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O
GENERAL BRENT SCOWCROFT
MEDIA ARTICLES
JANUARY - MARCH 1989
January 1989
22
croft and Lawrence S. Eagleburger,
who has been chosen for the key posi-
tion of Deputy Secretary of State. Both
Bush Selections Signal
have long been associated with Mr.
Kissinger and are principals in his con-
sulting firm. They are so close they
Focus on Foreign Policy
often communicate in garbled Serbo-
Croatian. Peter W. Rodman, another
Kissinger man who has worked closely
in government with Mr. Scowcroft and
By ELAINE SCIOLINO
Mr. Eagleburger, will also help to give
the National Security Council staff the
Special to The New York Times
kind of depth and firepower it needs.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16 - New
the international stage with Mikhail S.
But many Washington wise men
Presidents have usually lodged their
Gorbachev, the astute and charming
think there is at least the possibility of
closest confidants in politically sensi-
Kremlin leader whose approval rating
the sort of conflict between the State Depart-
tive domestic jobs, notably that of At-
with the American public rivals that of
ment and the White House that has plagued
torney General.
Mr. Reagan's.
many past governments.
By choosing James A. Baker 3d, his
Mr. Bush, a problem-solver rather
Mr. Baker may be a novice, but he is a tal-
friend of 32 years and most-trusted
than a visionary thinker, a man who
ented one, a man who may harbor Presiden-
political adviser, as Secretary of State,
projected no far-ranging genda in his
tial ambitions of his own, and he will have an
Mr. Bush is signaling that foreign
successful Presidential campaign, has
apt teacher in Mr. Eagleburger. Mr. Scow-
rather than domestic policy is likely to
croft, an outstanding student of foreign poli-
assembled a foreign policy brain trust
be the centerpiece of his administra-
cy, will have a forceful No. 2 in Robert M.
composed of Reagan-ers holdovers, ex-
tion. He is also showing that he wants
Gates, who is moving over from the Central
perienced hands from the period domi-
Mr. Baker, who is schooled in Washing-
Intelligence Agency. Much remains to be
nated by Henry A. Kissinger, and
ton power politics, to graduate to the ul-
seen, however, about how things will work.
friends with links to Congress and to
John G. Tower, the Defense Secretary-desig-
Texas. Ambitious and talented bureau-
nate, has been recuperating from surgery
crats all, they see the world as Wash-
and has not yet made his views known in de-
ington has seen it for four decades,
tail to his colleagues. And Mr. Baker has de-
through the prism of the familiar East-
cided to wait until after his hearings to name
West power game.
most of his senior aides, people who will
Contrasting Appraisals
inevitably help color the new administra-
tion's policies.
"This administration will be closely
For all the lack of new faces, there have
timate power game of East-West rela-
integrated and coherent, a parallel-
been early signals of divergence from the
tions.
minded team," commented Brent
Reagan Administration. In last year's cam-
Most foreign policy experts here re-
Scowcroft, the new national security
paign, for example, Mr. Bush said the Cold
gard the Baker appointment as a sign
adviser, in an interview the other day.
War was not yet over, putting some distance
But a cooler reaction came from an-
between himself and his boss as well as his
of Mr. Bush's confidence in his friend's
adapability and in the President-elect's
other quarter. "Warmed-over milk," a
boss's British soul-mate, Prime Minister
senior official, himself a veteran of sev-
Margaret Thatcher.
own ability to direct his administra-
eral administrations, remarked when
Early this month, when Mr. Reagan ac-
tion's foreign policy.
asked to characterize the Bush team.
cepted a Soviet proposal to convene a human
An Imposing Challenge
"Having around a lot of old guys who
rights conference in Moscow, Bush advisers
grew up in a slightly different world
expressed polite, but firm, reservations. A
Together, Mr. Bush and Mr. Baker -
isn't necessarily good."
Bush administration would never have
longtime friends who share Ivy League
Charles William Maynes, the editor
handed the Soviets such an easy diplomatic
backgrounds, a love of tennis and an in-
of Foreign Policy, a quarterly journal,
victory, several such advisers have said.
stinct for moderation — face an impos-
"We were skeptical, reluctant, we argued
ing challenge: they must protect
was more charitable, describing the
that it was premature and we didn't want to
American strategic interests while
team as "Ford II, sensibly conserva-
be locked in," said one prominent member of
tive."
seizing what may well be a once-in-
the group. "But it wasn't our decision." On
Of course, an integrated team is the
a-century opportunity to reshape East-
policy matters, Mr. Baker and others appear
West relations.
goal of every administration. This one
to have thrown off the shackles of the Reagan
They and a handful of key associates
may achieve it, especially given the
epoch, if shackles they are, before it has
close friendship between Mr. Scow-
ended.
also face the challenge of demonstrat-
ing that Mr. Bush can hold his own on
Mr. Baker has told lawmakers on Capitol
Hill that United States support for the anti-
Communist rebels in Nicaragua - the con-
tras has been "a failure." And he has de-
scribed as a strategic blunder the Reagan
Administration's use of sanctions in an effort
to drive Panama's controversial leader, Gen.
Manuel Antonio Noriega, from power.
It is widely expected, on yet another front,
that the Bush administration will try to im-
prove the political environment in the Middle
East before it starts worrying about a peace
lofd
NEW YORK TIMES, 1/17/89, P.AI
22
Bush Staff Structure: Much
Like Reagan's
some other Republicans have de-
Wray, Bush's national political field
scribed the staff as lacking stature.
director, served previously in the
Sununu said he rejects criticism
RNC political operation. Wray is
President-elect George Bush has
from others that the new staff is
considered a solid politician, but the
borrowed a White House structure
low-key and lacks Washington ex-
political center of the Bush admin-
from President Reagan and filled it
perience.
istration will not be at the White
with a senior staff that reflects
The senior Bush adviser said
House, as it was for Reagan, but at
Bush's priorities, including a new
Bush has largely adopted the White
the Republican National Commit-
position to carry out his "thousand
House organization chart used by
tee, where Bush campaign manager
points of light" campaign and a top
Reagan. This includes the two pol-
Lee Atwater will preside.
issues adviser who is a specialist on
icy councils (a third, the National
David M. Carney, deputy direc-
the savings and loan industry crisis.
Security Council, is set by law) and
similar White House offices such as
tor of the political office. Carney is
A senior Bush adviser, speaking
on condition he not be named, said
domestic policy, public liaison, com-
one of the main figures Sununu
the president-elect has tentatively
munications, political affairs and
brought to Washington with him.
others. One difference is that Bush
He has been on Sununu's personal
approved keeping the twin domestic
issues forums 'used by Reagan-a
will have three public liaison offi-
staff in New Hampshire since 1982
cials-one for economic groups,
and worked in Sununu's guberna-
domestic policy council and eco-
one for constituencies and one for
nomic council. The official said that
what he called "heritage" or ethnic
torial campaign and his unsuccess-
Attorney General Dick Thornburgh
ful Senate campaign.
would head the domestic policy
groups.
council and Treasury Secretary
Sununu will head the Legislative
James P. Pinkerton, a deputy as-
Nicholas F. Brady the economic
Strategy Group, another idea held
sistant for policy planning. He is di-
over from the Reagan years, the
rector of policy development for the
council.
official said.
transition and directed research in
Meanwhile, incoming White
The official acknowledged that
the campaign. His job has been called
House chief of staff John H. Sununu
the Bush White House will bear a
a sort of roving policy quick-fixer,
announced the appointment of 15
senior officials, largely filling out
strong resemblance to Reagan's but
reporting to Porter.
Bush's White House staff except for
said "the difference is mostly in
Bobbie Green Kilberg, deputy
style" in that Bush wants to be
people under national security ad-
assistant for public liaison. The post
viser Brent Scowcroft. The appoint-
"more flexible" in dealing with sub-
has been downgraded from its stat-
ments include some longtime Bush
ordinates. "This is the starting
ure in the Reagan White House, but
aides as well as holdovers from the
point," he said of the staff organi-
the appointment of Kilberg symbol-
zation.
Reagan White House.
izes that moderate Republican WO-
Among those named assistant to
Other staff aides named yester-
men will have roles in the Bush
the president, the highest White
day include:
White House. A candidate for the
House staff rank, is Richard Bree-
Roger B. Porter, as assistant to
den, a former Bush staff member
the president for economic and do-
who is a partner in the law firm
mestic policy. Porter, a professor at
Vírginia state Senate in 1986, Kil-
Harvard, was involved in policy de-
berg, a lawyer, has long been in-
Baker & Botts here and who is con-
velopment under Presidents Gerald
volved in Republican politics and
sidered an expert on the turmoil in
R. Ford and Reagan, and was con-
most recently was vice president
the savings and loan industry. Bree-
den was staff director of the 1984
sidered pragmatic and not partic-
and general counsel to a Republican
Task Group on Regulation of Finan-
ularly ideological.
think tank.
cial Services, which studied the is-
Stephen M. Studdert, as assist-
In addition, Sununu named Hec-
sue of banking regulation. He also
ant for special activities and initi-
tor Irastorza as deputy director of
worked informally on Bush's pres-
atives, or what some in the transi-
the office of administration. He had
idential campaign, advising Sununu
tion are calling the "super advance
been in charge of Bush's scheduling
on the Republican platform and
man" job. Studdert, executive direc-
operation in his vice presidential
helping Bush in debate preparation.
tor of the inaugural, was involved in
office and had been director of spe-
Sununu also announced the ap-
the Reagan White House and the
cial projects there.
pointment of Gregg Petersmeyer,
last three Republican presidential
John P. Schmitz was named dep-
senior vice president and director of
campaigns in planning and execut-
uty White House counsel. He has
General Atlantic Energy Corp. in
ing major events.
Denver, to the new post of deputy
John Keller, a deputy to Stud-
served in the same post in Bush's
dert. He will direct the presidential
vice presidential operation.
assistant to the president for na-
tional service. Known as the "thou-
advance office. Currently Bush's
sand points of light man" by some
advance chief, he was responsible
Bush aides, his job will be to carry
for the vice president's surprise
By David Hoffman and Ann Devroy
Washington Post Staff Writers
out Bush's campaign pledge to set
appearance on a Polish church bal-
up a foundation to encourage young
cony with Solidarity leader Lech
Walesa.
people and others to volunteer their
services to the poor.
Jim Wray, a deputy assistant and
Sununu, in an interview yester-
director of the political office.
day, said "I think we have good peo-
ple" joining Bush's staff, although
WASHINGTON POST, 1/ /89, p. A14
DEFENSE NEWS
2 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 6
Reagan Budget to Promote 2 Percent Increase in Defense Spending
options available to Bush include scaling
By MYRON STRUCK
back the Strategic Defense Initiative by as
Nonetheless, cutting defense procure-
Defense News Staff Writer
much as half and reducing the scope of
ment and research and development fund-
WASHINGTON President Reagan's
the Army's family of new tactical vehicles,
ing can make a substantial dent in the fed-
ninth and final federal budget will include
which have tentatively been scheduled for
eral deficit over a five-year period if other
$4.5 billion for continued funding of the
a multiyear funding proposal.
short-term reductions can be found, the
Strategic Defense Initiative, a plethora of
Bush also must deal with requirements
DSG says. Its report recommends that mil-
new multiyear funding proposals and a big
of the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings balanced-
itary and civilian employee pay at DoD
option for President-elect Bush: whether
budget act, to reduce the federal deficit to
may have to be frozen in concert with lev-
to build the Midgetman strategic missile
$100 billion in 1990. Some analysts fore-
el spending. The goal: save $45 billion
or continue the MX missile program, Pen-
see a Reagan budget next week with a def-
over the next five years.
tagon sources said.
icit of $137 billion.
A no-growth budget would trim $100
The Reagan budget will be unveiled to
Instructions governing the Reagan de-
billion from programs over the next five
members of Congress beginning Wednes-
fense budget state that "although some
years, according to documents.
day, to the press on Saturday and to the
force structure reductions were made and
To put it in perspective, DSG contends
public on Jan. 9. It is designed to promote
future plans were scaled back, the brunt
that imposing a 5 percent defense cut
a 2 percent increase in spending after fac-
of accommodating the top-line fiscal re-
would save only $8.9 billion in 1990 out-
toring for projected inflation of 4 percent.
ductions of the recent past has primarily
lays - the only figure that is significant in
As of last Friday, the Air Force ap-
been borne by the investment or acquisi-
ascertaining the reductions necessary un-
peared to have come out best with a pro-
tion accounts, most notably the RDT&E
der Gramm-Rudman rules.
jected 4 percent budget increase, with the
[research, development, testing and engi-
If the budget proves as inflexible as its
Navy flat and the Army expected to take a
neering] and procurement appropriations,
critics say for short-term savings, other
4 percent reduction.
which affect readiness, modernization and
remedies may have to be found. For ex-
On Dec. 13, Pentagon spokesman Dan
sustainability."
ample, Bush's reliance on retired Air
Howard said that the 1990 portion of the
Complicating the defense situation is
Force Lt. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, his new
1990-91 biennial budget will total $305.6
the view of some Democrats that rampant
national security adviser, may translate
billion for defense budget authority, up
defense spending during the early Reagan
into a decision to scale back the carrier
from $290.3 billion in 1989.
years jacked up the military budget by 42
force and eliminate such aging craft as the
The Reagan spending plan will be little
percent above inflation but reduced do-
USS Coral Sea and the USS Midway, two
more than a departure point for formula-
mestic spending 22 percent below infla-
World War II vintage ships.
tion of the 1990 defense budget. Bush and
tion. The National Economic Commission,
In addition, the first nuclear-powered
John Tower, his designated defense secre-
a high-level advisory committee on nation-
aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise, faces
tary, are expected to set up a budget as-
al economic policy, said in an October re-
a refueling of its eight nuclear power
sessment team at the Pentagon to fine
port, "Defense Budget Overview," that
plants and refitting that could cost $1 bil-
tune the work of outgoing Defense Secre-
defense funding had risen 37 percent "af-
lion. All three ships may have to be
tary Frank Carlucci. Transition papers
ter adjustments for inflation" since 1980.
shelved as cost-saving devices. Scowcroft
have been prepared by each Pentagon
A special Nov. 28 report, "The FY90
advocated scaling back carrier forces in
agency and office, and Tower associate
Budget Landscape" by the Democratic
his "American Agenda" report, co-auth-
Richard Billmire has been immersed in
Study Group (DSG), a research arm of lib-
ored by former Navy assistant secretary R.
discussions with current policymakers on
eral and moderate House members, con-
James Woolsey.
Pentagon staffing and critical defense is-
tends that a $100 million cut in 1990 ap-
To save money, Carlucci is promoting a
sues that must be addressed during the
propriations for Air Force aircraft
multiyear funding plan of more than two
first few months of 1989.
procurement would produce on average
dozen programs. But a Pentagon insider
Many in Congress want a no-growth de-
about $7 million in 1990 outlay savings
said the proposal has the tendency to limit
fense budget, and the fledgling Bush ad-
and a $100 million Navy shipbuilding cut
the future options for the military when in-
ministration may comply. The big-ticket
would save just $3 million in 1990 outlays.
ternational stress-points change.
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1989
WASHINGTON POST
2 JANUARY 1989
Pg. B1
Scowcroft,
By Henry Allen
Washington Post Staff Writer
Brent Scowcroft: The name alone!
Austere yet hearty, it has become
a sort of Washington mantra for
these troubled times, or for any oth-
At Your
er troubled times in the past 20
years: brentscowcroft, brentscowcroft
Ease back into thoughts of bipar-
tisan commitment. Know the bliss of
throw-weight parity. Feel those
world tensions relax.
"Brent," you can hear the presi-
dent saying, when Scowcroft be-
Service
comes national security adviser in
the Bush White House, "I under-
stand you see an opening for us in
the Middle East."
Or: "This problem is too impor-
tant for party politics-let's form a
Bush's National
commission under Brent Scowcroft."
Indeed, "Scowcroft" is one of
those names that is unimpeachably
Security Adviser:
right when you put the word "com-
mission" after it.
Since he arrived at the Nixon
Inspiring Trust,
White House as an Air Force colonel
and emerged from the Ford White
House as a retired lieutenant gener-
Shunning the Light
al, Brent Scowcroft has become one
of Washington's permanent fixtures.
He headed the Scowcroft Commis-
PRESIDENT
ident in light of the timing [so close
to his departure from office] is still
CONTINUED
lawyers, "what the court clearly
very powerful and so the distinction
said was, if the president has rel-
between a President Bush and for-
ten statement by the president.
evant evidence, then the criminal
mer president Reagan is not going
Likewise, President Jimmy Car-
justice system and the need for ev-
to be, in my judgment, constitution-
ter, while in office, twice gave vid-
idence in criminal cases will over-
ally significant," the official said.
eotaped testimony, once as a gov-
come any privilege
but that it's
But other legal experts said that,
ernment witness in the perjury and
not something to be lightly under-
particularly with regard to Reagan,
gambling trial of a Georgia state
taken
if North can show a need to ques-
senator, and a second time before a
Justice Department officials have
tion the former president-who has
federal grand jury investigating al-
argued that Bush, who will have
already answered written questions
legations that fugitive financier
been sworn in as president by the
submitted by independent counsel
Robert Vesco sought to bribe mem-
time the North trial begins, cannot
Lawrence E. Walsh-the subpoena
bers of the Carter administration.
be hauled into court, away from his
could be upheld.
Nixon, after leaving office, was
presidential duties. They said that
The president, "like any other
scheduled to testify at the 1974
Reagan, although he will be out of
witness, can refuse to divulge na-
Watergate cover-up trial of his for-
office by then, will still have knowl-
tional security information unless
mer aides, but was suffering from
edge of sensitive national security
ordered by the court," said Alan B.
phlebitis and the trial proceeded
information and the right to assert
Morrison of Public Citizen Litiga-
without him. Six years later, Nixon
executive privilege.
tion Group.
voluntarily complied with a subpoe-
The Watergate tapes case, in
But Morrison said, "My tentative
na to testify at the conspiracy trial
which the court emphasized that it
view is that [claim of privilege]
of two former FBI agents.
was not dealing with a claim of priv-
would be overruled. Looking at U.S.
In the current case, legal experts
ilege based on national security
v. Nixon [the tapes case] and the
said there will be a heavy burden on
grounds, offers "a fairly strong pre-
6th Amendment right to call wit-
North's lawyers to show why they
cedent" for fighting the subpoenas,
nesses in your behalf, assuming that
need the testimony.
one department official said.
conversations were material to the
In the Watergate tapes case, said
As to Reagan, the official said:"I
defense, I think it would be very
R. Stan Mortenson, one of Nixon's
think the claim for this former pres-
hard to keep that out."
A
12
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1989
WASHINGTON POST
1 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 7
Subpoenaing the President:
Not Without Precedent
ment subpoenas seeking the testi-
By Ruth Marcus
jected Nixon's claim that the doc-
mony of President Reagan and Pres-
Washington Post Staff Writer
trine of separation of powers and the
ident-elect George Bush at North's
need for confidential government
When Aaron Burr stood trial for
trial, scheduled to start Jan. 31.
communications gave him absolute
treason in 1807, he employed an
The administration is expected to
privilege to refuse to release the
unprecedented tactic: subpoenaing
contest the subpoenas. Administra-
tapes. The court ruled that the need
the president of the United States,
tion lawyers-citing the Jefferson
for the evidence in the Watergate
Thomas Jefferson, under whom
example-have argued that no sit-
case outweighed the "presumptive
Burr had served four years as vice
ting president has ever testified in
privilege" protecting disclosure of
president.
court in a criminal trial. "Jefferson
presidential communications.
Burr sought to have Jefferson
made it very clear that he thought it
"The generalized assertion of
appear in court and testify about a
was improper to bring presidents
privilege must yield to the demon-
letter written to the president by
into a trial proceeding, and that pre-
strated, specific need for evidence
one of Burr's alleged coconspira-
cedent has been followed in every
in a pending criminal trial," the
tors. Chief Justice John Marshall,
other case that I know of," said one
court said.
presiding over the trial, declared
Justice Department official.
The tapes case, however, did not
that the president, unlike a king,
Between 1807 and now, howev-
involve a subpoena seeking the
was subject to the law. Eventually,
er, the issue has never been square-
president's appearance in court.
Jefferson finessed the matter. He
ly decided.
In 1975, President Gerald R.
refused to appear but provided a
In 1974, the Supreme Court, in
Ford gave a videotaped deposition
certified copy of the letter, with
the Watergate tapes case, ruled 8
as a defense witness-later played
sensitive parts deleted, and insisted
to 0 that President Richard M.
in court-in the trial of Lynette
he was doing so voluntarily.
Nixon had to comply with the spe-
(Squeaky) Fromme, who was con-
Now, lawyers for former White
cial prosecutor's subpoena to turn
victed of attempting to assassinate
House aide Oliver L. North are em-
over the White House tapes.
Ford. Administration lawyers lost a
ploying a similar tactic. On Friday,
In an opinion by then-Chief Justice
bid to have the court accept a writ-
they served on the Justice Depart-
Warren E. Burger, the court re-
101st CONGRESS
CONTINUED
low-cost housing, stalled during the Reagan years, is
high on some lawmakers' agendas, along with help for
first-time homebuyers. Congress may also try to hold
Bush to his campaign commitment to help the home-
less.
Environment: Long-stalled efforts to extend the
Clean Air Act and provide new curbs on acid rain are
expected to get a push from the election of Sen. George
J. Mitchell (D-Maine), a leader in the fight against acid
rain, as senate majority leader. Last year's long, hot
summer may help too. Billions of dollars worth of funds
to clean up nuclear weapons plant sites will have to
compete with costs of rebuilding the plants themselves.
Judiciary: Bush has 35 judgeships to fill, in what
could be a major test of wills with Congress if his nom-
inees are perceived to have a far-right ideological ori-
entation. The stakes will get even higher if, as expect-
ed, a vacancy opens on the Supreme Court in the next
four years. Abortion could be an issue in any Supreme
Court nomination.
Miscellaneous: Congress will have to grapple with
funding for the proposed manned space station, initial
plans for the superconducting supercollider to be lo-
cated in Texas, continued controversy over drug test-
ing, possible revival of the Fairness Doctrine for broad-
casting, and revision of the Hatch Act governing polit-
purchases and the Senate trial of U.S. District Court
ical activities by government workers. Also, immigra-
Judge Alcee L. Hastings of Florida, who was impeached
tion law changes, a proposed waiting period for gun
last year by the House for financial improprieties.
A
11
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1989
Kirkpatrick or Ted Sorensen, or the
SCOWCROFT
deal-politik of Robert Strauss. They
part of the boarding-school old-boy
CONTINUED
sion that reported to President Rea-
are precise opposites of Oliver
network. With a lot of these guys,
North. When they go wrong, they
there are social position, family mon-
gan on the MX missile. He was
are John Poindexter, but which of
ey and divorces to judge them by.
Ford's national security adviser. He
Scowcroft has had none of these. He
has been advising presidents almost
them has gone wrong, except for
half as long as Clark Clifford has,
Poindexter (who showed his true
has no known enemies, either, a pe-
which is to say forever.
colors after the Iran-contra hearings
culiarity that he explains by saying:
"If I were to be facetious, I'd say
by growing a mustache and getting
A fixture, but not a power broker,
contact lenses)? It is hard to imagine
that if you don't do anything, you
not a position jockey, not one of the
don't make enemies."
them winning an election, or coming
grandees who rule over anxious ar-
to your house for dinner or being lit-
He says this during an hour of
chipelagoes of newspaper quotations
tle boys. They get trundled through
conversation at the Kissinger Asso-
and the smiles of maitres d'. Instead,
ciates suite on K Street.
the city like images of saints on me-
he is one of those people who appear
dieval feast days while we toss gar-
It is a suite with plants in rope-coil
at committee hearings, receptions,
lands at them in the form of commis-
baskets, the morning newspapers on
dinner parties and speeches with the
sion chairmanships, briefing papers,
the waiting room coffee table, roses
air of longtime house guests, always
memos-until finally they come to
on the receptionist's desk, and a
grateful and deferring, but utterly
number of 35-ish streaked blonds
rest in Washington's mind, become
sure of themselves among those who
fixed in the manner of statues that
who look like they have advanced
merely come and go. You know
traffic circles get named after, with
degrees in something and carry their
nothing about him, you trust every-
columnists perched on their shoul-
shoulders a little high.
thing about him.
