THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, February 28, 1995 TAG: 9502280274
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DALE EISMAN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines
After months of speculation and weeks of leaks, the Pentagon this morning will give the 1995 Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission a list of military facilities to consider shutting or reorganizing.
But President Clinton and the Senate still have to give the commission some members.
Though neither side was commenting on it Monday, Senate confirmation of six commissioners has been stalled in an apparent power struggle between the White House and Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole. The stalemate may force the commission to begin work with one member: Chairman Alan J. Dixon.
Dixon has set the first of what probably will be dozens of hearings for Wednesday morning. Defense Secretary William Perry and Gen. John Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, will formally present and outline recommendations for closing or changing several dozen bases.
Perry is to disclose the Pentagon's proposals at a nationally televised news conference this morning. Hampton Roads is expected to suffer few if any losses.
Commission and Clinton administration lawyers apparently believe Dixon can hear testimony and begin reviewing base-closing recommendations without having other commissioners in place. In two of three past base-closing rounds, the panel did much of its work with a vacancy in its ranks.
There are supposed to be eight commissioners, all subject to Senate confirmation. Clinton has a free hand to choose two - he used one of those picks on Dixon - but must consult with Dole and other congressional leaders on the others.
As majority leader, Dole gets to make two recommendations. Clinton went along with one, Wendi L. Steele, but declined to nominate the other, former Army Secretary Michael P.W. Stone. On Feb. 18, Dole announced that he was recommending retired Army Gen. Josue Robles Jr. in Stone's place.
But the White House has delayed making that nomination formal, waiting for results of a background check on Robles. In turn, Dole is said to have decided not to permit a vote on the other nominees until Robles has been cleared. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Defense Secretary William Perry, right, talks Monday with Anthony
Jordan, head of the American Legion National Security Commission.
Perry talked to the group about upcoming base closings.
KEYWORDS: MILITARY BASES BASE CLOSINGS by CNB