I wanted to follow up on a question we posed to you about maintaining a healthy bid climate that allows for a full range of small- and mid-size businesses to compete for construction projects.

It is absolutely imperative that they seize this opportunity.

Your nominations come at a critical time in our country's history. The United States faces a myriad of strategic, diplomatic, and military challenges.

I hope we can, at the completion of the testimony today, move quickly forward to the vote on General Petraeus' nomination.

It is expected that in the coming weeks Kosovo will declare its independence and that declaration will be supported by the United States and the European Union (EU).

The United States and Pakistan have a shared interest in building stable and sustainable democracy.

Again, we would like a realistic assessment of the situation.

the Army Corps of Engineers is in the process of carrying out an Air Force requirement to purchase, or otherwise acquire, private property in aircraft accident zones around Luke Air Force Base, AZ.

I view that with deep regret, because I think the American people and their representatives deserved better.

It's going to be a violent spring, and we're going to have violence into this summer.

It is unclear whether North Korea is now truly committed to real verification, a full accounting of all nuclear materials and facilities.

I want to underscore the importance of the DOD IG's functions and urge you, if you are confirmed, to consider this appointment as a mandate to strengthen the independence and effectiveness of that office.

Lieutenant General Van Antwerp, if confirmed, how do you propose to balance those interests?

We need to get that sorted out, General.

It is hard to imagine a more important military nomination than that of General David Petraeus.

The shared interests of the United States and Pakistan transcend the personality of any particular leader.

Lieutenant General Van Antwerp, does the Corps currently have any guidance or policies in place related to the use of these contracts?

I do not think that the responsible members of that government right now certainly want us to withdraw.