The Pentagon now foresees a much smaller round of base closings and consolidations, saying it has only half as much surplus space as previously estimated, according to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld. A report of The Associated Press said Rumsfeld is to submit his list of recommended closures and realignments to the independent Base Realignment and Closure Commission no later than May 16, and the commission is required by law to submit its final report to President George W. Bush by September 8. The Pentagon has kept an exceptionally tight lid on information about which bases might be closed or realigned. Rumsfeld is scheduled to testify publicly before the commission on May 16.
