DOD Civil Work Chief Resigns After Five Months on Job
Mike Parker, the assistant secretary of the Army for civil works, quit suddenly on March 6, after just five months in his post. Outsiders say the White House pressed Parker to leave after he didn't strongly defend the Bush administration budget for the Corps of Engineers, which his office oversees. Lt. Col. Catherine Abbott, a Dept. of Defense spokesperson, said Parker wasn't asked to resign. Parker's office referred questions to Army public affairs.
President Bush proposed cutting the Corps budget 7%, to $4.3 billion in 2003. The reduction would be sharper for the Corps construction account: Bush proposed $1.4 billion for that program, down 16% from the 2002 appropriation. The budget has no money for new construction starts.