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| TIME | SPEAKER | TEXT |
|---|---|---|
| 00:00:29 |
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Good morning, everyone. Dr. Gates, I think I can safely say, on behalf of the citizens of our... |
| 00:10:55 |
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Mr. Chairman, I join you in welcoming Dr. Gates to the committee. Dr. Gates, we appreciate your... |
| 00:18:58 |
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I thank you, Senator Levin, for those kind remarks. I thank each of my colleagues, whom I’ve... |
| 00:19:44 |
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Mr. Chairman, I’m probably here by accident, because the phone rang at home, and I picked it... |
| 00:24:13 |
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Thank you, Senator Dole. You’ve had a long and distinguished career, beginning as a combat soldier... |
| 00:24:43 |
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Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman and members of the committee. Thank you for allowing me the... |
| 00:25:08 |
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Without objection, so admitted. [The information referred to follows:] VerDate 11-SEP-98... |
| 00:25:11 |
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Mr. Chairman and members, I sincerely believe that, at this critical moment, Dr. Gates is the... |
| 00:32:01 |
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Thank you very much, Senator Boren. We, here on this committee, are faced with the reality that... |
| 00:34:28 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is an honor to come before you today for this confirmation hearing.... |
| 00:35:45 |
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I thank the nominee. |
| 00:35:47 |
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I would be remiss if I also did not thank my wife of 40 years, Becky, and our two children,... |
| 00:39:27 |
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Thank you, Dr. Gates. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00548 Fmt... |
| 00:39:58 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 00:40:01 |
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Have you assumed any duties, or undertaken any actions, which would appear to presume the outcome... |
| 00:40:08 |
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No, sir. |
| 00:40:10 |
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Will you ensure that your staff, if confirmed, will have deadlines established for requested... |
| 00:40:22 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 00:40:25 |
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Will you cooperate in providing witnesses and briefers in response to the committees of Congress... |
| 00:40:32 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 00:40:32 |
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Will those witnesses be protected from reprisal for their testimony or their briefings? |
| 00:40:39 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 00:40:39 |
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Do you agree, if confirmed, to appear and testify upon request before this committee? |
| 00:40:46 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 00:40:46 |
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Do you agree to provide documents, including copies of electronic forms of communication, in... |
| 00:41:07 |
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Yes, sir, to the limits of my authority. |
| 00:41:10 |
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Mr. Chairman, I didn’t hear that answer. |
| 00:41:13 |
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Fine. I’ll repeat the question, and we’ll have the answer. Do you agree to provide documents,... |
| 00:41:26 |
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Yes, sir, to the extent of my authority. |
| 00:41:30 |
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Fine. Or, if you desire, consult with the committee regarding any basis for any good-faith delay... |
| 00:41:41 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 00:41:43 |
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Thank you. We’ll now have our 6-minute round of questions. I would start off with the... |
| 00:43:36 |
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Mr. Chairman, I have the sense that the President’s view of accomplishing the mission, at this... |
| 00:44:46 |
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At this juncture, in your working with the President, you’re comfortable that the two of you... |
| 00:45:06 |
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Yes, sir, I am. |
| 00:45:13 |
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On the question of the command and control of the U.S. forces in Iraq, and command and control... |
| 00:47:21 |
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Mr. Chairman, I’m only aware of that incident by virtue of what I’ve read in the newspaper.... |
| 00:48:12 |
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That requires a very clear and precise understanding, because the men and women of the United... |
| 00:48:26 |
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Yes. |
| 00:48:26 |
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In our instance, the President of the United States. Let me turn to the question of the... |
| 00:49:05 |
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Mr. Chairman, I think that the final legislation addressed some of the concerns that I had with... |
| 00:50:16 |
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If there is a view that legislation is required, will you promptly, in consultation with the... |
| 00:50:23 |
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Yes, sir. I think that we can probably solve the problem without legislation, but, should legislation... |
| 00:50:33 |
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Thank you. Senator Levin. |
| 00:50:35 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Gates, do you believe that we are currently winning in Iraq? |
| 00:50:42 |
|
No, sir. |
| 00:50:44 |
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Prime Minister Maliki said on November 27 that ‘‘the crisis is political, and the ones who can... |
| 00:51:34 |
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Yes, sir, I do. |
| 00:51:38 |
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The chairman has asked you about a comment of the President that, ‘‘We are going to stay in... |
| 00:52:28 |
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Senator, I haven’t spoken with the President about those remarks, so I’m going to have to interpret... |
| 00:53:51 |
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Secretary Rumsfeld, in a memo that was recently published, outlined options that the President... |
