FORMER DEFENSE SECRETARY TO HEAD CONGRESSIONAL PANEL ON NUKES

摘要

William Perry, the former Defense Secretary who has made a recent push for a "world free of nuclear weapons," has been tapped to chair a 12-member Congressionally appointed commission that will examine the strategic defense posture of the United States and how nuclear weapons fit into that strategy. While the commission's report-due to Congress and the President Dec. 1-isn't likely to affect this year's debate on the National Nuclear Security Administration's draft Complex Transformation plans and controversial Reliable Replacement Warhead program, it will likely lay the groundwork for a new nuclear posture review, among the tasks of a new Administration next year. "It is clear that our strategic posture is at a critical juncture, and I am pleased to have this distinguished panel of experts provide an outside examination of these issues," said Rep. Terry Everett (R-Ala.), the ranking member of the House Armed Services Strategic Services Subcommittee.