Intercepts
• Robert Andrews for years has played the role of Washington insider. He´s been a CIA intelligence officer, Senate staffer, defense industry executive and, most recently, a novelist.
Now Mr. Andrews, a Green Beret in Vietnam, is returning to government. The Bush White House, we are told, plans to nominate him as principal deputy assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity conflict. The White House is also eyeing Michelle K. Van Cleave as the assistant secretary.
• As this column predicted last week, new Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, Michigan Democrat, gave Bush defense nominees a working over at Tuesday´s confirmation hearing. Congressional insiders say the liberal senator is looking for a basis to block the confirmation of two conservative thinkers: Douglas J. Feith, nominated for undersecretary of defense for policy; and J.D. Crouch II, nominated as assistant secretary of defense for international security policy.
A spokeswoman for Mr. Levin said the senator has submitted further written questions to the two and will decide on whether to oppose the nominations after reviewing the answers.
• Retired Gen. Thomas Moorman, a former Air Force vice chief of staff, is in line to become the next director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. He would replace current NASA Director Dan Goldin.
• The four services are executing a "budget drill" this week. At a furious work pace, budgeteers are forwarding increased funding request to the office of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld for the fiscal 2002 budget. The White House has told the department it will approve up to $30 billion in spending, in addition to the pending $310 billion budget.
We´ve seen the Air Force´s request in a three-page Power Point slide sent to Mr. Rumsfeld´s staff Tuesday night. It wants $12.8 billion for readiness and modernization alone. Sources tell us the lion´s share of the president´s 2002 augmentation will go for health care and improved living conditions.
• Navy Secretary Gordon England sent his first message to the fleet June 1, trying to soothe fears about President Bush´s impending military transformation.
"The president and secretary of defense have indicated this is a time of change," Mr. England said. "I ask that each of you join me and them, bringing your talents, innovative thoughts and experience to bear in transforming the way we do business, in order to meet our commitments, now and in the future.
"I know the Navy and Marine Corps team has a strong sense of our core values of honor, courage and commitment. In that vein, we should at all times conduct our business in a forthright, open, honest and direct manner both with each other and the public. ... We will simplify the acquisition system, streamline the bureaucratic decision-making processes, promote innovation throughout the Department of the Navy."
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