| 00:54:34 |
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Yes, sir. As I indicated, I think that all options are on the table. |
| 00:54:41 |
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Dr. Gates, former Secretary of State George Schultz wrote a book in which he was critical of... |
| 00:55:38 |
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Yes, sir. It’s a significant question, and I think that it deserves a detailed response. First,... |
| 00:59:47 |
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Thank you, Dr. Gates. Your acknowledgment that we’re not winning in Iraq, frankly, is a necessary,... |
| 01:00:10 |
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Senator McCain. |
| 01:00:13 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Gates, thank you for your willingness to serve this Nation again.... |
| 01:00:41 |
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That is my view, yes, sir. |
| 01:00:43 |
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Therefore, the status quo is not acceptable. |
| 01:00:45 |
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That is correct, sir. |
| 01:00:49 |
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I know you did a great deal of work with the ISG, and there is a general consensus of opinion... |
| 01:01:30 |
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I’ve had to deal with hindsight in some of the decisions that I’ve made, Senator McCain, and... |
| 01:01:57 |
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Yet, at this particular point in time, when the suggestion is made, as the situation deteriorates... |
| 01:02:39 |
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Senator, I was a part of the ISG during their education phase, I would say, and I resigned before... |
| 01:03:43 |
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Then the second and third question should have been asked, and that is, ‘‘why are the conditions... |
| 01:04:33 |
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Senator, if I’m confirmed, I’m very open to the possibility— and the necessity of—an increase... |
| 01:05:24 |
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We are living in a very dangerous world, whether you look at Iran, North Korea, the crisis in... |
| 01:08:13 |
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Senator Kennedy. |
| 01:08:15 |
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Thank you very much. Dr. Gates, I join those in thanking you for your public service, your... |
| 01:11:07 |
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Senator Kennedy, 12 graduates of Texas A&M have been killed in Iraq. I would run in the morning... |
| 01:13:29 |
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Thank you for your answer. You’ll hear, perhaps, from others, but I want to give you just one... |
| 01:14:32 |
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Senator, I’m willing to commit that, if I am confirmed, I’ll be independent, that I will consider... |
| 01:14:49 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you very much. |
| 01:14:52 |
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Senator Inhofe. |
| 01:14:54 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. There’s been a lot of talk about the failures and the bad things that... |
| 01:15:57 |
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Yes, sir, at this point. |
| 01:16:01 |
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Dr. Gates, this morning in the Washington Post there was an article about the reset problem... |
| 01:17:17 |
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I think it’s very important, Senator. I would say that I’ve not had the opportunity to get briefed... |
| 01:17:43 |
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You would do that, seek our views on this, those of us who have been faced with what I consider... |
| 01:17:46 |
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Yes, sir. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00558 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6601... |
| 01:17:50 |
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In 2000, we formed the U.S./China Security Economic Review Commission, usually referred to as... |
| 01:19:50 |
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Yes, sir. I have not read the reports. |
| 01:19:53 |
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I would also say that as we were drawing down in the 1990s, they increased their military procurement... |
| 01:20:04 |
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Yes, sir. I have not read the reports. I would be more than willing to do so. I’ve been... |
| 01:20:40 |
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That’s all I’d ask of you at this time, because, after each report’s come out, I’ve actually... |
| 01:21:24 |
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They seem to me to be very fine officers, sir. |
| 01:21:27 |
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I appreciate that. Finally—my time is up—but Senator McCain brought up the question on... |
| 01:21:59 |
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I would certainly be willing to look at that, Senator. Most of the materials that I’ve been... |
| 01:22:13 |
|
Thank you, Dr. Gates. I do appreciate our early conversation on Wednesday. Thank you. |
| 01:22:19 |
|
Thank you, Senator. I wish to advise the committee that Senator Levin and I have just... |
| 01:22:40 |
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Mr. Chairman, I thank you. Dr. Gates, our relationship goes back over a number of years. We hear... |
| 01:23:24 |
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Senator Byrd, I think that military action against Iran would be an absolute last resort, that... |
| 01:24:16 |
|
Do you support an attack on Syria? |
| 01:24:20 |
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No, sir, I do not. |
| 01:24:24 |
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Do you believe the President has the authority, under either the 9/11 War Resolution or the... |
| 01:24:44 |
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To the best of my knowledge of both of those authorizations, I don’t believe so. |
| 01:24:59 |
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Would you briefly describe your view of the likely consequences of a U.S. attack on Iran? |
| 01:25:12 |
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It’s always awkward to talk about hypotheticals in this case, but I think that, while Iran cannot... |
| 01:26:54 |
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What about an attack on Syria? Could you briefly describe your view of the likely consequences... |
| 01:27:10 |
