QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY SENATOR DANIEL K. AKAKA

IRAQ'S AFTERMATH

23. Senator AKAKA. Secretary Rumsfeld, in the first Persian Gulf War, we did not drive our forces into Baghdad in part because we did not want to get into the messy job of nation-building in a post-Saddam Iraq. Now we are proposing to do exactly that. What is the administration's post-conflict strategy? Do you envision an Iraqi opposition taking control of Iraq and, if so, which group, or do you see Iraq being under a type of United Nations trusteeship?

Secretary RUMSFELD. The U.S. Government is encouraging the Iraqi opposition groups to join together to promulgate a common set of principles around which the Iraqi people can rally. How quickly these opposition groups, joined by prominent Iraqis still residing in Iraq, can coalesce into an effective force that can play a role in the creation of a broad-based, representative government in Iraq remains to be seen. In any case, it would be premature for me now to speculate on the type of government that would exist in Iraq in the immediate aftermath of a conflict, should

one occur.

In any case, if regime change occurs, the U.S. will not abandon the Iraqi people. We would seek, together with other concerned nations, to assist the Iraqi people in getting back on their feet economically as well as in establishing a broadly representative government.

24. Senator AKAKA. Secretary Rumsfeld, in your statement before the House Armed Services Committee on September 18, you raise our approach to Afghanistan as an example of how we will bring democracy and stability to Iraq. The situation in Afghanistan continues to be very unsettled. How long are you planning to keep troops in Iraq following Saddam's overthrow?

Secretary RUMSFELD. Our desire would be to remain in Iraq militarily for no longer than needed. The post-Saddam situation is unknowable, but, before departing, the U.S. would work to ensure that a new government is broadly representative, renounces WMD, poses no threat to its people or its neighbors, and does not engage in activities that pose a threat to international stability. Once again, our intention is to stay militarily as long as necessary, but not a minute longer.

GAINING FOREIGN SUPPORT

25. Senator AKAKA. Secretary Rumsfeld, in your statement before the House Armed Services Committee on September 18, you said that there are a number of countries who back getting rid of Saddam but are reluctant to say so publicly. Are some of those countries asking or suggesting that they would support military action if they received something in return, such as substantial increases in foreign aid or some other type of reward?

Secretary RUMSFELD. When friendly countries come on board to join this possible coalition, they will do so because they agree that the Iraqi regime is a threat to international peace and security. Some of our friends may choose not to cooperate fully; however, others will.

The costs of a conflict-in terms of disruption of oil supplies, among other things-may be borne disproportionately by some of our friends, and we may wish to compensate them in some manner.

QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY SENATOR JOHN MCCAIN

IRAQI CAPABILITIES

26. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, how significantly has the Iraqi Ground and Air Order of Battle and capabilities changed since we faced them in 1991? Based on those changes, how differently will the United States need to proceed to bring about a regime change and the destruction of the Iraqi weapons of mass destruction program compared to our military tactics in 1991?

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. Compared to 1990, the Iraqi regime's military forces are down by roughly 50-60 percent. The Iraqi military also suffers from poor morale and low quality training. However, Iraq continues to spend a considerable sum on rebuilding its military, including air defense systems and command and control networks.

The U.S. military, on the other hand, has improved substantially in the past 12 years. We have considerably improved our intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities since Operation Desert Storm. We have also substantially im

proved our command and control capabilities. Our Nation's military can gather intelligence, plan operations, deploy and execute combat missions much faster today than 12 years ago. In addition, in Desert Storm precision weapons were used 10 percent of the time. In Afghanstan, we used precision weapons about 60 percent of the time. Especially compared with the Iraqi military, we are a truly superior force in every regard.

The tactics required for regime change and destruction of Iraqi WMD would be different from those employed during Operation Desert Storm.

27. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, what is your estimate of Iraq's development of weapons of mass destruction? How deployable are these weapons systems and how much of a threat do you feel they pose to our military personnel? How much of a threat do they pose to civilian populations in the region?

