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      Command and control of the two multinational efforts has been

achieved through close coordination and the clearly defined chain of

command of national forces.    National Force Commanders are cooperating

on all issues and are carrying out their responsibilities within their

assigned national areas of responsibility.   I would be happy to discuss

command and control further in closed      session.


Readiness of Our Forces


      Next, I would like to provide my assessment of the readiness of our

forces in the Persian Gulf.   It is important to remember that our first and

most critical task was to project sufficient combat forces to provide an

immediate,  credible deterrent against further fraqi  aggression.  We

recognized from the beginning that,   once that mission was accomplished,

we would need follow-on forces and equipment to provide the best, most

sustainable  capability.


      For example,   significant improvement has been made over the past

several weeks in reaching the levels of critical munitions stocks that the

CINC would like to see.    I am confident that we will be able to meet all of

the CINC's requirements, including those for the additional forces now

flowing into the region.   I would be happy to discuss this issue in more

detail in closed session.


      Our   equipment readiness  has  exceeded   expectations (and the

worldwide DoD    standard)  and thus, must be considered exceptional, given

the harsh demands of the desert environment.       In many cases,  aircraft and

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