Pentagon Takes Shots At Gop’s ‘Contract’

Top Pentagon officials Friday attacked the defense sections of the Republican “Contract with America” as faulty and even dangerous, saying they could imperil the national defense.

Defense Secretary William Perry told a House panel, “I find it disturbing on several accounts, not the least of which is the assertion … that we have a hollow force, which is not only wrong, but I think is a dangerous statement.”

Perry said it’s vital that both friend and foe know that America has “the most ready and capable military forces in the world.”

Accompanied by Gen. John Shalikashvili, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Perry sternly listed his objections to the Republican bill, including its call to build a system to protect the United States from nuclear missiles.

Perry testified such a system “would cost tens of billions of scarce defense dollars and … is unneeded at this time.” Shalikashvili added that the cost of building that system would drain money from other military needs, which would harm the nation’s defense.

Committee Republicans reacted in different ways to the assault. Some seemed sobered, others came out swinging.

Said committee chairman Floyd Spence, R-S.C., a strong proponent of building a missile defense system, “I think it is really irresponsible of us to leave this country unprotected, and I think someone’s head is going to roll because we haven’t done it.”