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I think the Syrian capacity to do harm to us is far more limited than that of Iran, but I believe... |
| 01:27:56 |
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Would you say that an attack on either Iran or Syria would worsen the violence in Iraq and lead... |
| 01:28:14 |
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Yes, sir, I think that’s very likely. |
| 01:28:18 |
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Your answer is yes on both questions. |
| 01:28:21 |
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Yes, sir, very likely. |
| 01:28:27 |
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With respect to Osama bin Laden, within 8 months of taking Baghdad our troops captured Saddam... |
| 01:29:05 |
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Osama bin Laden, Senator. |
| 01:29:09 |
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Over the past 5 years, who has represented the greater threat to the United States, Saddam Hussein... |
| 01:29:22 |
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Osama bin Laden. |
| 01:29:25 |
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How do you intend to catch Osama bin Laden? |
| 01:29:35 |
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Senator, I have no doubt that our forces have been trying their best to find Osama bin Laden.... |
| 01:31:44 |
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Dr. Gates, my time is up, but what is wrong with our current tactics, which have allowed Osama... |
| 01:32:01 |
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Senator, I would make it a priority to find out what our tactics have been, and the efforts... |
| 01:32:09 |
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Thank you, sir, for your responses. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. |
| 01:32:12 |
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Thank you, Senator Byrd. Senator Roberts. |
| 01:32:16 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, sir, for your very fine leadership on the committee. I will... |
| 01:37:12 |
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Senator, I suppose I should just say, ‘‘I agree.’’ [Laughter.] |
| 01:37:17 |
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Well stated. [Laughter.] |
| 01:37:21 |
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My greatest worry, if we mishandle the next year or two, and if we leave Iraq in chaos, is that... |
| 01:39:26 |
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I have a blue card, which everybody up here seems to ignore. At any rate, I just want to add... |
| 01:40:12 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 01:40:14 |
|
Thank you very much, Senator. Senator Lieberman. |
| 01:40:16 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Gates, thank you for your agreement to serve your country again. You... |
| 01:41:45 |
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Yes, sir. I think that my goal, and the reason that I accepted the position, was really twofold.... |
| 01:42:09 |
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Right. |
| 01:42:11 |
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That really is the purpose, and the whole idea is, in my view, that the faster that you can... |
| 01:42:42 |
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Right. |
| 01:42:43 |
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The Iraqis are going to have to make some difficult decisions themselves, not only in terms... |
| 01:44:48 |
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Right. |
| 01:44:48 |
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That they don’t think we’re going to walk away from this war on terrorism, and so that they... |
| 01:45:22 |
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I could not agree with you more. I thank you for your answer. Our Nation, this Capital, this... |
| 01:46:06 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 01:46:08 |
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Is it fair to say that, because of your concern about the potential for a regional conflagration,... |
| 01:46:29 |
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I think any decision, Senator, with respect to troop levels—first of all, I would seek the views... |
| 01:46:46 |
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That an increase or surge in the number of American troops there—for instance, to better embed... |
| 01:47:08 |
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That certainly is an option. Related to that might be, do we have sufficient number of trainers?... |
| 01:47:32 |
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I thank you, Dr. Gates. Mr. Chairman, if I may, I want to just read something—and I have... |
| 01:48:24 |
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Thank you, sir. |
| 01:48:26 |
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Thank you, Senator. Senator Sessions. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt... |
| 01:48:28 |
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Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, for this opportunity, and for your leadership of this committee.... |
| 01:48:37 |
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Senator, I think that perhaps one of the areas that it helps the most—and perhaps some would... |
| 01:54:02 |
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Thank you. I do believe that you do bring the kind of perspective—and, having been away for... |
| 01:55:20 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 01:55:20 |
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Thank you. |
| 01:55:22 |
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Thank you, Senator. I wish to associate myself with your remarks, that of Senator Lieberman... |
| 01:55:48 |
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Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000... |
| 01:56:54 |
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Senator Reed, I guess my own view is that the situation today is more complex than a single... |
| 01:59:32 |
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Dr. Gates, we’ve talked about troop strengths, troop levels surging or redeploying. Frankly,... |
| 02:00:09 |
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Senator Reed, it seems to me that the goal of our troops, at this point, or the mission of our... |
| 02:00:44 |
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Troop levels were a function of how you weight that mission. They’re almost two distinct missions. |
| 02:00:50 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 02:00:50 |
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A training mission and a ‘‘try to stabilize the country’’ mission. I think where we get hung... |
