before
bodies, including a 1983 Presidential
most clients. The committee, appar-
the advisory board, nor has he partici-
commission on strategic forces headed
ently satisfied, declined to push him for
pated in any board matter in which, "to
by Mr. Scowcroft.
more details, and he was unanimously
his knowledge, he has a financial inter-
The principal mandate of that com-
confirmed. A survey of other interna-
est," said Michael T. Masin, Mr. Kis-
mission was to recommend alternative
time). consulting firms found such a
singer's lawyer.
locations for the MX missile. At the
written prohibition unusual. In an in-
Asked about the appearance of a con-
time, Mr. Scowcroft was president of
templew, Mr. Kissinger said he has the
flict, a Government-wide standard, Mr.
Kissinger Associates as well as a per-
Masin added: "There is no appearance
clause to protect his clients and to in-
sonal consultant on general arms con-
sure that they do not abuse their con-
problem because nobody knows about
trol and military issues for the Lock-
nections with him.
it, and nobody knows about it because
heed Corporation, Hugh Burns, a Lock-
Mr. Kissinger said that he and his
the law requires that Pfiab matters are
heed spokesman, said.
secret, and the Kissinger confidential-
colleagues went to great lengths to
Mr. Scowcroft's ties to Lockheed, a
ity agreement prohibits people talking
avoid any conflicts and to keep their
major military contractor, were not
about it."
publicly known, but were diselosed in a
policy recommendations separate
from their business interests. Neither
Involvement in Arms Control
confidential statement to the Pentagon.
he nor his associates will work on be-
A Pentagon lawyer who reviewed that
Mr. Kissinger said that his principal
half of any government. Nor, he added,
statement discussed it the condition
area of involvement at the intelligence
does anyone from the firm lobby Amer-
advisory board has been arms control
that he not be identified. The lawyer
ican officials on behalf of a client.
and that he saw no conflict because
said the Lockheed consultancy was not
considered a problem because the
none of his clients are really involved
company was not likely to be affected
Government Role
in arms control matters.
by the MX decisions.
Public records show that some
clients of Kissinger Associates are in
Recommendations on Trident
Kissinger's Window
affected by military matters. For ex-
The commission's final report, how-
ample, one client, the ITT Corporation,
ever, contained a number of other
On Intelligence
a $9 billion corporation with about 7
recommendations, including "contin-
percent of its annual business in mili-
ued development and the deployment
Mr. Kissinger and his colleagues are
tary contracts, operates various
of the Trident II (D-5) missile as rap-
not the only consultants to serve on
United States missile systems under a
idly as possible." Lockheed has long
Government commissions or go
$700 million contract, according to the
been the manager of the Trident mis-
through Washington's revolving door.
company's annual reports.
sile program, including the D-5.
Where they differ from other consult-
Mr. Eagleburger was an ITT direc-
When asked whether Mr. Scowcroft
ants, however, is in the extent to which
tor for the last four years, and told the
should have participated in that recom-
they maintain other roles. For the last
Senate committee about cost problems
mendation, the Pentagon lawyer said,
five years, for example, Mr. Kissinger
with ITT's missile contracts. Asked if
"If I realized they were going into that
has had a continuing window into the
Mr. Kissinger was aware of ITT's mili-
area I would have asked him to make
Government's most sensitive informa-
tary work, Mr. Masin said, "Clearly
some decision whether to discontinue
tion as a member of the President's
he's not."
his consulting with Lockheed or with-
Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board,
draw from the commission's delibera-
Eye on Intelligence Documents
tions in that area."
or Pfiab (pronounced PIFF-ee-ab).
A former Pfiab official, who asked
The 16-member board is a little-
Mr. Scowcroft declined to respond to
not to be identified because of the
known but powerful group of scientists,
written questions about the Lockheed
board's secrecy pledge, said that Mr.
business executives and former Gov-
situation or any other matter. He told a
Kissinger, using his authority as a
ernment officials that gives independ-
reporter in 1986, however, that his work
board member, frequently reviewed in-
ent advice about a wide range of intelli-
for his only military client, presumably
telligence documents outside the regu-
gence issues and activities. Some of the
Lockheed, was not a problem because
lar board meetings.
board's other prominent members are
he advised it not about arms but about
In addition, the former official said
William French Smith, the former At-
"the future of arms control and Soviet-
he believed that Mr. Kissinger's associ-
torney General, and Zbigniew Brzezin-
American relations." He added that his
ation with the board gave him benefit
ski, national security adviser in the
work on commissions "takes a tremen-
because he could not have separated
Carter Administration.
dous amount of time, and it is done
the insights gained from his access to
gratis for the national interest."
Members of the board must submit
United States intelligence data from
confidential lists of their holdings and
his continuing analysis and advice to
clients, as lawyers, scientists and other
clients.
Disclosure Practices
professionals do for many other Gov-
Mr. Masin said such a suggestion
ernment posts. Sometimes, after con-
was "outrageous." Referring to Mr.
sultation with Government attorneys,
Differences Noted
Kissinger's clients, he added, "I just
or even voluntarily, board members
have stepped down from matters that
couldn't imagine anyone being im-
pressed by Pfiab."
On Ethical Issues
would have had a financial effect on
clients, according to Government offi-
If a certain one of President Bush's
cials. The recusal standard applies
Scowcroft at Lockneed
ethics proposals is adopted, part-time
even if board members advise their
advisers like Mr. Kissinger could con-
clients on different matters from those
that are before the board, a Govern-
Pentagon Lawyer's
tinue to advise the Government even on
matters that create potential conflicts.
ment lawyer said.
'All Sorts of Conflicts'
Second Thoughts
Under the proposal, if part-time advis-
ers were granted a waiver, an occa-
"There are all sorts of conflicts" on
sionally used way to handle conflicts,
the board, said Anne L. Armstrong,
Hybrid commissions have come to
they would have to disclose the perti-
chairman of the board and a former
play an increasingly important role in
nent financial interests, which are not
ambassador, but she added: "I'm to-
shaping Government policy, according
currently required to be made public.
tally satisfied. It comes down to believ-
to Government officials. In addition to
Currently, when people like Mr.
ing in your board members' integrity."
Pfiab, Mr. Kissinger has worked on a
Scowcroft enter the Government full-
number of other Government advisory
time, fuller disclosure is demanded and
greater attention is paid to avoiding
CONTENUED
25.