Transcript of Pentagon Spokesman's Briefing

31 May 2001

Ninety Percent of 2001 Supplemental Slated for Defense

Budgeted amount for missile defense is "seriously inadequate"

In his first press briefing since his confirmation about two weeks ago, Pentagon Comptroller Dov Zakheim told reporters May 31 that 90 percent of the budget supplemental for fiscal year 2001 -- to be signed shortly by President Bush -- is devoted to defense spending.

He would not reveal numbers associated with the supplemental request, but said not to expect any new major spending initiatives or significant departures. The supplemental will focus on issues such as higher costs for fuel and utilities, greater health care costs, additional Army food costs, spending for housing needs, and spending associated with additional flying hours and military exercises, as well as recruitment and retention requirements.

Asked about spending levels for missile defense, the Pentagon's chief financial officer said the current budgeted amount is "seriously inadequate" and more money will have to be added. Asked if that meant around $1 billion to $2 billion ($1,000 million to $2,000 million) more in the fiscal year 2002 defense budget, he said, "considerably more."

That budget will be where the president's commitment to missile defense will be reflected, according to Zakheim. "The '01 supplemental, which is meant to deal with urgent shortfalls," he said, "is not the appropriate place to put money in for missile defense."

The FY 2002 budget will provide the first real opportunity, he said, for the Bush administration "to show that it's putting its dollars next to its principles." Then, he said, the FY 2003 budget will be the first one "we will work on from start to finish."

Asked about a possible shift in funding priorities under new Democratic leadership, Zakheim said he does not believe that missile defense is a Democratic or a Republican issue. He also said he doesn't believe the American people have been seriously engaged yet on the issue of missile defense. Internationally, Zakheim said he believes that there is more support for the missile defense concept than ever before.