*EPF505 02/16/01
White House Report on Pentagon Review, February 16, 2001
(Bush asks DoD review of civilian activity in exercises) (210)

BUSH CALLS FOR DOD REVIEW OF CIVILIAN ACTIVITY DURING EXERCISES

President Bush late February 15, during Q&A with reporters about the U.S. submarine accident involving the Japanese fishing trawler last weekend in Hawaii, said he thinks "what is going to be necessary is for Secretary Rumsfeld and the Defense Department to review all policy regarding civilian activity during military exercises."

The question came up at the beginning of Bush's meeting with members of Congress in the Cabinet Room on the federal budget proposal the President is preparing to send to Capitol Hill in the coming weeks.

"I look forward to the Defense Department review of the policies, their current policies, particularly in light of the recent tragedy that took place in Hawaii," said Bush. "I want to reiterate what I said to the Prime Minister of Japan: I'm deeply sorry about the accident that took place; our nation is sorry that the accident happened and we will do everything we can to help recover the bodies."

(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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