*EPF103 08/16/2004
Transcript: Bush Announces Largest U.S. Force Restructuring in 50 Years
(Troops to move to strategic locations with 70,000 fewer overseas) (1130)

Citing changes in the world and the challenges of new threats, President George W. Bush announced the most comprehensive restructuring of U.S. military forces since the end of the Korean War "so we can be more effective at projecting our strength and spreading freedom and peace."

Over the next 10 years, he said, 60,000-to-70,000 troops and approximately 100,000 family members and civilian employees will be brought home from bases in Europe and Asia. Others will be redeployed, he said, "to new locations so they can surge quickly to deal with unexpected threats." He said the U.S. would still maintain a significant overseas presence.

Bush revealed his plan in a speech before the Veterans of Foreign Wars Convention in Cincinnati, Ohio, August 16.

The restructuring strategy grew out of a comprehensive review of the U.S. force posture, begun more than three years ago, during which allies and Congress were closely consulted, the president explained.

America's armed forces are more agile, flexible, and, with 21st-century technologies, more lethal than in the past, he said. "They are better able to strike anywhere in the world over great distances on short notice."

Bush said the initiative would reduce the stress on troops and military families, as well as save the taxpayers money. "There will be savings as we consolidate and close bases and facilities overseas no longer needed to face the threats of our time and to defend the peace," he said.

The closure of military bases in the United States will not be affected by the new strategy, however. White House spokesman Scott McClelland said the president "continues to move forward on the timetable that has been set" for domestic base closings. McClelland also said the restructuring will not affect troop levels in Iraq.

Prior to Bush's speech, a senior administration official, speaking on background, said the restructuring was one key component of "the president's commitment to transform American forces to fight and win the global war on terror."

He noted that there are currently about 230,000 U.S. forces stationed abroad and, while declining to give specifics on where the troop reductions might occur, did say U.S. forces in all regions of the world would be affected and that reductions would be greater in Europe than in Asia.

The review was driven, he explained, by a need to "flow U.S. forces rapidly to where uncertain threats are emerging. So while our forces are currently postured around the world in a Cold War posture, that doesn't necessarily mean that they're mal-positioned for the new dynamic...."

The official noted that the changes are being made in complement with allies' transformation of their own militaries. "In all cases," he said, "all affected countries have been consulted several times ... This is something we're doing with allies, not that we're doing to allies."

Following is an excerpt from the president's remarks:

(begin transcript)

The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
(Cincinnati, Ohio)
August 16, 2004
Remarks By The President
To Veterans Of Foreign Wars Convention
Dr. Albert B. Sabin Center
Cincinnati, Ohio

THE PRESIDENT: ... Our Armed Forces have changed a lot. They're more agile and more lethal, they're better able to strike anywhere in the world over great distances on short notice. Yet for decades, America's Armed Forces abroad have essentially remained where the wars of the last century ended, in Europe and in Asia. America's current force posture was designed, for example, to protect us and our allies from Soviet aggression -- the threat no longer exists.

More than three years ago, we launched a comprehensive review of America's global force posture -- the numbers, types, locations, and capabilities of U.S. forces around the world. We've consulted closely with our allies and with Congress; we've examined the challenges posed by today's threats and emerging threats. And so, today I announce a new plan for deploying America's Armed Forces.

Over the coming decade, we'll deploy a more agile and more flexible force, which means that more of our troops will be stationed and deployed from here at home. We'll move some of our troops and capabilities to new locations, so they can surge quickly to deal with unexpected threats. We'll take advantage of 21st-century military technologies to rapidly deploy increased combat power.

The new plan will help us fight and win these wars of the 21st century. It will strengthen our alliances around the world, while we build new partnerships to better preserve the peace. It will reduce the stress on our troops and our military families. Although we'll still have a significant presence overseas, under the plan I'm announcing today, over the next 10 years, we will bring home about 60,000 to 70,000 uniformed personnel, and about 100,000 members and civilian employees -- family members and civilian employees.

See, our service members will have more time on the home front, and more predictability and fewer moves over a career. Our military spouses will have fewer job changes, greater stability, more time for their kids and to spend with their families at home. The taxpayers will save money, as we configure our military to meet the threats of the 21st century. There will be savings as we consolidate and close bases and facilities overseas no longer needed to face the threats of our time and defend the peace.

The world has changed a great deal, and our posture must change with it, for the sake of our military families, for the sake of our taxpayers, and so we can be more effective at projecting our strength and spreading freedom and peace.

Today, our troops have the most advanced technologies at their disposal -- weapons are more lethal, more precise than were available for you. Our troops are more mobile, they can communicate better. Yet their success in the wars we fight is being made possible by the same thing that made your success possible: personal courage, love of country, dedication to duty.

As our troops fight today in Baghdad and Najaf, and the Hindu Kush mountains and elsewhere, I know America's veterans feel a special pride in them. They're carrying on your legacy of sacrifice and service. They're determined to see the mission through. This country stands with them.

I want to thank you for the example you have set for our men and women in uniform. I want to thank you for your idealism, for your dedication to God and our country. May God bless you all. And may God continue to bless the United States of America. Thank you all very much.

(end transcript)

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

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