• Corporate downsizing and the American inclination to invest in unproven high-tech companies because of their rapid stock price appreciation in anticipation of future earnings, rather than defense firms with proven earnings records, should be viewed with concern because of the effects on the defense industrial base.
  
  
• The U.S. government should abandon counterproductive practices that damage the relationship between government and defense industry.
  
  
• More stable defense budgets and vigorous efforts to streamline and greatly shorten the acquisition process are essential to preserving a vibrant defense sector.
  
  
• Transatlantic defense collaboration will reinforce interoperability while helping to diminish defense budget cleavages between the United States and Europe.
  
  
• A European Security and Defense Identity (ESDI) will help to reinforce transatlantic relations to the extent that it fields robust capabilities and does not undermine NATO, de-couple the United States from European security, or duplicate existing capabilities.

page created 31 October 2000

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