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. Iraq possesses a credible WMD threat. Many of the delivery systems are mobile and pose a significant threat to our forces in the field and present a very real threat to the civilian populations in the region. It is our assessment that Iraq could develop a crude nuclear weapon within 1 year, if Iraq obtained fissile material from a foreign source. Iraq can quickly convert legitimate facilities for biological warfare use and is capable of producing a wide variety of agents including anthrax, botulinum toxin, ricin gas, gangrene and aflatoxin. Iraq is researching, testing, producing and weaponizing BW agents. Iraq possesses at least 6,000 CW bombs, 15,000 artillery rockets capable of holding nerve agents and between 100 and 500 metric tons of VX, cyclosarin, sarin and mustard agents. Iraq possesses a small force of Al Hussein Scud-derivative Medium Range Ballistic Missiles with an estimated range of 900 km, Al Samoud Short Range Ballistic Missiles with an estimated range of 150km and Ababil Short Range Ballistic Missiles with an estimated range of 150km, all capable of delivering chemical and biological

weapons.

PREPARING FOR WAR

28. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, I was surprised to hear President Bush's top economic advisor, Lawrence Lindsey, estimate that the U.S. may have to spend between $100 billion and $200 billion to fight Iraq. He obviously must have applied some economic model based on the number of troops, ships, and airplanes that may be used. Would you please discuss your estimates as to the number of service members that may be required to attack and oust Saddam Hussein? Does adequate logistical support or a logistical train exist in the Persian Gulf region to support servicemen and women when we choose to attack Iraq?

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. While not going into the specific operational details, should war be necessary, we will employ sufficient force to win quickly and decisively. There are sufficient number of Service members available, both active and reserve, to support offensive operations in Iraq, as approved by the President. We also have sufficient logistic facilities, supplies and equipment to support our personnel who will deploy to the Persian Gulf region. Our long-term presence in the Persian Gulf region has enabled us to establish and maintain a mature logistic pipeline to support large-scale military operations. Our en-route infrastructure is adequate to support the air and sea lines of communication into and out of Southwest Asia. As the President has noted, while the cost of a war would be substantial, the cost of allowing Saddam to continue his reign of terror and WMD buildup would ultimately be much more costly, both in terms of loss of life and freedom and in financial costs.

29. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, there have been press reports that our precision-guided munitions stockpiles and personnel levels are inadequate with regards to strategy against Iraq. Please discuss.

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. Considering our worldwide standing ordnance stockpiles, which contain a wide array of cruise missiles, precision-guided munitions and more conventional ordnance, and industry's ability to flex production, we are confident that we have sufficient capacity to prosecute any potential action in southwest Asia, while still retaining an adequate, but reduced, reserve for future military engagements. However, during the period of highest use last year, our expenditure rates exceeded production rates for select precision-guided munitions such as the Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM). However, we have received supplemental funding to increase munitions production rates and enhance industry's longterm production capacity for both JDAM and the family of laser-guided bombs. In

regards to personnel levels, we do have adequate force structure, properly equipped, to carry out strategy against Iraq. Activation of Reserves and stop loss have increased our personnel strength to a level sufficient to conduct effective operations against Iraq while maintaining other aspects of the war on terrorism, protecting the homeland, and keeping our commitments in other regions of the world.

30. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, it seems that tankers are an issue. During an April 8, 2002 DOD news briefing with both of you, General Myers, you said the following in response to a reporter's question on the requirement for more tankers and leasing:

"Well, first of all, you're [right]-the fact is that tankers are very, very important to us in our ability to mobilize and deploy long distances.

The fleet is relatively healthy. These are older aircraft, but they have lots of flying hours left on them. I'm talking about the 135s now. They've been reengined. We're putting new avionics in the cockpit. There's been a lot of work done on those particular aircraft to keep them modern with an ability to fly in our air traffic control system both in the Pacific and across the Atlantic to Europe. Having said that, there is a fairly high percentage of these tankers that are in depot maintenance for corrosion control; higher than you would want, but that goes back to the design of the aircraft, and that's just the way it is. We'll work our way through that.

Part of the last question-the last part of the question, where we're talking about lease, that is an Air Force issue. The Air Force is looking at that, and they have not brought that to me or to the secretary."

Does our military have an adequate number of aerial tankers to support our Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force tactical aviation assets that may be utilized in an attack against Iraq while continuing other worldwide commitments?

