Part 53 (1/2)

* The traditional model of a secretary of defense and deputy secretary of defense was Mel Laird and his deputy, David Packard, who had cofounded Hewlett Packard and benefited from a long career in business. The traditional model of a secretary of defense and deputy secretary of defense was Mel Laird and his deputy, David Packard, who had cofounded Hewlett Packard and benefited from a long career in business.

Secretary Cohen offered to be helpful in any way to smooth the transition, which I appreciated greatly. His deputy, Rudy deLeon, and a number of Cohen's senior staff graciously agreed to stay on during the many months it took to get President Bush's nominees selected, cleared, confirmed, and on the job. Secretary Cohen offered to be helpful in any way to smooth the transition, which I appreciated greatly. His deputy, Rudy deLeon, and a number of Cohen's senior staff graciously agreed to stay on during the many months it took to get President Bush's nominees selected, cleared, confirmed, and on the job.

* From the time we recommended someone for a position, it took the White House personnel shop seventy days on average to approve them, and then another fifty-two days for Senate confirmation. From the time we recommended someone for a position, it took the White House personnel shop seventy days on average to approve them, and then another fifty-two days for Senate confirmation.6

* In the end, in October 2009, after labor unions representing federal workers spent many millions of dollars to help elect sympathetic lawmakers, Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress voted to kill the new pay-for-performance system we had put in place. In the end, in October 2009, after labor unions representing federal workers spent many millions of dollars to help elect sympathetic lawmakers, Democratic majorities in both houses of Congress voted to kill the new pay-for-performance system we had put in place.

* In addition to our global posture, I also thought our bases and facilities in the United States should not be off-limits to review. In 2001, on my recommendation, the Bush administration proposed the largest U.S. military base realignment and closure (BRAC) effort in history. We reduced the number of bases across America to streamline DoD, improve its overall effectiveness, and cut costs. By closing bases we no longer needed, we projected that we could save the American taxpayer an estimated $5.5 billion every year. We also ended up earning criticism from a number of members of Congress who represented areas where bases might be closed. In addition to our global posture, I also thought our bases and facilities in the United States should not be off-limits to review. In 2001, on my recommendation, the Bush administration proposed the largest U.S. military base realignment and closure (BRAC) effort in history. We reduced the number of bases across America to streamline DoD, improve its overall effectiveness, and cut costs. By closing bases we no longer needed, we projected that we could save the American taxpayer an estimated $5.5 billion every year. We also ended up earning criticism from a number of members of Congress who represented areas where bases might be closed.

* The only other signatory to the ABM Treaty, the Soviet Union, had ceased to exist. The only other signatory to the ABM Treaty, the Soviet Union, had ceased to exist.

* In our meeting, Deng was still trying to understand the American democratic system. He wondered how the U.S. Congress could enforce laws on China to reclaim American a.s.sets lost in Mao's Communist takeover twenty-five years earlier. ”I could explain it,” I told him, ”but it would take a great deal of mao tai,” referring to the Chinese liquor. In our meeting, Deng was still trying to understand the American democratic system. He wondered how the U.S. Congress could enforce laws on China to reclaim American a.s.sets lost in Mao's Communist takeover twenty-five years earlier. ”I could explain it,” I told him, ”but it would take a great deal of mao tai,” referring to the Chinese liquor.8

* In 1956, I learned that one of our close friends and a fellow Navy pilot, Jim Deane, had been shot down while flying a similar reconnaissance mission off the coast of China. Lieutenant Deane's remains were never recovered. There were rumors he might have survived the crash and was being held captive, but we were unable to get any conclusive information. Deane's wife asked her congressman, Gerald R. Ford, for his help in obtaining information. Later, on my 1974 trip to China with Kissinger, I was surprised when Kissinger handed me a memo about Jim Deane, whose fate he planned to raise with the Chinese. When I became secretary of defense in 2001, I tried to gather more information on missing American pilots, including Deane, when I met with Chinese officials. Despite our efforts, the Chinese never budged on the issue and Jim's widow, Beverly Deane Shaver, continues to search for answers. In 1956, I learned that one of our close friends and a fellow Navy pilot, Jim Deane, had been shot down while flying a similar reconnaissance mission off the coast of China. Lieutenant Deane's remains were never recovered. There were rumors he might have survived the crash and was being held captive, but we were unable to get any conclusive information. Deane's wife asked her congressman, Gerald R. Ford, for his help in obtaining information. Later, on my 1974 trip to China with Kissinger, I was surprised when Kissinger handed me a memo about Jim Deane, whose fate he planned to raise with the Chinese. When I became secretary of defense in 2001, I tried to gather more information on missing American pilots, including Deane, when I met with Chinese officials. Despite our efforts, the Chinese never budged on the issue and Jim's widow, Beverly Deane Shaver, continues to search for answers.

