Perle Resigns as Chairman of the Defense Policy Board
NEWS RELEASE from the United States Department of Defense
No. 164-03 (703)697-5131(media) IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 27, 2003 (703)428-0711(public/industry)
PERLE RESIGNS AS CHAIRMAN OF THE DEFENSE POLICY BOARD
Below is the text of a letter received today by Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld from Richard Perle, chairman of
the Defense Policy Board:
With our nation at war and American troops risking their lives to protect our freedom and liberate Iraq, I am dismayed
that your valuable time, and that of others in the Department of Defense and the administration, might be burdened by
the controversy surrounding my chairmanship of the Defense Policy Board.
I have been privileged to serve you and my colleagues as chairman of the Policy Board for nearly two years. It has been
an honor to work with the Board to assure that you have had the best advice and counsel that its many experienced and
wise members can provide.
I have seen controversies like this before and I know that this one will inevitably distract from the urgent challenge
in which you are now engaged. I would not wish to cause even a moment's distraction from that challenge. As I cannot
quickly or easily quell criticism of me based on errors of fact concerning my resignation as chairman of the Defense
Policy Board.
You have my assurance that I have respected and abided by the rules that apply to the Defense Policy Board and other
advisory boards.
Finally, I am advising Global Crossing that I will not accept any compensation that might result from their pending
acquisition and that any fee for past service would be donated to the families of American forces killed or injured in
Iraq.
With respect and good wishes.
Richard Perle
[Web version: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Mar2003/b03272003_bt164-03.html]