| 02:01:10 |
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The honest answer to your question, Senator, is that I don’t know. It’s one of the things that,... |
| 02:01:43 |
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Just a final point, Dr. Gates. There’s a distinct possibility that, whether we change our force... |
| 02:02:21 |
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It certainly is a possibility, yes, sir. |
| 02:02:23 |
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You will try to think a way through that dilemma? |
| 02:02:27 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 02:02:29 |
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Thank you. |
| 02:02:31 |
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Thank you very much, Senator Reed. Senator Collins. |
| 02:02:35 |
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Thank you. Dr. Gates, I talked with an individual on Sunday night who knows you very well,... |
| 02:04:34 |
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Senator Collins, I would answer the question in two ways. First, I think it depends on the conditions... |
| 02:05:46 |
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I want to switch to a different issue that we discussed briefly in my office. As chairman of... |
| 02:07:08 |
|
Senator, is this Mr. Bowen? |
| 02:07:10 |
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Yes, it is. |
| 02:07:12 |
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I won’t speak for the others on the ISG, but I think that I certainly was very impressed when... |
| 02:07:43 |
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Thank you. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00571 Fmt 6601 Sfmt... |
| 02:07:47 |
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Thank you very much, Senator Collins. I thank you for your leadership on the question of that... |
| 02:08:09 |
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Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I want to associate myself with some of the... |
| 02:08:36 |
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Thank you, Senator, very much. |
| 02:08:38 |
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I also want to join my colleagues here in welcoming the distinguished Dr. Gates to this hearing.... |
| 02:11:56 |
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Senator Akaka, clearly the lead, in terms of dealing with other countries, belongs to the Secretary... |
| 02:13:50 |
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Thank you for that. As I’m indicating, that we cannot continue to rely only on defense, but... |
| 02:15:09 |
|
Senator, I’m aware of this legislation, but, quite honestly, have not had the opportunity to... |
| 02:15:22 |
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Thank you. Thank you very much. My time has expired. |
| 02:15:25 |
|
Thank you, Senator Akaka. Senator Graham. |
| 02:15:29 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I would like to add my voice to many others who have praised you... |
| 02:15:56 |
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Yes, sir, I do. |
| 02:15:56 |
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Do you believe the President of Iran is lying when he says he’s not? |
| 02:16:02 |
|
Yes, sir. |
| 02:16:02 |
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Do you believe the Iranians would consider using that nuclear weapons capability against the... |
| 02:16:12 |
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I don’t know that they would do that, Senator. I think that the risks for them, obviously, are... |
| 02:16:20 |
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If I may—— |
| 02:16:20 |
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Yes, sir. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00573 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6601... |
| 02:16:24 |
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The President of Iran has publicly disavowed the existence of the Holocaust. He has publicly... |
| 02:16:34 |
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No, I don’t think he’s kidding. But I think that there are, in fact, higher powers in Iran than... |
| 02:17:09 |
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Can you assure the Israelis that they will not attack Israel with a nuclear weapon if they acquire... |
| 02:17:13 |
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No, sir, I don’t think that anybody can provide that assurance. |
| 02:17:18 |
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Is Iraq the central battlefront in the war on terror? |
| 02:17:24 |
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I think that it is one of the central fronts in the war on terror. |
| 02:17:30 |
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What would be the others? |
| 02:17:30 |
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I think that what we have seen since the destruction of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan is... |
| 02:18:18 |
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Would a loss in Iraq, in terms of a failed state, affect the war on terror? |
| 02:18:25 |
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I think it would create the conditions where you could have a replication of what happened in... |
| 02:18:34 |
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Why is al Qaeda in Iraq? What do they fear? Why are they fighting in Iraq? What is their goal? |
| 02:18:42 |
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I’m no expert on it, Senator, but I believe that they are very eager to see us leave the region—not... |
| 02:18:56 |
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Are they threatened by democracy? |
| 02:18:58 |
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Absolutely. |
| 02:18:58 |
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Is it the terrorists’ worst nightmare for a democratic state to be formed in Iraq, where a woman... |
| 02:19:08 |
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I certainly hope it’s one of their worst nightmares. |
| 02:19:11 |
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According to them, it is. Now, do you believe the terrorists’ goal—al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations—to... |
| 02:19:29 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 02:19:29 |
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Do you believe it includes the toppling of all moderate regimes in the region? |
| 02:19:34 |
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Yes, sir. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00574 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6601... |
| 02:19:34 |
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All regimes that are unfaithful to their view of religion? |
