Defense, democracy and the war on terrorism - Under Secretary of Defense for Policy Douglas J. Feith - Transcript

US Department of Defense Speeches, April 23, 2004

* Unilateralism, I suppose, is such a common political accusation precisely because a U.S. national security official would have to be a fool to be a unilateralist. With all due modesty, we are smarter than that.

* We plan to realign our defense posture to increase our ability to fulfill our commitments abroad. As we do so, we'll be guided by the following considerations:

--First, develop flexibility to contend with uncertainty. We no longer think we know where we might in the future have to do military operations. So we no longer think that forces will fight where they are based. Accordingly, we need light, agile forces--usable forces--easily and quickly deployable to help prevent problems from becoming crises and crises from becoming wars--and, if necessary, to win wars.

--Second, encourage transformation in allied roles and capabilities.

--Third, adopt a global not a regional perspective regarding the use of forces. We need a single military force capable of moving to a fight anywhere in the world. The idea that forces are assigned to a commander for a specific region is passe.

--And fourth, recognize that the key defense measurement is capabilities, not numbers of forces or numbers of platforms. New technologies and new doctrine and tactics make it possible for a relatively small force to achieve military results now that in early times would have required a far larger force.

* Europe, and especially our new NATO allies, will play an important role in this aspect of our transformation.

* Most of your countries are already active in the war on terrorism. Your support to coalition operations in the war on terrorism is highly valued.

* Over fifty nations are supporting Afghanistan and Iraq stability and humanitarian relief operations.

* It should come has no surprise to any of us that nations that so recently gained their own freedom are at the forefront of the effort to help the Afghan and the Iraqi people to achieve freedom for themselves.

* While some of your countries are NATO allies, the support and cooperation of the non-NATO partners here make you all allies in action, if not allies by treaty.

* President Bush has stated that "The door to NATO will remain open until the whole of Europe is united in freedom and peace." At the NATO Istanbul Summit in June, NATO will formally reaffirm its Open Door Policy.

I want to close by offering a tribute to the coalition forces in Afghanistan and Iraq, and especially to the US forces, who are responsible for so much of the effort. They are skillful. They are brave. They understand the importance of their mission. And they will succeed. We thank them for protecting our freedom.

And I thank you for the opportunity to speak with you tonight.