: The US has told the NATO allies that they must shoulder more of the burden of joint military operations, which means not just paying some of the cost when operations are launched, but spending money now to build up forces (e.g., precision-guided weapons) which can conduct such operations. The US has said it supports the development of a "European military identity" but only within the NATO structure.--Stephen V Cole

Secretary Cohen was warned the military that it need not expect money for more troops during the remainder of the Clinton Administration. Meanwhile, the uniformed military is aghast at Republican Congressional plans for a tax cut (returning the bulk of the budget surplus to taxpayers) since it notes that: (1) the military doesn't have enough money to do its job and (2) with tax cuts it will be impossible to get that money and (3) if the expected surpluses do not turn up, the military will be the first place raided for money to make up the shortfall.--Stephen V Cole