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Bush cites need for new US troop basing arrangements globally
Washington, Nov 26: The US government is intensifying its talks with traditional allies and other security partners on a global realignment of American troops and bases, President George W Bush said.
Washington, Nov 26: The US government is intensifying its talks with traditional allies and other security partners on a global realignment of American troops and bases, President George W Bush said.
Defence Secretary Donald H Rumsfeld began the discussions with Germany, Japan and Korea this fall.
"Beginning today, the United States will intensify our consultations with the Congress and our friends and allies, and partners overseas," Bush said yesterday in a statement released by the White House. "We will ensure that we place the right capabilities in the most appropriate locations to best address the new security environment" characterised by a heightened threat from terrorists, Bush said.
At a Pentagon news conference, Rumsfeld said the Bush statement marked the beginning of the State Department's full participation in consultations with allies "to hear their ideas and to engage our friends and allies so that we can figure out between us what makes the most sense". Rumsfeld has commented extensively on the need to change the way US forces are spread around the world. He has announced no decisions, but it appears likely that some US troops will be withdrawn from Germany, where they stood in large numbers throughout the cold war to deter a Soviet invasion, and from South Korea, where they have held static positions for 50 years.
Bureau Report
"Beginning today, the United States will intensify our consultations with the Congress and our friends and allies, and partners overseas," Bush said yesterday in a statement released by the White House. "We will ensure that we place the right capabilities in the most appropriate locations to best address the new security environment" characterised by a heightened threat from terrorists, Bush said.
At a Pentagon news conference, Rumsfeld said the Bush statement marked the beginning of the State Department's full participation in consultations with allies "to hear their ideas and to engage our friends and allies so that we can figure out between us what makes the most sense". Rumsfeld has commented extensively on the need to change the way US forces are spread around the world. He has announced no decisions, but it appears likely that some US troops will be withdrawn from Germany, where they stood in large numbers throughout the cold war to deter a Soviet invasion, and from South Korea, where they have held static positions for 50 years.
Bureau Report