| 02:19:37 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 02:19:37 |
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Do you believe it is the ultimate destruction of the state of Israel? |
| 02:19:40 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 02:19:43 |
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Do you believe in the Powell Doctrine? |
| 02:19:45 |
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I am very familiar with it, and I would say—— |
| 02:19:51 |
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Do you believe in it, or not? |
| 02:19:51 |
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Sir, there are eight elements to the Powell Doctrine. |
| 02:19:54 |
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Let me sum them up to one. You go to war with overwhelming force. |
| 02:19:59 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 02:19:59 |
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Do you believe we have the overwhelming force we need to do all the missions required of us... |
| 02:20:08 |
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I need to talk to the commanders to find that out, Senator. |
| 02:20:11 |
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So, jobs assigned to the military leadership, commanders, would include, do you agree, eventually... |
| 02:20:22 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 02:20:22 |
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Do you also believe it includes training the Iraqi army? |
| 02:20:26 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 02:20:26 |
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Do you believe it includes rebuilding the police force? Because I think it’s a miserable failure... |
| 02:20:34 |
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It’s not entirely clear to me, Senator, that that should be the responsibility of the DOD, but... |
| 02:20:44 |
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Provide security for economic development. Forty percent of all money spent on economic development... |
| 02:20:58 |
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Yes, sir. |
| 02:20:58 |
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Is there any doubt in your mind that the current level of troops are overwhelming when it comes... |
| 02:21:20 |
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No, sir, I do not believe it is overwhelming. |
| 02:21:23 |
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If we redeploy to a friendly country under these circumstances, do you think it’s likely that... |
| 02:21:39 |
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Probably so. |
| 02:21:41 |
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Do you believe, if we set timetables, or a policy, to withdraw at a date-certain, it would be... |
| 02:21:56 |
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I think a specific timetable would essentially tell them how long they have to wait until we’re... |
| 02:22:06 |
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Thank you. |
| 02:22:08 |
|
Thank you very much, Senator. Senator Ben Nelson. |
| 02:22:11 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Gates, I thank you for the opportunity yesterday to visit with you... |
| 02:22:58 |
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Senator Nelson, I think at least in my view, I certainly have the highest regard for my colleagues... |
| 02:24:56 |
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It does resemble a timetable for withdrawal, doesn’t it, at least to some limited degree? |
| 02:25:01 |
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In all honesty, Senator, I resigned before they began their deliberations, and so I actually... |
| 02:25:12 |
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At the last Senate Armed Services hearing, Secretary Rumsfeld sat there, and I asked a question... |
| 02:26:10 |
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I have not had discussion with anybody about benchmarks, but I think that’s the right approach. |
| 02:26:18 |
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If our goal is to ultimately find Osama bin Laden, some sort of a net approach is necessary... |
| 02:27:39 |
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Sort of terrorist Power Ball. [Laughter.] |
| 02:27:39 |
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Yes. Somebody always wins the lottery; it’s just a question of when and how much it is at the... |
| 02:27:50 |
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I’m certainly open to that, Senator. I must say, one of the things, going back to Senator Byrd’s... |
| 02:28:21 |
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I agree with you. I would hope that you would consider what it would take to increase the bounty... |
| 02:28:40 |
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Thank you, Senator. In that context, always be mindful of the loss of life and limb of the members... |
| 02:28:54 |
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Absolutely. |
| 02:28:55 |
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It’s been mighty, mighty tough. |
| 02:28:58 |
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In the worst possible conditions. |
| 02:29:00 |
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The worst possible. You have a very complicated situation with Pakistan and its borders, its... |
| 02:29:10 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I certainly want to associate myself with the comments of all of my... |
| 02:29:26 |
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I thank you, Senator. |
| 02:29:28 |
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Dr. Gates, Philip Hughes, who you served with at the National Security Council in the late 1980s,... |
| 02:30:34 |
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Senator Dole, one of the things that has impressed me the most in the very short briefings that... |
| 02:32:46 |
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Dr. Gates, a World Bank report was released just last week on Afghanistan’s drug industry and... |
| 02:33:33 |
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Senator Dole, I think it’s very important. As a matter of fact, just by coincidence, a couple... |
| 02:35:10 |
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Thank you. Let me ask you about financial management systems at the DOD. Obviously, Secretary... |
| 02:35:50 |
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I don’t have great familiarity with this, Senator, but, if I’m confirmed, I certainly look forward... |
| 02:35:58 |
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Thank you. My time is up. Thank you very much. |
| 02:36:02 |
