- Title: UNITED STATES: RICHARD CHENEY TESTIFIES AT SENATE HEARING
- Date: 15th March 1989
- Summary: UNITED STATES: WASHINGTON DC, GV Interior, Senate hearing room SV Senator Sam Nunn, with Sen. John Warner at right at hearing SCU Richard Cheney seated and testifying (English SOT). "I have over the years, as I've watched him operate, met and discussed these issues with him on a couple of occasions. Reached the point where I personally am persuaded that he is indeed convinced that the status quo in the Soviet Union is unacceptable, and where he is committed to a policy of reform. I think he is very serious about trying to improve the overall efficiency of the Soviet economy. I think that he's aware that to do that there are going to have to be some fundamental political changes as well. But having said that, I think that it would be a great mistake for us to assume at this point that it is appropriate for us in any way to reduce our own military capabilities or lessen our own defence posture."
- Embargoed: 30th March 1989 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Usa
- City:
- Country: USA
- Topics: General,Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA30HHE3BMNG9V8UX0SQ16K8SDX
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: WASHINGTON DC, UNITED STATES
United States (US) Defence Secretary-designate Richard Cheney, testifying before the Senate Armed Service Committee in Washington on Tuesday, said that the Soviet Union remains "our number one adversary".
During his confirmation hearing, the Wyoming Republican told the committee that he was sceptical about Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev's ability to enact economic and political reforms. Cheney added that the US would make a grave mistake by assuming it could reduce its military strength in reaction to Gorbachev's attempts at reform.
Political observers in the nation's capital predicted a near-unanimous vote in favour of Cheney's confirmation, especially in view of the bruising battle between the White House and Congress over President George Bush's rejected nominee, former senator John Tower.
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