THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 17, 1994 TAG: 9410150022
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines
You don't have to take Oliver North's word that defense cuts by the Bush and Clinton administrations have left the U.S. military dangerously close to being unprepared to effectively fight two regional conflicts the size of the Persian Gulf war simultaneously. The Clinton administration itself has said so.
In a well-publicized memo leaked to the press two months ago, Deputy Defense Secretary John Deutsch ordered the armed forces to prepare for the possible cancellation of major weapons-systems development because the money might be needed to fund current operations.Last July, Defense Secretary William Perry acknowledged in an interview with Navy Times that the ``two regional conflicts'' strategy requires more funding.
Perry has since said that the chances of two simultaneous conflicts are ``remote.'' Really? When the Korean War broke out in 1950, there was grave concern in the Truman administration that North Korea's attack was a distraction and a third world war was about to break out in Europe.
Oliver North's observation that defense cuts have gone too far and our troops could be in danger in Kuwait was an exaggeration (as he was forced to acknowledge), but not by much. His timing was also poor, making him seem to exploit an international crisis for political gain.
Still, that doesn't make North ``unpatriotic.'' He gave no ``aid and comfort'' to Saddam, as Vice President Al Gore suggested. Gore and others conveniently forget the outrage that accompanied such suggestions about anti-Vietnam War protesters . . . such as Bill Clinton.
Al should get out more. Just about every Republican candidate for Congress and not a few Democrats are saying the military budget has dropped too far too fast. Oklahoma Democrat Rep. Dave McCurdy said Oct. 1, ``We are now on the verge of a tragedy in defense policy.'' Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Sam Nunn, D-Ga., has been among those voicing concern recently, as have Virginia Democrat Reps. Owen Pickett and Norman Sisisky. Plenty of local military people are saying essentially what North said.
President Clinton did the right thing in staring down Saddam with a show of force. But how concerned is Clinton that future displays of power might not have that desired effect because he lacks the forces to back them up? by CNB