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Pentagon Forces out China-made Berets
The "Made in China" label will not be welcome in the US Army as it outfits about half a million troops with new black berets, the Pentagon said on Tuesday.
"The Army Chief of Staff has determined that US troops shall not wear berets made in China or berets made with Chinese content," Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz said.
"Therefore, I direct the Army and the Defense Logistics Agency to take appropriate action to recall previously distributed berets and dispose of the stock," he said in a statement.
It was the latest twist in the black-beret saga that has hit controversy at almost every step, and even became known as the "War of the Black Beret."
The Pentagon gave no reason for Tuesday's move. But the announcement comes on the heels of rising tensions between China and the United States over the collision of a U.S. Navy surveillance plane and a Chinese fighter jet over the South China Sea on April 1.
More over, it followed criticism from Congress of the Defense Department's decision to let contracts totaling $27 million go to companies in China and elsewhere to make the black caps, instead of to American firms.
The tale of the black beret started in October when Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki ordered that all Army troops begin wearing black berets to boost morale.
Shinseki was scheduled to testify before the House of Representatives Small Business Committee on Wednesday about the Chinese-made beret issue.
Source: chinadaily.com.cn
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