He comes out of his office to greet
ders like pigeons, cooing and squab-
There is a real Brent Scowcroft,
bling.
you. He has a clerical spareness-5
of course-more about him in a mo-
"A career staff officer, Scowcroft
feet 8 and 130 pounds. There is an
ment-but after all these years he
American gothic plainness to his big
was known for his businesslike ap-
has become a prisoner of his own
brow, and a wide, oddly vulnerable
proach to crises large and small."
self-effacement. Mention the name
-Neil Sheehan in "A Bright Shining
smile that reveals a gold molar, way
"Brent Scowcroft," and people talk
back in there. He looks like a hard-
Lie."
about a type. They use phrases like
ware clerk who ended up owning the
pliable technicians like Scow-
store. He looks like Bob Cratchit
"old hand," "the wise men," and "the
croft
-Robert Hartmann in
Establishment." It becomes easy to
"Palace Politics."
about 20 years after the end of "A
Christmas Carol."
imagine him in one of those houses
"Speech writers had drafted a de-
He is 63. He has brown eyes. He
on Foxhall Road that looks like it
parture statement attacking the con-
ference. Brent Scowcroft substitut-
has thinning hair of no particular col-
should have a combination dial on
or. He sticks his hand out, revealing
the front door instead of a doorknob.
ed a more neutral statement."
a watch with a calculator. His hand-
One thinks too of pin stripes, and
-William G. Hyland in "Mortal Ri-
shake makes his hand feel bigger
vals."
narrow Balmoral-cut shoes in hard,
a tribute to Scowcroft's sub-
than it is. He wears a gray pin-
thin leather, like blackjacks. (Ells-
striped suit, a shirt whose collar is
tlety and finesse." -Kissinger in
worth Bunker wore these when he
too large, and black loafers-clothes
"Years of Upheaval."
was negotiating the Panama Canal
with a self-conscious air that implies
Joseph Alsop, the journalist, art
Treaty.) The fact that little of this is
he might still think of them as "civil-
historian and lifelong Establishmen-
true has nothing to do with what the
ian clothes," even 13 years after re-
tarian, said recently: "Brent is a qui-
name "Brent Scowcroft" stands for.
tiring from the Air Force.
et fellow. He's a very good man,
Says Henry Kissinger, who has
Everything about him seems a lit-
with common sense and integrity."
tle self-conscious, in fact, deliberate
employed him at Kissinger Associ-
When it is pointed out that these
but not opportunistic, the cautious,
ates since he left the White House
virtues lack one-to-one correlation
cheerful egalitarianism that Ameri-
with Ford: "He's the epitome of a
(as analysts say) with success in
cans are taught to practice by both
type we don't have much of any-
Washington, Alsop adds a footnote:
more, of men like David Bruce [the
"It took Henry." He is referring to
philosophy and fistfights. You have
Kissinger, who tells people that he
been told by everyone who knows
late David K.E. Bruce, ambassador
spotted Scowcroft as a comer when
him that he is a very nice guy, and
to Great Britain], men whose real
you see why.
ambition is to serve their country
he saw him stand up to Nixon hench-
selflessly."
man H.R. Haldeman "with unbeliev-
When he offers a chair, he does it
They are a great tradition. Clif-
able tenacity." Unfortunately, Kis-
with the nonproprietary air of some-
ford, Bunker, Bruce, Milton Eisen-
singer can't remember what the
one suggesting a park bench you
fight was about, and Scowcroft will
might find comfortable. It's easy to
hower, William Rogers, Paul Nitze,
Robert Lovett, Elliot Richardson,
claim he's not sure it ever happened.
suspect that he long ago learned to
Averell Harriman, and so on, men
"He's not the sort of person that
eschew the little turf-dances of hu-
gliding in and out of the corridors of
anecdotes come to mind about," says
man encounter. There is also the
R. James Woolsey Jr., a Washington
modesty of a kid who grew up quite
power with the opulent calm of an-
lawyer who, along with MIT's John
small and very, very smart in a place
gelfish swimming through an aquari-
um castle.
Deutch, has written articles on stra-
like Ogden, Utah.
Washington could not function
tegic issues with Scowcroft.
He smiles a lot. Things amuse
without them. They have little parti-
We trust so much about Brent
him.
san agenda, either personal or politi-
Scowcroft, and we know so little. We
"In several points in my career, I
cal. They lack the egotism of a Kis-
knew about Harriman's past as a
worked for extremely demanding
singer or Zbigniew Brzezinski, or the
railroad millionaire and polo player.
bosses whose philosophy was that to
Dean Acheson and Chip Bohlen were
get the best work out of people, you
political philosophy of, say, Jeane
A
13
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1989
SCOWCROFT
CONTINUED
P51 Mustang. He fractured three
vertebrae and spent two years in the
house your father-in-law wants you
to buy.
scare them to death. Out of that, I
hospital.
He eventually flew again, but by
"Modest," he says, either proudly
developed a different management
then he had a master's degree in in-
or wryly or both. This is as close to a
philosophy," he says.
boast as he will come.
He talks in a quiet nasal voice that
ternational relations from Columbia
goes slowly enough that notes can
and he was teaching Russian history
His wife of 37 years, Marian, is
at West Point. He learned Serbo-
housebound with diabetes. His
be taken in longhand. Sometimes his
hands make tidy parentheses. Some-
Croatian, and was assistant air atta-
daughter Karen is a lawyer in New
times he puts his palms three or four
che at our embassy in Yugoslavia
York. He owns two Chryslers, one
inches apart, tilts them onto a diago-
from 1959 to 1961. He taught politi-
from 1986 and one from 1972, a su-
nal and moves them in parallel cir-
cal science at the Air Force Acade-
premely ugly thing he calls "the
cles, as if he is sanding something on
my. In 1967, he got his doctorate in
tank."
two sides at once. "The first boss
international relations from Colum-
Last novel read? "The Hunt for
like that I had was a General Yudkin
bia. In 1968 he went to the Penta-
Red October."
at the Pentagon. He had a reputation
gon to serve in a series of national
Hobby? Skiing in Colorado or Utah
as a giant-killer. He was a lot like
security posts. In 1971, he became
at an upper intermediate level.
Henry Kissinger-extremely de-
military aide to President Nixon.
Preferred epitaph? "He Served
Soon Kissinger, who was national se-
With Distinction."
manding. I myself respond to co-
option. Probably it's my personality
curity adviser, chose him as a depu-
Amusements? He watches the
too. I don't very often get really an-
ty, and put him in the office next to
Redskins, and thinks they lost games
gry. On occasion, I do. How do you
his-an office notable for being nar-
this year because "they seem to
really elicit the most out of people?
rower and shorter than it was tall.
have trouble playing as a team.
Make them feel good."
When Kissinger became secretary of
When they do, like in the Super
He is the youngest child of a
state under Ford, Scowcroft took
Bowl, it's wonderful!"
wholesale grocer. He grew up with
Kissinger's job, the same job he'll
And here his eyes flash and the
two older sisters. "They used to beat
have under Bush.
smile goes huge again, the smile of a
up on me so I wouldn't be a sissy,"
He was known as a brilliant coor-
country boy who never learned bet-
he says.
dinator, a bringer-together of big
ter than to look so vulnerable in
Scowcroft is an English name, he
egos, a man concerned with results
front of strangers.
says. He doesn't know where Brent
rather than philosophy. Some White
He is enough of a country boy and
comes from. "I asked my mother
House staffers actually complained
a westerner, in fact, that he makes a
once, but she said she'd forgotten."
that his briefings weren't long
certain point of saying that "since I
He was raised as a Mormon. "I
enough.
left Utah I have spent the bulk of my
still like to think of myself as a Mor-
He says: "I don't have a quick, in-
time on the East Coast." And what
mon, although I'll drink a glass of
novative mind. I don't automatically
emerges from discussion of his ca-
wine and I drink coffee to keep going
think of good new ideas. What I do
reer is the image of a man who
sometimes."
better is pick out good ideas from
knows precisely how confident he is
He learned to play the piano. He
bad ideas. But I don't have an origi-
now because he remembers when he
still plays once in a while-popular
nal mind. I think there is enormous
wasn't, and he remembers learning
standards such as "Smoke Gets in
satisfaction in being involved in
after he came to Washington that
Your Eyes."
something bigger than you are, in
everyone fouls up, no matter how
He had no nicknames, except
feeling that, however small, you're
pin-striped, calm, well-combed and
"Scow."
doing something that makes a differ-
established.
He ran dashes on the track team
ence. Maybe that's what power is all
But is he one of the wise men? Is
in high school. He still runs, a three-
about, I don't know. You can't say I
he a member of whatever mysteri-
mile course four or five nights a
don't have an ego. It is comforting to
ous congeries and brotherhood it is
week in his neighborhood. He runs it
be doing things that make a differ-
that we call "the Establishment? At
in 20 to 21 minutes. It is remarked
ence. In the end, it's the job that's
the very least, people who aren't
that this is quick, and in response,
more important."
members say Brent Scowcroft is.
Scowcroft points out twice that the
He likes the idea of doing a job
"It's probably right," he says.
course might not really be three
he's done before. He says: "My
"Yeah, I think so."
miles, "I only measured it with my
friends tell me, 'Maybe you'll get it
He purses his lips and thinks
car's odometer, which could be
right this time.'
about this. Is he suppressing a smile?
wrong." He went to West Point. "I
He has no friends outside the poli-
Being puckish? After all, it is said
that no member of the Establish-
wanted to go to West Point because
cy world, he says. "By now, all my
ment would admit either the exis-
I wanted to go to West Point, and I
friends are pretty much business-
tence of an establishment or his
had ever since I was 12 years old."
oriented."
He was commissioned as a second
He lives not on Foxhall Road but
membership in it. Whatever he is
lieutenant in 1947 after graduating
in Bethesda, in a center-hall brick
thinking here, it seems to give him
satisfaction.
"87th out of 330 or 340." He got his
colonial close enough to Massachu-
wings as a fighter pilot the next
setts Avenue that you can hear the
A photographer asks to take his
year. "I liked to fly. When I got into
buses. It needs some roof work.
picture. He wants Scowcroft to pose.
Will this be the revelation that has
it, fighters were the most exciting."
There are two bird feeders with
been so elusive? The view of what
Shortly afterward, he crashed in a
squirrel guards. It is the kind of
A
14
SUPPLEMENT: TUESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1989
NORFOLK VIRGINIAN-PILOT
25 DECEMBER 1988 Pg. B1
Admiral sees pilot bonus
By Jack Dorsey
Staff writer
as good start
"It is a huge amount of money," Dun-
leavy said. "But you have to fly the kid to
NORFOLK - The admiral who
make him good and you have to fly him
next year will take over manage-
more to make him very, very good, which is
ment of the Navy's air forces world-
wide says that although new incen-
special compensation, such as hous-
what you want.
tive bonuses may help retain Navy
ing allowances, his salary is about
"Some people. think these kids fly around
pilots, more flight time would keep
$35,000.
and do nothing
Well, these kids are
Defense officials p edict that the
working hard. Flying is fun, but it's also
them even more satisfied.
demand for new pilo S in commer-
work. You are working hard for 1.7 hours,
"The bonuses will keep some peo-
cial aviation will CO itinue at be-
pulling 7 G's (seven times the acceleration
ple, but most will admit the bonus is
a bribe," said Vice Adm. Richard M.
tween 4,000 and 7,001 a year well
of gravity) in the F/A-18, flying air-to-air
Dunleavy, commander of the Atlan-
into the 1990s. The military needs to
and air-to-ground missions, putting missiles
remain competitive with airlines to
up tailpipes and bombs on the ground
tic Fleet Naval Air Force, with
beadquarters in Hampton Roads.
prevent high pilot losses and persis-
"It's like a ball team. You have to prac-
tent shortages that jeopardize com-
tice over and over again. It's a lot of hard
"The way to keep pilots in the
bat readiness, officials contend.
work, and you have to be very good."
Navy is to fly them and fty them
Dunleavy, who manages a
For Dunleavy, a non-pilot who was a
hard," he said.
$1.6 billion budget to keep nine air-
flight officer in an A-6 Intruder during the
In a continuing effort to retain
more Navy and Air Force pilots, the
craft carriers and nearly 1,800 air-
Vietnam War, the new aviation bonus sys-
craft fueled and ready, said in an
tem causes other problems. "I'm concerned
Pentagon will launch a $31 million
interview last week that while the
how it will affect those who don't get the
program Jan. 1 that offers up to
bonuses may be one tool for retain-
bonus," he said.
$12,000 in annual bonuses to pilots
ing the aviators, it is / not the only
The new bonus system targets different
in certain categories. The bonus is
answer.
skills. Pilots flying an electronic counter-
twice what the Navy has offered up
"We are not flying the guys
measures EA-6B Prowler or an A-6 Intrud-
to now.
enough," said the three-star admi-
er medium attack bomber will receive
Typically, a Navy lieutenant with
ral. "They get bored and think it will
$12,000 bonuses, but a non-pilot naval flight
six years' experience who is on con-
be nicer on the outside. But they
officer, or NFO, in the Prowler will receive
tinuous flight status earns about
soon find out it is not
Of course,
only $4,000.
$29,000 annually in base pay and up
they have more home life overall,
Likewise, the pilot of an E-2C Hawkeye
to $4,800 in flight pay. With other
but (flying commercial airliners) is
radar plane is eligible for an $11,000 bonus
SCOWCROFT
not as exciting as flying a Navy jet
and his NFO receives $4,000. Bonuses of
off the aircraft carrier. They be-
$10,000 are being offered to the piots of F-14
CONTINUED
come bus drivers."
Tomcat fighters, F/A-18s, S-3 Vikings and
A-7 Corsairs. The NFO in an F-14 receives
the inner Brent Scowcroft wants the
Current funding allows each Navy pilot to
$4,000.
world to see as the outer Brent
fly an average of 25 hours per month, when
"Do I agree with that?" Dunleavy asked
Scowcroft, the secret dream be-
30 hours is desirable, Dunleavy said.
"Well, I don't like it because sooner or later
neath this apotheosis of American
Disparities result. For example, he said,
I will be flying with the guy over here and
a P-3 Orion patrol plane pilot, who must fly
ordinariness? Don't we all practice
he is getting $12,000 more than I am as an
12-hour hops to hunt submarines, frequent-
our camera faces in the mirror, or,
NFO, and we're both going down the same
ly averages 42 hours of flight time a month.
catapult."
in despair at our vanity, give up the
But tactical air pilots flying the Navy's new
That issue is one Dunleavy said he plans
effort and face cameras with a horri-
F/A-18 Hornets average 18 hours a month,
to tackle once he gets to Washington.
ble slack-jawed bleakness?
far too few to keep them proficient.
Another is the congressionally mandated
He turns to pose. His face chang-
"Here is a guy we have given a highly
use of more civilians in shore-based Navy
sophisticated aircraft
probably one of
es not at all, not a twitch.
jobs. That policy is causing an imbalance in
the finest aircraft ever bought in the Navy.
He walks his guest to the door.
sea-shore rotation and leading to more time
Yet we fund this kid the way we funded the
at sea for the sailor, Dunleavy said.
Another hearty handshake.
F-4 guy and the A-7 guy even though the
Congress "doesn't understand that these
Once out of sight, he begins to re-
aircraft is more complex. I say he needs 30
sailors need to come to shore," he said.
hours a month. That's what he needs to be
vert to type in your mind. You think to
"It's a problem in the future that's coming
very, very good."
yourself: What a nice guy. And: If meri-
to a head with the machinist's mates, boiler
The F-4 Phantom, a fighter, and the A-7
tocracies had Houses of Lords, the
technicians and electronics technicians. In-
Corsair, a light attack bomber, were re-
stead of having three years of sea duty and
Brent Scowcrofts would be in them.
placed by the F/A-18, which performs the
three years of shore duty, they will be
In a few years, or four or eight or
roles of both.
spending five years at sea and three years
whatever, when he leaves government
Dunleavy, who will become assistant
ashore. Sailors love to go to sea, but they
again, you figure he'll move into that
chief of naval operations for air warfare in
like to come home once in a while to see
the spring, said one of his goals in his new
realm where you see him at his god-
their bride and kids."
job will be to "keep the pressure on" to get
It is becoming rare, Dunleavy said, to see
children's book signings, and young
more flying hours. But in an austere budget
a petty officer first class or chief petty offi-
journalists will ask, is he still around?
year that may result in a scant 2 percent
cer at an aviation training command be-
And the answer is yes, it's always yes.
real growth in the defense budget, Dun-
cause of the increased civilian manning at
Permanent fixtures never die. There
leavy's battle for more flying hours is bound
those facilities.
to be largely uphill.
are rumors of one problem or another;
In addition, the Navy may be losing the
Members of his staff said increasing fly-
and then someone says, "I saw him in
special relationship between the pilot and
ing hours from 25 to 30 per month per pilot
the sailor who maintained the plane be-
the Georgetown Safeway the other day
would cost $90 million just for the Atlantic
cause of civilian manning, be said.
and he looked fine to me." He may
Fleet aviators. The price includes fuel and
"You could look that kid in the eye and
write his memoirs. He plans to, in fact.
maintenance.
know exactly that (the aircraft) was right,"
It is unlikely that anyone will write his
In daily conferences, Dunleavy said, he
Dunleavy said. "But nowadays our kids are
and his counterpart in the Pacific Fleet,
biography, but he will be enshrined in
not going to establish that bond" with the
Vice Adm. John H. Fetterman Jr., discuss
10,000 indexes.
pilots they serve, he said, until they get to
how to finance more flying hours.
the ship or shore base.
A
15
SUPPLEMENT:
TUESDAY, 3 JANUARY 1989
WASHINGTON POST
1 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 6
CIA Aide Acts to Lift Reprimand
Veteran Officer Was First to Warn of Possible Diversion to Aid Contras
By Walter Pincus
sy" and not firm enough to be told
gations about other agency person-
to Congress when Casey appeared
nel involved in the Iran-contra in-
Washington Post Staft Writer
before the intelligence committees
vestigation.
Charles Allen, the first person to
on Nov. 21, 1986. Two days later,
Webster's actions last December
warn his CIA superiors about the
National Security Council aide OI-
stemmed from-a review by a special
possibility that profits from U.S.
iver L. North's "diversion memo"
counsel of congressional and other
arms sales to Iran were being di-
was found in his files by aides to
inquiries conducted before Febru-
verted to aid the Nicaraguan rebels,
Attorney General Edwin Meese III.
ary 1987. The congressional com-
is appealing a reprimand last year
The diversion of profits from
mittees in early 1988 began releas-
for not being "fully cooperative"
U.S. arms sales to Iran to aid the
ing 27 volumes of depositions in-
with a December 1986 agency in-
Nicaraguan contras was announced
cluding testimony by more than 20
vestigation.
by Meese on Nov. 25, along with
CIA officers.
The reprimand, which was not
the firing of North and the resigna-
When Webster announced on
made public and came as a surprise
tion of national security adviser
Dec. 17, 1987, that he was disci-
to some of Allen's former col-
John M. Poindexter. At that time,
plining seven CIA employees in-
leagues and congressional investi-
Meese said no one in the U.S. gov-
volved in the Iran-contra affair,
gators, made Allen ineligible for
ernment had known of the diversion
none was identified by name. Other
promotions or awards for two years
except for North, Poindexter and
sources, however, identified most
unless approved by CIA Director
former national security adviser
of those involved.
William H. Webster, who imposed
Robert C. McFarlane.
Two, Joseph F. Fernandez and
the penalty.
Gates, whose-nomination to suc-
Robert Atkins, were dismissed for
Washington attorney R. James
ceed Casey as CIA director was
aiding the contras when it was pro-
Woolsey said Allen, a Central Intel-
withdrawn after controversy about
hibited by law. Another, Alan D.
ligence Agency veteran, wants to
Gates' role in the Iran-contra affair,
Fiers, former chief of the agency's
have the reprimand expunged from
was named last week by President-
Central American task force, was
his record. "We are in the final
elect George Bush to be deputy na-
charged with not telling Congress
stages of preparing his appeal to
tional security adviser in the new
about his knowledge of CIA aid to
Judge Webster," Woolsey said, "and
administration.
the contras. He later retired. Duane
I believe
once he is fully aware
Allen was among the few CIA
R. (Dewey) Clarridge, chief of the
of all the details in the way the in-
officials who took part in a behind-
agency's counterterrorism unit,
spector general investigation was
the-scenes battle in late November
who aided the November 1985
conducted, he will conclude Mr.
1986 to have Gates change Casey's
shipment, was demoted and repri-
Allen was fully cooperative."
draft testimony for Congress be-
manded; he also retired.
Thomas Polgar, one of the Sen-
cause it misrepresented the CIA's
Allen was among others cited for
ate Iran-contra investigating panel's
knowledge of the November 1985
failing to cooperate with the CIA
top analysts and a former CIA as-
shipment by Israel of U.S.-made
inspector general's investigation.
sociate director, said last week that
Hawk antiaircraft missiles to Iran.
Allen was the agency's national
"it is astonishing that he would be
Gates supervised the preparation
intelligence officer for counterter-
reprimanded. That comes as a sur-
of Casey's testimony, which was to
rorism when he was chosen in late
prise to me."
be the first detailed administration
1985 by Casey to work with North
Another former CIA official, who
report to Congress on the affair.
on the covert arms sales.
was familiar with the congressional
The draft said at one point that no
Allen initially raised questions
Iran-contra inquiries, described Al-
one at the CIA knew about Hawks
with North in May 1986, when the
len as a "straightforward" person
being part of the 1985 shipment at
Iranians were complaining about
who had "acted professionally and
the time the agency gave assistance
the high price of the weapons. He
ethically in a tough situation." He
to the operation.
had already heard arms dealer
said Webster "had tried to spread
In the days before Casey's sched-
Manucher Ghorbanifar suggest that
the blame around and had missed
uled Nov. 21 Capitol Hill appear-
profits could be used to help other
some [people] altogether."
ance, Allen, along with former CIA
operations, including North's sup-
On Oct. 1, 1986, Allen reported
general counsel Stanley Sporkin
port for the contras fighting the
his view about a possible diversion
and CIA lawyer Bernard
government of Nicaragua.
to Robert M. Gates, No. 2 at the
Makowska, worked to find specific
Allen raised his first doubts with
CIA. This was almost two months
documents that proved CIA officials
Robert J. Kerr, then-deputy direc-
before the diversion became public.
had knowledge of the shipment of
tor for intelligence and Allen's boss.
At that time Gates encouraged Al-
missiles to Iran in November 1985.
He and Kerr, who last week was
len to put the information in a
Casey's statement was thereafter
selected by Bush to replace Gates
memo for then-CIA Director Wil-
modified and Gates later testified
as No. 2 at the CIA, went to Gates
liam J. Casey. Allen wrote two ad-
he had not been involved in a White
with the suspicions that the arms
ditional memos, with more data
House attempt to cover up the
sales might be generating funds for
about a possible diversion, to Casey
1985 shipment.
unknown activities.
in late October and early Novem-
Polgar said Allen's appeal of his
Gates, according to Kerr and Al-
ber.
reprimand may reopen questions
len, showed no interest. Gates told
Gates later told Congress that he
about the manner in which the CIA
investigators he could not recall the
thought Allen's evidence was "flim-
under Webster has dealt with alle-
incident.
A
16
Baltimore Sun
3 January 1989
p. 1
more closely in its policy-making
Closer ties urged
process as it faces daunting foreign
challenges in the next decade, ac-
between CIA,
cording to two authorities.
Robert M. Gates, a top CIA official
policy-makers
just named to be deputy national se-
curity adviser in the Bush adminis-
tration, dismisses a traditionalist
By Charles W. Corddry
view that intelligence officers' inde-
pendence could be jeopardized
Washington Bureau of The Sun
through too close association with
policy-making. They might, in that
WASHINGTON - The White
view, become advocates instead of
House must greatly improve its un-
objective analyzers of foreign devel-
derstanding and use of U.S. intelli-
opments.
gence resources and involve the CIA
Mr. Gates said: "Contrary to the
view of those who are apprehensive
over a close relationship between
policy-makers and intelligence, It is
not close enough."
Now deputy director of the CIA,
Mr. Gates has strong ideas about
what causes presidents to be dissat-
isfied with intelligence agencies and
how presidents should spend more
time directing the agencies' efforts
so that they get useful information.
As deputy to Brent Scowcroft in
the Bush White House, Mr. Gates
presumably will be in a good position
to push reforms and remove obsta-
cles to a useful flow of information
between policy-makers and intelli-
Closer ties
CONTINUED
was annoyed by a CIA misjudgment
gence producers.
on planned Soviet missile deploy-
His position seems to be strongly
ments.
process: He simply ruled out the tail-
supported by Anne Armstrong.
President Jimmy Carter, dis-
oring of intelligence to suit the views
chairwoman of the President's For-
and proposals of the CIA director as
mayed by wrong predictions on the
Iranian revolution, expressed dissat-
eign Intelligence Advisory Board and
was done when the late William J.
mid-1970s ambassador to Britain.
isfaction "with the quality of our po-
Casey was the director.
In that connection. Mrs. Arm-
litical intelligence." He was also up-
Ticking off tough challenges
set early in his administration when
ahead, from terrorism to change in
strong described the Iran-contra af-
the Soviet Union. she said: "Intelli-
the CIA upgraded its estimates of
fair as one in which the interagency
North Korean military strength just
gence will have to become much
policy process broke down and a
when he was planning to withdraw
more a part of the policy process
small group (Oliver North's) took
than it has been so far."
U.S. troops from South Korea - a
control.
plan he had to abandon.
Mr. Gates and Mrs. Armstrong
"In some decisive respects." she
"Policy-makers usually learn the
set forth their views on modernizing
said, "the problem in the Iran initia-
hard way." Mr. Gates said, "that, al-
intelligence and policy relationships
tive was not the close relationship
between the intelligence community
though intelligence can tell them a
in lengthy articles in the current
great deal, it only rarely and usu-
Washington Quarterly, a publica-
and policy-makers: rather, it was its
ally in cases involving military forces
tion of the Center for Strategic and
absence."
International Studies.
- can make day-to-day decisions
With demanding tasks in reach-
simpler and less risky."
These appeared as President-
ing and policing arms control agree-
Mrs. Armstrong said CIA predic-
elect George Bush was organizing
ments and dealing with a kaleido-
tions on the Iranian revolution
his national security team and, at
scopic world scene of "confusing and
missed the mark because they did
first blush, was seeming to accord
diverse pieces," Mrs. Armstrong ar-
not pay enough attention to the
the Central Intelligence Agency a
gued, as Mr. Gates did. for more
less influential status than that
shah's dependence on what the
presidential attention to intelligence.
