Military

DATE=05/02/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/CRUSADER (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-289375

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Pentagon in-fighting over the fate of a multi-billion dollar new weapons system has burst into the open, raising questions about the future of one of the top officials at the Defense Department. More from V-O-A Pentagon Correspondent Alex Belida.

TEXT: The weapons system in the spotlight is a new high-tech artillery piece called Crusader, and the top official whose fate may now be linked with it is Army Secretary Thomas White.

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the Army has been given 30 days to come up with a study of alternatives to Crusader --- a move he says is clearly an indication the Pentagon wants to cancel the expensive program.

But what has really appeared to irritate him is an effort by top Army officials, including Mr. White, to enlist Congressional support to fight the looming cancellation decision.

Mr. Rumsfeld says he does not think much of such tactics, which he says are now under investigation.

///RUMSFELD ACTUALITY///

Needless to say, I have a minimum of high regard for that kind of behavior.

///END ACTUALITY///

Army Secretary White has already come under political scrutiny because of his contacts with the Enron company, where he once worked and which recently collapsed financially.

Some Defense officials suggest the latest incident involving Crusader could lead to Mr. White's resignation as the Army's senior civilian leader.

But they indicate he might cast the termination of the artillery program as an issue of principle over which to end his career.

The Army has argued it needs Crusader to modernize its land forces. However, many critics maintain the new heavyweight artillery piece is a type of Cold War relic that is irrelevant to an Army that is trying to be lighter and more mobile. (Signed)

NEB/BEL/SAB