USCNS/21 PRESS RELEASES

NEW OPEN FORUM FOR NATIONAL SECURITY STUDY GROUP

The Department of Defense today launched Americas Future Forum, a new debate forum posted on the National Security Study Groups Internet web site at www.nssg.gov.

The forum will provide the public an opportunity to contribute their ideas on what the United States will look like in 2025. The Americas Future Forum solicits views on the range of factors that will shape the countrys future, including demographics, economics, civic culture, and issues of national identity.

Americas Future Forum is the newest of the websites interactive features. Other discussion topics up for debate on the web site include the nature of national security in the next century, the world in 2025, and the future of technology.

The study group is also known as the Hart-Rudman Commission after its co-chairmen, former Senators Gary Hart and Warren Rudman. The group is tasked with developing a national security strategy for the 21^{st Century.}

The NSSG website is unique in that this is the first time a government-sponsored study has maintained a permanent direct connection with the American public during its drafting process.

NEW WEBSITE FOR NATIONAL SECURITY STUDY GROUP

The Department of Defense today announced an Internet website for the National Security Study Group (NSSG), now known as the Hart-Rudman Commission after its two co-chairmen, former senators Gary Hart and Warren Rudman.

Available at www.nssg.gov, the website will provide public access on the process of developing a national security strategy for the 21st century.

The site offers several features, including: a review of the NSSG charter and history, a databank on advisory board members and professional staff, a reports section, an events calendar, and a variety of ways for the general public to comment on and contribute to the work of the study group. The extensive interactive features of the website are unique in that this is the first time that a government-sponsored study has maintained such a direct connection with the American public during its drafting process.

DOD ESTABLISHES THE BOREN-RUDMAN COMMISSION

Secretary of Defense William Cohen announced the formation and first meeting of the National Security Study Group, which will be headed by former Sens. David Boren and Warren Rudman.

The National Security Study Group, known as the Boren-Rudman Commission, will be a two and one-half year effort to: determine the global security environment of the first quarter of the 21st century; analyze the character of the nation during that timeframe and develop an appropriate national security strategy; and to recommend alternatives to the current national security apparatus and processes to implement the new strategy.

Cohen stressed the bipartisan nature of what is described as the most comprehensive review of the national security environment, processes, and organizations since the National Security Act of 1947. Boren and Rudman indicated that the work of the commission will be focused on the future with the goal of providing the next administration and the 107^th Congress with a roadmap for ensuring a viable security strategy and structure for the first 25 years of the new century.

The charter for the group was published on July 1, 1998, and the initial meeting was held on Oct. 6, 1998, at which Cohen provided his guidance. Speaker Newt Gingrich also attended, pledging congressional support for this important endeavor.

Invited to participate as members of the Boren-Rudman Commission are:

Stephen Ambrose, noted historian and author.

Anne Armstrong, former U.S. ambassador to the United Kingdom and chairperson of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.

Norm Augustine, former chairman and chief executive officer of Lockheed Martin.

Lynne Cheney, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute.

Bud Dancy, former NBC White House and diplomatic correspondent.

John Galvin, retired general and former NATO commander.

Les Gelb, president of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Gary Hart, former senator from Colorado.

Lee Hamilton, retiring congressman from Indiana.

Lionel Olmer, former undersecretary of Commerce and member of the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.

Don Rice, chief executive officer UroGenesys and former secretary of the Air Force.

Henry Schacht, director and senior advisor to Lucent Technologies.

Jim Schlesinger, former secretary of Defense and Energy, and former director of the CIA.

Harry Train, retired admiral and former commander of NATO Atlantic forces.

Pete Wilson, retiring as governor of California.

Andrew Young, former mayor of Atlanta and former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

A study group consisting of more than 30 scholars, retired military officers, and former career intelligence and Foreign Service officers will support the work of the commission. In addition, the commission will seek extensive input from a wide range of experts in business, academia, the private sector and key former and current security experts, both in the United States and abroad. Retired Air Force Gen. Chuck Boyd will serve as executive director of this study group.

U.S. COMMISSION ON NATIONAL SECURITY/21ST CENTURY

PHASE 1 REPORT RELEASE

 NEW WORLD COMING --  AMERICAN SECURITY IN THE 21^ST CENTURY

 The first report of the United States Commission on National Security/21^st Century (USCNS/21), New World Coming:  American Security in the 21^st Century, will be released at 2 pm Wednesday, September 15^th, 1999 at the National Press Club (Holeman Lounge), 529 14^th Street, NW.   Former Senators Gary Hart and Warren Rudman, Co-Chairs of the Commission, will discuss the national and international security environment for the first quarter of the 21^st century. 

The USCNS/21 represents the most comprehensive review of U.S. national security since the original law was signed in 1947.  Maintaining that national security must be viewed differently in the next century, the Commission considers future opportunities and challenges in political, economic, military, societal, and technological terms.  New World Coming sets the stage for the next two phases of the Commission's work.

Over the next 18 months, the group will draft a national security strategy and identify the structures and processes necessary for its implementation.  The Commission's subsequent reports are due in April of 2000 and February of 2001.  The USCNS/21 was chartered by the Secretary of Defense in 1998 with the support of the Congress and Administration. 

Further information about the Commission, its members, and its report can be found on the Internet at http://www.nssg.gov or call Hank Scharpenberg at 703-602-4175