Gates pleads for urgent efforts to cut defense waste and prepare for future security threats

Gates steps up campaign to slash defense waste

ABILENE, Kan. — Defense Secretary Robert Gates is stepping up his campaign to persuade the nation’s defense establishment to cut waste and learn to live with smaller growth in defense budgets.

Gates returned to his home state of Kansas to deliver a speech on defense spending Saturday afternoon. He’s the featured guest at a celebration of the 65th anniversary of Nazi Germany’s surrender ending World War II in Europe. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell says the speech is meant to be a “hard-hitting message” on the need for more efficient defense spending, particularly in light of the nation’s deep economic distress.

Gates is giving his speech at the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum in Abilene, the former president’s hometown.