* Of the forty-four Chinese Air Force interceptions of U.S. reconnaissance flights prior to April 1, 2001, six involved Chinese planes coming within thirty feet of U.S. aircraft and two involved Chinese planes coming within ten feet. Of the forty-four Chinese Air Force interceptions of U.S. reconnaissance flights prior to April 1, 2001, six involved Chinese planes coming within thirty feet of U.S. aircraft and two involved Chinese planes coming within ten feet.16

The article went on to say that the U.S. reconnaissance plane had violated Chinese airs.p.a.ce, and in doing so was a ”threat to the national security of China.” The article ”modestly” closed with the demand that ”the U.S. side...make a prompt explanation to the Chinese government and people about the U.S. plane's ramming of the Chinese jet and its infringement upon China's sovereignty and air s.p.a.ce, apologize to the Chinese side and shoulder all the responsibility arising from the incident.” The article went on to say that the U.S. reconnaissance plane had violated Chinese airs.p.a.ce, and in doing so was a ”threat to the national security of China.” The article ”modestly” closed with the demand that ”the U.S. side...make a prompt explanation to the Chinese government and people about the U.S. plane's ramming of the Chinese jet and its infringement upon China's sovereignty and air s.p.a.ce, apologize to the Chinese side and shoulder all the responsibility arising from the incident.”20

* Under the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs is the princ.i.p.al military adviser to the president, the National Security Council, and the secretary of defense. Though the chairman is not in the chain of command or a member of the NSC, he generally serves as the communication link for military actions between the national command authorities-the president and the secretary of defense-and the combatant commanders. Under the Goldwater-Nichols Act of 1986, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs is the princ.i.p.al military adviser to the president, the National Security Council, and the secretary of defense. Though the chairman is not in the chain of command or a member of the NSC, he generally serves as the communication link for military actions between the national command authorities-the president and the secretary of defense-and the combatant commanders.

* Powell had an engaging sense of humor and could poke fun at himself and some of the stereotypes of the State Department. On one occasion, Cheney, Rice, and I were at the State Department for one of our regular lunches, which we took turns hosting. The rest of us periodically kidded Powell about the State Department's lavish meals. This time when we arrived, Powell had the table set elegantly with cloth napkins and matching silverware, and at each of our place settings silver platters with matching silver covers awaited. After we all took our seats, hovering waiters in tuxedos pulled off the silver covers simultaneously in a dramatic fas.h.i.+on. Underneath we found brown paper bags with sandwiches in them. Powell grinned, and we roared with laughter. Powell had an engaging sense of humor and could poke fun at himself and some of the stereotypes of the State Department. On one occasion, Cheney, Rice, and I were at the State Department for one of our regular lunches, which we took turns hosting. The rest of us periodically kidded Powell about the State Department's lavish meals. This time when we arrived, Powell had the table set elegantly with cloth napkins and matching silverware, and at each of our place settings silver platters with matching silver covers awaited. After we all took our seats, hovering waiters in tuxedos pulled off the silver covers simultaneously in a dramatic fas.h.i.+on. Underneath we found brown paper bags with sandwiches in them. Powell grinned, and we roared with laughter.2

* A particularly egregious example appeared in the A particularly egregious example appeared in theWas.h.i.+ngton Post in 2003 ent.i.tled ” in 2003 ent.i.tled ”POWELL AND JOINT CHIEFS NUDGED BUSH TOWARD U.N.” The article claimed that Powell and Joint Chiefs Chairman d.i.c.k Myers overruled a reluctant Bush, Rice, and me about seeking the international community's help in postwar Iraq. It was so utterly untrue that both Myers and Powell took the rare step of publicly disputing it. This was the sort of storyline that continued throughout the administration. Other similar headlines included: ”POWELL TRIED TO TALK BUSH OUT OF WAR” and ”POWELL'S DOUBTS OVER CIA INTELLIGENCE ON IRAQ PROMPTED HIM TO SET UP SECRET REVIEW.” 12 12

* I find that committing a point of view to paper sharpens my thinking. It also permits other partic.i.p.ants in the discussion on a given issue to understand my perspective more precisely. This approach, of course, has its drawbacks. Stating one's position in a written doc.u.ment becomes part of history. It makes it hard to claim down the road that one was wiser than might have been the case, and it limits one's ability to wait to see how events unfold before being publicly committed to a specific course of action. I find that committing a point of view to paper sharpens my thinking. It also permits other partic.i.p.ants in the discussion on a given issue to understand my perspective more precisely. This approach, of course, has its drawbacks. Stating one's position in a written doc.u.ment becomes part of history. It makes it hard to claim down the road that one was wiser than might have been the case, and it limits one's ability to wait to see how events unfold before being publicly committed to a specific course of action.