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Thank you very much, Senator. Senator Bill Nelson. |
| 02:36:05 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Gates, I grew up in the old school that said that partisanship stopped... |
| 02:36:41 |
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Senator, for openers, I think that there is a lot continuity and a lot of wisdom here in Congress,... |
| 02:38:39 |
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When I served in the military, every young person—at that time, it was every young man—had an... |
| 02:39:01 |
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No, sir, I do not. |
| 02:39:03 |
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Now, you say, then, that we can meet our recruiting goals without a draft. Explain that to the... |
| 02:39:15 |
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Sir, I think that the first encouraging aspect, statistically, based on the limited exposure... |
| 02:40:57 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. |
| 02:41:05 |
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Senator Thune. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00580 Fmt 6601 Sfmt... |
| 02:41:07 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I would, as the newest member of this committee to... |
| 02:41:25 |
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I thank the Senator very much. |
| 02:41:27 |
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Dr. Gates, I want to congratulate you on a very successful tenure as president of Texas A&M,... |
| 02:43:16 |
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Instinctively, Senator, I think that that would be the case. I just want to be clear, I think,... |
| 02:43:53 |
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Let me ask you a question about how the Pentagon has faced considerable amount of criticism... |
| 02:44:34 |
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Senator, I feel very strongly about that given my background. I have actually had great respect... |
| 02:45:48 |
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I appreciate that answer. I think your background will be very helpful and useful in that regard.... |
| 02:46:32 |
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I’m not prepared to pay for anything that I don’t get in advance. [Laughter.] I have said... |
| 02:49:21 |
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Thank you. Mr. Chairman, my time’s expired. Thank you. |
| 02:49:24 |
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Thank you, Senator. Senator Levin and I observed a number of members remaining, and the... |
| 02:50:00 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d like to join with others in saying what an honor it’s been to serve... |
| 02:50:40 |
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Absolutely, Senator. |
| 02:50:42 |
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Thank you. You said, and I agree with you, that hindsight is 20/20, and we have all made... |
| 02:51:09 |
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Frankly, Senator, I think that’s a judgment that the historians are going to have to make. I... |
| 02:53:08 |
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What do you think were the key strategic or tactical mistakes that have led to our current quagmire... |
| 02:53:19 |
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As I say, I think that hindsight, as you suggest, is 20/20. I suspect that some of the members... |
| 02:56:09 |
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Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, my time’s expired. |
| 02:56:11 |
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Thank you, Senator, very much. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm... |
| 02:56:44 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Gates, I’m looking forward to a chance to visit with you personally, also,... |
| 03:00:45 |
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Senator, I’m very familiar with the long lead times on these programs. The weapons that we so... |
| 03:02:38 |
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If not more so. Let me just say that what we were able to achieve with the end of the Cold War,... |
| 03:03:31 |
|
Thank you, Senator, very much. Senator Clinton. |
| 03:03:36 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, it has been a privilege to serve on this committee under... |
| 03:04:40 |
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I think that, frankly, if the President thought that the current tactics and strategy that we... |
| 03:05:17 |
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Dr. Gates, since the President made a statement, as recently as October 25, that we were absolutely... |
| 03:06:08 |
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I just read the version of it in the newspaper. |
| 03:06:11 |
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Do you agree with the analysis that appeared in the article that contained a copy of the memo... |
| 03:06:20 |
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It seemed to me that some of the options that Secretary Rumsfeld put forward are exactly among... |
| 03:06:32 |
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Dr. Gates, I’ve been honored to serve on this committee now for nearly 4 years. Many of the... |
| 03:07:36 |
|
Yes, ma’am. |
| 03:07:38 |
|
Are they patriotic? |
| 03:07:38 |
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Absolutely. |
| 03:07:40 |
|
Do they care about our men and women in uniform? |
| 03:07:43 |
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Absolutely. |
| 03:07:43 |
|
Do they believe the decisions they have made for the last 5 years have been in America’s best... |
| 03:07:53 |
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I have not had that discussion with any of them, Senator. I’m sure that they believe that they... |
| 03:08:03 |
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So, therefore, we have this conundrum. We have a President and a Vice President who will ultimately... |
| 03:08:54 |
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My sense, Senator Clinton, is that this process is going to proceed with considerable urgency.... |
| 03:08:34 |
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Finally, let me ask you, Dr. Gates, that, in an oral history of the 1991 Gulf War produced by... |
| 03:10:40 |
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Senator, that statement was made in the context of the bureaucratic wars in Washington and the... |
| 03:13:18 |
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That would certainly be welcome. |
| 03:13:20 |
|
Thank you very much, Senator. Senator, that question elicited a very important answer for the... |
