Gates suggests changes to 2008 spending bill

[unhappycamper]

By Kris Osborn - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Nov 6, 2007 18:33:55 EST

Defense Secretary Robert Gates sent an Oct. 31 letter to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees expressing the Pentagon’s desires on a host of policy, budget and procurement issues as the committees begin to reconcile their versions of the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act.

Gates asked for more money to bring the Global Train and Equip program up to $500 million — it was given $300 million in 2007 — and also asked Congress to extend the program past 2008. The program allows U.S. forces to provide weapons and training to allied nations in the war on terrorism.

“The Department’s highest priority remains adapting to the demands of fighting a global counterinsurgency while sustaining our ability to prevail in conventional conflicts. A key element of this strategy is our effort to build the capacity of our allies and partners,” Gates wrote.

Gates reiterated his support for the planned missile defense facilities in Poland and the Czech Republic, a plan questioned repeatedly by members of Congress, and opposed the proposed reductions in funding for a third ballistic missile defense site in Europe.

“In the face of an evolving Iranian threat, proposed reductions in funding for a third interceptor site in Europe will delay the Department’s ability to extend ballistic missile defense coverage to our Homeland, allies, and deployed forces in Europe,” Gates wrote.


Read Gate's proposals at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/11/defense_gatesletter_071106/