Geoff Morrell Holds a Defense Department News Briefing

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Geoff Morrell Holds a Defense Department News Briefing

DEFENSE DEPARTMENT REGULAR NEWS BRIEFING

OCTOBER 17, 2007

SPEAKER: GEOFF MORRELL, DEFENSE DEPARTMENT PRESS SECRETARY

[*] MORRELL: Good afternoon.

Due to extensive travel lately, as you all know, it has been, I think, at least a couple weeks since I spoke with you last from this podium. So for that, I want to start off by apologizing and try to make it up for you by providing lots of news for you today.

As some of you are aware, Secretary Gates is on his way back right now from Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska, where he has been this morning attending the -- I guess it's not a change of a command -- the assumption of command of General Kevin Chilton as head of U.S. Strategic Command.

In addition, today, Secretary Gates named John Hamre to chair the Defense Policy Board advisory committee. Dr. Hamre, who served as deputy secretary of defense under President Clinton, is now president of the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Secretary Gates has also named the following new members to the board: former chairman of the Joint Chiefs, General Peter Pace, retired General Peter Pace; former Defense Secretary William Perry; former Undersecretary of Defense Peter Rodman; former Undersecretary of State Robert Joseph; and, former Deputy National Security Advisor J.D. Crouch.

They, along with 18 returning members, will provide the secretary with independent, informed advice on major matters of defense policy. The board will focus primarily on long range or, pardon me, long term enduring issues central to the department's strategic planning.

And with that, I'll take your questions. Bob?

QUESTION: What is the secretary's thinking on the desirability of having a single chain of command for overseeing all private securi...

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