Saxton Opening Statement on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request for U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command & U.S. Southern Command

Mar 12, 2008
Press Release

Contact: Josh Holly; 202.226.3988 

Saxton Opening Statement on Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Request for U.S. European Command, U.S. Africa Command & U.S. Southern Command 

Washington D.C. – The House Armed Services Committee today held a hearing to analyze the Fiscal Year 2009 budget requests for three Department of Defense combatant commands—U.S. European Command (EUCOM), U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).  Air and Land Forces Subcommittee Ranking Republican Jim Saxton (R-NJ), standing in for Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), delivered the following opening statement: 

“Today, this committee will consider the challenges and opportunities that face U.S. European Command, U.S. Southern Command, and the newly-formed U.S. Africa Command. 

“The combined areas of responsibility of these commands include over 120 countries and cover almost 40 million square miles.  In fact, the range of possible topics today is as broad as the reach of these commands.  I would like to thank General Craddock, Admiral Stavridis, and General Ward for appearing before us today to provide their unique insights and assessments and to explain how the President’s fiscal year 2009 budget request reflects the operations, exercises, and initiatives within their respective areas of responsibilities (AOR). 

“General Craddock, I would like to begin by highlighting a concern that Ranking Member Hunter discussed with Admiral Fallon of Central Command last week and that raises some questions regarding the NATO Alliance.  In the coming weeks, the United States will deploy 3,200 additional Marines to Afghanistan, and over 2,000 of these men and women will bolster the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) presence in the southern part of that country.  Yet there appears to be some ambiguity about the command of these additional forces.  From your perspective, will these Marines fall under NATO / ISAF or CENTCOM operational control?  What will be the missions of these forces?  Under which rules of engagement will these forces operate—ISAF’s or the United States’? 

“And more broadly, does the current ISAF and CENTCOM division of labor make sense, and does it maximize the effectiveness of the capabilities provided by U.S. forces?  

“This division of labor in Afghanistan also leads to a number of NATO-specific questions regarding our European Allies’ military capabilities and ability to operate in a combat environment.  I note that despite NATO’s ‘minimum military requirement’ that Allies spend at least two percent of their Gross Domestic Product on their militaries, fewer than half of the 26 Allies actually do so.  It seems that the Alliance’s emphasis on transformation, coupled with the European Union nations’ growing focus on security and defense, has not resulted in noticeable increases in expenditures or capabilities.  For example, NATO nations have long recognized a significant shortfall in strategic airlift.  Yet these nations’ combined acquisition of C-17s relies in large part on U.S. contributions.  So I wonder—how can we persuade our friends to transform and modernize their militaries so they can more effectively participate in combat operations? 

“Developing our partners’ military capabilities is also a common theme within the new Africa Command, especially given the potential of the vast ungoverned and under-governed spaces on that continent to become safe havens for terrorists.  There is little argument that partnering with African nations can result in more secure borders, more responsible and capable military forces, and security institutions that are more responsive to national governments—and can help to close the doors of any safe havens located there. 

“However, we understand that European Command has long worked with those nations, and there remains some skepticism that the creation of a new geographic combatant command is necessary or even politically acceptable to African national governments and the African Union.  General Ward, please provide your perspective on why the creation of Africa Command is in the U.S. national security interest and how your command will expand upon those partnering efforts traditionally undertaken by European Command. 

“Finally, Admiral Stavridis, we understand the focus on transnational security challenges within your area of responsibility.  The challenge of combating illegal drug production and trafficking continues to require the cooperation of our regional and interagency partners.  Drug dealers in the region are adaptive and creative, using self-propelled semi-submersibles to move drugs as well as traditional overland and oversea methods.  I am interested in learning about SOUTHCOM’s efforts against narco-trafficking, especially the use of these semi-submarines, and its work with partner nations to address the counter-drug challenge. 

“In particular, some experts have noted that as a result of U.S. assistance, Colombia has been emerging as a regional leader in democracy and as a counterbalance to the socialist movement led by Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and his left-leaning supporters in Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Cuba.  However, I understand that despite Colombian officials’ repeated requests of its neighbors to deny safe havens to terrorists, it was necessary for Colombia to raid a FARC terrorist base one mile into Ecuador earlier this month.  Also, it is reported that documents found in several FARC computers may indicate possible complicity of senior Ecuadorian and Venezuelan officials. 

“Admiral, please provide your insights into the tensions, caused by narco-trafficking and terrorism, in the region and how your command is addressing the military and security needs of our partners there.  I am also interested in your perspective on Colombia’s role as a regional democratic leader and the future outlook for U.S. military presence and support, both to Colombia and within the region as a whole.”   

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