Army Chief Digs In Over Flap

Army Secretary Thomas E. White has no plans to resign despite criticism from Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld over the service resisting cancellation of its controversial new $11-billion artillery system, Army officials said Monday.

But Pentagon officials said White is on a collision course with Rumsfeld after last week’s thrust to get support in Congress for the long-range self-propelled 155-millimeter Crusader howitzer after White was told it was being scrapped.

“As far as I know, Secretary White has told aides that he has no intention of resigning,” one senior Army official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters.

But two senior Pentagon officials, who also asked not to be identified, said the Army’s inspector general was expected to send the results of an investigation to Deputy Defense Secretary Paul D. Wolfowitz as early as today.

“Secretary Rumsfeld has not accused Secretary White of anything,” one of the officials said. “But the secretary is serious about accepting decisions.”

The Pentagon announced an inquiry Friday into whether the Army tried to thwart cancellation of the system, which is at the heart of a debate over how best to modernize the military.

The conflict over the Crusader is part of Rumsfeld’s effort to cancel what he deems outdated weapon programs despite vested interests.

Pentagon spokeswoman Victoria Clarke said last week that Rumsfeld planned to hold accountable anyone found guilty of “inappropriate behavior.”

White was told of the planned cancellation of the Crusader by Wolfowitz on April 30. “Sometime after the deputy met with Secretary White ... , there were people making comments, there were talking points and fax sheets being sent around that did not support that direction,” Clarke said.