| 03:13:20 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me also express my gratitude at serving under your leadership and... |
| 03:17:15 |
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One of the assumptions that I think has proved questionable, Senator Cornyn, is that the Iraqi... |
| 03:19:06 |
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We know the Iranians are state sponsors of terrorist organizations, principally Hezbollah. Would... |
| 03:19:29 |
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No, I don’t see any near-term prospect of the Iranians foregoing their use of Hezbollah and... |
| 03:19:38 |
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One final point, as my time is expired. As I mentioned to you yesterday, I would appreciate... |
| 03:20:18 |
|
Thank you, Senator. I think it was very helpful to have his perspective on what consequences... |
| 03:20:28 |
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Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Let me begin my wrapping-up by echoing what every other member of... |
| 03:22:19 |
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Senator, because he asked me to take the job. |
| 03:22:22 |
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He asked the others to take the jobs, as well. |
| 03:22:24 |
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I think that when they assumed their positions, the circumstances that the country and the President... |
| 03:22:58 |
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I hope you’re right. I would simply urge you to give him your opinion, if you agree, that changing... |
| 03:23:25 |
|
Thank you, sir. |
| 03:23:25 |
|
Two other things. One of the refreshing things that you said, and many others would agree, is... |
| 03:24:48 |
|
I go back to my original statement, at the outset of the hearing—I think that all options have... |
| 03:25:45 |
|
One final question, Dr. Gates, with regard to Iran and their nuclear aspirations. I agree with... |
| 03:26:43 |
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Senator, I’m not sure about that. I think that some of the public statements by the President... |
| 03:27:35 |
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Just one final observation. My time is expired. Again, I thank you for your presence. I’ve been... |
| 03:27:56 |
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When we did our study for the Council on Foreign Relations on U.S. policy toward Iran in 2004,... |
| 03:29:25 |
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Thank you, again, for your candor. |
| 03:29:27 |
|
Thank you very much, Senator. We’ve had, I would say—I’ve been here 28 years—this has been as... |
| 03:29:39 |
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I agree with you. |
| 03:29:41 |
|
All right. |
| 03:29:43 |
|
It’s better than most. |
| 03:29:43 |
|
With that the morning session stands in recess until the hour of 2:15. We’ll now resume... |
| 03:34:15 |
|
Yes, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, before I answer that question, with your indulgence, could... |
| 03:34:21 |
|
Yes. |
| 03:34:22 |
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Only because I’m concerned that the troops in the field might have misunderstood something I... |
| 03:35:24 |
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I appreciate that because in my opening statement I recited what I heard General Pace say yesterday.... |
| 03:36:17 |
|
Exactly, Mr. Chairman. |
| 03:36:18 |
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I thank you for bringing that up. |
| 03:36:19 |
|
Thank you. |
| 03:36:20 |
|
So, we return to the issue of how best we deal with Iran and Syria. |
| 03:36:24 |
|
Yes, sir. Obviously, the decision on what to do in this respect is the President’s, and... |
| 03:37:29 |
|
But as a part of your advice to the President, you will share own views, because it’s based... |
| 03:37:36 |
|
Yes, sir. |
| 03:37:37 |
|
This morning, in response to several questions— and I think Senator Cornyn had one of the final... |
| 03:40:04 |
|
No, sir, I have not. |
| 03:40:06 |
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I would urge that you do so, and how they are very perceptive in saying it affects, indeed,... |
| 03:40:27 |
|
Yes, sir, I do. |
| 03:40:33 |
|
We talked this morning, and I was very reassured that you feel a broad bipartisan agreement... |
| 03:44:03 |
|
Yes, sir. That tends to be my instinct, but I think one of the early conversations that I would... |
| 03:44:32 |
|
If I may say, it is happening, it has happened, is happening, and it seems to be ever-increasing,... |
| 03:44:35 |
|
Yes, sir. |
| 03:44:40 |
|
Right in that seat, General Abizaid has said on two occasions that the initial insurgency, the... |
| 03:45:10 |
|
Yes, sir. |
| 03:45:10 |
|
Speaking for myself and, I think, some other colleagues around here, our young men and women... |
| 03:45:27 |
|
Mr. Chairman, I think you speak for many members of this committee when you say that, and you... |
| 03:48:31 |
|
As I indicated in my answers this morning, I would give great weight to the views of our commanders... |
| 03:48:50 |
|
Does his reasoning resonate with you? |
| 03:48:52 |
|
It makes sense to me. |
| 03:48:55 |
|
It does to me, too, I might say. On prewar intelligence, Dr. Gates, when we met in my office,... |
| 03:49:15 |
|
As I indicated in answering a question earlier today, I have really received very little in... |
| 03:49:29 |
|
You did indicate, in one speech in February 2002, that, ‘‘We know that at least one of the leaders... |
| 03:49:54 |
|
Strictly a newspaper story, sir. |
| 03:50:00 |
|
In response, Dr. Gates, to prehearing questions from this committee, you said that you would... |
| 03:50:58 |
|
To the extent I have the authority, yes, sir. |
| 03:51:01 |
|
When we met in my office, we also discussed the role of the Feith operation in providing an... |
| 03:52:04 |
|
I really haven’t read very much about it, even in the newspapers, Senator. I just have the impression... |
| 03:52:33 |
|
If that is what happened, what is your view of that? |
| 03:52:35 |
|
I have a problem with it. |
| 03:52:37 |
|
Thank you. My time is up. |
| 03:52:39 |
|
Thank you. Senator Thune. |
| 03:52:42 |
|
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Dr. Gates, I want to come back, if I might, to a line of questioning that... |
| 03:54:14 |
|
Senator, if I’m confirmed, it’s clear that the kinds of issues that you and Senator Talent have... |
| 03:55:13 |
|
I appreciate that. I would just let you know that there are those of us up here who would like... |
| 03:57:06 |
|
Senator, I really haven’t given it a lot of thought, to tell you the truth. I haven’t thought... |
| 03:58:20 |
|
I appreciate that. I would just say in closing, Dr. Gates, that your experience is very relevant... |
| 03:59:03 |
|
Thank you. |
| 03:59:03 |
|