United States might do to prop him
urged by the two authors.
In his close view of four presiden-
William H. Webster will remain
up. It had helped him stay in power
cies, Mr. Gates found mostly nega-
as director of central intelligence, at-
in the past.
tive White House perceptions of in-
"Perhaps the optimistic Intelli-
tending Cabinet meetings but not
telligence and sought to prescribe
gence estimates assumed that it
having Cabinet rank. The CIA, Mr.
Bush has said, "will have no func-
remedies through better knowledge
would do so again." she said. "If so,
of what the nation's massive Intelli-
this most important assumption
tion in policy at all" except to carry
gence apparatus can and cannot do.
out certain covert operations as pro-
(which turned out to be wrong) was
"What the hell do those clowns do
not made explicit enough."
vided by law.
out there in Langley?" President
An authoritative Interpreter of
There was, in short, a gap be-
that statement said, however, that
Richard M. Nixon asked in 1970
tween policy-makers and intelli-
Mr. Bush did not foreclose the CIA
the clowns being the CIA and Lang-
gence analysts that led to a wrong
ley, Va., being their headquarters.
from being in the policy-making
prediction and an unhappy presi-
Mr. Nixon, as Mr. Gates related it.
den,
CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
The Editorial Notebook
Who Makes Foreign Policy?
Gelb 1.3.89
White House officials are upset
It Is Worrisome
rushing to consult with the security
about a Times story reporting that
adviser and his staff, and get even
President Bush has put the national
To Delegate Heavily
more confused than usual.
security adviser at the heart of the
Likewise, everyone will take cues
foreign affairs decision-making pro-
cess. The officials understandably
To a Security Adviser
about power from the President's
organization charts. That accounts
'don't want to start a war with the
for the concern when Mr. Bush
State Department and the Pentagon. But they shouldn't be
issued a directive making General Scowcroft chairman of
surprised at the consternation; there are few touchier
a Policy Committee including the Secretaries of State and
relationships than that between the security adviser and
Defense.
the Secretary of State.
No President has ever formally lodged such across-the-
Not many rivalries have been as destructive of U.S. in-
board power in his security adviser. Mr. Reagan tried
terests abroad as those between Henry Kissinger and Wil-
half-heartedly in mid-1987, but that effort never got off the
liam Rogers in the Nixon Administration, and Cyrus
ground. Though George Shultz regularly attended infor-
Vance and Zbigniew Brzezinski under President Carter.
mal meetings in General Powell's White House office, he
In two decades, only two pairs have worked well togeth-
refused to accept the general's formal chairmanship.
èr: Lieut. Gen. Brent Scowcroft, the current security ad-
No one doubts General Scowcroft's integrity or good
viser, who also held that post under President Ford, and
will, nor Mr. Bush's right to organize his staff as he
Secretary of State Kissinger; and Lieut. Gen. Colin Pow-
pleases. It makes eminent sense for the President to insist
ell, Mr. Reagan's top security aide, and George Shultz.
on making and coordinating foreign policy, assisted by his
The main reason for their success was that neither gen-
security adviser. The White House is the only place where
eral made himself into a public spokesman or a diplo-
varied bureaucratic claims can be adjudicated and from
matic conduit. For purposes of official contact with the
which rival bureaucracies will accept final direction.
outside world, the Administration spoke with more or less
But it's another matter for the President-seemingly to
one voice - the Secretary of State's.
delegate policy-making authority to his White House staff.
That's why it was surprising two Sundays ago when
An activist President like George Bush and an experi-
General Scowcroft appeared on a talk show, something he
enced aide like Brent Scowcroft undoubtedly prefer the
never did when he held the job before. His answers car-
concentration of power in the White House and feel they
ried the weight of a cabinet officer, and then some. His
can make this new arrangement work. It may well be that
words will be compared microscopically with subsequent
Secretary Baker likes the idea as well, since it could free
utterances by Secretary of State Baker. General Scow-
him to assist the President in non-foreign fields. But the
croft would not have put himself into this position unless
built-in tension between the two senior foreign policy offi-
President Bush wanted him to play a more public role.
cials is high; it will take the greatest care to insure that
There are, however, high prices to be paid for such a
the new system meant to lessen conflict and confusion
role. Diplomats will do more than the normal amount of
does not increase them.
LESLIE H. GELB
zanne L. Ridgway, Assistant Secretary
BAKER SAID TO PICK
of State for European and Canadian Af-
fairs, who are both in the running for
Now Hunting for Votes
Under Secretary of State for Political
Mr. Baker, who returned from a two-
Affairs.
week hunting vacation in Texas on
A KISSINGER MAN
Aides to Mr. Bush say that the Presi-
Tuesday, has resumed preparing for
dent-elect will appoint Donald P.
his Senate confirmation hearings,
Gregg, who has served as the Vice
which begin on Jan. 17 and is wooing
President's national security adviser,
members of Congress.
as Ambassador to South Korea. Mr.
He is also meeting with the current
The Choice of Eagleburger for
Gregg's appointment has been the sub-
Under Secretaries and Assistant Secre-
ject of debate among Mr. Bush's inner
taries of State to discuss policy issues
Deputy Secretary of State
circle because of concern that his role
but has not sought their advice on per-
in the Iran-contra affair could lead to a
sonnel matters, according to depart-
Is a Pragmatic Signal
divisive Senate confirmation hearing.
ment officials. And he has caused con-
But Mr. Bush is convinced that Mr.
siderable nervousness within the State
Gregg has already answered all rele-
Department by failing to assure a num-
vant questions about his involvement
ber of senior career officers that
desirable appointments await them.
By ELAINE SCIOLINO
and could survive the toughest ques-
tioning.
"There's not a lot of human contact
Special to The New York Times
Others prominently mentioned as
back and forth yet," a veteran official
WASHINGTON, Jan. 4 James A.
ambassadorial nominees are: Henry
said. "They seem to be holding to them-
Baker 3d, the Secretary of State-desig-
Catto, a former ambassador to El Sal-
selves."
nate, has offered the job of Deputy Sec-
vador and a Republican contributor;
In contrast, Mr. Baker - determined
retary to Lawrence S. Eagleburger,
Vernon A. Walters, American repre-
to improve the relationship between
colleagues of both men said today. Mr.
sentative at the United Nations in the
the State Department and Capitol Hill
Eagleburger is a career diplomat long
Reagan Administration, and Barber B.
- has impressed several Senators by
associated with Henry A. Kissinger.
Conable Jr., president of the World
visiting them in their offices unaccom-
The selection of Mr. Eagleburger,
Bank and a former Republican mem-
panied by staff members, taking his
who is said to have accepted the post, is
ber of the House of Representatives
own notes and focusing on details of
widely viewed as reflecting Mr.
from upstate New York.
policy issues as he prepares for confir-
Baker's intention to rely on pragma-
'Nothing to It'
mation hearings.
tists who have broad foreign policy
backgrounds and years of experience
Mr. Conable's spokesman at the
in office.
World Bank denied that the official, a
Mr. Eagleburger and Brent Scow-
longtime confidant of Mr. Bush, was
croft, President-elect George Bush's
under consideration.
choice for national security adviser,
"There's nothing to it." said the
were aides to Mr. Kissinger during the
spokesman, Peter Riddleberger. "He
Nixon and Ford Administrations. Their
hasn't been offered it. He has said noth-
return to senior positions in Washing-
ing that indicates he intends to do any-
ton is likely to antagonize some on the
thing except to stay here until 1991."
right.
That is when Mr. Conable's contract
Mr. Eagleburger is now president of
with the international lending agency
Kissinger Associates, the consulting
expires.
firm founded by the former Secretary
Mr. Baker has also tentatively se-
of State. A Foreign Service officer he
lected three of his aides for major posi-
served for 27 years, retiring in 1984 as
tions, including Dennis B. Ross, the
Under Secretary of State for Political
senior foreign policy adviser during the
Affairs, generally regarded as the de-
election campaign, as Director of
partment's third-ranking post.
Policy Planning, and Robert Zoellick,
The choice of Mr. Eagleburger
top domestic issues adviser in the cam-
comes at a time of nervousness among
paign, as State Department counselor.
senior career Foreign Service officers,
Margaret D. Tutwiler, a member of
who are anxiously awaiting news of
the transition team, is expected to be-
Mr. Baker's personnel plans to know
come Assistant Secretary of State for
where they will fit in.
Public Affairs. But unlike Charles E.
'In Great Shape'
Redman, who currently holds the job,
she may not conduct the State Depart-
Mr. Eagleburger has told friends
ment briefings every day.
that he has accepted the deputy post,
Ms. Tutwiler, who has emerged as a
currently held by John C. Whitehead,
de facto spokeswoman for Mr. Baker,
the Wall Street investment banker who
declined comment on the selection of
is returning to New York. Although Mr.
Mr. Eagleburger and the other possible
Eagleburger, who is 58 years old
appointments.
smokes, suffers from emphysema and
"We simply have no comment on any
is overweight, he has assured his
personnel decisions that President-
friends that he is "in great shape."
elect Bush and Secretary-designate
Among other officials under consid
Baker might or might not have made
eration for senior positions within the
or are considering," she said.
Department are Paul D. Wolfowitz, the
Ambassador to Indonesia, and Ro-
NEW YORK TIMES, p.
18
Jim Hoagland
Not long after that lunch, however,
designing the changes that are need-
Shultz disappeared into the Middle
ed in U.S. defense spending and force
East maw. The quick search he em-
posture, and then integrating those
A Key
barked upon for a lasting Israeli-Leba-
changes into a negotiating strategy.
nese peace treaty turned out to be
This is why the next big shoe to
protracted and fruitless. The experi-
drop in the foreign policy transition is
Role for
ence left him permanently embittered
one of the most important in deter-
toward the Arabs and newly sympa-
mining where initiatives will be devel-
thetic to the Israelis, who had origi-
oped in the Bush years. Baker can
nally been suspicious of Shultz be-
muscle into the East-West strategic
Scowcroft
cause of his ties to U.S. business
game at this stage only by naming as
firms with interests in the Arab
deputy secretary of state a policy
world.
heavyweight like Lawrence Eaglebur-
Then came Mikhail Gorbachev.
ger or William Hyland (if Baker does
LONDON-The passing of the
Shultz became fascinated with guiding
not-have his predecessors' hang-up
flame at Foggy Bottom from George
Ronald Reagan into and through a sea
about ex-Kissinger aides).
Shultz to Jim Baker on Jan. 20 marks
change in U.S.-Soviet relations. Cana-
There is an alternative that should
more than a personal handing over of
da and soft wood, and large financial
tempt Baker: choose for top policy
command. The agenda and center of
issues such as Third World debt, were
posts people with strong backgrounds
American foreign policy-making also
left to others.
in Asia. It is an area that Shultz left
are shifting in this new year.
Chief among those others was
alone and an area obviously crucial to
Shultz ends 61/2 years as secretary
Treasury Secretary Jim Baker, who
mapping out new trade and financial
of state having surprised everyone,
now gets a chance to reverse Shultz's
options for America. Given the State
including himself, with what he has
order of things. There are clear sig-
Department's depth in talented Asia
and has not done. He leaves office
nais that Baker will pay lip service to
specialists and Scowcroft's strong po-
with an unexpectedly long list of
being a big-picture man and actually
sition on Soviet affairs, it is a division
East-West and arms control accom-
concentrate on trade and financial
of labor that makes sense.
plishments and a strong friendship
issues from his perch at State, at least
with Israel as his Middle East legacy.
initially. This in any event is what
In international economics and trade,
Baker has indicated to at least one
where he was expected to have made
American businessman to whom he is
his mark, he leaves behind no foot-
close.
prints at all.
Another tip-off is the arrival
If Moscow's favorite saying about
Robert M. Gates, a Soviet specialist
unexpected developments is, "It is no
from the Central Intelligence Agency,
accident," the Washington phrase is,
at the White House to be chief deputy
"It wasn't planned this way." That
to National Security Adviser Brent
phrase covers Shultz's stewardship
Scowcroft. President-elect George
over American foreign policy.
Bush appears to want Soviet-U.S. re-
It began with the emergency trans-
lations run out of the White House
plant of Shultz for Alexander Haig
and coordinated with a serious re-
during the 1982 Israeli invasion of
view, which Scowcroft will head, 01
Lebanon. Shultz lunched at The
U.S. strategic arms programs.
Washington Post soon after the
Shultz's approach to Soviet-U.S. =
change and explained that he was
lations was political, based to a great
going to delegate a lot of the big-pic-
extent on his trust and sympathy for
ture political problems to others. He
Gorbachev and for Foreign Minister
would carve out a lot of time to
Eduard Shevardnadze. If Scowcroft
concentrate on and improve Ameri-
does replace Shultz as the principal
can relations with major trading part-
U.S. architect of East-West relation
ners like Canada.
as I suspect, strategic considerations
Somebody has to worry about Can-
will get higher priority and be inte-
ada and the soft-wood trade, I recall
grated more tightly into the next
him saying in great earnestness that
round of superpower bargaining. That
day. A secretary of state who devotes
is a change to be welcomed.
most of his time to the Middle East
Scowcroft's experience as an Air
will not have time for anything else;
Force general and as national security
once you get into a problem like the
adviser in the Ford administration
Middle East in an intensive way, it
gives him an enormous head start
just keeps coming back all the time.
over Baker and over John Tower at
It sounded like a reasonable and
Defense. Scowcroft has already mas-
sincere proposition for a man who
tered substance and bureaucratic
was an economist, ex-secretary both
form that Baker and Tower, and meir
of Treasury and Labor, and former
deputies, may spend months learning.
director of the White House's Office
He is ready to begin describing and
of Management and Budget.
WASHINGTON POST, /89, p. A 25
NATIONAL JOURNAL
7 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 3
named in Teeter's absence will owe
uling-a break with past practice.
Sununu Seen Likely
him nothing.
As secretary to the Cabinet, Bates
To Dominate
If he signs on, Teeter might play a
will have the Cabinet's Domestic Pol-
role much like Edwin Meese III did in
icy Council and Economic Policy
Little-Known
the original Reagan White House.
Council-sometimes important in
Two offices-domestic policy and
Reagan's tenure-reporting to him.
White House Staff
communications (which includes
But Bates, a Houston native who
speechwriting and public liaison)—
served in the Reagan Commerce and
George Bush's anointed White House
would report to him and the rest to
Treasury Departments, may find his
Sununu. This would enable him to
influence curbed by the fact that the
chief of staff John H. Sununu, hardly
several Cabinet members who are per-
the pussycat of his self-description, has
think great thoughts and write the ac-
hired most of a White House staff that
sonally close to Bush may deal with
companying lyrics while Sununu's
the President directly.
it appears he'll dominate.
aides decide whether to effect them.
J. Bonnie Newman, 43, is being
Other than Sununu, 49, and na-
That puts Sununu in the role of James
tional security adviser Brent Scow-
A. Baker III, President Reagan's first
brought from New Hampshire by
Sununu to become assistant to the
croft, 63, the senior aides named so far
chief of staff, who swiftly bested Meese
are men and women in their 30s and
President for operations. She'll admin-
for staff preeminence.
early 40s who heretofore have shown
Should Teeter remain a Michigan-
ister the nitty-gritty of the White
the passion for anonymity that by tra-
der, the whole caboodle (except Scow-
House—notably, distributing White
dition, White House aides should as-
croft's shop) will go to Sununu.
House staff perquisites. A former con-
pire to but rarely attain. Three owe
As chief of staff, Sununu is unlikely
gressional aide and assistant Com-
their jobs directly to Bush-personnel
to be boring. The strong-willed conser-
merce secretary, she is now president
chief Chase G. Untermeyer, press sec-
vative, who finished six years as New
of an industry group called New Eng-
land Council Inc.
retary Marlin Fitzwater and counsel
Hampshire's governor on Jan. 5, isn't
Frederick D. McClure, a former
C. Boyden Gray. Cabinet secretary-
designate David Q. Bates Jr. is a long-
known for suffering fools gladly-in
Reagan White House lobbyist who's
time Bush personal aide. But the rest
Washington, an essential. In New
now Texas Air Corp.'s Washington
owe their jobs mostly or wholly to
Hampshire, Sununu has exhibited "a
lobbyist, will be assistant to the Presi-
Sununu.
low tolerance for those who mask in-
dent for legislative affairs. And David
Sununu's sole rival on the horizon is
competence with bureaucratic rheto-
F. Demarest. 37, a protégé of former
Robert M. Teeter, who is fast becom-
ric," said former New Hamsphire At-
Labor Secretary Bill Brock, will be
communications director.
ing the Bushmen's Hamlet. Teeter,
torney General Thomas D. Rath, who
has known Sununu for 15 years.
Edward M. Rogers Jr., 30, formerly
Bush's campaign pollster, weeks ago
was offered a spot as deputy chief of
Sununu likes to delegate and also to
White House political director and
staff and counselor to the President, in
follow up, Rath said. He "works well
deputy to Bush's campaign manager,
has been named as. Sununu's executive
charge of domestic policy making. Ev-
from paper," he said. "The best way to
deal with him is to write a memo.
assistant.
ery week he is described as on the
verge of deciding whether to say yes,
You're sure it'll get read."
Edith (Ede) Holiday will be named
as assistant to the President for inter-
and every week he stays silent.
But on important matters, Sununu
Why isn't clear. Associates say his
likes to deal face-to-face, according to
governmental and political affairs, a
indecision is genuine, that his family is
David M. Carney, his deputy chief of
Bush aide said. Her departure from
horrified at the prospect of moving
staff and top political aide in New
her post as assistant Treasury secre-
from Michigan (where until recently
Hampshire. He is a man of high en-
tary for public affairs and public liai-
he owned a polling firm) to the wilds
ergy who doesn't like his time wasted.
son is said to have angered Treasury
of Washington. But some smell a ruse.
In meetings and conversation, "he gets
Secretary Nicholas F. Brady-Burt
Solomon
Teeter, a transition official suggested,
right to the point," Carney said.
figures the longer he withholds his an-
In the White House, Sununu is ex-
swer, the more leverage he'll build.
pected to rely heavily on two depu-
If that's his game, it has backfired.
ties-Andrew H. Card Jr. and James
Teeter's indecision, whether heartfelt
W. Cicconi. Card, 41, a former Massa-
or crafty, has damaged his position if
chusetts legislator, will be deputy to
: accepts, insiders say. The aides
the chief of staff and is expected to
handle the runoff from Sununu's pre-
sumably enormous workload. A for-
mer Reagan aide, Card served Bush's
campaign by sharpening the daggers
thrown at Michael S. Dukakis. But
he's considered good with people.
"When Sununu bloodies somebody,
they'll meet with Card for five minutes
and feel OK," a transition official said.
"His favorite line is, 'I care."
Cicconi, 36, a longtime Baker aide,
has been named staff secretary, putting
him in charge of the Oval Office paper
flow. Cicconi, lawyerly in demeanor as
well as professionally (in the Washing-
ton office of Akin, Gump, Strauss,
Hauer & Feld, a Dallas law firm) also
will preside over the President's sched-
Los Angeles Times
9 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 14
A Times Mirror Newspaper
Bitter Ideological Split in Party Seen Closing
Conservatives Quiet on Bush's Selection of Kissinger Allies
By DOYLE McMANUS, Times Staff Writer
WASHINGTON-Thirteen
ger men-and the broad applause
90 percents on a conservative scale.
years ago, when then-Secretary of
their reappointments have
George Bush's appointments have
State Henry A. Kissinger appeared
drawn-suggest that the bitter
maybe scaled back from 90 to 85.
at the Republican National Con-
ideological differences which often
They're still conservatives."
vention, many of Ronald Reagan's
divided not only the Republican
But Bush's style has been notice-
delegates stood up and booed at the
Party but also the Reagan Cabinet
ably different from Reagan's al-
man they considered an unwel-
as well are largely over.
ready, even before his inaugura-
come symbol of foreign policy
"What we're seeing, ironically, is
tion. His rhetoric has been less
moderation. And eight years ago,
a turn to competence rather than
fiery; "He has a less emotional
when Reagan first entered the
ideology," said another former Kis-
approach to the issues," noted
White House, Kissinger and many
singer aide, Helmut Sonnenfeldt
Sonnenfeldt. And his attitude to-
of his former aides were pointedly
(borrowing a line from Bush's
ward Congress has been more
passed over when foreign policy
opponent, Massachusetts Gov. Mi-
conciliatory, both Democrats and
appointments were made.
chael S. Dukakis, in the presiden-
Republicans say.
But times have changed. Two of
tial campaign).
And the most ideological conser-
the most important foreign policy
"The appointments, for the most
vatives, the ones who struggled to
jobs in the new Bush Administra-
part, have gone to the center of the
keep the Reagan Administration's
tion have gone to former "Kissin-
spectrum," he said. "What it says is
anti-Soviet foreign policy "pure,"
ger men," with more reportedly to
that Bush is going to be that kind of
are noticeably absent from the lists
come. There has been hardly a
President, and Baker is going to be
of rumored appointees.
peep of protest from the GOP's
that kind of secretary of state.
"Part of it is that the Reaganites
right wing. And Kissinger himself,
You'll be getting professional peo-
just aren't available any more.
who sometimes criticized Reagan's
ple, pragmatic people."
They've done their bit in govern-
leadership in a tone approaching
contempt, has nothing but compli-
"A triumph of competence over
ment, and now they're out doing
ideology," echoed Kenneth L.
other things," the Bush aide said.
ments for the abilities of George
Bush.
Adelman, Reagan's former director
The Bush Administration still
"I'm very enthusiastic about the
of the Arms Control and Disarma-
faces some internal foreign policy
new Administration," the former
ment Agency. "It's a more standard
debates. On Nicaragua, for exam-
Republican lot than the Reagan
ple, the President-elect has spoken
secretary of state said in a recent
Administration started with, more
strongly in favor of renewed U.S.
telephone interview. "Very, very
enthusiastic."
the country club Republican set
military aid to the Contras in an
a vanilla crowd."
attempt to push the leftist regime
Worked for Kissinger
toward internal democracy. But
"It's hard to find in this group
some members of Congress have
Bush's choice for national secu-
what the drive will be, what the
said that Baker seems skeptical
rity adviser, Brent Scowcroft, and
message will be," Adelman added.
about how effective the battered
deputy secretary of state, Law-
"The Reagan Administration had
Contras can be; and associates say
rence S. Eagleburger, are not only
SDI [the Strategic Defense Initia-
Eagleburger, like Kissinger, has
former Kissinger aides; for the last
tive], the Reagan Doctrine [of aid
long believed that the center of
five years they also have both been
to anti-communist rebels in Nica-
U.S. concern in Central America
officers of Kissinger Associates,
ragua and elsewhere], the mission
should be the threat of growing
Kissinger's private consulting firm.
of revitalizing American strength.
Soviet influence in the region rath-
Several other Kissinger acolytes
What are these guys going to do?"
er than the quest for parliamentary
are also in line for top jobs under
But even Adelman agrees that
democracy.
Secretary of State-designate
the time is ripe for a more centrist
As for Kissinger, Bush aides say
James A. Baker III, according to
approach. "This is a very different
he may be asked to head special
Reagan Administration officials
time from 1980," he said. "Then the
commissions on foreign policy
and Bush transition aides: William
strategic momentum was with the
problems, as he did for Reagan on
G. Hyland, now editor of Foreign
Soviet Union, and the United States
Central America in 1983-1984.
Affairs magazine, John D. Negro-
had to find a way to turn that
Asked about a possible role for him
ponte, a National Security Council
around. Now everything's coming
as a special negotiator in the Middle
aide, and Winston Lord, the U.S.
up roses, and what we have to do is
East or elsewhere, though, they
ambassador to China.
stay on a steady path."
sound uncertain.
In years past, a mere mention of
"People would spend most of
their names would have prompted
Conservative Views
their time worrying about whether
dire warnings from Sen., Jesse
To be sure, Bush has not desert-
Henry was walking away with the
Helms (R-N.C.) and other conser-
ed the conservative tenets of Rea-
store," said one.
vative stalwarts that Reagan's for-
gan's foreign policy. The Presi-
In any case, Kissinger himself
eign policy legacy was in danger of
dent-elect still supports SDI, aid
says he is quite delighted to see his
being sabotaged. But a call last
for the Contras and the use of U.S.
friends walk away with the Ad-
week to Helms' office produced
military power in the Persian Gulf
ministration's best jobs, and quite
only a private word of disparage-
and other trouble spots.
happy to remain in private life with
ment from an aide about "the
"The center of gravity has shift-
the best contacts in Washington.
Kissinger-Rockefeller types," a
ed a bit, but not that much." argued
"I probably shouldn't say this,"
reference to Kissinger's original
a Bush aide. "Ronald Reagan's
he mused. "But there probably isn't
political patron, the late Vice Pres-
appointments went way up into the
a job there that I really want."
ident Nelson A. Rockefeller.
Instead, the return of the Kissin-
DEFENSE NEWS
9 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 20
Power Struggle Keeps Top Pentagon Posts From Being Filled
That team would include:
William Ball III, the current
By MYRON STRUCK
runner for the position, is de-
Defense News Staff Writer
time." Kirk, who turned 60 last
Navy Secretary who worked with
scribed as a Tower admirer, the
Wednesday, was in the process of
Tower from 1975 to 1983 on the
WASHINGTON A high-level
deal is far from set with the now
moving into a new Washington
Armed Services Committee be-
struggle between the inner circle
increasingly tedious background
home on Friday, and out of tele-
fore joining the Reagan White
of advisers to President-elect
check from the FBI apparently
phone contact.
