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Bush Urges Pentagon to Review Policy to Invite Civilians
U.S. President George W. Bush on Thursday urged the Pentagon to review its policy on civilian participation in military exercises in order to avoid incidents like the sinking of a Japanese fishing trip by a U.S. submarine.
"I think what's going to be necessary is for Secretary (of Defense) Rumsfeld and the Defense Department to review all policy regarding civilian activity during military exercises," Bush told reporters at the White House.
"I look forward to the Defense Department review of the policies, the current policies, particularly in light of the recent tragedy that took place in Hawaii," he said.
The U.S. submarine Greeneville sank the Japanese trawler Ehime Maru when practicing an emergency ascent drill off Hawaii last Friday, leaving nine people missing.
Sixteen civilians were aboard the nuclear-powered attack submarine when the accident took place. Two were at control positions and with consent from the captain, one of them even pulled the levers that started the emergency surfacing.
U.S. Navy spokesman Stephen Pietropaoli told reporters on Thursday that both the Atlantic and Pacific submarine fleets are reviewing procedures involving presence of civilian guests on sea military exercises.
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