Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search

facilities have been built or are under construction.   We are now

investigating locations for rest and recreation of our forces in the Middle

East and Mediterranean.    Armed Forces Radio began beaming 24 hours a

day to our forces in the region on 12 September.       Low-cost telephone

contracts have been awarded to provide 426 telephones to US forces in

Saudi Arabia (beginning at the end of January) to allow our troops to call

their loved ones back home.


     I am not suggesting that problems do not exist.     They do.  Any of you

who have visited the region know that it is a stark and difficult

environment in which to operate.    In addition, Saudi Arabia is a traditional,

Islamic culture very different from our own and, since we are there as

their guests and at their invitation, we must pay strict attention to their

rules and customs.    I have been very proud of the conduct of our troops--

they have been diplomats in the truest sense of the word.     Senior Saudi

officials, as well as other Saudi citizens, have expressed to Secretary

Cheney and myself their gratitude and appreciation for our troops

behavior.


     We continue to receive questions on rotation policy, so let me just

 reiterate what Secretary Cheney has said.   Additional forces announced by

 the President on 8 November are meant to augment and not replace US

 forces in the region.   Any rotation plans are currently on the shelf while

 we build up our force.    So, we do not believe it is necessary to make any

 decisions with respect to rotation at this time.

Document Page: First | Prev | Next | All | Image | This Release | Search