House as a congressional liaison
George Bush and John Tower, his
under way.
Retired Air Force Lt. Gen.
official.
nominee for defense secretary,
The Kirk associate said "he has
Brent Scowcroft, Bush's pick for
James McGovern, the acting
has stalled the selection of a new
a strong sense of service, and has
national security adviser, said last
Air Force Secretary, who was
management team at the Penta-
said that it's time to give some-
Tuesday, "we are continuing to
Tower's general counsel on the
gon, knowledgable administra-
thing back to the government af-
review personnel for the high lev-
Armed Services Committee. He
tion officials and congressional
ter years of working in the pri-
els at the Pentagon so we can
would be nominated Air Force
vate sector."
sources say.
find candidates who are accept-
Secretary.
Over the past month, at least
"There seems to be a turf
able to everyone."
Rhett Dawson, now a senior
three senior corporate managers
struggle over who gets to do
have turned down Bush's offers
At this point Tower, who un-
administrative manager in the
what,' said Lawrence Korb, a
derwent unexpected surgery to
Reagan White House, who was
or inquiries concerning the depu-
former assistant secretary of de-
remove polyps from his colon in
staff director and chief counsel
ty defense secretary position,
fense for manpower, installations
late December and again last
on the Armed Services Commit-
stalling announcements of addi-
and logistics, who is known to
Thursday, is refusing interviews.
have opposed Tower's selection
tee, would become general
tional top personnel at the
His key staffer, Richard Billmire,
counsel.
on both ideological and manage-
Pentagon.
has set up shop in the office of
rial grounds.
Michael Stone, undersecre-
The sources say Bush has
the undersecretary of defense for
"Little can be done if they
asked Norman Augustine, the
POWER Pg. 10
policy and has been meeting with
can't get anyone to accept the
outspoken president of Martin
senior officials at the Pentagon
top jobs," adds Rep. Les Aspin,
Marietta Corp. and Paul O'Neill,
on Tower's behalf beginning the
D-Wis., the chairman of the
POWER
the president of the Aluminum
transition.
House Armed Services Commit-
Corp. of America, and at least
In the behind-the-scenes jock-
tee. "I think we've just got to wait
from Pg. 7
one other corporate official, to
eying for deputy secretary,
a while."
take the deputy post so far.
sources said the candidates who
Playing into the debate from
tary of the Army, who has not
But two sources say that the
have turned down the job did so
the days when Tower's name was
worked with Tower, is believed to
administration has settled on
on the grounds they did not want
first rumored to have been
be his pick for Army Secretary,
Robert Kirk, chairman and chief
to work with Tower. An associate
Bush's selection for the position
replacing John Marsh, a former
executive officer of Allied-Signal
of Augustine said recently that
was the fear, or hope, that he
Democratic congressman from
Corp., and a longtime friend of
discussions with the aerospace
would bring with him a team of
Virginia who has held the post
Tower from the days when Kirk
executive never reached the
managers who had worked with
throughout the Reagan adminis-
was with LTV Aerospace and De-
point where Bush specifically
him on Capitol Hill. Tower served
tration. Stone worked at the
fense Corp. in Dallas, from 1977
asked Augustine to join govern-
on the Senate Armed Services
Agency for International Devel-
to 1986.
ment after Augustine made it
Committee throughout his four-
A spokesman for Kirk says "he
clear that he was not interested in
term Senate career, and from
is under review, and you can un-
working with Tower.
1981 to 1985 was the panel's
derstand that this is a sensitive
While Kirk, the current front-
chairman.
alition of congressional and Rea-
tracies of the weapons acquisi-
gan-allied Republicans.
tion process.
With the Operation m Wind in-
Two other top-level policy
vestigation into illegalities by
making positions are being
government officials and consul-
played as jokers in a high stakes
tants unfolding, the second posi-
poker game: the position of un-
tion that has moved to center
dersecretary for policy and un-
stage is that of undersecretary for
dersecretary for acquisition.
acquisition, a post now held by
In the policy post, Tower, a
Robert Costello.
knowledgable source said, is
Costello's chances of retaining
pressing for the addition of Alton
his position are enhanced by
Keel, another former Senate
Tower's willingness to carry this
Armed Services Committee aide
undersecretary's game plan to
who is now the U.S. ambassador
Bush for review, the source said,
opment early in the Reagan ad-
to NATO. Keel has high-level
paired with the fact that virtually
ministration, and previously -
managerial experience after
no one is talking about specific
spending five years as the asso-
candidates as a Costello
from 1973 to 1982 - was the
ciate director of the Office of
successor.
president of Sterling Vineyards in
Napa Valley, Calif.
Management and Budget for na-
R. James Woolsey, a former
While the credentials for the
tional security and international
undersecretary of the Navy, who
affairs.
four top Tower players show both
has worked with Scowcroft on an
experience and expertise, Bush
Several sources said a leading
"American Agenda" report on
and other close advisors, includ-
contender is Edward Luttwak,
defense issues, said the delay in
ing Secretary of State-designate
who holds the Arleigh A. Burke
selecting the highest level of
James Baker, have pressed for an
chair in strategy at the Center for
players is weakening the ability
Strategic and International Stud-
of the new team to come out of
experienced manager for the No.
2 position to help manage the in-
ies, who is being backed by a co-
the box fighting.
NEWSWEEK 9 JAN 89 Pg. 5
Scapegoating? rent Scowcroft, new White
B adviser, thinks allegations of
House national-security
waste, fraud and abuse by mili-
tary contractors are overstated.
"Industry tends to be the scape-
goat for the Pentagon and for
the Congress," Scowcroft says
next week in a Fox TV special on
defense. "It's an easy way out to
blame [industry for the kinds of
problems by and large creat-
ed within the government."
Wednesday, January 11, 1989 -- A-6
BUSH TO NAME PRINCIPAL DOMESTIC ADVISER
WASHINGTON -- President-elect Bush on Wednesday will name Roger
Porter, a Harvard government and business professor with extensive White
House experience, to be his principal domestic adviser, transition sources
said Tuesday night.
Porter, an influential domestic policy aide under Presidents Ford and
Reagan, will be the domestic counterpart to Brent Scowcroft, who was
selected as Bush's national security adviser.
A Harvard faculty member since 1977, Porter has focused his teaching
and research on issues such as those he will wrestle with daily, including
the management of federal policy development and the formulation of
domestic and international economic policy.
The transition sources said Porter will also be one of Bush's top
economic advisers.
(Walter Robinson, Boston Globe)
Thursday, January 12, 1989 -- A-8
BUSH STAFF STRUCTURE: MUCH LIKE REAGAN'S
President-elect Bush has borrowed a White House structure from
President Reagan and filled it with a senior staff that reflects Bush's
priorities, including a new position to carry out his "thousand points of
light" campaign and a top issues adviser who is a specialist on the savings
and loan crisis.
A senior Bush adviser, speaking on condition he not be named, said
the President-elect has tentatively approved keeping the twin domestic
issues forums used by Reagan -- a domestic policy council and economic
council. The official said that Attorney General Thornburgh would head
the domestic policy council and Treasury Secretary Brady the economic
council.
Meanwhile, incoming White House chief of staff John Sununu
announced the appointment of 15 senior officials, largely filling out Bush's
White House staff except for people under national security adviser Brent
Scowcroft
Among those named assistant to the president, the highest White
House staff rank, is Richard Breeden
who is considered an expert on
the turmoil in the savings and loan industry
Sununu also announced the appointment of Gregg Petersmeyer, senior
vice president and director of General Atlantic Energy Corp. in Denver, to
the new post of deputy assistant to the president for national service
(David Hoffman & Ann Devroy, Washington Post, A14)
WALL
STREET
JOURNAL
Gramm-Rudman cuts, it could wreak
13 JAN 1989
Pg.
14
havoc with new, supersecret weapons pro-
grams, defense and congressional budget
officials say, probably prompting paring
Bush Budget Aide Hints at Willingness to Accept
back of multibillion-dollar contracts for ra-
dar-eluding bombers and scaling back pro-
Deep Cuts in Defense, Worrying Pentagon Brass
duction of a new generation of guided-mis-
sile destroyers. These officials worry that
By ANDY PASZTOR
nuclear-missile submarines expected to
And JOHN E. YANG
Leon Panetta (D., Calif. "Neither the ad-
form the core of U.S. military security
Staff Reporters of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
ministration nor the Congress would find
through the 1990s also could be affected.
WASHINGTON - Richard Darman,
that. tolerable."
"It would be bad for both Democrats
President-elect Bush's choice to be budget
Gramm-Rudman was designed to take a
and Republicans, for the White House and
director, is privately passing the word on
disproportionately larger bite out of de-
Congress," says Sen. Bennett Johnston
Capitol Hill that he is so intent on reducing
fense spending than non-defense spending.
(D., La.), a senior member of the Senate
the deficit without raising taxes that he
Under the law, half the automatic cuts
Budget Committee. "It is absolutely Rus-
would accept the deep. automatic spending
needed to bring the deficit down to the
sian roulette to predict who comes out on
cuts mandated by the Gramm-Rudman
targeted level would have to come from
the top of the heap" in such a scenario, he
$13.5 billion cut from current Pentagon
law.
defense spending. even though defense rep-
adds.
spending. The Congressional Budget Office
The hope is that this will calm Wall
resents only about 27% of the current fed-
Many officials think Mr. Darman's ploy
forcasts a deficit of $141 billion, which
Street and world-wide credit markets wor-
eral budget. In addition, such social pro-
could be checked if high-ranking military
would require a $20.5 billion Pentagon
ried that nothing will be done about the
grams as Social Security, Medicaid and
officers and former Sen. John Tower, Mr.
spending cut.
U.S. budget deficit in view of Mr. Bush's
food stamps are exempt and cuts in some
Bush's nominee to head the Defense De-
When relatively small automatic cuts
promise not to raise taxes.
health programs. including Medicare,
partment, decide to launch a counteroffen-
under Gramm-Rudman took effect in 1986,
But the prospect of automatic cuts cer-
would be limited.
sive. Some Pentagon officials argue that
Pentagon budget planners were able to
tainly doesn't calm the brass across the
The mandated cuts would force the Air
no matter how committed the Bush admin-
cushion the jolt by shifting money among
Potomac River in the Pentagon. They say
Force to cannibalize jet fighters for spare
istration is to keeping its vow of "no new
different accounts. But that is likely to be
that the across-the-board cuts-projected
parts, some Navy ships still in their prime
taxes," it couldn't stomach the chaos and
more difficult this time, primarily because
to take around $15 billion out of Pentagon
probably would be mothballed or restricted
plummeting military morale that would be
the growth in military spending has been
outlays and as much as S30 billion out of
to port, and spending levels for training pi-
created by indiscriminate Gramm-Rud-
Pentagon budget authority, which deter-
scaled back significantly in the intervening
lots. sailors and infantry troops would be
man reductions.
years. And Democrats in Congress are
mines future spending-would gut the na-
cut substantially, according to Pentagon
On the other hand, some top Republi-
tion's defense.
likely to fight attempts to protect such con-
and congressional budget analysts.
cans believe that Mr. Darman's stance
Outgoing Defense Secretary Frank Car-
troversial projects as the Strategic De.
More pessimistic projections call for
would give the Bush administration lever-
lucci. whose bitter opposition helped stave
fense Initiative, President Reagan's cher-
taking out of active service 200 or so tacti-
age in anticipated budget negotiations with
off Gramm-Rudman cuts during the last
ished space-based anti-missile research
cal fighters and strategic bombers. along
budget battle, says that invoking them now
Congress. "The weakest point of Reagan program.
with curtailed operations of some Navy
summitry (on the budget in 1987] was the
"would be devastating for the Pentagon,"
The Pentagon's $298 billion current
aircraft-carrier groups. Once the deficit-re-
requiring the armed forces "to get rid of
almost-certain belief that. in the end. they budget may be larger than the gross
na-
duction law kicks in. neither Congress nor
people and lay up ships."
would not accept" the automatic cuts. ar- tional product of all but seven countries in
the military has much flexibility to insu-
Brent Scowcroft, Mr. Bush's national
gues Ohio Rep. Willis Gradison, a senior the non-communist world. but only about
late specific defense program areas from
security adviser, reportedly has expressed
Republican on the House Budget Commit- 10% of that is true discretionary spending.
cutbacks.
tee. "It weakened their hand."
concern to the president-elect over the
Given such a scenario, congressional
The rest is taken up with military pay. op-
But, given the severity of the potential eration and maintenance costs. and
prospect of such major reductions.
budget analysts predict that the Navy
defense cuts, the ultimate decision weapons-procurement money obligated in
Thus some lawmakers and defense offi-
would slash acquisition of new training air-
"wouldn't be made by Dick Darman, it prior years, none of which can be cut with-
cials suspect that Mr. Darman, who ac-
craft. Various missile programs affecting
would have to be made by the president." out a great deal of anguish.
knowledges that he isn't espousing estab-
all the services likely would receive big
Rep. Gradison emphasizes.
So, even if the Gramm-Rudman auto-
lished Bush administration policy in this
hits because they generally aren't pro-
The automatic spending cuts would be matic cuts aren't triggered this time
area, merely wants to stake out the strong-
tected by multiyear production contracts.
triggered if the Office of Management and around, Bush supporters such as former
est possible negotiating position to fight an-
Mr. Bush almost certainly would exer-
Budget projects in August that the budget Navy Secretary John Lehman worry about
ticipated Democratic tax-increase propos-
cise his right under the law to exempt
deficit for fiscal 1990, which begins Oct. 1. an impending budget crisis for the mili-
als. Even so, few people relish the thought
from mandatory cuts pay and other bene-
will be more than $10 billion bigger than tary. "Whether it comes through Gramm-
of calling his bluff.
fits for personnel in uniform, which ac-
the Gramm-Rudman law's target of $100 Rudman or through congressional action.
"That would be the biggest defense cut
count for roughly 25% of the Pentagon's
billion.
we're going to see those kinds of cut-
in the post-Vietnam era, at a time when
annual budget. However. that would make
Even accepting the Reagan administra- backs." predicts Mr. Lehman. "and there
we're negotiating with the Soviets." con-
reductions even deeper in other areas.
tion's optimistic fiscal 1990 deficit projec- will be a rapid disintegration of the readi-
tends House Budget Committee Chairman
If Mr. Darman's gambit results in
tion of $126.9 billion. that would mean a ness of our forces."
BALTIMORE SUN
17 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 3
Anticipated naming of Atwood to Pentagon staff expected to aid planning
would run the Pentagon's day-to-day
operations, especially including the
as Senator Tower.
All such planning, and relevant
James F. McGovern to remain as
presidential decision directives, are
By Charles W. Corddry
supervision and reform of multibil-
Air Force secretary. He was chief of
customarily reviewed closely by in
Washington Bureau of The Sun
lion-dollar arms purchasing pro-
the Senate Armed Services Commit-
coming administrations.
grams.
tee staff when Mr. Tower was com-
The new one must decide wheth.
WASHINGTON - President-elect
The selection of a man with in-
mittee chairman.
er to accept President Reagan's pro-
George Bush's choice of a General
dustry credentials to complement
Motors executive, Donald Atwood
Paul D. Wolfowitz, now ambassador
posed $315.2 billion defense budget
Mr. Tower as policy-maker was seen
as particularly important in light of
to Indonesia and assistant secretary
for fiscal 1990, representing a S6
Jr., for the Pentagon's all-important
acknowledged waste in procurement
of state for East Asia at the time of
billion increase after adjusting for in
No. 2 post is expected to break a
logjam that has slowed defense plan-
practices and of buying scandals
Philippine President Ferdinand E.
flation. It can cut or rearrange pro-
ning at a time of major budget, con-
Marcos' fall, to be undersecretary of
grams, or confront congressional
now under investigation.
Democrats with such choices.
gressional and foreign Issues.
Mr. Atwood's selection was ex-
defense for policy.
pected to clear the way for an-
An official also mentioned for un-
Its planning in this regard can
Since the long-delayed selection
of John G. Tower as defense secre-
dersecretary was Alton Keel, now
have impact on arms control issues
nouncement of other top job choices,
U.S. ambassador to the North Atlan-
and a major influence on the larger
tary-designate on Dec. 16, the ad-
including retention of some officials
ministration that takes power Friday
in their present posts. That in turn
tic Treaty Organization and a former
question of responses to new moves
in Moscow.
Senate staff aide to Mr. Tower.
has announced no other appoint-
would put the transition and atten-
There also were reports yesterday
So far this planning is in embry.
ments to the world's largest enter-
tion to major issues on a faster
that the present deputy defense sec-
onic stages, sources say. Given the
prise, the U.S. military establish-
track.
ment.
retary, William H. Taft IV, might
inexorable schedule of congressional
Numerous sources said the possi-
succeed Mr. Keel in the NATO post
examinations, especially of budgèt-
The transition is "slow getting off
ble lineup in Mr. Tower's Pentagon
the ground." a current high-ranking
in Brussels, Belgium.
ary plans, time is running short.
included:
official said from his Pentagon van-
Besides the slow assembling of a
Rhett Dawson as Army secretary
national security team, a main fac-
tage point. There has been no formal
or Defense Department general
mechanism for planning budget re-
tor delaying transition work has
counsel. Mr. Dawson was once on
been Mr. Tower's hospitalization for
visions, arms control positions and
the staff of the Senate Armed Serv-
responses to changes in Soviet strat-
surgery in Dallas - now behind
ices Committee, of which Mr. Tower
him.
egy, Bush sources acknowledge.
later was chairman, and was staff
That, and secretary of state-des-
By all accounts, however, the
director for the Packard Commis-
ignate James A. Baker Ill's need to
president-elect is about to announce
sion, which proposed Pentagon re-
prepare intensively for Senate con-
the choice of Mr. Atwood, 64, Gener-
forms now to be enforced. He cur-
firmation hearings, have left the
al Motors' vice chairman, as deputy
rently is a White House official.
defense secretary, as reported earlier
William L. Ball III to remain as
new national security adviser, Brent
Navy secretary. A former White
Scowcroft, more or less alone in re-
by the New York Times.
In that post, the experienced in-
House liaison official with Congress,
viewing Interagency national securi.
dustrial manager and engineer
he, too, has long known former Tex-
ty planning.
2
Bush Team Plans Early Review
Military, Arms-Talks Policy
By Don Oberdorfer
rents of discussion and expectation
Washington Post Staff Writer
in the field of Soviet policy. An ar-
ticle in last Wednesday's Baltimore
The first order of business for
Sun, which is believed to have been
the incoming Bush administration in
based on a background interview
U.S.-Soviet relations is expected to
with Scowcroft, suggested that the
be a high-level review of military
continuation of substantive strate-
and arms issues that will take a new
gic arms negotiations with the So+
look at U.S. negotiating positions in
viets might be delayed as long as a
superpower arms talks, according
year while the Bush administration
to officials close to President-elect
formulates its policies.
George Bush.
A source familiar with Scow-
The policy review has been urged
croft's thinking, asked to comment
by incoming White House national
on the Baltimore Sun account, said
security adviser Brent Scowcroft
that any estimate of the date for
and publicly endorsed by Bush.
resuming arms control talks is pre-
It could take a month or two, if a
mature.
"minimal" study of U.S. military
What seems to be clear, from the
programs and arms control posi-
comments of Bush and Scowcroft, is
tions is authorized. It could take
the basic concept that a high-level
year if a "maximal" long-range eval-
review encompassing decisions on
uation of the U.S. strategic posture
U.S. strategic military forces is a
and objectives is authorized, accord-
necessary step toward the forma-
ing to a senior official of the new
tion of positions on remaining issues
administration who asked not to be
in the strategic nuclear arms nego-
or coalition in Congress would ac-
quoted by name.
tiations. Foremost among the mil-
cept, it probably would take at least
With the Bush administration set
itary decisions is the future of land-
six weeks to two months, the offi-
to assume the reins of government
based U.S. missiles such as the MX
cial said.
on Friday, this source said there
or the proposed Midgetman mobile
At the other end of the spectrum
has yet bèen no serious consider-
missile.
would be a longer-range, more in-
ation among top officials of the ob-
A review that is done inside the
tensive study of basic U.S. objec-
jectives and extent of the review
administration by National Security
tives in the nuclear and convention-
process, despite growing specula-
Council, Defense, State Depart-
al forces field. Such a study would
tion and concern about it among
ment and other administration staff-
include issues such as the most de-
career U.S. officials and allied gov-
ers might be completed a month af-
sirable balance of forces of various
ernments.
ter it is authorized, said a senior
kinds between the two superpowers
"The right-wing slogan is no
official of the incoming administra-
and their allies, fundamental U.S.
longer 'slam the Soviets' but now it
tion. If this "minimal review" were
objectives in Europe and the rela-
is 'review forever,' said a career
to tackle seriously the question of
tionships of separate negotiations in
official familiar with the undercur-
what a national security consensus
nuclear, conventional and chemical
lofd
WASHINGTON POST, 1/17/89, p. A20
Thursday, January 19, 1989 -- A-10
BAKER PLEDGES NO REPEAT OF IRAN-CONTRA SCANDAL
Secretary of State-designate James Baker pledged Wednesday there
will be no repeat in the Bush administration of the free-wheeling covert
operations that marked the Iran-contra scandal.
Baker, at his confirmation hearing, told senators that he,
President-elect Bush and incoming national security adviser Brent
Scowcroft have "specifically discussed" that "breakdown."
He said Bush has roughly 25 years in government, much of it in
foreign and national security affairs. "We're going to make the system
work the way the system should work," said Baker.
After six hours of discussion on Tuesday and nearly five hours
Wednesday, the Senate committee was ready to endorse Baker unanimously
in time for full Senate confirmation before Bush's inauguration Friday.
Baker, sometimes ad-libbing, sometimes referring to briefing papers,
indicated that Bush will largely follow Reagan Administration policies.
(Walter Friedenberg, Scripps Howard)
The Unsinkable Kissinger Bobs Back
By Garry Wills
EVANSTON, III.
singer tried to reinsert himself in-the
When Mr. Bush was appointed the
Government by securing the Vice
liaison officer to China, Mr. Kissinger
L ooming behind the Bush cabi-
net is the improbable
Presidential nomination for his stalk-
tried to discourage him from doing
ing horse, Mr. Ford. According to
anything substantial and made it
but inescapable figure
of Henry A. Kissinger.
Karl Marx's formula, he seemed to
clear "China policy was to be handled
He must have been
be replaying as farce all the back
only by him and his closest aides," as
displaying his deftest
channel shuffling that took him to
Mr. Bush wrote. Mr. Bush saw Chair-
footwork of late to George Bush's
China.
man Mao only when Mr. Kissinger ar-
people. Not only did Mr. Kissinger
But the White House proved harder
rived for one of his imperial-scale
show up on the transition team, but
to reach than the Great Wall. Mr. Kis-
visits, one of the few things Mr. Bush
two top officers in the new adminis-
singer had to settle, in the Reagan
allows himself to mock in his deter-
tration - Brent Scowcroft, who will
years, for sniping at negotiations with
minedly polite autobiography.
be the President's national security
the Soviets from his new perch on the
So the odds were against Mr. Kis-
adviser, and Lawrence S. Eagleburg-
right. Like Paul H. Nitze, the veteran
singer's playing an important role in
arms negotiator, he seems to con-
the Bush admini But that is
er, who will be Deputy Secretary of
State - are being taken from his con-
sider arms control a snare and delu-
just the sort of bind that calls for the
sulting firm, Kissinger Associates,
sion unless he is himself doing the
Kissinger prestidigitation. Who ex-
stocked with the most trustworthy
snaring and deluding. Two Kissinger
pected Nelson Rockefeller's man to
subordinates from his days in office.
show up at the Hotel Pierre as part of
Since he entered politics as Nelson
Op-Ed articles frightened Alexander
Mr. Nixon's transition team in 1968?
A. Rockefeller's left-hand man,
M. Haig Jr., then the Secretary of
Mr. Kissinger did not quite insert Mr.
Henry Kissinger has always been a
State, out of trying to set up meetings
Ford (and therefore himself) into the
with the Soviet Foreign Minister, An-
second spot on the Rengan ticket, but
suspect item to the right. After he
drei A. Gromyko.
the sheer nerviness of the attempt
found more acceptable patronage
On human rights as a foreign policy
was breathtaking.
under Richard Nixon, Mr. Kissinger
concern, Mr. Kissinger took the hard,
Given the recent configuration of
still represented all those things that
Jeane J. Kirkpatrick line when he
Republican politics Mr. Bush to the
conservatives found trickiest in
headed Mr. Reagan's National Bipar-
right of Mr. Reagan on Soviet policy,
Dick's treatment even of them - the
tisan Commission on Central Amer-
and Mr. Kissinger to the right. of Mr.
opening to China, détente, the antibal-
ica. There was still resistance to him
Bush - James A. Baker 3d, Mr.
listic missile treaty, SALT 1.
among conservatives; but William F.