* For example, over one three-month period in 2003, there were thirty-one meetings at the White House scheduled by the NSC staff. We did not receive any papers in advance for these meetings. Further, 48 percent of the meetings were canceled and we received summaries of the conclusions for only 17 percent of the meetings held. For example, over one three-month period in 2003, there were thirty-one meetings at the White House scheduled by the NSC staff. We did not receive any papers in advance for these meetings. Further, 48 percent of the meetings were canceled and we received summaries of the conclusions for only 17 percent of the meetings held.19

* Democrats were urging that any money from a projected budget surplus be directed to a so-called, nonexistent, Social Security ”lockbox.” Unlike the internet, the lockbox idea was an Al Gore invention. During the 2000 campaign, Gore and congressional Democrats used the gambit in an attempt to turn any proposal they didn't like-such as cutting taxes to leave more of the American people's hard-earned money with them-into an effort to raid Social Security. The whole debate struck me as absurd. There was no budget surplus for a lockbox (it was only a theoretical projection), and the last people in Congress who tended to be worried about restraining spending were the proponents of the lockbox idea. Moreover, most everyoneknew that Social Security needed fundamental reforms that few were willing to confront. Democrats were urging that any money from a projected budget surplus be directed to a so-called, nonexistent, Social Security ”lockbox.” Unlike the internet, the lockbox idea was an Al Gore invention. During the 2000 campaign, Gore and congressional Democrats used the gambit in an attempt to turn any proposal they didn't like-such as cutting taxes to leave more of the American people's hard-earned money with them-into an effort to raid Social Security. The whole debate struck me as absurd. There was no budget surplus for a lockbox (it was only a theoretical projection), and the last people in Congress who tended to be worried about restraining spending were the proponents of the lockbox idea. Moreover, most everyoneknew that Social Security needed fundamental reforms that few were willing to confront.

* They included: Ed Giambastiani; Jim Haynes, the Department's general counsel; Steve Cambone, the deputy undersecretary of policy; Larry Di Rita, my special a.s.sistant; and Torie Clarke, the a.s.sis tant secretary of defense for public affairs. They included: Ed Giambastiani; Jim Haynes, the Department's general counsel; Steve Cambone, the deputy undersecretary of policy; Larry Di Rita, my special a.s.sistant; and Torie Clarke, the a.s.sis tant secretary of defense for public affairs.

* The last time the Defcon had been raised to that level was in 1973, during the Yom Kippur War, when I was amba.s.sador to NATO. The last time the Defcon had been raised to that level was in 1973, during the Yom Kippur War, when I was amba.s.sador to NATO.

* Each of the other three hijacked aircraft had five al-Qaida terrorists...o...b..ard, and the difference between four and five terrorists may have meant the difference between failure and success. In 2002, the individual believed to be the twentieth hijacker-the missing hijacker from United Flight 93-came into U.S. custody in Afghanistan. The detention and interrogation at Guantanamo Bay of the suspected terrorist, Muhammed al-Qahtani, would later become a focal point of controversy. Each of the other three hijacked aircraft had five al-Qaida terrorists...o...b..ard, and the difference between four and five terrorists may have meant the difference between failure and success. In 2002, the individual believed to be the twentieth hijacker-the missing hijacker from United Flight 93-came into U.S. custody in Afghanistan. The detention and interrogation at Guantanamo Bay of the suspected terrorist, Muhammed al-Qahtani, would later become a focal point of controversy.

* Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China all share borders with Afghanistan. Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and China all share borders with Afghanistan.

* He should not be confused with the terrorist who led the nineteen September 11 hijackers, an Egyptian also named Muhammed Atta. He should not be confused with the terrorist who led the nineteen September 11 hijackers, an Egyptian also named Muhammed Atta.

