DEFENSE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS TO LEAKS ON NUCLEAR POSTURE REVIEW
--Review Does Not Imply Operational Guidance For U.S. Military
11 March 2002
The Department of Defense says the January 2002 Nuclear Posture Review
(NPR), outlining the current U.S. concept of deterrence, is one of a long
series of reviews issued since nuclear weapons were first developed and does
not provide operational guidance to the U.S. military on nuclear targeting
or planning.
Following is the text of the March 9 Defense Department statement:
(begin text)
We will not discuss the classified details of military planning or
contingencies, nor will we comment on selective and
misleading leaks.
The Nuclear Posture Review is required by law. It is a wide-ranging
analysis of the requirements for deterrence in the 21st century. This review
of the U.S. nuclear posture is the latest in a long series of reviews since
the development of nuclear weapons. It does not provide operational guidance
on nuclear targeting or planning.
The Department of Defense continues to plan for a broad range of
contingencies and unforeseen threats to the United States and its allies. We
do so in order to deter such attacks in the first place.
Of particular significance in the new Nuclear Posture Review is President
Bush's decision to reduce operationally deployed strategic nuclear weapons
by two-thirds, a decision made possible by the new strategic relationship
with Russia.
This administration is fashioning a more diverse set of options for
deterring the threat of WMD (weapons of mass destruction). That is why the
administration is pursuing missile defense, advanced conventional
forces, and improved intelligence capabilities.
A combination of offensive and defensive, and nuclear and non-nuclear
capabilities, is essential to meet the deterrence requirements of the 21st
century.
For more information, see the Nuclear Posture Review foreword:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2002/d20020109npr.pdf
and the Jan. 9 DoD news briefing transcript:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2002/t01092002_t0109npr.html
and accompanying briefing slides:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jan2002/g020109-D-6570C.html.
(end text)
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