Bush's choice as Secretary of State,
When the hapless Gerald R. Ford
Buckley Jr. said that was unfair,
may be sending a signal of toughness
inherited the White House after
since Mr. Kissinger had taken posi-
by recruiting Kissinge, ites. But there
Watergate, and Mr. Kissinger be-
tions "substantially to the right of the
is always the chance that Mr. Kissin-
came the acting president for foreign
positions taken by George Bush."
ger, back in influence, will "do a
affairs, hostility on the right became
But all this toadying to former crit-
Nitze." And right-wing suspicions
so shrill that Mr. Ford purged
ics seemed doomed to failure if Mr.
outlive almost every other political
"détente" from his Administration's
Bush won. Bob Dole, Jack Kemp, Al-
fungus in Washington.
vocabulary. Mr. Ford kept Henry hid-
bert M. Gore Jr. - any of them
The Kissinger people have been
den during most of the 1976 Republi-
should have been more receptive to
dodging along behind him in such
can National Convention, and even al-
his "expertise" than Mr. Bush, a man
complicated patterns over the years
lowed a renunciation of Mr. Kissinger
who has real foreign policy experi-
that they are bound to recross their
in the Reagan platform.
ence himself, much of it made un-
steps wherever they move. Besides,
Thus, when Ronald Reagan was
happy because of Mr. Kissinger.
for the principal himself, deft as he is
nominated for the Presideney four
It was Mr. Kissinger who kept Mr.
at slipping out from under one protec-
years later, Mr. Kissinger could ex-
Bush in the dark while the latter
tive arm and under another, that
pect little honor from his former vili-
tried, as chief delegate to the United
duck-and-move puts the face down
fiers. But he had been laboring to in-
Nations, to keep Taiwan seated in the
where elbows fly thickest. Mr. Kissin-
gratiate himself with the right during
General Assembly. Mr. Bush was not
ger may ultimately, by sheer effron-
the Carter years, denouncing his for-
informed of the trip Mr. Kissinger
tery of maneuver, be unsinkable; but
mer achievements. At the convention
took to W00 the People's Republic of
he has proved in the past that even he
that nominated Mr. Reagan, Mr. Kis-
China, with the result, as Mr. Bush
is partially submersible.
puts it in his autobiography, that "we
were saying one thing in New York
and doing another in Washington."
NEW YORK TIMES, 1/19 /89, P.Ad5
-42-
'Keynote is caution'
as Bush team sets
policy toward Soviets
By Warren Strobel
While Mr. Bush stressed again
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
vesterday his intent to conduct a
thorough-going policy review, legis-
President-elect Bush takes office
lators are pressuring the new presi-
today facing more pressing national
dent to explain his position on every-
security decisions than any recent
thing from the Stealth bomber to the
predecessor, but he will move care-
limited anti-missile system. Eight
fully in reshaping defense policies,
reports to Congress on these and
according to top transition officials.
other topics are due during Mr.
"The keynote of everything is cau-
Bush's first 60 days in office.
tion," said one knowledgable official,
One such report, due Feb. 15, re-
Mr. Frye said that of all domestic
who spoke on condition he not be
quires Mr. Bush to decide whether
and foreign issues confronting the
identified. "You're going to find
he will spend $350 million in an es-
new administration, START rep-
Bush almost more cautious than
crow account on developing the
resents the best opportunity for an
Reagan in dealing with the Soviet
train-carried version of the 10-
early policy success.
Union."
warhead MX missile or the smaller,
Mr. Frye acknowledged that the
At the core of that caution, ac-
more expensive "Midgetman" mis-
Bush team is walking a "fine line" in
cording to this official and others, is
sile carried on trucks.
reviewing previous policies while at
a strong desire by Mr. Bush and his
the same time not wanting to appear
national security team to put U.S. de-
The choice has huge implications
unwilling to make progress on arms
fense priorities in order, thereby en-
not only for the Pentagon budget, but
control and U.S.-Soviet relations in
for the U.S. stance at the START
suring that chances to modernize
general.
talks.
the nation's armed forces are not
William Schneider, a former un-
traded away at the arms talks table.
"It's going to be difficult for them
dersecretary of state who has infor-
Representatives of the new ad-
to reach that [decision]" by that
mally advised Mr. Bush on defense
ministration have been spreading
early date, said Alton Frye, Washing-
matters, said, "I don't have any sense
ton director of the Council on For-
the word, publicly and privately, that
that Bush is going to take a long time
Mr. Bush plans as his first step after
eign Relations and member of the
for a review."
taking office an intensive review of
Annapolis Group, a bipartisan nu-
The incoming administration is
current U.S. strategy in a broad
çlear weapons study panel. But he
focusing on the implications of an
range of areas affecting national se-
added, "Perhaps they can."
expected long-term decline in the
curity.
The panel released a study Tues-
growth of military spending. But,
day that found a bipartisan consen-
Mr. Schneider said, "I haven't seen
Only then, aides say, will the "Big
sus among the 125 lawmakers and
Four" - Mr. Bush, National Security
any indication that Bush is going to
foreign policy analysts it inter-
Adviser Brent Scowcroft, Secretary
send up a budget amendment that
viewed that completing the START
of State-designate James Baker III
will greatly change the Reagan bud-
treaty should be Mr. Bush's highest
and Secretary of Defense-designate
get proposal in the aggregate."
foreign policy priority. The survey
Transition officials said the re-
John Tower - begin making deci-
reflected support for wrapping up
sions on specific topics.
view of U.S. strategy has been under
the pact more quickly then Mr. Bush
way for some time, with what the
These include whether and how to
apparently intends.
first official called "extensive dis-
tinker with President Reagan's final
The president-elect announced in
cussions" between Gen. Scowcroft
Pentagon budget proposal, which
December that he would delay re-
and Mr. Tower.
programs to emphasize in moderniz-
sumption of the negotiations beyond
ing U.S. nuclear weapons, and how to
the Feb. 15 date recommended by
finish negotiating the Strategic
the Reagan administration in order
Arms Reduction Talks (START)
to review current U.S. proposals on
treaty cutting those weapons.
the table in Geneva. The treaty
Also on the agenda is whether Mr.
would limit both superpowers to
Reagan's Strategic Defense Initia-
6,000 nuclear warheads on 1,600
tive should continue on its present
land-based missiles, submarine-
course - deployment of an initial
launched missiles and manned
space-based missile defense in
bombers.
about 10 years - be relegated to
"I think the Soviets understand
long-term research, or redirected to-
that my intention is not to drag my
ward a limited, ground-based sys-
feet, but to simply do a prudent reas-
tem useful only in protecting mili-
sessment," Mr. Bush said yesterday
tary facilities or deflecting an
in an interview with wire service re-
accidental missile launch.
porters. "And in terms of how long, I
don't think we really know yet. I
don't feel inclined to adopt a time-
table."
WASHINGTON TIMES, 1/20/89, p.
PLEASE CREDIT ANY QUOTES OR EXCERPTS FROM THIS ABC NEWS TELE-
VISION PROGRAM TO "ABC NEWS' THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY."
ABC NEWS
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY
Sunday, January 22, 1989
GUESTS:
LT. GEN BRENT SCOWCROFT
National Security Adviser
SENATOR SAM NUNN (D-Ga.)
Chairman, Armed Services Committee
INTERVIEWED BY:
David. Brinkley - ABC News
George F. Will - ABC News Analyst
Sam Donaldson - ABC News
C
Copyright 1989, American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
All rights reserved.
Transcript by:
News Transcripts, Inc.
733 - 15th Street, N.W., Suite 440
Washington, D. C. 20005
(202) 347-2321
ABC News Press Contact: Julie Vecchione (212) 887-3735
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
1
MR. BRINKLEY: Senator Nunn, thanks for coming in.
Pleased to have you.
SENATOR NUNN: Glad to be here, David.
MR. BRINKLEY: Here with us in the studio are George
Will of ABC NEWS, and Sam Donaldson, ABC NEWS correspondent. Now,
senator, as chairman of the Armed Services Committee you will be
the first place to know about this, do you expect in view of the
Russians change in behavior or change in promises pressure to
reduce the armed services, reduce the spending?
SENATOR NUNN: I think it was already there, because of
the fiscal situation we're in. But I believe that the Gorbachev
rhetoric--and so far, the forces have not been reduced; we need to
keep that mind--will lead to more pressures in this country but
especially in Europe.
MR. BRINKLEY: Well, the Europeans seem to be more
intent on that than we are. Why is that, do you know?
SENATOR NUNN: I don't know. But I think that's the
first challenge of the president is to try to produce a cohesive
and united alliance with some vision of where we're going in the
future. We came out of World War II with goals and with cohesion.
Stalin made NATO. Gorbachev may unmake NATO if we are not alert as
to what our future holds, and if we're not certain that the forces
have been reduced before we start relaxing in the alliance.
MR. WILL: On that subject you've said that the Europeans
and our, to some extent, nuclear allergy grows more intense every
year. Yet there's no corresponding willingness to pay the steep
budgetary price to increase conventional forces so that we can
lower the nuclear threshold.
Isn't that going to get much worse, and hasn't it become
much worse under Mr. Gorbachev?
SENATOR NUNN: It's getting worse in Europe particularly.
I don't think in this country it is. But not only because of
Gorbachev but because of the INF treaty. And I voted for that
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
2,
treaty, but it had a downside. The downside is that the weapons
we have left in Europe are essentially short range weapons. And
if they ever have to be fired, God forbid, they would hit on
German soil.
So that has understandably caused great sensitivity in
Germany. This is one of the real challenges for the next adminis-
tration and for the alliance.
MR. WILL: But aren't we in a kind of box? Because the
Soviet Union can read our budget. And it knows there's a Gramm-
Rudman trigger and a severe downward pressure on defense, which
is--means downward pressure on the ability to strengthen conventional
forces.
What option do we have? Can't they just wait us out?
SENATOR NUNN: Well, George, the thing we need to keep
in mind is, if you look at, what with the United States and all of
our allies spend each year just on conventional forces, weigh it
against what the Soviets and the Warsaw Pact spend each year, we
have outspent them for the last 35 years.
So it's not a matter simply of money; it's a matter of
taking the money and making sure we cut out the duplication wherever
we can. And I think we've got to start talking about specialization
in NATO. We all try to play all the instruments in the orchestra
instead of having the instruments that we play best be emphasized.
That's what we've got to do: make the money 90 further, and also
try to increase the funding if we can.
MR. WILL: Our next guest here in that chair in' a few
minutes is Brent Scowcroft, who has accused the Reagan administration
of eight years of near total confusion, he said, on the question
of vulnerability of ICBMS. Last week sitting in that chair Frank
Carlucci, the outgoing secretary of defense, seemed to speak of
Midgetman as a bargaining schip, something we would go ahead with,
just as we went ahead with the intermediate range missiles in
Europe so we could get rid of them.
Is that your view?
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
3
SENATOR NUNN: My view is almost the opposite. 1 come
closer to the Scowcroft view. I would much prefer that we concentrate
on a smaller missile that can be moved around that truly is mobile
and survivable.
I think the name of the game in the future is going to
be survivability. And to put missiles in silos, fixed silos, and
to put a lot of warheads on then so they become more lucrative
targets, 1S not the way to go.
I'd rather concentrate on doing away with MIRV missiles
on land, if possible, with some kind of tradeoff between the 24 of
the Soviets and the MX of ours.
MR. WILL: How can people advocate a 50 percent reduction
of warheads and not have mobile missiles. Doesn't mobility--isn't
that required by this fewer number of targets?
SENATOR NUNN: Absolutely. The fewer targets you have,
the more you have to make them survivable. And 1 think that's why
our proposal, which is still on the table in Geneva now, which
must be reviewed by the new administration to eliminate all mobility
on both sides doesn't make sense in the age we live in.
MR. BRINKLEY: Let me interrupt here for a second. For
those who are not experts, describe the Midgetman. What does it do?
SENATOR NUNN: It's essentially a single warhead missile.
The MX has 10 warheads. The Midgetman is smaller and can be moved
more readily. We hope we can make it affordable; that's the
challenge--
MR. BRINKLEY: You can put it on a railroad car or
something and move it around?
SENATOR NUNN: Any missile that is smaller inherently is
more mobile in terms of its abilities--
MR. DONALDSON: Well, let me just nail down your view.
It is that you would prefer Midgetman on trucks rather than MXs on
railcars, is that it?
SENATOR NUNN: Well, we don't know how we're going to
base the Midgetman. That's one of the options. But there are
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
4
many other options. We've got to find an affordable way.
The Midgetman costs more per warhead because, obviously,
if you put 10 warheads on one missile you have economy. But the
survivability of the Midgetman is more.
So surviving warheads is what I hope the Bush administration
concentrates on rather than simply warheads to begin with
MR. DONALDSON: All right, let's look at other weapons
systems: The B-2, the Stealth bomber, what do we do there?
SENATOR NUNN: Well, I think we built the wrong bomber,
and now we're in a dilemma. Because the B-2 1S a quantum jump in
capability, but the B-l's already built.
I would first not spend any more money on the B-1,
because I think that's sort oi walking on the rug, or running on
the rug. Second, we've got to make sure we don't go into production
on the B-2 until we've ironed out all the technial problems.
And third, we've got to find a way to produce the B-2 in
sufficient numbers per year so that we don't have an astronomical
cost per unit. If we continue the road of stretching everything,
we won't be able to do that
MR. DONALDSON: Why not just go ahead with the Stealth,
and leapfrog the B-2?
SENATOR NUNN: Well, the B-2 is the Stealth.
MR. DONALDSON: on, that's right; same designation.
SENATOR NUNN: The B-2 is the Stealth, and the B-1 is
the one we already have built. I felt that when President Carter
cancelled the B-1, it should have been built, and when President
Reagan built the B-1, it should have been cancelled
MR. DONALDSON: Now, what about SDI? You're an opponent
of SD1 spending, are you not
SENDATOR NUNN: No, I'm not an opponent. I'm for a
prudent, reasonable research program, a vigorous program, 10, 15
percent a year I've supported, in terms of increase. But when
they start coming in with 40 percent to 50 percent, 80 percent
increase per year in SDI, when they start describing it as something
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY January 22, 1989
5
that's going to allow us to eliminate all nuclear weapons, I say,
wait a minute, stop the train, I want to get off.
That's not the kind of program supported by technology.
That's a theology, not a technology
MR. DONALDSON: Well, is it your view that General
Scowcroft and you are about in the same place on this, because you
have just said something that has come out of his lips in other
words, but the same thought?
SENATOR NUNN: Brent Scowcroft and I think alike on a
lot of things. You might have a hard time getting an argument
between us. I think he's one of the best appointments that Bush
has made.
MR. BRINKLEY: Well, he's going to be here, but not at
the same time you are. So we don't have to do that
MR. DONALDSON: Let no--
MR. BRINKLEY: All right, go ahead
MR. DONALDSON: Let me just ask about John Tower.
You'll be holding confirmation hearings on him to be secretary of
defense. Going to give him a tough time?
SENATOR NUNN: T think John's well qualified, and I
think he can certainly an the job. We're going to ask him some
tough questions, because that's our role; that's part of the
advice and consent.
We'll wait until the boaring's over to make our final
judgment, but I think ne is well qualified, and 1 consider him a
friend.
MR. DONALDSON: Do you expect him to be confirmed?
SENATOR NUNN: At this point I do. We believe he's
qualified. We are checking into a lot of allegations floating
around. We are checking into the conflict of interesi. And 1
think that we'll have to await the final outcome.
MR. DONALDSON: Do you think the allegations that came
up that President Bush says he's satisfied are groundless concerning
John Tower's personal lite are ones that you will also examine?
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
6
SENATOR NUNN: We certainly are examining those now, and
1 hope that when we get through 11 be able to say that we agree
with President Bush.
MR. BRINKLEY: George, you've got about 30 seconds.
MR. WILL: You have said that Mr. Corbachev's proposals
for unilateral reductions leave a lot of questions unanswered:
where will the reductions be, where will the redeployed forces go.
And one question you raise is, what will happen to the hot production
lines currently turning out modern tanks at the rate--
SENATOR NUNN: Exactly.
MR. WILL: --of 3,400 a year. What is your expectation?
And when will we know whether the rhetoric at the UN translates
into something like closing tank production lines?
SENATOR NUNN: Well, I think it'll take us a couple of
years to really follow and monitor what Gorbachev has stated. The
unusual thing is, he's given us enough specifics so that we really
can check to see if his deeds match his words.
MR. BRINKLEY. Senator Nunn, thank you. Thanks very
much for coming.
SENATOR NONN: Thank you.
MR. BRINKLEY: Happy to have you as always. Coming
next, General Brent Scowcroft, the national security adviser to
President. Bush. In a moment.
(Announcements)
MR. BRINKLEY: General Scowcroft, thanks for coming.
Pleased to have you.
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Good morning, David.
MR. BRINKLEY: Congratulations on your new appointment,
by the way.
Now, this of course is subject to change, as we know
more of it: As of today, give me your personal assessment of
Gorbachev's peace offensive, or whatever you like to call it.
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I believe first of all that It represents
a recognition on his part that he badly needs a period of stability,
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
7
if not definite improvement in the relationship SO he can face the
awesome problem he has at home of trying to restructure that
economy.
That's his basic objective. I think also he's interested
in making trouble within the western alliance, and I think he
believes the best way to do it is a peace offensive, rather than
to bluster the way some of his predecessors have.
MR. BRINKLEY: You say a quiet period. That suggests
that when the quiet period 1S over, he'll be back to where he has
been all along.
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I believe until we have better evidence
to the contrary, we ought to operate on that expectation
MR. DONALDSON: To use the phrase, you're saying that
the Cold War is not necessarily over?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: The Cold War--I think the Cold War is
not over. There may be, in the saying, light at the end of the
tunnel. But I think it depends partly on how we behave, whether
the light is the sun or an incoming locomotive.
MR. DONALDSON: Let's go ahead with your view of the
START talks. You want to go a little slower, and you've questioned
the advisability of reducing nuclear warheads to 50 percent for
the long range missiles.
How do you think the START talks will play out in the
next several months or years?
GEN. SCOWCROFT. Well, it's hard to say, because of
course we do initially have to review what has gone on before, and
in light of our own strategic concepts and objectives, evaluate what
we want to do-
MR. DONALDSON: You mean everything comes to a halt now
while the income administration reviews this? How long will that
review take?
CEN. SCOWCROFT: The world doesn't come to a halt. But
I think it would be irresponsible for us not to seriously review
where we are in the light of the strategic concepts which we have
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
8
developed, and then decide where it is we want to go.
MR. DONALDSON: So what about my question then: What do
you think about the START talks?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I think the START talks will resume as
soon as we can prudently do so. We're not trying to slow down or
delay, but we want to make sure that they are in fact in accord
with exactly the way we want to proceed
MR. DONALDSON: But you strongly suggest, General, that
when they resume they will do so with modifications to the U.S.
proposals?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I wouldn't want to predict how they
will resume. There may be modifications, or may not be modifications.
But they're going to be our START talks, our proposals,
and we have to make sure that in fact they are ours, and we're
comfortable with them.
MR. DONALDSON: Well, you're not for a 50 percent reduction
in warheads, are you?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I'm not against a 50 percent reduction
in warheads. But I think a reduction in warheads, in and of
itself, doesn't deal with the problem facing us.
MR. WILL: Senator Nunn was just talking about that,
saying that there probably is a case to be made for mobility in
general, but mobility in conjunction with a 50 percent reduction
of warheads, meaning a smaller number of targets for the Soviet
Union to target, is required.
what is your position now with regard to the question of
the Midgetman?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Well, I think, first of all, 50 percent
reduction, if we don't do anything, does mean that our forces are
somewhat more at risk; it takes a lesser proportion of the Soviet
force to destroy them. So that it makes the issue of mobility
more important, or survivability.
One of the best ways to get survivability is through a
Midgetman or some comparable program. Because not only can you
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
9
move them around more flexibly; they are less attractive targets--
MR. WILL: Do you consider the rail-mobile MX a comparable
program? Or is it not sufficiently comparably mobile?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Well, I'm speaking only personally. It
is not comparable. They do the same kinds of things. They're not
comparable in the sense of the amount of warning they require in
order to produce survivability.
MR. WILL: Now the logic to what you're saying is that a
modification that we want to make immediately in the position in
the arms talks is to withdraw the proposal for a comprehensive ban
on mobility.
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I believe that that is prudent only if
the United States intends to go forward with a mobile system. And
I think that's a part of the review that we need to make.
There are issues relating to force structure and moderni-
zation that impact directly on some of the major issues still open
at START.
MR. WILL: You're the national security adviser to a
president who is committed to no new taxes; who is committed to a
flexible freeze; who is committed to keeping--to use the language
of his inaugural address--the wallet thin.
Now, given that, and given the fact that Mr. Darman has
been indicating for tactical purposes or otherwise, we know not,
that the administration may be ready to have the trigger pulled,
the automatic across-the-board sequesters under Gramm-Rudman, with
half of the cuts then have to come from defense.
Can you be equable about that prospect as national
security adviser?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: No, of course not. As Dick Darman said
before, I also can read the president's lips. I think we have to
be a lot smarter than we've been before.
And Senator Nunn described some of the things for example
we can do in the alliance. We spend a lot of money; we don't
spend it as wisely as we could
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
10
MR. DONALDSON: Let me just--
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I think that's true of the Pentagon as
well.
MR. WILL: But are we not in danger of having our defense
policy driven, and our procurement shaped, and deployments influenced
unduly, by the politics of the 1988 election campaign, and the
vow--flat vow--not to have new taxes?
GEN. SCOWCROFT. We have a president who is dedicated,
first of all, to no new taxes; secondly, to a strong defense.
MR. WILL: But do they not conflict?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Of course. Of course they conflict.
What I'm saying is, it is not an impossible job to improve the way
we spend our money.
MR. DONALDSON: Let's look at one of the potential
savings: Star Wars, the SDI program. At what level of funding do
you think that ought to go forward?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: That's one of the things in this review
that you seem to worry about that needs to be done. And that is-
MR. DONALDSON: Well, I'm not worrying about it. I have
every confidence you'll make that review.
GLN. SCOWCROFT: What is our overall strategic concept?
What is it we're trying to do? And how does strategic defense,
especially in a period of--of relatively fixed budgets, how does
that fit in to a very fixed pie?
If you have this increasing wedge of SDI expenditures,
out of what other budget accounts is that money going to' come?
And that is what we're about-
MR. DONALDSON: Well, General, you on the record as an
opponent of any early effort to deploy Star Wars. You've said
that you see no possibility of a shield anytime within this century.
Why do you suggest now that it all comes from a review?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Sam, I have not been an opponent. I
have been an opponent of moving forward with a massive program
until we understand clearly how it fits in to what we are trying
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 23, 1989
11
to do.
MR. BRINKLEY: General, I need to interrupt briefly at
this point. We'll be back with more questions for Gen. Scowcroft
in a moment.
(Announcements)
MR. BRINKLEY: General, there are indeed other places in
the world than the Soviet Union. And I'd like to ask you about
some of them. But first, one point on this: The West Europeans,
Cermans and others, seem to be a good deal more receptive to
Gorbachev's peace offensive than we are. Why is that, do you know?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I believe they re probably more susceptible
to wishful thinking than we are. They are more under the gun of
bad J.S.-Soviet relations, of threatened conflict, and so on.
But I think--first of all, I think one of our--one of
the major issues for the United States to deal with is U.S.--is
U.S. European relations over the next administration.
And that is not only arms control. Although there, it
seems to me, what we need to do is to try to lift our sights
beyond efforts just to improve the stability of the balance,
although that is very important, to the kind of Europe that we
would like to see by the end oi the century, for example; and how
arms control, and how our efforts, can contribute to that kind of
a Europe.
We do have a chance now to look forward, not simply
maybe to try to stave off disaster.
MR. BRINKLEY: Now let's look at some other places.
what about these poison gas plants in Libya and Iraq? 'I'm not
asking you what your policy is going to be, because you wouldn't
tell me if--you wouldn't tell me anyway.
But what is your view of this? Should the world sit
idly by and let this spread all over these Third World countries?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: They are a terrible problem. And it is
a problem akin in its scope to that of nuclear proliferation.
Because these weapons, especially in city attacks, and population
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
12
attacks, can be every bit as devastating as nuclear weapons.
And they are much harder to control, because the plants
to produce them are, in many cases, like pharmaceutical plants,
like insecticide plants.
It's a terrible problem
MR. BRINKLEY: Well, now, being as specific as you can,
what should we do about it?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: We have to try--and I'm not sanguine--
to see what in fact we can do about banning chemical weapons. It
is extremely difficult to do, and impossible I suspect to do, with
the kinds of verification that we're talking about
MR. DONALDSON: Well, General, as you know, the Israelis
Look out Baghdad's nuclear plant just before it came to the point
where it might be a real menace, so that they can be taken out.
Would you advise us or someone to do the same thing with
Gaddati's gas plant?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I would simply say that these are a
very, very serious problem for the whole world. And--and we will
treat it as a serious problem.
MR. DONALDSON: Well, which would be more serious:
using force to destroy those plants, or allowing them to come to
the point where they're in production?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Sometime one has to make a choice
between undesirable alternatives
MR. DONALDSON: Well, but what would be the choice?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Well, I'm not about to make that choice
now
MR. DONALDSON: Let me ask another question on the
Mideast. There are reports this morning that there's a lot of
effort underway by people in the region to have an early meeting
take place between income Secretary of State James Baker and
Yasser Arafat.
Would that be a good idea?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I think, you know, meeting is less than
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
13
what it is the two sides, or the region, is trying to accomplish.
And we already have established discussions with Chairman Aratat.
And it seems to me we ought to explore and probe what he sees as
the evolution of events.
After all, what has happened in our changed policy
toward Arafat is not a new United States initiative. The chairman
could have had this at any time since 1975: that he decided to do
what he finally did.
