[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 48 (Monday, December 1, 2003)]
[Page 1704]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Ongoing Review of the Overseas Force Posture

November 25, 2003

    Since the end of the cold war, the once-familiar threats facing our 
Nation, our friends, and our allies have given way to the less 
predictable dangers associated with rogue nations, global terrorism, and 
weapons of mass destruction. We have been actively transforming our 
defenses to address these changes. While we continue to make progress in 
the transformation of our uniformed military, it remains for us to 
realign the global posture of our forces to better address these new 
challenges.
    Beginning today, the United States will intensify our consultations 
with the Congress and our friends, allies, and partners overseas on our 
ongoing review of our overseas force posture. We will ensure that we 
place the right capabilities in the most appropriate locations to best 
address the new security environment.
    U.S. national security is closely linked to the security of our 
friends, allies, and global partners, and this review will serve to 
strengthen existing relationships and increase our ability to carry out 
our defense commitments more effectively. To meet this objective, we 
will invite the full participation of our friends and allies. And 
because any initiatives and adjustments resulting from this review must 
necessarily be comprehensive and affordable, it will be conducted in 
close consultation with the Congress of the United States. Secretary 
Powell and Secretary Rumsfeld will describe further our efforts at the 
NATO ministerial meetings in early December. High-level U.S. teams will 
begin consultations in foreign capitals in Europe, Asia, and elsewhere 
following those meetings.
    The collective security of free nations depends now more than ever 
on modern capabilities and security cooperation. A fully transformed and 
strengthened overseas force posture will underscore the commitment of 
the United States to effective collective action in the common cause of 
peace and liberty.