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. The increased demand for tankers created by a post-September 11 environment, in which not only are we tasked to support all overseas commitments but also our homeland defense posture, increases the wear and tear on our existing tanker fleet. The backlog of required maintenance, both depot and organizational, is climbing rapidly for the 43-year-old KC-135, the backbone of our refueling fleet. The bottom line is that we are working our tankers very hard. As a result, the Air Force is pursuing remedies to meet these increased requirements. Although our active and reserve air refueling force will be stretched, we do have sufficient air refueling tankers to support potential operations against Iraq and sustain our most critical commitments at home and abroad.

RUSSIA'S POSITION

31. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, President Putin has openly asserted Russia's right to take unilateral military action against terrorists operating on Georgian territory. Can you assure the committee that the United States will draw a red line against a Russian invasion of Georgia?

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. The U.S. Government has consistently drawn a policy redline against Russian violation of Georgian sovereignty and territorial integrity. When Minister of Defense Sergei Ivanov and Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Ivanov visited Washington during the Consultative Group for Strategic Security dialogue in late September, they met with President Bush and talked extensively about this issue. It is my understanding that the President and National Security Advisor Rice both explicitly stressed this U.S. redline.

In addition, we believe the Georgians have taken tangible steps toward addressing the instability in regions bordering Russia. Such steps include their extensive police action in the Pankisi Gorge that has succeeded in reinforcing governmental authority in the area. We have on multiple occasions reinforced the importance of Russia and Georgia coordinating effectively through information sharing and effective orchestration of border monitoring efforts on their respective sides of the border. We understand that Russia and Georgia have now agreed to a number of measures to include joint border guard patrols along their common border.

32. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, have you talked to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov, with whom you met today, about Russia's attempts to openly subvert the Georgian state through force of arms?

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. We have not spoken directly with Minister of Defense Ivanov on this subject; however the U.S. Government has a redline policy against Russian violation of Georgian sovereignty. We have conveyed this policy to the Russian Federation in a very clear manner.

33. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, do you find ironic reports suggesting America will wink at a Russian invasion of its sovereign neighbor in return for Russia's support for our military campaign in Iraq, when the military campaign against Iraq we waged in 1991 was the result of Iraq's invasion of its own sovereign neighbor Kuwait?

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. These reports are categorically untrue. There is no U.S.-Russian "deal" over Iraq and Georgia. The U.S. Government has gone to great lengths to stress to Russia that the situations in Georgia and Iraq are hugely different. Unlike Iraq, Georgia is an emerging democracy that has supported the global war on terrorism and has taken tangible steps to rid its territory of international terrorists. It has in good faith attempted to address Russia's concerns, to include information sharing and the development of a joint border-monitoring regime. Georgia neither possesses weapons of mass destruction, nor is it trying to acquire them for use against others. It is in no way threatening other countries in the region, but instead is acting constructively to address regional problems. Also, the instability in Georgia's Pankisi Gorge is a direct consequence of the fighting in Chechnya; therefore, the challenges created as a result of that war have in many ways been forced upon Georgia. We encourage the Russians and the Georgians to continue working together to stabilize the region.

34. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, how would the United States respond to an armed Russian ground and air invasion of northern Georgia?

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. We would certainly condemn any such action. There is no legitimate rationale for Russian war in Georgia. We respectfully decline to respond in open session to the question of potential U.S. military_responses to such an attack. Much would depend upon the circumstances surrounding the invasion. Suffice it to say that the U.S. Government has significant equities in the region, to include U.S. military forces training Georgian troops. At a minimum, there would be significant force protection issues associated with such a development.

OTHER FOREIGN SUPPORT

35. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, how would you rate Saudi cooperation with the United States in the war on terror?

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. Saudi Arabia has been a close ally in the war on terrorism. The leaders of the kingdom understand that the atrocities committed on September 11 were also directed against them and quickly pledged their help.

To facilitate Operation Enduring Freedom, the Saudi government gave us all necessary overflight clearances. The Saudi government also broke relations with the Taliban and has offered economic assistance to the new Government of Afghanistan. The Saudis have supported the Pakistani President, Pervez Musharraf. They have also assisted in blocking financial assets linked to terrorism and have worked proactively to ensure the stability of the world oil market.

36. Senator MCCAIN. Secretary Rumsfeld and General Myers, do you believe German Chancellor Schroeder's America-bashing campaign rhetoric threatens our defense relationship with Germany?

