Military

DATE=1/23/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= BUSH / DEFENSE (L)

NUMBER=2-285589

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush is proposing the biggest increase in U-S defense spending in two decades. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports Mr. Bush says the military will get all the resources it needs in his 2003 budget to wage and win the war on terrorism.

TEXT: The president says strengthening the military is his top budget priority.

///BUSH ACT///

My 'o3 budget calls for more than 48-billion dollars in new defense spending. This will be the largest increase in defense spending in the last twenty years.

///END ACT////

Mr. Bush made the announcement during an appearance before a gathering of military reserve officers. There were cheers when he unveiled his defense budget plan.

///BUSH ACT TWO///

Those who review our budget must understand that we are asking a lot of our men and women in uniform. And we will be asking more of them in the future. In return, they deserve every resource, every weapon needed to achieve the final and full victory.

///END ACT//

He said if Congress approves his 380-billion dollar defense budget, U-S troops will get another pay raise, and the Pentagon will get more money for the latest military systems.

///BUSH ACT THREE///

We will invest in more precision weapons, in missile defenses, in unmanned vehicles, in high tech equipment for soldiers on the ground.

///END ACT///

The president said the tools of modern warfare are expensive, but they are also effective. He stressed America is willing to pay the price.

///BUSH ACT FOUR///

Buying these tools may put a strain on the budget. But we will not cut corners when it comes to the defense of our great land.

///END ACT///

President Bush also announced that he will propose a major increase in budget outlays for homeland security. The money will be used to hire more airport security workers and F-B-I agents, provide more resources for local police and fire departments, and help the public health service deal with the threat of bioterrorism. (signed)

NEB/PW/RH