Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992 TAG: 9203120020
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
"Please do not put too much emphasis on leaked reports, particularly ones that I haven't seen," Bush told a news conference when asked about the 46-page classified document.
The president said that if the document were an official Pentagon position, "I expect the secretary of defense would come talk to the president about it."
The most controversial aspect of the document was its language that suggested the United States ought to intervene on its own when necessary and rely less on collective action.
"A warmed-over Cold War rationale," was how Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, described the report.
Other Democratic critics said the study showed "the Pentagon trying to justify its existence" and could damage the United States abroad.
And former Defense Secretary James Schlesinger, who has served in both Republican and Democratic administrations, questioned whether the American people were ready to approve the sort of world role outlined in the document.
"I think the United States has a burden to bear," Bush said when asked about the issue at a news conference.
He said the United States has "worked effectively through multilateral organizations." But he added, "We are the leaders and we must continue to lead; we must continue to stay engaged."
The document was a draft of the "defense policy guidance" used by Pentagon officials as they compile budget requests. Excerpts were published Sunday in the New York Times.
"Our first objective is to prevent the re-emergence of a new rival, either on the territory of the former Soviet Union or elsewhere," it said.
The document went on to say the United States "must show the leadership necessary to establish and protect a new order that holds the promise of convincing potential competitors that they need not aspire to a greater role or pursue a more aggressive posture to protect their legitimate interests."
It also suggested the United States might move away from collective action and shift toward unilateral steps to protect its interests.
"While the U.S. cannot become the world's `policeman' by assuming responsibility for righting every wrong, we will retain the pre-eminent responsibility for addressing selectively those wrongs which threaten not only our interests but those of our allies or friends," it said.
Pentagon spokesman Pete Williams denied there was any intention to move away from collective action.
by CNB