Now it seems to me we find out what it is he has in mind
MR. DONALDSON: So you're saying that now that we do
have this new discussion underway, you point out that because
Ararat has moved--we haven' that it would be all right, in fact,
desirable, for our new secretary of state to meet with him?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: I wouldn't say it's necessarily desirable
at any particular time for the secretary of state to meet
MR. DONALDSON: But okay?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: It seems to me--it seems to me that--
that the important thing is to try and probe and find out what
Arafat has in mind, and how sincere in fact this conversion is. I
think there are ways to do it
MR. DONALDSON: General, I'm asking about--I'm asking
about a specific possibility. And can you give me a specific
answer? Are you saying it would be okay for Jim Baker to meet
with him?
CEN. SCOWCROFT: I think it would be premature to meet
at such a high level until we have a better indication of where
Mr. Arafat may be going.
MR. WILL: Secretary Baker said in his confirmation
hearings that Central America will be the most immediately pressing
problem confronting the Bush administration.
With regard to Nicaragua, that would cease to be such a
pressing problem if the Soviet Union moderates its military aid to
the region. Would you say it would be an aim of the Bush adminis-
tration to tell Gorbachev that cuts in Central Europe and the
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY January 22, 1989
14
Central European front are all very well, but it's the flow of
arms into this region that's killing people right now.
GEN. SCOWCROFT: You should not be surprised if that
were not an element of our discussion with the Soviet Union.
MR. WILL. Where else in Central America do you see
problems? Let's look first at El Salvador. Are you sanguine, to
use your word a moment ago, about democracy in El Salvador over
the next six months?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: No, I'm not. I'm not sanguine. It
seems to me we've had a whole cycle now in El Salvador, and the
situation may be more akin in 1981 again than 1985 at the height
of Duarte's very skillful administration of that country.
MR. WILL: Well, for all the talk about bipartisanship,
Central America has been the most divisive issue in American
foreign policy for two or three years now.
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Yes, it has.
MR. WILL: Why do you expect that to end when the question
comes up, as you intimate it may, of increasing American aid to El
Salvador?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Because I think at one point in August
of 1987 the divisiveness did at least for a time come together,
and the Arias plan grew from that.
Now, it didn't work. One of the reasons it didn't work
is at the time the negotiations started, we relieved the pressure
on the Sandinista regime by stopping support to the contras.
MR. BRINKLEY: In his inaugural address, the president
said--referred to hostages, and said: Goodwill begets goodwill.
Was that a message sent special delivery to Teheran?
CEN. SCOWCROFT: It was a message to wherever it could
be potentially effective.
MR. BRINKLEY: Well, it's only applicable in a few
places, including Iran. So.
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Well, it is--it was sent to wherever it
might be applicable.
THIS WEEK WITH DAVID BRINKLEY - January 22, 1989
15
MR. BRINKLEY. All right, thank you
MR. DONALDSON: The president has sent a message to
black Americans, clearly, that he wants 00 have better contact
with their concerns. And of course one of their concerns is our
policy toward South Africa. NOW will we change that policy from
the Reagan policy to put more pressure on the white minority
government of South Africa to stop oppressing the black majority?
GEN. SCOWCROFT: We will certainly review that policy as
well. Although I think It's important to point out that the
Reagon administration's policy in southern Africa has begun to
bear some fruit. And what WP may be seeing is the first halting
steps toward a significant change in that region of the world
MR. DONALDSON: So constructive engagement should continue?
That's the policy.
HR. BRINKLEY: Sam, our time's up. Sorry. Thank you.
General, thanks very much for coming. Pleasure to have you.
GEN. SCOWCROFT: Pleasure to be here.
MR. BRINKLEY: Good luck For the next four years.
20
Bush Sends Signals to Congress, Hostage Holders
President Announces Invitation to Lawmakers to Meet About Budget, Foreign Policy
By Ann Devroy
At midday, about 220 members
Washington Post Staff Writer
of the Bush family poured into the
White House for lunch, where they
sultation, to have Congress in as
In a frenetic day filled with
much as possible on the takeoff."
friends, family, celebration and a
joined the 23 who had spent the
Bush cited a letter he received
touch of work, President Bush yes-
night.
while still a candidate from Sens.
Bush's schedule also included a
terday invited congressional leaders
David L. Boren (D-Okla.) and John
to the White House on Tuesday for
morning briefing from national se-
C. Danforth (R-Mo.) calling for
curity adviser Brent Scowcroft and
their first talks on the budget and
more extensive consultations with
White House chief of staff John H.
foreign policy and sent a fresh sig-
Congress on foreign policy and a
Sununu. Most of the White House
nal that the release of nine Amer-
return to the pattern of leaders of
senior staff was officially commis-
icans being held hostage would be
both parties helping to fashion for-
sioned yesterday and began settling
met with gestures of good will by
eign policy that was the norm in the
into their offices. Bush also made
the United States.
years between World War II and
midday remarks to a group of Re-
On his first full day in office, the
the Vietnam war.
new presidert was a whirlwind of
publicans who helped raise money
"I wrote them back and said,
or worked on the $25 million inau-
movement. Before 8 a.m., people
'Okay, let's talk about it,' he said.
outside the White House saw a win-
guration. Another evening of par-
Asked whether his reference in
dow slide open and the president
tying last night and a prayer service
his inaugural address to the hos-
stick his head out and invite them
today will officially end the festiv-
tages that "good will begets good
ities.
into what he called "the people's
will" was a hint of movement or
house."
change of policy toward the nine
By 9, Bush had taken his first
Bush's transition planners had
Americans being held in the Middle
look at the Oval Office, where he
said his first few days in office will
East, Bush said he hopes the re-
read a good-wishes note from for-
be devoted to "setting a tone," not
marks were "heard around the
mer president Ronald Reagan writ-
making proposals or detailed leg-
world," adding that there are "ru-
ten on note paper headlined "Don't
islative plans. To that end, the pres-
mors that countries want to have
Let the Turkeys Get You Down,"
ident yesterday continued to em-
improved relations with the United
phasize a bipartisan approach to
States
and had held his first, semiformal
news conference as president.
Congress.
Bush said he could not "finger
Among the news conference rev-
In his news conference, Bush re-
any one country for holding Amer-
elations was that the president was
iterated the "extended hand" theme
icans hostage against their will," but
awake before 6 tending to a sick
of his inaugural address in telling
that "people have in the past facil-
grandchild, Ellie LeBlond, the 2-
reporters he has invited congres-
itated the release of our citizens,
year-old who starred in one of
sional leaders to the White House
and I'd love to see that happen
Bush's campaign commercials.
again. And I won't forget it."
"Pumped a half a Tylenol into her
Tuesday to discuss the budget and
The president added that he does
and she's looking good," Bush said.
what he called "my determination"
not intend to "escalate the currency
"Ate two pancakes; what you'd call
to build bipartisanship into the con-
of holding Americans hostage" and
a rapid recovery."
duct of foreign policy.
said no concessions will be made to
Bush said that he has not gotten
"We're thinking of a meeting that
free hostages.
will say to those who have shown
Bush also said that he received a
the White House floor plan down
yet. "I got lost in the White House
the most interest in that in Con-
letter of congratulations Friday
gress, 'Look, we're ready' he said.
from Soviet President Mikhail Gor-
yesterday evening when we came
in, trying to find a couple of kids'
"The president has unique respon-
bachev that he described as "very
sibilities under the Constitution for
generous
pledging to work for
rooms," he said, calling the family
quarters there "unbelievable."
foreign policy and for the national
. Throughout the day, people gath-
security. But we want, through con-
eted along the White House fence
gòt glimpses of the president, his
children or grandchildren playing on
the lawn, waving from the Truman
Balcony, inspecting the tennis
courts or leading scrambling re-
porters on a half-running walk
across the South Lawn after a voice
in the press room announced,
"President on the lawn. President
OR the lawn. Open coverage."
10f2
WASHINGTON POST, 1/22/89, p. A21
ABC WORLD NEWS TONIGHT ABC-TV
SHEPARD: But the Soviets
6:30 P.M.
JANUARY 22
are just one of a whole series
of pressing foreign policy
Bush Foreign Policy
problems that require early
decisions by the new President.
Among them is what to do with
SAM DONALDSON: The man
the PLO. Some Middle Eastern
President Bush will see first
sources have hinted that Yasser
thing each morning for a
Arafat may soon meet with
briefing on the state of the
Secretary of State-designate
world, his National Security
Baker. Scowcroft doesn't think
Adviser Brent Scowcroft, today
much of the idea.
displayed a far more cautious
SCOWCROFT: I think it would
attitude toward U.S.-Soviet
be premature to meet at such a
relations than was prevalent in
high level until we have a
official Washington in the last
better indication of where Mr.
days of the Reagan Administra-
Arafat may be going.
tion.
SHEPARD: Mr. Bush must also
Details on Scowcroft's views
decide some important strategic
from Steve Shepard.
questions, such as whether to
build more MX missiles or go
STEVE SHEPARD: Among the
with the smaller mobile
President's first duties will
Midgetman. Security Adviser
be setting a tone with the
Scowcroft clearly favors the
Soviets. Today on ABC's This
Midgetman, and he's supported
Week with David Brinkley, new
National Security Adviser Brent
Scowcroft made it clear that he
6 MONDAY
JANUARY 23, 1989
is wary of Soviet leader
Mikhail Gorbachev and suspi-
cious of his motives.
BRENT SCOWCROFT:
He's
by a key Democrat.
SENATOR SAM NUNN: I would
interested in making trouble
within the Western alliance,
much prefer that we concentrate
on a smaller missile that can
and I think he believes the
be moved around, that truly is
best way to do it is a peace
mobile and survivable. I think
offensive, rather than to
the name of the game in the
bluster the way some of his
future is going to be surviva-
predecessors have.
SHEPARD: Scowcroft also
bility.
SHEPARD: George Bush brings
left no doubt that U.S. -Soviet
an impressive foreign policy
competition will continue to be
resume to the White House. The
tough.
SCOWCROFT: I think the Cold
question now is, can he
translate all that experience
War is not over. There may be,
intosome lasting accomplish-
in the saying, light at the end
ments.
of the tunnel. But I think it
Steve Shepard, ABC News,
depends partly on how we behave
Washington.
whether the light is the sun or
an incoming locomotive.
Monday, Januray 23, 1989 -- A-8
GORBACHEV SEEN AS TRYING TO BUY TIME FOR REFORM
Scowcroft Offers Guarded Assessment of Soviet Peace Initiatives
In a guarded assessment of the recent Soviet peace initiatives,
national security adviser Brent Scowcroft said Sunday that Mikhail
Gorbachev is seeking to buy time for his domestic reforms while "making
trouble" for the Western alliance.
"I think the Cold War is not over," Scowcroft said of the recent
Gorbachev proposal for conventional force reductions in Europe, which the
Soviets said last week will include the withdrawal of some tactical nuclear
weapons as well.
"There may be, in the saying, light at the end of the tunnel,"
Scowcroft said, "But I think it depends partly on how we behave, whether
the light is the sun or an incoming locomotive."
Scowcroft said Gorbachev "badly needs a period of stability, if not
definite improvement in the relationship so he can face the awesome
problem he has at home
I also think he's interested in making trouble
within the Western alliance, and I think he believes the best way to do it
is a peace offensive, rather than to bluster the way some of his
predecessors have,"
Scowcroft's remarks in an interview on ABC's "This Week With David
Brinkley" underscored the cautious approach President Bush appears to be
taking toward the recent Soviet initiatives.
(David Hoffman, Washington Post, A9)
LOS ANGELES TIMES
23 JANUARY 1989
Pg. II-4
Reforming the Pentagon
even loosely joined to reality.
In a recent speech Rep. Les Aspin (D-Wis.),
People have been getting rich by cheating on
chairman of the House Armed Services Commit-
army and navy supplies since before ships had
tee, said Americans are wrong if they assume that
sails. Today's artful dodgers of defense seem to
Washington sets defense policy by choosing
thrive in two extreme circumstances:
among alternative military structures. They are,
-When there is so much money for arms that
he says, also wrong to suppose that defense
nobody notices a few dollars disappearing into
planning includes figuring how America's allies
someone's pocket.
might help, comparing the cost of different ways of
-When there is so little that suppliers will lie,
putting defense forces together and how the cost
cheat and steal for information that they need to
might "affect the economy and the other things
land new contracts.
we'd like to do in this nation."
Scraping crumbs off defense contracts may be
Congress might well be less interested in picking
too commonplace for any President to stop
defense budgets apart if it knew that the
entirely, but President Bush can slow it down with
commission's approach was in effect and that the
changes in defense decision-making that would at
dollar amounts had some meaning.
the same time improve national security.
Putting the White House back in charge of
Bush inherits the blueprint for such change from
national security would not by itself stop cheating
President Reagan, who responded to it more than
on defense contracts, but it could reduce the
two years ago with far more admiration than
incentive. The nation probably would buy fewer
action. The report came from Reagan's Blue-
weapon systems that it did not really need, and the
Ribbon Commission on Defense Management,
opportunities for "goldplating"-pushing perform-
appointed during a flood of cases involving the
ance criteria, and costs, far beyond reason-would
Pentagon's paying of $600 for toilet seats and $900
diminish.
for cargo-plane coffee pots.
The Packard commission dealt with the little
With David Packard-a California industrialist
picture in as much detail as the big picture. It said
and former undersecretary of defense-at its helm,
that the way to get a professional job of buying
the commission bypassed supply and went directly
supplies was to hire professional buyera. Layers of
to the heart of American defense planning.
stifling regulations designed to substitute for true
Existing procedure in which the Pentagon sets
market forces, which cannot be done, leave too
defense objectives, figures out what it will cost to
little room for judgment, the commission said. In
achieve them and sends the package around to the
that atmosphere government cannot expect to
White House should work the other way around,
keep professional buyers, and regulation alone will
the commission said.
not prevent second-rate executives from making
The correct first step, the commission said,
mistakes.
would have the National Security Council and the
Now may be the chance of a generation for such
President decide what the nation's national-
profound change in the way American goes about
security goals should be and estimate their fair
deciding where it is threatened in the world and
share of federal income. The chairman of the Joint
how it should meet the threats. Bush's national-
Chiefs of Staff would draft strategy within the
security adviser, retired Gen. Brent Scowcroft, was
White House framework-warning the President,
on the commission and would not have to send out
of course, if the original plan might leave defense
for details about what it meant. There would be
too thin here and there.
resistance from the Pentagon, but that would be'
One reason Congress keeps sticking its nose
the case even with trifling change.
into the fine print of Pentagon budgets-micro-
Bush has more than enough challenges, more
managing, as it is called in Washington-is that
than enough things to do in his first week on the
Congress knows that the planning process works
job. But none are more crucial than getting back to
backwards and that defense budgets may not be
the basics of the Packard commission report.
3
Gorbachev Seen as Trying
to Buy Time for Reform
Scowcroft Offers Guarded Assessment of Recent Soviet Peace Initiatives
"There may be, in the saying,
view on 'BC's "This Week With
By David Hoffman
As
Washington Post Staff Writer
light at the end of the tunnel,"
David Brinkley" underscored the
Scowcroft said. "But I think it de-
cautious approach President Bush
In a guarded assessment of the
printed
pends partly on how we behave,
appears to be taking toward the
recent Soviet peace initiatives, na-
whether the light is the S: n n- nn
recent Soviet initiatives. Bush,
tional security adviser Brent Scow-
incoming locomotive."
while promising in his inaugural
croft said yesterday that Soviet
Scowcroft said Gorbachev "badly
address Friday to continue the "new
President Mikhail Gorbachev is
needs a period of stability, if not
closeness" with Moscow, has been
seeking to buy time for his domestic
definite improvement in the rela-
less enthusiastic than was President
reforms while "making trouble" for
tionship so he can face the awesome
Reagan about the Soviet proposals.
the western alliance.
problem he has at home
I also
Bush is expected to focus early in
"I think the Cold War is not
think he's interested in making
his presidency on fashioning a joint
over," Scowcroft said of the recent
trouble within the western alliance
western response to the Gorbachev
Gorbachev proposal for convention-
and I think he believes the best way
proposal, which the Soviet leader
al force reductions in Europe, which
to do it is a peace offensive, rather
made in December at the United
the Soviets said last week will in-
than to bluster the way some of his
Nations.
clude the withdrawal of some tac-
predecessors have."
Bush, pausing from a whirlwind
tical nuclear weapons as well.
Scowcroft's remarks in an inter-
of inaugural festivities, attended an
The pledge will be part of Bush's
through a Midgetman or some com-
initial budget blueprint, he said, and
parable program." He noted that
will remain "as long as the climate
survivability becomes more impor-
of this country is appropriate for
tant if the superpowers agree to
that commitment to stay in place."
reduce their strategic nuclear ar-
Scowcroft, asked if the no-new-
senals by 50 percent.
taxes pledge and a commitment to a
Senate Armed Services Commit-
interfaith "National Prayer Service"
strong defense are conflicting goals,
tee Chairman Sam Nunn (D-Ga.)
yesterday at the National Cathe-.
replied, "Of course. Of course they
said on the same program, "I would
dral. Joined by First Lady Barbara
conflict." Bush has maintained he
much prefer to concentrate" on a
Bush, Vice President Quayle and
could have both goals.
mobile missile. He said the U.S.-
Marilyn Quayle, and about 3.200
"We have a president who is ded-
proposed ban on mobile missiles in
worshipers, Bush heard the Rev.
icated, first of all. to no new taxes;
the Geneva arms talks "doesn't
John T. Walker, Episcopalian bishop
secondly, to a strong defense,"
make sense in the age we live in."
of Washington, speak of "a nation
Scowcoft said.
Scowcroft said this would be exam-
united in the person of our presi-
Scowcroft suggested, as he has
ined in the policy review he is con-
dent. He is our symbol of unity."
before. that he would favor a mobile
ducting for Bush.
As Bush worshiped, some of his
missile, such as the single-warhead
Scowcroft ruled out as "prema-
principal advisers appeared on tele-
Midgetman, over the 10-warhead
ture" any meeting between Secre-
vision interview broadcasts. Chief
MX missile, which he said is not
tary of State-designate James A.
of staff John H. Sununu, on CBS'
comparable. even if the MX is
Baker III and Palestine Liberation
"Face the Nation," was questioned
based on mobile rail cars. He said
Organization Chairman Yasser
whether Bush's pledge not to raise
the ultimate test is how many war-
Arafat. There were several Arab
taxes will remain in place longer
heads survive a strike and "one of
newspaper reports yesterday that
than a year. Sununu would not sav.
the best ways to get survivabilitv is
such a meeting was possible.
WASHINGTON POST, 1/23/89, P. A9
WASHINGTON POST
23 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 1
Gorbachev Seen as Trying to Buy Time for Refor
Scowcroft Offers Guarded Assessment of Recent Soviet Peace Initiatives
think he's interested in making
Marilyn Quayle, and about 3,200
Scowcroft suggested. as
By David Hoffman
trouble within the western alliance
worshipers, Bush heard the Rev.
before, that he would favor a
Washington Post Staff Writer
and I think he believes the best way
John T. Walker, Episcopalian bishop
missile, such as the single-w
In a guarded assessment of the
to do it is a peace offensive, rather
of Washington, speak of a "a nation
Midgetman, over the 10-w
recent Soviet peace initiatives, na-
than to bluster the way some of his
united in the person of our presi-
MX missile, which he said
tional security adviser Brent Scow-
predecessors have."
dent. He is our symbol of unity."
comparable, even if the
croft said yesterday that Soviet
Scowcroft's remarks in an inter-
As Bush worshiped, some of his
based on mobile rail cars. I
President Mikhail Gorbachev is
view on ABC's "This Week With
principal advisers appeared on tele-
the ultimate test is how man
seeking to buy time for his domestic
David Brinkley" underscored the
vision interview broadcasts. Chief
heads survive a strike and e
reforms while "making trouble" for
cautious approach President Bush
of staff John H. Sununu, on CBS'
the best ways to get survival
the western alliance.
appears to be taking toward the
"Face the Nation," was questioned
through a Midgetman or som
"I think the Cold War is not
recent Soviet initiatives. Bush,
whether Bush's pledge not to raise
parable program." He note
over," Scowcroft said of the recent
while promising in his inaugural
taxes will remain in place longer
survivability becomes more
Gorbachev proposal for convention-
address Friday to continue the "new
than a year. Sununu would not say.
tant if the superpowers ag
al force reductions in Europe, which
closeness" with Moscow, has been
The pledge will be part of Bush's
reduce their strategic nucle
the Soviets said last week will in-
less enthusiastic than was President
initial budget blueprint, he said, and
senals by 50 percent.
clude the withdrawal of some tac-
Reagan about the Soviet proposals.
will remain "as long as the climate
Senate Armed Services Co
tical nuclear weapons as well.
Bush is expected to focus early in
of this country is appropriate for
tee Chairman Sam, Nunn (
"There may be, in the saying,
his presidency on fashioning a joint
that commitment to stay in place."
said on the same program, "I
light at the end of the tunnel,"
western response to the Gorbachev
Scowcroft, asked if the no-new-
much prefer to concentrate
Scowcroft said, "But I think it de-
proposal, which the Soviet leader
taxes pledge and a commitment to a
mobile missile. He said the
pends partly on how we behave,
made in December at the United
strong defense are conflicting goals,
proposed ban on mobile miss
whether the light is the sun or an
Nations.
replied, "Of course. Of course they
the Geneva arms talks "C
incoming locomotive."
Bush, pausing from a whirlwind
conflict." Bush has maintained he
make sense in the age we li
Scowcroft said Gorbachev "badly
of inaugural festivities, attended an
could have both goals.
Scowcroft said this would be
needs a period of stability, if not
interfaith "National Prayer Service"
"We have a president who is ded-
ined in the policy review he
definite improvement in the rela-
yesterday at the National Cathe-
icated, first of all, to no new taxes;
ducting for Bush.
tionship so he can face the awesome
dral. Joined by First Lady Barbara
secondly, to a strong defense,"
Scowcroft ruled out as "I
problem he has at home
I also
Bush, Vice President Quayle and
Scowcoft said.
ture" any meeting between
tary of State-designate Jam
Baker III and Palestine Libe
NEW YORK TIMES
23 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 20
Organization Chairman
Arafat. There were several
Holding Down Fort for Bush's Team
newspaper reports yesterda
such a meeting was possible.
Senate aides say Mr. Bush's choice to
cy, Under Secretary Donna R. Fitzpat-
replace Mr. Shultz, James A. Baker 3d,
rick, said today that her goal was tc
By ROBERT PEAR
could be confirmed this week.
"keep the department on an even keel'
Special 10 The New York Times
At the Pentagon, Frank C. Carlucci
while she serves as Acting Secretary
WASHINGTON, Jan. 22 In the hia-
3d had been planning to stay on as De-
James D. Watkins is Mr. Bush's nomi-
tus from Inauguration Day to the con-
fense Secretary until Feb. 1 so the Sen-
nee to head the department.
firmation of President Bush's nomi-
ate would have time to act on Mr.
Similarly, at the Department of
nees, midlevel officials and career civil
Bush's nomination of John G. Tower.
Housing and Urban Development, Sec.
servants have inherited legal authority
But a senior official on the Bush transi-
retary Samuel R. Pierce Jr. has left
to run the show at many Government
tion team thanked Mr. Carlucci for his
and Under Secretary Carl D. Covity
agencies.
service and asked him to leave by Fri-
has also resigned. So the general coun-
These temporary custodians of
day. A similar request was made of all
sel, J. Michael Dorsey, a lawyer from
power, little known in Washington or
other members of the Reagan Cabinet
Kansas City, Mo., is the Acting Secre
anywhere else, have inherited perqui-
not chosen to continue in the Bush Ad-
tary. Former Representative Jack F
sites like chauffeur-driven limousines
ministration.
Kemp of New York is Mr. Bush's
to which they would not normally be
William H. Taft 4th, the Deputy Sec-
choice for the permanent job.
entitled. They took charge when most
retary of Defense. is now the Acting
Dr. Otis R. Bowen, the Secretary of
of former President Ronald Reagan's
Secretary.
Health and Human Services, has also
Cabinet resigned on Friday and will
Each Presidential transition is a lit.
resigned. He left Under Secretary Dor
stay on until the Senate confirms per-
tle different. The hasty departure of
M. Newman to run the department
manent replacements.
Reagan appointees puts pressure on
which pays out more than a billion dol-
Some appointees, like Brent Scow-
the Senate to move quickly in confirm.
lars a day in Social Security, Medicare
croft; the new national security advis-
ing Mr. Bush's nominees. It also gives
and other benefits. Mr. Newman wil
er, did not require Senate confirmation
the members of Mr. Bush's White
continue in that job until the Senate
and took office with Mr. Bush on Fri-
House team a free hand to change
confirms a successor. Mr. Bush's nomi-
day. But others, including Cabinet offi-
policy if they want to.
nee is Dr. Louis W. Sullivan.
cers, must wait for the "advice and
Dennis E. Whitfield, the Acting Sec.
At the Commerce Department, Mr.
consent" of the Senate.
retary of Labor, said this arrangement
Reagan's Commerce Secretary, C. Wil-
The acting agency heads may serve
"assures that you have someone with
liam Verity, resigned Thursday night,
for several days or several weeks. So
legal authority to sign documents until
and Donna F. Tuttle, the Deputy Secre-
far they have not received instructions
the new Secretary is confirmed."
tary, who was national chairwoman of
from the White House; and none are
The nomination of Elizabeth Hanforc
Youth for Reagan in 1980, is running
planning bold initiatives on their own.