Mr. Chairman, I yield back. Thank you. |
| 03:59:05 |
|
Thank you very much, Senator. Senator Kennedy. |
| 03:59:08 |
|
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Dr. Gates. Just to underscore what both the chairman and... |
| 04:00:39 |
|
Yes, sir. |
| 04:00:40 |
|
In Darfur, 400,000 killed, 2.5 million displaced. It continues to be a human tragedy of such... |
| 04:03:44 |
|
Yes, sir. In fact, my impression, or recollection, from the briefings that we received in Baghdad... |
| 04:04:07 |
|
Just a final issue. The members of this committee have spent a great deal of time on the issues... |
| 04:06:23 |
|
All right, sir. |
| 04:06:25 |
|
My time is up. I thank you very much. |
| 04:06:27 |
|
Yes, sir. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00604 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6601... |
| 04:06:29 |
|
Thank you, Senator Kennedy. Senator Sessions. |
| 04:06:32 |
|
On the question of interrogation of unlawful combatants, which these terrorists are, I would... |
| 04:09:19 |
|
Absolutely, Senator Sessions. If I’m confirmed, maybe you will send me some of those articles... |
| 04:09:30 |
|
I will definitely do that, and I think it’s important. I just got back from the Riga NATO conference,... |
| 04:10:39 |
|
I think, Senator, there are a number of areas of concern, in terms of Russian behavior, particularly... |
| 04:13:24 |
|
My time is about up, but I would just ask you this with regard to your view of a bipartisan... |
| 04:13:57 |
|
I think anytime you have a long-term commitment, and people can plan for it, you’re likely to... |
| 04:14:09 |
|
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00606... |
| 04:14:13 |
|
One of the remarkable chapters of current military history, and in sharp contrast to previous... |
| 04:18:40 |
|
Mr. Chairman, I think it’s a very important issue. When our ISG was in Baghdad, we heard a good... |
| 04:19:05 |
|
Your first Cabinet meeting pound that table. [Laughter.] We are looking for, as the Marines... |
| 04:22:12 |
|
Yes, sir. Mr. Chairman, I think, first of all, that the first priority is seeing what further... |
| 04:22:32 |
|
That’s a national caveat problem. |
| 04:22:34 |
|
Yes, sir. |
| 04:22:34 |
|
Which is really—I think we should expand it a little bit here in the record. It simply says,... |
| 04:23:07 |
|
As I understand it, that’s exactly right, Mr. Chairman. |
| 04:23:11 |
|
General Jones has tried hard to eliminate that. He felt he was making some progress. But it’s... |
| 04:23:38 |
|
I may be mistaken, but I think that one of the subjects at the Riga Summit was to deal with... |
| 04:25:00 |
|
I really believe that if the current mix of NATO forces from a number of nations—if those nations... |
| 04:25:24 |
|
If I remember some of the materials that I saw correctly, the numbers that are being requested... |
| 04:25:35 |
|
You’re correct. Senator Levin, do you have further questions? |
| 04:25:39 |
|
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. |
| 04:25:39 |
|
I’ll be right back. |
| 04:25:43 |
|
I want to talk to you for a few minutes about the Iran-Contra events. We had asked you a question... |
| 04:32:09 |
|
Sure. I think the short answer, Senator, is, in the very short time that I had to prepare... |
| 04:33:03 |
|
Fine, thank you. So, that basically is taking from a past document—— |
| 04:33:05 |
|
Yes, sir. |
| 04:33:05 |
|
—a statement which is accurate, presumably—— |
| 04:33:09 |
|
—from 1994. |
| 04:33:11 |
|
It was from 1994 and not necessarily responsive to the point that was being made. |
| 04:33:15 |
|
Yes, sir. |
| 04:33:17 |
|
My time is up. |
| 04:33:19 |
|
Thank you. |
| 04:33:21 |
|
I think Senator Nelson on our side is next. |
| 04:33:23 |
|
I guess. They gave me a note, said I was next, but I think you may be correct. I would... |
| 04:34:25 |
|
I’ll enjoy that bowing. [Laughter.] As we discussed yesterday in a private conversation, I shared with... |
| 04:36:58 |
|
Senator Nelson, I haven’t really had much breathing room to give thought to specific measures... |
| 04:38:44 |
|
I can tell you, coming out of this election— and I’ve just been through one, and my State is... |
| 04:39:47 |
|
Senator, I know that the Guard and Reserve are very important to Members of Congress, and I... |
| 04:40:50 |
|
I would just remind you, as you’re considering all that, you take an organization like the Florida... |
| 04:41:32 |
|
You may. VerDate 11-SEP-98 14:22 Jun 28, 2007 Jkt 000000 PO 00000 Frm 00619 Fmt 6601 Sfmt 6602... |
| 04:41:36 |
|
Officers in Al Anbar Province have stated that they don’t have enough troops to defeat the insurgency... |
| 04:43:23 |
|
Senator, I think I’d better wait and see, first of all, if I’m confirmed. But then, as I’ve... |
| 04:43:46 |
|
I thank you, Senator. |
| 04:43:48 |
|
Mr. Chairman, I have one more question. I’ll just wait. |
| 04:43:51 |
|
We really have to move on. You’ve had a good deal of time here to—forgive me for trying to get... |
| 04:44:00 |
|
He has one more question. |
| 04:44:02 |
|
Well, no, I think he wanted to wait until you took your turn. |
| 04:44:07 |
|
Okay. I just have a few questions, thank you, Mr. Chairman. One is on Army readiness levels.... |
| 04:44:45 |
|
Senator, I’m not familiar with the readiness state. Clearly, if General Schoomaker thinks that,... |
| 04:44:55 |
|
Okay. There are reports that are required to be submitted quarterly to Congress, relative to... |
| 04:45:45 |
|
Yes, sir. |
| 04:45:47 |
|
I know the Department is represented here today, and I’d just like the Department to know that... |
| 04:46:58 |
|
First of all, Senator, I’ve changed my view on how to deal with North Korea. I believe that,... |
| 04:48:26 |
|
Thank you very much, Senator. Senator Sessions, you have but one question? |
| 04:48:31 |
|
Yes, I’d like to follow up on one question that I think is important, and that’s national missile... |
| 04:51:15 |
|
Sir, first of all, I would comply with the National Missile Defense Act of 1999. That’s the... |
| 04:51:28 |
|
Which said that we would deploy a system as soon as technically feasible. |
| 04:51:33 |
|
Correct. I have felt for a long time that I know we’ve spent a lot of money on developing missile... |
| 04:52:13 |
|
Thank you. |
| 04:52:15 |
|
Thank you, Senator. Thank you to all Senators. Just a minute, I’m getting a signal. VerDate... |
| 04:52:25 |
|
Let me just add one quick comment. |
| 04:52:27 |
|
All right. |
| 04:52:29 |
|
That is, Senator Nelson reminds me that the Missile Defense Act of 1999 talks about an effective... |
| 04:52:48 |
|
Yes, sir. Although I would say that I think that we have deployed systems that were less than... |
| 04:53:17 |
|
Finally, on that point—and we will give you the other point of view on that, to make sure that... |
| 04:53:39 |
|
Yes, sir. |
| 04:53:39 |
|
Thank you. |
| 04:53:42 |
|
This committee will now resume its hearing in executive session, in S–407 of the Capitol. I... |