CONFIDENTIAL SEP - 6
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
/~EP 0 6 2001
2400 DEFENSE PENTAGON
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301·2400
· ., '): r· ' ACTION MEMO ®
INTERNATIONAL
SECURITY AFFAIRS
: .. . '-
I-011010554
September 6, 2001 5:27PM
FOR: SECRETARY OF DEFENSE DepSec Action. ___ _
FROM: Assistant Secretary of DefenseJ International Sect{\??' "~fairs
(Peter W. Rodman,l(bJ(S J _ ~ V '~£.., 0 6 StP 7ooi
SUBJECT: (U) Reclama: Your Trip to the Middle East
i€7- I hope you will reconsider your decision to postpone your October trip to the Middle
East. The competing demands on your time are undeniable, but we are at a critical
juncture now, especially with our Gulf partners.
(b)( l)
(b)( I)
i€7- BRIGHT ST A,.!.R!.!...!:O ~ l.J...!!.in~E~~ ~-=::...!!:. !.b.!: ::::!...:=. .!!!!=::...L~exe!.:e ::.:. r ~ ci:.::::se~co~n:.::d::.;u:::c:.::te ::: d:...:o::.;u:.!;ts~i .:::: de::....
the United States.
on or.
(b)(l)
-t€7- The Ramadan period ( 16 November - 14 December) is a constraint on any
postponement.
--f€1- RECOMMENDATION: We therefore urge that you visit the region as originally
conceived (including Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf countries in addition to
Egypt). If an extended trip is impossible, a visit to Egypt (for BRIGHT STAR), Israel,
Classified by DASD William J. Luti
Reason: I .5 (b and d)
Declassify on: September 6, 201 I
CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDEN'fiAL
and Saudi Arabia would be a minimum recommendation.
(b)(6) Prepared by ~ I COL, USA,I L- (b ) - (S) _ ____J
DASD William J. Luti
CONFIDEN TIAL