Dole to be Labor Secretary is expected
the department. Robert A. Mosbacher
But in a crisis, they will be on the spot.
to sail through the Senate. In the mean-
Sr., the finance chairman of the Bush
Secretary of State George P. Shultz
time, Mr. Whitfield, the Deputy Secre-
campaign, has been nominated
resigned at noon Friday, and so did the
tary, is in charge.
Three of Mr. Reagan's appointees
At the Energy Department, the Sec-
will continue in the Bush Cabinet. They
Deputy Secretary, John C. Whitehead.
If policy collapses, the man to call is
retary, John S. Herrington, and his
are Attorney General Dick Thorn-
Under Secretary Michael H. Armacost,
deputy, Joseph F. Salgado, submitted
burgh, Education Secretary Lauro F.
resignations effective at noon Friday.
Cavazos and Treasury Secretary
a career Foreign Service officer serv-
ing as "Secretary of State ad interim."
The third-ranking official in the agen-
Nicholas F. Brady.
Eagleburger confirmation hearings.
While he was in the Government Mr.
Eagleburger actively promoted bilat-
Foreign Policy
eral trade between the United States
and Yugoslavia, sometimes over the
strong objections of other top officials
Rightist Conservatives
in the Administration.
In early 1985, nine months after he
left the State Department, Mr. Eagle-
Keep Eye on Kissinger
burger joined the board of Yugo
America Inc., the American company
distributor of the Yugo, the automo-
bile that is manufactured by a large
Yugoslav company.
By JEFF GERTH
"To a large degree Kissinger will,
Kissinger Associates became paid
Special 10 The New York Times
in effect, be in charge of foreign af-
consultants to Yugo America and its
WASHINGTON, Jan. 23 - For
fairs behind the scenes and this
parent company, the Global Motors
most of the Reagan era Henry A. Kis-
seems like a betrayal of the political
Corporation, according to Yugo offi;
singer's profile in Washington was
revolution that put Reagan in office,"
cials and Mr. Kissinger.
low, except sporadically in 1983 when
said David Funderburk, a conserva-
the former Secretary of State headed
tive who was for a time President
A Deal, 'Too Complex,' Fails
a Presidential commission on Central
Reagan's Ambassador to Rumania.
Since he left the State Department
America. Seven years ago his New
Mr. Eagleburger has also been a di-
York-based consulting firm, Kissin-
Mr. Kissinger, who spoke twice by
rector of the American branch of a
telephone with a reporter before leav-
ger Associates, opened offices here.
Yugoslav financial institution, LBS
ing earlier this month for the Soviet
Now some people, particularily
Bank of New York, owned by Ljubl-
Union, said he found Mr. Funder-
conservatives, are wondering
janska Banka in Ljubljana, the capi-
whether Mr. Kissinger and his views
burk's suggestion mildly amusing,
tal of Slovenia. Mr. Eagleburger has
will gain higher visibility in the for-
but not true. "My views on foreign
also been a director of the American
policy are well known, "he said. "I
eign policy chambers of government.
corporation ITT since 1984.
Two principals in the firm have just
don't need a conspiracy."
That year Mr. Eagleburger found
resigned to assume senior positions
Accommodation Seems the Issue
himself going back to check with his
in the Bush Administration. Brent
former State Department colleagues
Scowcroft, the firm's former vice
Conservatives say they distrust
on a possible business deal involving
chairman, is President Bush's na-
him and Mr. Eagleburger because
Angola, Mr. Kissinger said. He said
tional security adviser and Lawrence
they see the two as too accommodat-
Mr. Eagleburger had meetings in the
S. Eagleburger, who was president of
ing in their dealings with the Soviet
United States that year with a Ni-
Kissinger Associates, has been
Union and other Communist coun-
gerian businessman concerning the
chosen to be Deputy Secretary of
tries.
exports of coffee from Angola and oil,
State.
Mr. Kissinger characterized his
possibly from Nigeria.
Mr. Kissinger himself maintains a
contribution to the staffing of the new
The United States does not have
window into the intelligence com-
Administration thus far as "margin-
any diplomatic relations with Angola,
munity through his membership on
al" but said he had recently discussed
but trade between the countries, a
the President's Foreign Intelligence
Mr. Eagleburger's possible appoint-
ment with James A. Baker 3d, the
touchy subject for some conserva-
Secretary of State-designate, and had
tives, is permitted. Mr. Kissinger said
also had conversations with Mr.
officials at the State Department's
Bush.
African affairs bureau had told Mr.
Mr. Kissinger pointedly put dis-
Eagleburger that the proposed busi-
tance between his consulting work for
ness deal was "no problem." But Mr.
some two dozen multinational corpo-
Kissinger said the deal was never
rations and his friendships. "I do not
consummated because it was "too
use friends for business; I will not
complex."
volunteer to call them," he said,
He said "90 percent of our business
referring to Mr. Scowcroft and Mr.
is giving advice" to corporate clients,
Eagleburger, but "if they called and
with no representation before the
Advisory Board, whose members
asked my advice" on questions of
United States Government and no dis-
have access to highly classified infor-
policy, he said, "I would discuss that
cussion of specific business transac-
mation and advise the President di-
with them. We'll have to see how that
tions with foreign leaders.
rectly on a wide range of intelligence
develops."
When told of some clients who in in-
issues.
Mr. Scowcroft and Mr. Eagle-
terviews had described Mr. Kissin-
The Kissinger Shadow Is Seen
burger did not return phone calls
ger's dealings with foreign leaders on
from a reporter.
the clients' behalf and the access to
Mr. Scowcroft and Mr. Eagle-
burger both worked in the Govern-
Government-Business Complex
Government officials they thought he
offered, the former Secretary of State
ment for Mr. Kissinger in the 1970's,
The nexus between politics and
called those dealings "most un-
but they also subsequently went on to
business, a perennial Washington
usual."
achieve considerable success on their
topic, is likely to figure in Mr. Eagle-
"They may have a perception of ac-
own, Mr. Scowcroft as national se-
burger's Senate confirmation hear-
cess and I probably do," he said, add-
curity adviser to President Gerald R.
ings. Conservatives intend to question
ing that his conversations with top
Ford and Mr. Eagleburger as Under
him about his private business deal-
Government officials have been
Secretary of State for Political Af-
ings, especially in Yugoslavia, where
"mostly a question of information on
fairs under President Ronald Rea-
Mr. Eagleburger served as Ambassa-
issues."
gan.
dor from 1977 to 1981.
Mr. Kissinger has never publicly
Nevertheless, some conservatives
Thomas E. Boney Jr., deputy staff
disclosed the identity of his firm's
see Mr. Kissinger's shadow in the
director for the Republican members
clients. But a number of corporations
men's reappearance in high posi-
of the Senate Foreign Relations Com-
have been so identified in news ac-
tions. The conservatives see in-
mittee, said Senator Jesse Helms, the
counts, including the Chase Manhat-
creased Kissinger influence and an
North Carolina Republican who is the
tan Bank, American Express, the
apparent betrayal of the political
ranking minority member, intended
General Electric Company of Britam
movement that put Mr. Reagan in of-
to examine Mr. Eagleburger's busi-
and L. M. Ericsson (Sweden). Their
fice. While Mr. Kissinger has taken
ness affairs.
annual fees typically are in the hun-
many positions identical to those of
Mr. Helms's interest in Yugoslav
dreds of thousands of dollars.
conservatives, including a deep-
business deals is predated by his
The appointments of Mr. Eagle-
seated suspicion of Communist gov-
political differences with Mr. Eagle-
burger and Mr. Scowcroft will pro-
ernments, right-wing conservatives
burger over United States policy to-
vide the first public disclosure of the
still say he has not gone far enough in
ward Eastern Europe, including
identity of some of the firm's clients.
opposing those governments.
issues Mr. Helms raised at earlier
Mr. Kissinger said he was "very re-
NEW YORK TIMES, 1/24/89, p.
B-6
laxed" about that.
New Government officials must list
on financial disclosure statements
any source of income over $5,000 in
the last two years, including the
names of clients of a firm where they
WASHINGTON POST
25 JANUARY 1989
Pg. E15
JACK ANDERSON and DALE VAN ATTA
Kissinger's Associates and Gorbachev
A
S James A. Baker III prepares to take charge
Soviets have adjusted to the communist
of U.S. foreign policy, he appears to be in
dictatorship; they have learned to live with it. At
easy command of an awesome array of
this point, they are more concerned about food on
strategic concepts and tactical details. He already
the table than about any intangible new freedoms.
exercises a calm mastery over foreign affairs.
To maintain popular support for his reforms,
But sources close to Baker tell us that, privately,
Gorbachev must improve the quality of daily life in
he feels insecure about foreign policy. He has
the Soviet Union, so he is turning to western ideas
deployed two seasoned veterans to protect his
for a quick economic fix.
flanks-Brent Scowcroft as national security
Meanwhile, his reforms are opposed by the
adviser and Lawrence S. Eagleburger as deputy
entrenched commissars and bureaucrats who support
secretary of state.
the hard-liners in the Kremlin. Should Gorbachev
Both come out of Henry A. Kissinger's shop, a
falter, he would likely be succeeded by a repressive
consulting firm called Kissinger Associates. This
regime that would discard his reforms, crack down
could mean that Kissinger will be the shadow
on the populace and revive the Cold War.
secretary of state, guiding foreign policy from
Kissinger and company believe it would be a
behind the scenes.
mistake for the United States to let down its guard
Eagleburger is as cynical and pragmatic as
and base its foreign policy on Gorbachev.
Kissinger. Scowcroft is a modest, conscientious
They fear the greatest danger could come from
man who shuns the spotlight.
Eastern Europe. Now that the Soviets have relaxed
A source who knows both men says they share
their grip on their satellites, they might show too
Kissinger's distrust of the Soviet Union. They
much independence and antagonize the Kremlin.
suspect that behind Mikhail Gorbachev's amiability
The views of Kissinger, Scowcroft and
could be a move to diminish American influence in
Eagleburger add up to a Europe-first policy. But
Europe. As Kissinger, Scowcroft and Eagleburger
other strategists believe the danger lies in Asia.
see it, that could lead to a Europe dominated by the
They point out that national security has three
Soviet Union. Then the Soviets could nourish their
dimensions-military, economic and political. The
sick economy by feeding off Western Europe.
United States may be a military superpower, but if
Kissinger Associates doesn't regard Gorbachev
its economy declines and its people lose confidence in
as a born-again Western liberal, but as a hard-bitten
the government, then it would become vulnerable.
communist who has been forced by a failing
Thus, these strategists contend, the real threat
economy to adopt western methods.
to U.S. security is posed by Japanese economic
In the Kissinger view, Gorbachev cannot count
power, not Soviet military power. But with
on continued public support just because he has
Scowcroft and Eagleburger in positions of
reformed and softened the Soviet system. Most
influence, Kissinger's view is likely to prevail.
NEW YORK TIMES
25 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 17
Tower Begins Confirmation Hearings Today
scheduled for next Tuesday to accom-
et, which of two options he favors for
By ANDREW ROSENTHAL
modate outside witnesses. So far, the
modernizing land-based nuclear mis-
Special 10 The New York Times
committee has confirmed the appear-
siles and how the United States should
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 - John G.
ance of only one such witness, Paul
respond to troop reductions announced
Tower, the Secretary of Defense-desig-
Weyrich, head of the Free Congress
by Mikhail S. Gorbachev, the Soviet
nate, begins on Wednesday what may
Foundation, a conservative research
leader.
be the most prolonged Senate hearing
group. Mr. Weyrich said he planned to
Mr. Tower was the last of President
for an appointee to President Bush's
oppose the nomination, in part because
Bush's top national security official to
Cabinet.
he believes Mr. Tower is not commit-
be designated, an event delayed more
The latest step in a selection process
ted to building a defense against mis-
than three weeks by the background
that has left Mr. Tower behind other
siles.
check. The Senate Foreign Relations
nominees in organizing his department
Mr. Tower has been criticized by
Committee has already unanimously
will begin with a session before the Sen-
more liberal individuals and groups as
recommended the confirmation of
ate Armed Services Committee
being too closely connected to the mili-
James A. Baker 3d as Secretary of
Wednesday afternoon, to be followed
tary establishment.
State, and Brent Stowcroft, the Na.
by two more public sessions Thursday.
One reason the hearings will be pro-
tional Security Adviser, was not sub-
Members of the committee also plan
longed is that many members of the
ject to confirmation.
a closed session Thursday morning to
committee and Mr. Tower are flying to
Administration officials said that
delve into Mr. Tower's work as a con-
Munich Thursday evening for a week-
Mr. Tower had picked his Deputy Sec-
sultant to military contractors and
end conference on military policy. But
retary and top policy adviser, but that
other information about the former
Congressional aides said Senator Nunn
those choices would not be made public
Texas Senator turned up in a Federal
and other senators wanted to make Mr.
until after Mr. Tower's Senate hear-
Bureau. of Investigation background
Tower's hearing as thorough as possi-
ings. They will then have to be con-
check that was the most exhaustive of
ble.
firmed by the Senate also.
any on the Bush Cabinet nominees.
Mr. Tower is unlikely to face opposi-
The aides said Mr. Tower has been
Administration officials said that the
tion from the committee, of which he
working privately on critical policy and
panel's chairman, Senator Sam Nunn,
was chairman from 1981 to 1985. But
budget decisions and meeting with Mr.
Democrat of Georgia, and Senator
aides said senators wanted to avoid
Baker and Mr. Scowcroft. They said
John W. Warner of Virginia, its ranking
any suggestion that they did not ques-
Mr. Tower and his senior staff would be
Republican, had copies of the F.B.I.
tion a former colleague carefully
ready to begin work immediately after
check and that it concludes that allega-
enough.
their confirmations.
tions of drinking and womanizing by
Aides to some committee members
But some Pentagon officials have ex-
Mr. Tower were unsubstantiated.
said the Senators had a long list of
pressed concern that Mr. Tower will
Congressional aides said a fourth
questions for Mr. Tower, including how
public session has been tentatively
he intends to trim the Pentagon's budg.
27
Scowcroft Names Diplomats and Intelligence
Officers to top National Security Posts
Mr. Scowcroft selected a former in-
ministration.
By ROBERT PEAR
telligence officer, Virginia A. Lampley,
The White House has not named any-
Special to The New York Times
to be director of legislative affairs for
one to replace Robert Pastorino as
WASHINGTON, Jan. 24 - President
the National Security Council. Ms.
head of Latin American affairs or Wil-
Bush's national security adviser, Brent
Lampley, now an executive with DGA
liam J. Burns as head of Near Eastern
Scowcroft, has selected a handful of ex-
International Inc., a consulting concern
affairs at the National Security Coun-
perienced diplomats and intelligence
in Washington, worked in the Air Force
cil. But Administration officials said
officers to help him coordinate foreign
for more than nine years, including six
that Aaron David Miller, a Middle East
policy and national security affairs for
years as an interpreter of aerial recon-
expert on the policy planning staff of
the new Administration.
naissance photographs.
the State Department, would probably
The new appointees will be special
She was also deputy director of Sen-
move to the National Security Council
assistants to Mr. Bush and senior
ate lobbying for the Air Force and got
to work on Middle East peace negotia-
members of the staff of the National
to know Mr. Scowcroft when he was the
tions.
Security Council. They include Robert
head of a commission studying the MX
D. Blackwill, a former State Depart-
missile and other nuclear arms.
An Uncertain Future
ment official who will be in charge of
Officials of the Arms Control and
European and Soviet affairs at the
Disarmament Agency said the future
Aides to Mr. Bush reported that he
N.S.C. He started work there on Mon-
of the director, William F. Burns, was
was planning to name a computer serv-
day.
uncertain. colleagues said they ex-
ices company executive, Ivan Selin, to
pected him to leave the agency because
Mr. Blackwill, an expert on conven-
a top position at the State Department,
tional arms control, served from 1985
he had heard nothing from Mr. Bush's
as Under Secretary for Management.
inner circle.
to 1987 as the American representative
Mr. Selin founded American Manage-
Mr. Burns has been head of the
at the Conference on Mutual and Bal-
ment Systems Inc. in 1970 and since
agency since early 1988. Possible can-
anced Force Reductions in central Eu-
then has been chairman of the compa-
didates to succeed him include Ronald
rope. He joined the Foreign Service in
ny, which designs computer software
F. Lehman 2d, the Assistant Secretary
for Federal agencies, banks and other
1967 and held several senior national
of Defense for international security
big customers.
security positions at the White House
policy; Sidney Graybeal, a principal
and the State Department, where he
Selin Holds 2 Doctorates
negotiator of the antiballistic missile
was the principal deputy assistant sec-
Mr. Selin, who holds doctorates in
treaty, and Richard R. Burt, a former
retary for European affairs in 1982 and
electrical engineering and mathemat-
Assistant Secretary of State now serv-
1983.
ics, came to Washington in 1965 to work
ing as Ambassador to West Germany.
From 1983 to 1985, Mr. Blackwill was
in the Defense Department under Rob-
Robert D. Hormats, an investment
associate dean of the John F. Kennedy
ert S. McNamara, who was then Secre-
banker, is being considered for the
School of Government at Harvard Uni-
tary. He stayed there for five years and
position of Under Secretary of State for
versity.
served as chief Pentagon planner
Economic Affairs, Administration offi-
Mr. Scowcroft's top aide for African
under President Richard M. Nixon. Mr.
cials said. Peter W. Rodman, a former
affairs is David C. Miller Jr., a busi-
Selin is chairman of the board of gover-
director of policy planning at the State
nessman with the Westinghouse Elec-
nors of the United Nations Association,
Department, is likely to remain in his
tric Corporation who served in the Rea-
a private group that supports the work
position as counselor at the National
gan Administration as Ambassador to
of international organizations and al-
Security Council, they said.
Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
liances.
Mr. Bush has already named Robert
Appointment Causes a Stir
M. Gates as the deputy national se-
The new chief of intelligence pro-
curity adviser. Mr. Gates, an expert on
grams for the National Security Coun-
the Soviet Union, spent two decades at
cil is William W. Working, a former Air
the C.I.A. and was deputy director of
Force officer who has 21 years' experi-
the agency at the end of the Reagan Ad-
ence in foreign intelligence. Most re-
cently, he has been director of program
and budget for the Intelligence Com-
munity Staff, which coordinates the ac-
tivities of the Central Intelligence
Agency, the National Security Agency,
the Defense Intelligence Agency and
the State Department.
His appointment has caused a stir
among some intelligence officers be-
cause, unlike some of his predecessors,
he has had relatively little recent ex-
perience in intelligence operations.
NEW YORK TIMES, 1/25/89, P.
ANGELES
TIMES
26 JANUARY 1989
Pg. II-7
Bush Team Needs to Test
the Soviets, Not the Alliance
By ROBERT O'NEILL
OXFORD, England-It is a common-
AUTH
place observation that the foreign-policy
YOUR MOVE,
team assembled by President Bush has
formidable talent and experience.
MR. BUSH.
The Western alliance that James A.
Baker III, Lawrence Eagleburger, Brent
Scowcroft, John Tower et al. will be dealing
with is not in bad shape at the government-
to-government level, with one notable
exception. The normally harmonious rela-
tionship between Washington and Bonn is
under severe strain as a result of West
German insensitivity regarding the part
played by German firms in helping Libya's
Col. Moammar Kadafi achieve a chemical-
warfare capability. This unnecessary ten-
sion has come right at the time when Soviet
President Mikhail S. Gorbachev, through
the recent announcement of Soviet tactical
nuclear withdrawals from Eastern Europe,
has highlighted the Bonn government's
disunity on modernization of short-range
nuclear systems.
Clearly this is not the time for the Bush
Administration to get tough with the Ger-
mans on the nuclear issue. On chemical
table. But to wait much longer could give
after hearing what the President had to
exports the situation is different. Few if
Gorbachev too much scope and result in
say during his first two years in office.
any Germans can be proud of helping Ka-
a weaker political situation within the
The allies are not quite sure what to think
dafi, and there must be support in the West
alliance, especially in its key members in
about Bush, but they do not think it fàir
German government as well as in the pub-
to identify him with the Reagan policies
Central Europe. The West will need to be
lic for tightening control over the chemical
that he so unswervingly supported-par-
seen as testing the Soviets-not standing
industry's foreign activities. But on nuclear
ticularly in 1981-83. This means that their
flabbily by, claiming that little really has
modernization the West German public is
expectations are high and that they want
changed. In the meantime, modernization
far from supportive, and the government is
to see some political action to give the West
of the Lance short-range system should
seriously split. The Bush Administration
at least equal prominence in leading the
continue in the United States, leaving the
cannot want to open its record of alliance
world to a more secure future. If they do
issue of timing of deployment in Europe
diplomacy by wounding its best friends on
not, the alliance will suffer through loss of
and cost-sharing for a more propitious
the Rhine. Rather, it must move quickly to
faith and cohesion.
moment.
overcome public skepticism about alliance
Bearing in mind the possibility that
It is good to hear that the new Adminis-
policies by regaining some of the initiative
Gorbachev could fail to reform the Soviet
tration is conducting a wide-ranging re-
from Gorbachev. It would also help to avoid
Union and that his new thinking in foreign
view of relations with the Soviet Union.
the appearance of being mired in the past
policy could be displaced by something
The process includes, one hopes, not only
through adhering rigidly to plans made
much more primitive and menacing, the
an evaluation of the changes on the Soviet
in 1987-88 and not giving consideration
alliance needs to be kept in good condition
side but also a frank assessment of the
to the implications of the pending Soviet
in times of improving relations with the
second Reagan Administration's perform-
conventional-force cuts and withdrawals
Soviets just as much as in times of crisis.
ance in its dealings with the Kremlin.
of tactical nuclear systems.
Yet the more dynamic nature of East-West
While President Reagan did well in his own
relations makes it more difficult to do so:
For the new Administration this means a
special way by responding positively to
It's just as well that there are some talented
short pause for a considered response to
Gorbachev, the Soviets gained politically
people around the President to advise him.
Gorbachev and then a thorough public
evaluation of the NATO-Warsaw Pact
by their activism and readiness to discard
He, and we collectively throughout the
relationship, preferably delivered by the
counterproductive old policies. Now Rea-
alliance, are going to need them as Gorba-
President. Then should follow a further
gan is gone, and we need to see a more
chev turns up the heat. Let us hope that
pause for debate on what has been said
dynamic Western leadership that can both
they can meet the challenges of the 1990s
before a drawing of conclusions for action,
take welcome initiatives in its negotiating
as well as they met those of the slower and
both on modernization and on arms control.
strategies and rally public support by being
more predictable 1970s.
Bush could thus exert leadership quickly
seen to be superior to the competition, not
while avoiding the pitfall of overly hasty
just barely adequate.
Robert O'Neill is a professor of history of
action. By midyear the West should be able
To the Europeans the final years of the
war at Oxford University and the former
to see clear lines of advance on both fronts.
Reagan presidency were the more toler.
director of the International Institute for
Admittedly this is an ambitious time-
able because they had low expectations
Strategic Studies in London.
WASHINGTON TIMES
26 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 6
White House eyes
more extensive "Phase One" miss
quicker deployment of SDI technol-
defense on the grounds that it wo
ogies. But it also calls into question
be too expensive and there is
the future of former President Rea-
proof it would work. Based larg
smaller-scale SDI
gan's broader plan to render nuclear
on space-based weapons, Phase (
missiles "impotent and obsolete."
would be designed to eliminate h
"Politically, you're moving from
the warheads in a massive Soviet
the drawing board to try to get some-
clear attack.
could knock down a single salvo of
thing rolling," said one high-ranking
A smaller defense "aimed at
By Warren Strobel
nuclear warheads launched in error
member of the Bush team.
fending and protecting the [U.S.]
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
at the United States. In another sce-
"You're going to see a lot more
fensive retaliatory capability
The Bush administration is eyeing
nario, it would preserve the United
emphasis on ALPS," he predicted.
may be something that mal
States' power to retaliate by protect-
"Unless you take steps that way [to-
major changes in the Strategic De-
sense," Rep. Les Aspin, chairma
fense Initiative program that would
ing some nuclear weapons from a
ward deploying SDI weaponry], the
the House Armed Services Com
shift its focus to developing a
Soviet pre-emptive strike.
Soviets aren't going to take you very
tee, said at an SDI seminar
A limited defense made up of
seriously."
smaller missile defense system with
month.
ground-based missile interceptors,
The limited defense concept also
far more limited goals.
If such a system was found to
The scaled-back defense, in one
which is getting serious consider-
has found support from congres-
in U.S. interests but breached
ation in President Bush's review of
sional leaders, who oppose the Rea-
version known as the Accidental
gan administration plan for a much
SDI
U.S. defense policies, could result in
Pg.
10
Launch Protection System [ALPS],
months as it competes with other
SDI
from
Pg.
1
projects in the imploding defense
During his campaign for the pres-
budget.
idency, Mr. Bush at first expressed
1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile [ABM]
enthusiasm at the idea of a limited
Long-term spending on the pro-
Treaty, "this causes me no particular
missile defense, but later voiced
gram has been trimmed, with "star
heartburn." he said. The treaty lim-
wars" managers having about $12
skepticism.
its the United States and Soviet
billion less for research between
"Obviously, it's an option that's se-
Union to 100 interceptors each at a
1990 and 1994 than they planned on
riously being looked at." said a sec-
ond Bush aide involved in the issue.
single site.
just a year ago.
