25 April 2001

Assistant Secretary-Designate on Political-Military Policy

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State-designate Lincoln P. Bloomfield Jr. says the achievement of U.S. defense and foreign policy goals requires maintaining the vitality and efficacy of security relations with U.S. allies and friendly nations.

And in his proposed role as assistant secretary of state for political-military affairs, Bloomfield said the defining mission is to help integrate military power and diplomacy in the service of foreign policy objectives. Bloomfield testified April 25 at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

In prepared remarks, Bloomfield cited the issues for which the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs is responsible that affect both the State and Defense departments: arms transfers and defense trade controls, security assistance and peacekeeping funding, regional security cooperation, base access and burden sharing, humanitarian demining, small arms non-proliferation, critical infrastructure protection, and contingency planning.

He said that as assistant secretary he would regard as one of his most serious concerns the need to weigh U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives carefully in making arms transfer decisions or recommendations.

"During the last few years, the volume of direct commercial sales of military equipment has grown as government-to-government sales under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program have declined in relative terms," he said. "Since policy oversight of commercial sales of defense goods and services is accomplished exclusively by the Office of Defense Trade Controls (DTC), over which the assistant secretary has direct supervision, the operations and performance of this organization will be an immediate and central priority for me."

Following is the text of Bloomfield's remarks as prepared for delivery:

Opening Statement
Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs-Designate Lincoln P. Bloomfield, Jr.
At Confirmation Hearing Before Senate Foreign Relations Committee
April 25, 2001

Mr. Chairman, Senators, I am deeply honored and gratified by the invitation to come before you today for this confirmation hearing. I do so with humility and with sincere appreciation to President Bush and Secretary of State Powell for having selected and nominated me to be Assistant Secretary of State for Political Military Affairs.

The idea of engaging in public service carries an appeal that resonates deeply in my family. On a personal level, I am particularly heartened at the prospect that my young daughter will better understand the respect I have for the efforts and commitment of all who serve the public. Moreover, having been privileged to serve in the federal government previously, I am sensitive to the impact that senior officials have on the professional attitudes and ethics of the next generation of public servants, who are instructed by their example.

President Bush and Secretary Powell have made clear their vision of an engaged and energetic U.S. role in the world. As far back as November 1999, then-Governor Bush articulated, as "a great and guiding goal" for American foreign policy, "to turn this time of American influence into generations of democratic peace." He underscored the importance of setting priorities, husbanding our country's tools of influence, and working steadily with our allies and friends to promote peace, democratic values, and economic freedom. I believe that Secretary Powell's actions in Washington and around the world over the past three months exemplify this foreign policy vision in action.

However, in order for the goals and policies set by the President and Secretary of State to be realized, the foreign policy and national security bureaucracy must function well. My previous service in the Department of Defense, the Office of the Vice President and the Department of State has taught me the importance of effective, continuous coordination among the Executive branch foreign policy and national security departments and agencies, as well as between the Executive and Legislative branches.

The defining mission of the Bureau of Political Military Affairs, in my estimation, is to help integrate military power and diplomacy in the service of U.S. foreign policy objectives. Internationally, this means working to maintain the vitality and efficacy of our defense and security relations with allies and friendly countries.

At home, it means maintaining optimal coordination of policies and programs between the State Department and the Defense Department, in matters where both departments have a role. The military services and Joint Staff, as well as the Office of the Secretary of Defense, must be assured that their concerns and issues will be understood, and appropriately addressed, within the Department of State, for the benefit of both Departments in the formulation and execution of foreign policy. If confirmed as Assistant Secretary, I will take these to be core responsibilities.

In carrying out its mission, the Bureau of Political Military Affairs handles a number of issues of major importance to both the State and Defense Departments. These include: arms transfers and defense trade controls, security assistance and peacekeeping funding, regional security cooperation, base access and burden sharing, humanitarian demining, small arms non-proliferation, critical infrastructure protection and contingency planning. I would like to offer a brief perspective on these functions.

The Presidential authority under the Arms Export Control Act, delegated by executive order to the Secretary of State and ultimately to the Assistant Secretary for Political Military Affairs, to control the transfer of defense articles and defense services to foreign countries, is a profoundly important responsibility. If confirmed, I will regard as one of my foremost concerns the need to weigh U.S. national security and foreign policy objectives very judiciously in rendering arms transfer decisions or making recommendations to the higher decision levels. In so doing, I will work to ensure full and close consultation with the Congress, consistent with the law and normal practice.

