Powell to examine U.S. forces abroad

Colin Powell, former chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staffs and nominee for secretary of state, said Saturday (U.S. local date) that a thorough examination of U.S. forces throughout the world would be made soon after President-elect George W. Bush is sworn into office.

Powell said the various placements of U.S. forces, such as those in Bosnia, Kosovo and other areas, would be re-examined.

"Our armed forces are stretched rather thin, and there is a limit to how many of these deployments we can sustain, said Powell. "We are not cutting and running..... We are going to make a careful assessment of it in consultation with our allies, and then make some judgments after that assessment is completed."

He added that the study would not be to withdraw or reduce forces.