Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, October 3, 1993 TAG: 9310030186
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Los Angeles Times
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
In the wake of disclosure of Dalton's recommendation late Friday, Defense Secretary Les Aspin met briefly with Kelso Saturday and told him that he wanted to spend the weekend reviewing the issue - effectively a request that Kelso not resign prematurely.
At the same time, the White House and the Pentagon stressed in statements that the administration wanted to make sure it was being fair to Kelso - an unusual admonition after a recommendation that a top military officer be fired.
It was not entirely clear whether the administration would be able to keep Kelso in the job.
Officials close to the admiral said Kelso had indicated that he did not plan to resign unless directly asked to do so by Aspin.
But analysts said Kelso's authority as the Navy's top admiral clearly had been damaged by the disclosure of Dalton's recommendation, and speculated he may be forced to step down anyway, barring some last-minute statement of confidence by Aspin.
The flurry of activity reflected a deeply held view, both within the White House and the Pentagon, that Kelso has done a good job in responding to the Tailhook scandal, despite Dalton's allegation that the admiral had not exercised sufficient leadership in the affair.
Although Kelso did not act immediately when the Tailhook scandal broke in mid-1992, he has moved aggressively to crack down on sexual harassment within the Navy and to open more career opportunities to women. And he has instituted new programs to alter attitudes on the issue.
Kelso has never been charged with any wrongdoing in the Tailhook scandal, which sprang from a convention of naval aviators at a Las Vegas hotel during which scores of women were assaulted. Some 117 officers were implicated later, and three admirals were fired.
by CNB