* At my first meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels in June 2001, I made a point of meeting privately with the minister of defense of Uzbekistan, Kodir Gulyamov, which surprised some of our NATO allies. At my first meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels in June 2001, I made a point of meeting privately with the minister of defense of Uzbekistan, Kodir Gulyamov, which surprised some of our NATO allies.

* Until 2001, UAVs had been used mainly on an experimental basis. When they first had been ready for operations, Defense and CIA officials debated over who would control them and who would pay for their use. In both bureaucracies, some officials were eager to avoid responsibility and preferred not to be burdened with the cost. After 9/11, with coalition operations underway in Afghanistan, George Tenet and I began to sort out Defense-CIA joint Predator operations. We came to an agreement over who owned and paid for the a.s.sets, where they would operate, and who would ”pull the trigger” on the very few UAVs that were armed at the time. Until 2001, UAVs had been used mainly on an experimental basis. When they first had been ready for operations, Defense and CIA officials debated over who would control them and who would pay for their use. In both bureaucracies, some officials were eager to avoid responsibility and preferred not to be burdened with the cost. After 9/11, with coalition operations underway in Afghanistan, George Tenet and I began to sort out Defense-CIA joint Predator operations. We came to an agreement over who owned and paid for the a.s.sets, where they would operate, and who would ”pull the trigger” on the very few UAVs that were armed at the time.

* Powell remarked, ”All of the countries in the region-the United States, Russia and, as you heard, Pakistan, through Musharraf last evening-say, it's better that they not enter Kabul. There's too many uncertainties as to what might happen.” Secretary Powell went on to say, ”Entering a city is a difficult thing. You put people in close quarters, they are of different tribal loyalties. We have seen what has happened previously when you had an uncontrolled situation and two forces arriving in Kabul at the same time not meaning each well.” Powell remarked, ”All of the countries in the region-the United States, Russia and, as you heard, Pakistan, through Musharraf last evening-say, it's better that they not enter Kabul. There's too many uncertainties as to what might happen.” Secretary Powell went on to say, ”Entering a city is a difficult thing. You put people in close quarters, they are of different tribal loyalties. We have seen what has happened previously when you had an uncontrolled situation and two forces arriving in Kabul at the same time not meaning each well.”10

* Early on, Karzai emerged as a possible candidate for a national leaders.h.i.+p post. As such, we wanted him protected. At one point during the fighting against a much larger Taliban force, Karzai was evacuated briefly to Pakistan. In talking with Pentagon reporters, I mentioned Karzai's evacuation. Though my remarks were accurate, I did not want to give a false impression that Karzai had sought to retreat, which he most certainly had not. Karzai, understandably, didn't want it known that he had been taken out of Afghanistan, even for a short period. I later apologized to Karzai. He responded graciously. Early on, Karzai emerged as a possible candidate for a national leaders.h.i.+p post. As such, we wanted him protected. At one point during the fighting against a much larger Taliban force, Karzai was evacuated briefly to Pakistan. In talking with Pentagon reporters, I mentioned Karzai's evacuation. Though my remarks were accurate, I did not want to give a false impression that Karzai had sought to retreat, which he most certainly had not. Karzai, understandably, didn't want it known that he had been taken out of Afghanistan, even for a short period. I later apologized to Karzai. He responded graciously.

* At one point I watched a Predator video feed of a tall, lanky man wearing a turban and white robes and surrounded by what looked like an entourage of bodyguards. Our military command center was abuzz with antic.i.p.ation. There was not a doubt in anyone's mind that the image on the screen in front of us was Osama bin Laden. As they made final preparations to take out the target, something spooked the man we were observing, perhaps an intelligence tip or someone catching sight of our Predator UAV above. He took off, running like a gazelle over rocky, rugged terrain. He couldn't have been more than twenty years old. Bin Laden was in his midforties in 2001. Intelligence later corroborated that the man we all were absolutely convinced was bin Laden was not. At one point I watched a Predator video feed of a tall, lanky man wearing a turban and white robes and surrounded by what looked like an entourage of bodyguards. Our military command center was abuzz with antic.i.p.ation. There was not a doubt in anyone's mind that the image on the screen in front of us was Osama bin Laden. As they made final preparations to take out the target, something spooked the man we were observing, perhaps an intelligence tip or someone catching sight of our Predator UAV above. He took off, running like a gazelle over rocky, rugged terrain. He couldn't have been more than twenty years old. Bin Laden was in his midforties in 2001. Intelligence later corroborated that the man we all were absolutely convinced was bin Laden was not.