WASHINGTON, 5 February 2003 — Weeks before the United States is contemplating launching a war against Iraq, the chief of US Central Command — who is in charge of commanding the US forces in the Gulf — is under investigation by the Pentagon’s chief inspector general regarding alleged abuse of his office.
Investigators have concluded that the Central Command chief probably violated some restrictions involving his wife, the Washington Post reported yesterday.
Gen. Tommy Franks has been under investigation since last summer, but the investigation has only now been made public, defense sources said. The outcome of any disciplinary decision is expected within a couple of weeks, but it is not clear what the outcome will be.
A subordinate blew the whistle on Gen. Franks, saying he violated the privilege of his position, specifically regarding his wife, Cathy.
Charges allege that Franks allowed his wife to sit in on secret briefings, in violation of military regulations.
Franks is also accused of assigning a military bodyguard to protect his wife, which is not permitted. And Franks allegedly assigned, on a full-time basis, a female soldier to assist his wife, also prohibited by the military. Another person told the Washington Post that investigators are exploring whether the government was properly reimbursed for all of Mrs. Franks’s travel aboard military aircraft.
Donald Rumsfeld, the secretary of defense, is the official expected to decide on what, if any, disciplinary actions will be taken against Gen. Franks.
“I want to emphasize that Gen.Franks has my full trust, respect and confidence,” Rumsfeld told journalists this week.
Gen. Franks has an ace up his sleeve, say observers. He is said to have a good working relationship with President Bush, and both men share the common bond of their Texas roots. Experts on military affairs do not think the announcement will have any affect on war planning.
“As an individual, he is important, but the overall war policy is established, so I don’t think this issue will affect that much,” said Robert Buzzanco, associate professor of History at the University of Houston, and author of several books, including: “Masters of War: Military Dissent and Politics in the Vietnam Era.”
“You can easily replace him, and someone else will carry out the same policies,” said Buzzanco. “There are a lot of people at the Pentagon who don’t want to do this war, and if it was an attempt by a dissident in the Pentagon to slow down the momentum of war, then this could be interesting.”