Secretary RUMSFELD and General MYERS. We have had a strong and close defense relationship with Germany for over 50 years. That relationship has been based on shared interests and values that have been promoted and protected bilaterally and through the NATO alliance. There are particularly intensive and rewarding interactions between our men and women in uniform. Germany has been an important contributor in our efforts against terrorism, including in Afghanistan. While the statements made during the campaign have not been helpful to our efforts to deal with the threat posed by Saddam Hussein, the basic interests of our two countries have not changed.

In terms of what we are currently hearing from the German Federal Armed Forces, the comments made during the recent German election campaign have had no impact upon the military-to-military relationship. Senior military leaders on both sides understand the value and depths of the relationship built over the past 50 years and wish to continue undiminished cooperation. Remarks made during the election campaign should not change the trust and friendship existing between both Armed Forces.

QUESTIONS SUBMITTED BY SENATOR RICK SANTORUM

FORCE STRENGTH

37. Senator SANTORUM. General Myers, in your prepared testimony you noted that there are some unique military units (command and control, intelligence, Special Operations Forces, and combat rescue) that are in high demand and that mobilization of the Reserve component has been key to mitigating the current stress on these units. In conjunction with the ongoing conflict in Afghanistan, many reservists mobilized last September will likely be required to remain in service for another year. About 130,000 of the Nation's 1,250,000 Reserve forces have served at one time or another during the past year, with 76,658 currently on active duty.

Can we effectively balance the needs of our military commanders to have enough manpower to meet contingencies in Iraq and Afghanistan, and those of our employers who depend on these skilled reservists to perform duties associated with their civilian positions?

General MYERS. The Reservists have been absolutely critical to our success to date. They perform a wide range of missions, and bring specialized skills to bear on the critical needs of our Armed Forces. Reservists have been filling critical shortages as intelligence analysts, special forces and civil affairs soldiers, as well as providing logistic, transportation, and force protection support. We will continue to require this support in Afghanistan, particularly in the civil affairs arena. Should war occur with Iraq, we will need even more of all the skills and capabilities we have used in Afghanistan. We are currently examining all the ways we can meet these needs, not only by using Reservists but also through the use of coalition assets.

Our Reservists' employers have been very supportive. While the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) provides important protections to our Reserve soldiers, our experience has been that employers often go well beyond USERRA benefits. For those Reservists and employers who have special requirements—and I have expressed those needs-we have been sensitive and accommodating. In fact, the Chief of the Army Reserve has a policy that no Reservist will be involuntarily extended beyond 1 year on active duty. Despite this, it is our experience that most will volunteer, or come enthusiastically if called by the President.

In our planning and preparation for hostilities with Iraq, we are carefully managing the numbers you cite above. For example, since you posed this question, the number of Reservists on active duty has decreased from 76,658 to approximately 60,000. The numbers are still falling. We realize that it is important that these great Americans, or as they are known in the Army, “2x the Citizen," get back to their families and jobs so that if they are needed again, they will be rested and ready. For those who may be needed again, we are confident that they and their employers will gladly step forward again to serve their country.

38. Senator SANTORUM. General Myers, do we have enough of the right personnel to be focusing on Iraq and Afghanistan at the same time?

General MYERS. Our Armed Forces are capable of carrying out our defense strategy. We have sufficient capability to conduct effective operations against Iraq while maintaining other aspects of the war on terrorism, protecting the homeland, and keeping our commitments in other regions of the world.

Mobilization of Guard and Reserve forces has been key to mitigating the current stress on some of our selected units that are in short supply. If our operations on the war on terrorism are expanded, we will be required to prioritize the employment of these enabling units. In this regard, our coalition partners and allies may provide forces for our combined operations. Where possible, we will match the best available capability to the required mission.

39. Senator SANTORUM. General Myers, given our perstempo and the demands placed on our Reserve component, have you seen any fall-off in the numbers of persons who want to serve America through the Reserve component?

General MYERS. We have seen no marked changes in Reserve component recruiting or retention over the past 12 months. It may be too soon to tell if recent personnel tempo will negatively impact retention. We are monitoring these trends closely.

URBAN AND CHEMICAL WARFARE

40. Senator SANTORUM. General Myers, the Iraqi Republican Guard and Special Republican Guard units are specially trained for urban warfare and security operations. The last time U.S. forces were engaged in urban fighting was in Somalia in