During the last few years, the volume of direct commercial sales of military equipment has grown as government-to-government sales under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program have declined in relative terms. Since policy oversight of commercial sales of defense goods and services is accomplished exclusively by the Office of Defense Trade Controls (DTC), over which the Assistant Secretary has direct supervision, the operations and performance of this organization will be an immediate and central priority for me, if I am confirmed.

I am aware that there is much public and Congressional interest in both the policy and the process according to which military exports are licensed. If confirmed, I intend to make a concerted effort to ensure that the national security and foreign policy purposes of the State Department's export licensing system are accomplished in the most efficient and reliable manner, taking into account the legitimate interests of all parties concerned.

Another key area of responsibility for the Political Military Affairs Bureau is the management of various categories of security assistance funding, notably Foreign Military Financing (FMF), International Military Education and Training (IMET), and Peacekeeping Operations (PKO). In coordination with other bureaus within the State Department, and with the Department of Defense, as well as the Congress, I will make it a priority, if confirmed, to see that funds appropriated for these accounts are used to greatest advantage in the pursuit of common security objectives that promote regional stability.

I will also strive to ensure that the annual budget requests for security assistance reflect well-conceived purposes and priorities in line with the Secretary's overall foreign policy goals. In so doing, I would encourage long-range defense modernization planning among our security partners, and try to identify multi-year requirements for FMF and IMET recipients to the extent feasible, as the Department has begun doing in recent months.

Among other responsibilities within the Political Military Affairs Bureau, regional security cooperation, base access and burden sharing are key elements of the Assistant Secretary's ability to contribute to U.S. foreign policy objectives in the various regions around the world. Of course, the Defense Department bears major responsibilities for being able to deter, prevent or respond effectively to security threats. I intend, if confirmed as Assistant Secretary, to manage the Bureau's day-to-day political military diplomacy on the basis of regional security objectives that support our national foreign policy goals and contribute to the fulfillment of our national security strategy.

The Political Military Affairs Bureau oversees two programs -- humanitarian demining and small arms nonproliferation -- that make a tangible contribution to making the world a safer place. I enthusiastically support both efforts and look forward, if confirmed, to the opportunity to make the best use of appropriated funds in removing landmines around the world and curbing the overseas proliferation of small arms and light weapons that pose threats to innocent civilians and legitimate military forces alike.

Within the inter-agency arena, the Political Military Bureau has important coordinating responsibilities in the areas of critical infrastructure protection and contingency planning. The Bureau has a long and respected tradition of bringing expertise and leadership to bear in planning for potential crises and helping the Secretary and the Department respond when a security crisis erupts. Having served in the Pentagon and the White House as well as the State Department, I take very seriously these functions and will, if confirmed, devote my personal energies to see that the Bureau is fulfilling its policy coordination responsibilities at every level.

Observers familiar with the traditional role of the Assistant Secretary for Political Military Affairs may point to the recent reorganization and wonder whether the position has fundamentally changed. From my perspective, there is no question that separation of arms control and nonproliferation responsibilities from the Political Military Affairs Bureau has changed the position in important respects.

I am committed to working closely with these three 'sister' bureaus when operational military or security policy issues intersect with their respective areas of responsibility. Moreover, if confirmed, I fully intend to provide my perspective and recommendations to the Secretary on international security issues, policies and programs in the longstanding tradition of the Department's designated political military affairs official.

Finally with respect to the functions of the Bureau, I wish to emphasize a category of concerns that will in fact, if I am confirmed and appointed to this position, be my first order of business. I refer to the responsibilities for managing an organization within the Department of State. Upon assuming the position, I intend to undertake an immediate review and familiarization of procedures relating to security of classified information throughout the Bureau; accountability for funds overseen by or managed by the Bureau; and proper recording of decisions by the Bureau.

Moreover, I regard the productivity, welfare, morale and career development of every employee of the Bureau as an important concern of the Assistant Secretary and all senior officials in the Bureau, and am fully seized with the importance of advancing Equal Employment Opportunity objectives in this organization, as in all offices of our government.

In closing, I wish to affirm my readiness to be available to this Committee, if confirmed as Assistant Secretary. Moreover, I will bring to this role a sincere belief that U.S. foreign policy in the 21st century will be much the better if there is good and effective communication between the two branches. That means that I will value and invite your expertise and advice, whether or not the Administration and Congress are in agreement on an issue before the Political Military Affairs Bureau.

Again, I thank President Bush and Secretary Powell for honoring me with this nomination, and I thank you for your consideration. I will be pleased to respond to your questions.