Mike Levin: “part of the Joint Chiefs' letter is the following: * * * we reaffirm our support for the current [National Missile…”

“part of the Joint Chiefs' letter is the following: * * * we reaffirm our support for the current [National Missile Defense] policy and deployment readiness program. Those are the key words. Based on these considerations, we reaffirm our support for the current [National Missile Defense] policy and deployment readiness program. Then General Shelton wrote the following: Our program represents an unprecedented level of effort to address the likely emergence of a rogue ICBM threat. It compresses what is normally a 6-12 year development program into 3 years with some additional development concurrent with a 3-year deployment. This emphasis is indicative of our commitment to this vital national security objective. The tremendous effort devoted to this program is a prudent commitment to provide absolutely the best technology when a threat warrants deployment. Given the present threat projections and the potential requirement to deploy an effective limited defense, we continue to support the 'three-plus-three' program. It is our view that the development program should proceed through the integrated system testing scheduled to begin in late 1999, before the subsequent deployment decision consideration in the year 2000. Then he points out that: Additional funding would not buy back any time in our already fast-paced schedule.…”