Senate Armed Services Commit-
But, he said. a decision on strategic
Technological breakthroughs and
tee Chairman Sam Nunn proposed a
simplification of the Phase One de-
defenses is "premature," because it
is linked to other choices about the
year ago that the United States ex-
sign have slashed its estimated
future of the U.S. nuclear deterrent
plore a missile defense syster. that
price-tag from $115 billion to $69 bil-
would provide insurance against an
lion. But even this success is a
and proposals at the Geneva arms
accidental launch, coining the acro-
double-edged sword.
control negotiations.
nym "ALPS."
The revised plan approved by
Retired Gen. Brent Scowcroft, be-
Proposals like Mr. Nunn's are only
senior Defense Department officials
fore his appointment as Mr. Bush's
one of several potential changes fac-
delays deployment of the first space-
national security adviser. wrote in a
ing the "star wars" program now
based anti-missile weapons until
presidential transition report that
that Mr. Reagan, its founder. has left
1999 or 2000. On that schedule, one
100 missile interceptors could help
office. Air Force Lt. Gen. James Ab-
official pointed out. the system
defend bases for U.S. nuclear bomb-
rahamson, SDI's high-profile direc-
would not be fully operational until
ers against a surprise attack by mis-
tor since 1984, is retiring next
2003 or even 2005.
siles launched from Soviet subma-
Wednesday.
Finally, SDI's annual research
rines lying just off the U.S. coast.
Conservative advocates of SDI
budget. which shot up between 1985
But far more interceptors would
from the Reagan administration
and 1988, has leveled out, growing
be needed to protect U.S. land-based
have been lobbying to give Mr. Bush
from $3.9 billion last year to little
missiles. Gen. Scowcroft and former
an early briefing on the program's
over $4 billion in this fiscal year. Mr.
Navy Undersecretary R. James
status and to present him with a list
Reagan requested $5.9 billion for
Woolsey said in the "American
of options for its future.
SDI in his final budget proposal. but
Agenda" report.
A key unanswered question is
even if Mr. Bush does not scale back
While developing a full-scale mis-
whether an ALPS-style system,
the figure, Congress is almost cer-
sile defense "would require a very
should it go forward. would be an
tain to do so.
heavy investment of funds and tal-
end in itself or merely a stepping-
An ALPS system would cost any-
ent." they wrote, "even a deployment
stone to the Phase One plan for a
where from $8 billion to $25 billion.
of a limited size
would be a sub-
space-based missile defense.
depending on whether it defended
stantial defense program that would
SDI, particularly Phase One. has
just the nation's heartland or cities
need to be assessed in the context of
suffered several setbacks in recent
on both coasts as well.
other major defense needs."
34
US FOREIGN POLICY
Baker at State:
Early Plaudits,
But Still Untested
In today's changing world the secretary will
have to be innovative as well as pragmatic
By Charlotte Saikowski
Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
WASHINGTON
H
ARDLY anyone has a
bad word to say about
James Baker III. As the
new United States secretary of
state takes the diplomatic helm,
Washington seems braced for a
period of strong, pragmatic for-
eign-policy making.
Diplomats, lawmakers, and ad-
ministration officials are all quick
to cite Mr. Baker's qualifications:
political deftness, vast experience
in government, negotiating skill,
and closeness to President Bush.
No secretary of state in recent
the coming years there will be
memory begins his leadership in
fundamental challenges - - both in
such a favorable environment of
Europe and Asia - and one hopes
respect and admiration.
George Bush, Jim Baker, and [na-
The generous assessments are
tional security adviser Brent]
not without an underlying con-
Scowcroft will be up to these fun-
cern, however. The unknown
damental challenges."
question, diplomatic specialists
Comments David Newsom, di-
say, is whether Secretary Baker,
rector of Georgetown Universi-
in addition to his demonstrated
ty's Institute for the Study of Di-
capacity for pragmatic problem-
plomacy: "We're headed into a
solving, has a gift for the creative,
period when developments in the
innovative initiatives that are seen
Soviet Union, shifts in economic
to be required in today's chang-
power, and concerns about the
ing world.
planet will require major rethink-
"What is not clear is whether,
ing of our national priorities. I
once he is settled, he will demon-
don't see many signs of bold new
strate a capacity for long-term
initiatives."
thinking and conceptualization,"
But, Mr. Newsom adds, the
says one of Washington's most re-
fact that Baker is prone to prob-
spected foreign diplomats. "In
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR, 1/26/89, p. I
1 of 2
BAKER At STATE
35
lem-solving and is not burdened
by an ideological approach is all
Still, Baker is expected to staff
about the all-important US-Soviet
to the good.
the department with strong eco-
relationship. Baker has echoed
So far, Baker seems not to
nomic officials and to play a ma-
Bush's caution and determination
have missed a step in his life of
jor role in this area. Among those
to review relations. With General
public service. As White House
under consideration for senior
Scowcroft heading up the Na-
chief of staff under President
positions is Robert D. Hormats,
tional Security Council staff and
Reagan, he was one of a triumvi-
who is vice-chairman of Gold-
former Henry Kissinger aide
rate of Reagan aides who helped
man, Sachs International and has
Lawrence Eagleburger chosen to
the President achieve quick politi-
served in the past four adminis-
be deputy secretary of state, dip-
cal and legislative success in his
trations.
lomatic experts say, there could
first term. In addition to his flair
On general diplomatic issues,
be a certain toughening of the US
for maneuvering Congress, Baker
Baker is moving very cautiously.
line.
displayed great skill in dealing
Diplomatic experts give him high
"Not necessarily hard-line," a
with the press.
marks for his smooth perform-
US official says, "but a fairly cau-
As secretary of the Treasury
ance before the Senate Foreign
tious approach that is not too neg-
(1985-88), Baker quickly became
Relations Committee during his
ative but reassures the conserva-
a dominant member of the Rea-
confirmation hearing. He paved
tive right."
gan Cabinet. As Reagan was reel-
the way for a good reception by
Diplomatic analysts agree that
ing under the revelations of the
calling on individual members of
Baker takes over at a time of sig-
Iran-contra scandal, Baker was
the committee before the hear-
nificant geopolitical changes that
winning plaudits from European
ings began. Having had thorough
call for assertive rather than reac-
and Japanese leaders for his ambi-
briefings that helped educate him
tive US policies: the sweeping in-
tious plan to lower the value of
in unfamiliar areas, he carefully
novations in the Soviet Union,
the dollar and stabilize exchange
reiterated State Department poli-
the rising power of Japan and
rates.
cies, reassuring US friends and
other countries in East and South-
A fellow Texan, Baker has ties
allies abroad and giving himself
east Asia (and corresponding rela-
with George Bush dating back to
room to study issues further.
tive decline of American power),
1970. He ran Bush's unsuccessful
"Nobody knows how he'll per-
the growing assertiveness of the
campaign for president in 1980
form in office, but there is a sense
European allies, and economic
and took over the faltering presi-
of comfortableness in the build-
and political turmoil in the West-
dential campaign in 1988 in time
ing," a senior State Department
ern Hemisphere.
to put Bush over the top by a solid,
official says. "He seems to be
"The question is whether
margin. The two are close per-
quick, serious, and well balanced.
Baker will continue the reactive
sonally and politically, a fact that
So people are reassured he will
diplomacy of Shultz, letting Gor-
gives Baker special entree at the
not go off half-cocked - as did Al
bachev set the agenda," Mr.
White House and enhances his
Haig."
Maynes, a former diplomat, says.
stature at the State Department,
One major area where the new
"You can argue that with the op-
which likes nothing better than
secretary of state has some boning
portunities that might be there,
an influential secretary of state.
up to do is arms control, and he
now is the time for someone who
On the face of it, Baker's expe-
has already begun the indoctrina-
articulates a postwar vision of the
rience at Treasury should stand
tion process. Administration offi-
future."
him in good stead. International
cials who have been present at
Grave foreign policy issues
economic problems - the trade
arms control briefings for Baker
aside, State Department bureau-
deficit, currency stability, world
say he is bright and engaged.
crats are impressed with Baker's
debt, and the coming economic
"Shultz tended to sit back and
unpretentiousness - a judgment
integration of Western Europe
absorb everything without react-
made by the fact that he is often
are becoming an integral element
ing," comments one US arms
spotted eating in the communal
of foreign policy. Some diplo-
control official. "Baker was more
State Department cafeteria.
matic specialists note that no sec-
involved. Obviously there are
retary of state, even when well
gaps in his knowledge and he'll
versed in economics, has proved
have to go through a learning
influential in this field, because
process, but I think he'll be a
the State Department is not the
quick study."
power base for economic policy.
In terms of policy, a major
"Like Dean Acheson, George
challenge and question mark
Shultz had a background out of
is
what the President will do
Treasury and everyone had high
hopes for him on economic is-
sues," says Charles William
Maynes, editor of Foreign Policy
magazine. "Yet the economics de-
partment under Shultz was very
weak."
PAGE TWO OF TWO
Scowcroft Names Head
Of Middle East Policy
Special to The New York Times
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 - President
Bush's national security adviser, Brent
Scowcroft, has selected a former State
Department official to be his top assist-
ant for Middle East and Persian Gulf
policy, Administration officials say.
The officials identified the new ap-
pointee as Richard N. Haass, a lecturer
in public policy at the John F. Kennedy
School of Government at Harvard Uni-
versity.
Officials/also said Mr. Bush intends
to nominate James R. Lilley to be the
American Ambassador to China. Mr.
Lilley has been the Ambassador to
South Korea since October 1986.
Mr. Haass, 37 years old, will be a spe-
cial assistant to Mr. Bush and senior di-
rector of Near East and South Asian af-
fairs at the National Security Council.
He held three State Department posts
in the Reagan Administration: deputy
for policy in the Bureau of European
and Canadian Affairs, special Cyprus
coordinator, and director of the office
of regional security affairs in the Bu-
reau of Politico-Military Affairs. He
was a Bush foreign-policy adviser in
the 1988 Presidential campaign.
NEW YORK TIMES, 1/28/89, P. z
SUPPLEMENT: WEDNESDAY, 25 JANUARY
NEWSWEEK
OPINION
30 JANUARY 1989
Pg. 32
An Interview With Bush
that might be different from what the Reagan
administration had to say on that.
I've got to figure out what I'm going to
say. It's causing a firestorm. that thing.
The deficit is the top priority for the new president
Do you think it's excessive?
You've got to balance the good aspects of
it with the difficulty the Ameri-
Last week before his Inaugu-
can people have digesting it giv-
ration. George Bush met with
en the budgetary constraints.
NEWSWEEK Editor-in-Chief
Richard M. Smith and White
That sounds like you'd endorse a
House correspondents Thomas
EX:
pay raise but one not quite so rich as
M. DeFrank and Ann McDan-
50 percent.
iel. Excerpts from the interview:
That's the way Tom DeFrank
would judge what I've just said.
NEWSWEEK: One hundred days
from Friday, everybody in the press
How should we interpret that? As
will be writing the story of Bush's
[former secretary of defense] Don
first hundred days. What do you want
Rumsteld would say. I'm giving you a
that story to say?
chance to unravel the flaws in my
BUSH: I don't know. I would
question.
like to have it written that we
Yes, but I'm courageously
made major strides towards
not taking that. You know what
getting a grip with Congress on
the answer to it is? I don't know:
the budget deficit. Whether
that's my answer. Because on
that will be done in a hundred
the one hand, and then on the
days. I don't know. I don't feel
other hand. I must say I was a
the success or failure of a Bush
little appalled to read in The
presidency demands that that
Washington Times about the
be done in a hundred days. It's
ARTHUR
plagued various Congresses
'Getting the vision thing down': Some thoughts going in
retirement [cost] implications
of all of this.
and our administration and
other administrations for a long time. I'd
time job, no, I would decimate the firm. The
Some of your senior people have said they think
like to think that you might see by then
firm would crumble
and I have great
part of their job is to educate the vice president.
some new foreign-policy initiative. I don't
respect for the free-enterprise system.
What role do you have in that process?
know where or how. I'd like to think that
The best role is going to be exactly the
the American people would clearly under-
One area where we seem to see a difference
same model that President Reagan had me
stand [by] then my commitment to the envi-
between the Bush style and the Reagan style. or
adopt-identical. There will be some sub-
ronment or to education or to
other
Bush emphasis and Reagan emphasis, is in regard to
stantive, specific assignments. There will
causes. even though the resources that we
Black America.
be some overseas work, there will be inclu-
can bring to bear on them are going to be
I've always felt the need to stand for fair
sion in the high policy deliberations, there
restrictive.
play and against bigotry, and I certainly
will be ample private time for the vice pres-
would like to have an administration that
ident to give me his views. I would expect in
You've signaled that you want to reassess Sovi-
projects that. I'm not sure that that means
return. when I say, "This is the way it's
et-American relations. Does this suggest you're a
some [far-] reaching legislative agenda. I
going to be," he'll fully and enthusiastical-
bit wary of Mr. Gorbachev and where he's going?
will find ways to speak out in terms of the
ly support the decision whether he made
I want to start by getting a broad assess-
need to eliminate the last vestiges of bigotry
that recommendation or not.
ment of the Soviet Union and where we
I hope we can do better on appointments.
think it's going to go and what I can do as
The problem is some people are going to
How would you have felt eight years ago if some
president to further the process. to further
measure compassion
by whether you can
of Mr. Reagan's aides had said that it was their job
our better relations and yet do it in a pru-
triple the budget for this account
or this
to educate you?
dent way. When you talk to him you sense
service program. I won't be able to do that.
I would have been offended deeply.
this dynamism, this ability to communi-
They don't have the guts to put their name
cate with the West and all of that. But we
Can you understand why many black Americans
on it. To say something like that [about
want to build on a common foundation. I
have felt a sense of estrangement from the Reagan
Quayle], I find deeply offensive. I don't
don't want to just go rushing off because
administration for the last eight years?
like people doing that, and I can't find out
someone thinks momentum [for improved
Well, I don't try to spend any time doing
who they are. It's your business to find
relations] might be slowed down.
that because for eight years
I've been a
out. to thrive on the sources. It's mine to
part of an administration, defended it
bitch about it.
With General Scowcroft at the NSC and Larry
and been a beneficiary of its success. So I'm
Eagleburger at State. you've hired a couple of
still walking a little bit of a tightrope in
Have you thought about what you hope your
Kissinger Associates. Is there any role for Dr.
that regard, and I would simply say here's
legacy will be in four or eight years?
Kissinger?
what I want to do when I come in.
A kinder, gentler America as part of a
I expect from time to time to be reaching
more peaceful. democratic world. [He add-
out to him, saying "I need your help. what
You've said that after Jan. 20 you might have
ed. in a humorous aside:] I'm getting this
do you think?" But if you mean like a full-
some things to say on the congressional pay raise
vision thing down pretty good
A
1
STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
30 January 1989 Pg. 10A
Whither SDI?
John Tower's honesty about its limitations
opens the way for a sensible new policy
When Secretary of Defense-desig-
ed prominent senators. The Soviets
nate John G. Tower testified before
insisted that the Americans wanted
the Senate last week on the "Star
to breach the treaty.
Wars" program, an era of delusion
Mr. Tower played down the whole
came to an official end. It was an era
issue last week. He said that any SDI
in which former President Ronald
tests needed in "the near future"
Reagan insisted that his Strategic De-
could be done according to the old
fense Initiative (SDI) could shield
rules. President Bush's choice for
the nation against nuclear assault.
national security adviser, Brent
"I think that's unrealistic," said
Scowcroft, is known to be dubious
Mr. Tower. He sounded a bit like the
about the prospects of SDI in this
child who shouted about the em-
century. He said in a report last year
peror, "But he has nothing on."
that the Reagan administration's re-
interpretation of the ABM treaty was
Actually most experts and much
"implausible."
of the public already understood
what Mr. Tower said: It is not possi-
During the presidential cam-
ble to "devise an umbrella" against
paign, Mr. Bush supported the broad
nuclear incineration. But no one in
reading of the ABM treaty. But the
the Reagan administration would
Tower testimony, and the choice of
Mr. Scowcroft, seem to indicate a
challenge the boss out loud. Having
the words out in the open allows the
change. Bush officials seem focused
debate to move from fantasy to hard
on a more limited, ground-based anti-
missile system rather than on exotic
facts. It also allows the country to
weapons in the skies. Such a system
move on with a more rational ap-
could be begun without breaking the
proach to arms control.
ABM treaty.
Mr. Reagan's SDI program proved
Building a system of missile de-
a two-edged sword. The billions
fenses never made sense unless the
thrown into research helped scare
Soviets agreed to cooperate. Other-
the Soviets back to the negotiating
wise it would have fallen prey to that
table. They feared a new, costly high-
old military rule of thumb: There's
tech arms race, whether or not SDI
no defense against which you can't
proved feasible. But the Reagan ad-
build a more powerful offense.
ministration's eagerness to conduct
Now, SDI research can proceed at
controversial SDI tests in space
a sensible pace, while negotiations
ended up posing a major obstacle to
continue on cutting back nuclear
talks designed to halve the number
weapons. Ten years from now, if the
of long-range nuclear weapons.
superpowers have shrunk their nu-
Reagan administration officials
clear arsenals, and a Soviet pragma-
had insisted on "broadening" the in-
tist is still in power, perhaps both
terpretation of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic
nations will agree on building de-
Missile (ABM) treaty, which up till
fenses to shield against nuclear acci-
then had been understood to ban
dents or Third World madmen.
such tests. The hope was to deploy a
Until then, the business at hand
partial SDI system in space by the
should be reducing the huge number
early '90s, whether or not the whole
of offensive weapons. Mr. Tower's
concept worked. This broad interpre-
honesty about SDI helps speed that
tation of the ABM treaty had infuriat-
process.
31
STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
31 January 1989
Pg. 14
No more Star Wars 'theology'
In his Senate confirmation hearings, John Tower,
overburden a new administration, "forestalling many
President Bush's choice for defense secretary, sounded
other courses of action in defense and otherwise."
a welcome cautionary note about the Strategic Defense
Instead, he offered some support for a land-based
Initiative that Ronald Reagan insisted would throw up
system that would conform to the ABM treaty, reduc-
a "shield that could protect us from nuclear missiles
ing costs as well as the potential for disputes between
just as a roof protects a family from rain."
Washington and Moscow at arms negotiations.
Despite continued questions from credible critics
In his testimony, Tower seemed on similar ground.
about the potential efficacy of what has become
Asked if he favored the "narrow interpretation" of the
known as Star Wars and the acknowledged magnitude
ABM treaty, which opponents of Star Wars say prohi-
of its ultimate cost, the outgoing Reagan administra-
bits testing space-based weapons, he replied: "A selec-
tion called for doubling research funds for the project
tion between the narrow and the broad view does not
to $6 billion in its final deficit-plagued budget.
have to be made now. Indeed, anything that we might
Tower, a former chairman of the Senate Armed
anticipate doing in the near future could be done con-
Services Committee, warmed some hearts among his
sistent with the narrow interpretation."
old colleagues by vowing to take a hard look at Star
Wars in cutting his budget. "To begin with, I don't
All of this should comfort Sen. Sam Nunn, present
believe that we can devise an umbrella that can protect
chairman of the Armed Services Committee, who has
the entire American population from nuclear incinera-
made no bones of his concern about the costs and
tion," he said. "I think that's unrealistic."
effectiveness of Star Wars. "In the five years since SDI
Making it clear the Bush administration hadn't
was launched, the Reagan administration has consis-
worked out its whole Star Wars position, he indicated
tently substituted slogans for objective and technically
it would be a lot less enthusiastic about any attempt at
sound explanations," the Georgia Democrat charged
full-scale deployment than Ronald Reagan was.
last year. "Too often, SDI has been treated as theology
During the campaign, George Bush had said he'd
rather than a scientific research program."
like to develop and deploy some anti-missile system as
No one should hasten to toss away the Star Wars
soon as it was feasible. And there have been reports
chip for nothing in our negotiations with the Soviet
that his administration is considering a proposal to
Union. And neither the Bush people nor Sam Nunn
install ground-based interceptors to protect bombers
has such silly thoughts. The land-based ABM system
and long-range missiles. Depending on the basing, that
Scowcroft and Tower appear to be considering and the
might provide a way to conform with the 1972 Anti-
"limited system for protecting against accidental and
Ballistic Missile Treaty, which permits the superpowers
unauthorized launches" that Nunn has proposed both
to have 100 such missiles at one site each.
are reasonable goals for research.
Last fall Brent Scowcroft, since chosen as national
But with our deficits to deal with and some apparent
security adviser, published an article of advice to who-
prospects for more progress in arms-reduction talks,
ever became president. In it he expressed doubts about
let us hope the days of treating Star Wars,as "theolo-
any Star Wars umbrella and suggested its costs would
gy" are behind us.
29
STRATEGIC DEFENSE INITIATIVE
WALL STREET JOURNAL
31 January 1989
Pg. 18
Tower and the MADmen
The conventional "spin" on confir-
defense at all anymore but about en-
siles." It all looks to us as if nuclear
mation testimony last week by Secre-
gineering. Not about whether to build
defense is a long way from dead.
tary of Defense-designate John Tower
defenses but about how much and
We recognize that some of those
has been to declare the death of SDI.
when. MAD goes the way of sun-wor-
now supporting ALPS may have an-
But what we see instead is the death
ship and other primitive supersti-
other agenda. They hope support for a
of MAD-mutual assured destruction,
tions.
ground-based defense will first kill re-
the goofy but enormously influential
Mr. Tower, by the way. also seems
search into space defenses, just as de-
theory that the way to prevent nuclear
to understand this very well. As he
fenses died in the early 1970s with
war is to leave every nation defense-
put it elsewhere in his testimony, "I
Richard Nixon's arms-control agree-
less against nuclear missiles.
happen to believe that SDI is a very
ments. Then when it comes down to
Mr. Tower's stop-the-presses line
high-priority item." SDI is, he added,
actually paying money for an ALPS,
was that, "I don't believe that we can
"an integral part of the total deter-
they can kill a ground-based system,
devise an umbrella that can protect
rence capability, transitioning gradu-
too.
the entire American population from
ally from a totally offensive deterrent
But technology has moved a long
nuclear incineration." But this is a
strategy to a more defensive deter-
way in 15 years. By some estimates.
dog-bites-man story. Mr. Tower and
rent." In plainer English, Mr. Tower
an ALPS with 100 or 200 interceptors
his critics were merely beheading a
thinks a U.S. president should have
with current technology would cost
strawman, the so-called perfect de-
more choices, in the event of a nu-
less than $15 billion. Our judgment
fense "Astrodome" of political myth.
clear attack, than simply counting
has always been that deploying a lim-
Ronald Reagan's initial SDI proposal
casualties and blowing up the world.
ited defense will build support for a
was first of all a moral proposition-a
He wants more than a MAD world.
broader one, while also gaining both
perfect defense would be good, not
Which brings us back to the coali-
valuable experience and protection
bad. The details of how close we can
tion for some kind of limited deploy-
against a lunatic or accidental at-
come can be thrashed out by techni-
ment, also known as ALPS or LPS. As
tack.
cians. And Mr. Reagan has made his
Mr. Tower put it, "I think there's an
Ronald Reagan's SDI vision
moral point; in the real world a politi-
element of desirability in terms, for
changed the terms of the West's stra-
cal coalition is building in favor of de-
example, of an accidental-launch pro-
tegic debate. MAD is no longer gos-
ploying anti-nuclear defenses. The
tection system."
pel. President Bush, with the help of
proposals on the table are for limited
But he's actually coming late to
Messrs. Scowcroft, Quayle and Tower,
defenses, of course, but if any kind of
this party. Georgia Democrat Sam
can consolidate that victory and put
nuclear defense is ever deployed, the
Nunn opened the debate a year ago
the high priests of MAD back in the
MADmen will have lost.
when he urged the U.S. to "seriously
cloisters for good.
Their theology has long held that to
explore the development of a limited
be perfectly safe Americans must also
system for protecting against acciden-
be perfectly vulnerable. Defense isn't
tal and unauthorized launches." The
tolerable: They know this isn't a popu-
idea has since received public encour-
lar notion, which is why they go to
agement from, among others, the in-
such lengths to disguise their attacks
dependent Defense Science Board, a
on SDI in jargon about technical im-
bipartisan group of scientists on the
possibility, "nuclear winter," throw
White House Science Council, House
weights, dummy warheads and "cost-
Armed Services Chairman Les Aspin,
effectiveness at the margin." But the
and a slew of un-MAD Democrats and
clear no-defense thread of their argu-
Republicans.
ment has expressed itself in arms-
Mr. Tower isn't even the first of
control treaties that limit mostly de-
George Bush's advisers to climb on
fense. And even, as we saw in the
board. Vice President Dan Quayle and
GWEN issue in the Dukakis presiden-
National Security Adviser Brent Scow-
tial campaign, in preventing facilities
croft are both on record supporting a
that would allow us to communicate
ground-based ALPS. With Democrat
with surviving forces after a nuclear
R. James Woolsey, Mr. Scowcroft
attack.
wrote recently that an ALPS "could
The MADmen certainly understand
afford some protection of a major por-
that if a limited defense is all right,
tion of the U.S. against a small acci-
then why not a bigger one as technol-
dental attack" from the Soviets, or
ogy permits? And if a limited defense
"against a future third-country threat
is all right, then the debate isn't about
such as chemically armed
mis-
30