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A Tribute to the Missing
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By Susan Roth
Advertiser Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld refused to comment yesterday about whether civilians distract armed forces personnel during military exercises, deferring to the court of inquiry on the USS Greeneville accident.
Rumsfeld has ordered a moratorium on allowing civilians to assume positions of control on military vessels, aircraft, vehicles and crew-served weapons systems, but guests are still allowed to observe exercises.
"This policy is effective regardless of how closely military personnel supervise the civilian visitors," the order says.
Civilians supervised by crew members were at control positions aboard the Greeneville when the submarine rammed a Japanese fishing vessel Feb. 9 during a rapid-ascent exercise. Nine people are missing and presumed dead. A court of inquiry is scheduled to start Monday at Pearl Harbor.
Pentagon officials have deflected questions about possible civilian involvement in the accident, though Rumsfeld said early in the investigation that military officials had no evidence the 16 civilians on board distracted the crew.
Last week, the National Transportation Safety Board reported that civilians aboard the Greeneville distracted the fire control technician plotting the movement of surface ships from sonar contacts. But a spokesman said investigators did not know whether that contributed to the collision with the Ehime Maru.
Asked whether he stands by his earlier statement, Rumsfeld said, "I think the inquiries that are under way will answer those questions, and it’s not for me to opine on."
Rear Adm. Craig Quigley, the Pentagon’s spokesman, also declined to respond to reports the fire control technician was doing the job of two people. "I think I’ll let the court of inquiry find out what they can in that regard," Quigley said.
Rumsfeld, who made a surprise appearance at yesterday’s regular Pentagon briefing, said no further apologies to the Japanese are planned. Rumsfeld and Secretary of State Colin Powell apologized by telephone Feb. 10, followed by President Bush later the following week and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Thomas Foley.
On Tuesday, the Navy’s No. 2 officer, Adm. William Fallon, acting as a special envoy for Bush, apologized in Tokyo to victims’ relatives. Japanese authorities have demanded the United States raise the boat, and U.S. officials have promised to try.
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