Collins detailed his consternation

in a letter sent to Army Secretary Thomas White and Defense Secretary

Donald Rumsfeld today, calling on the Army to keep its word and conduct

the selection process in an open manner, as Congress was assured would

be the case.

In meetings with the Army's

representative in February, Collins and several other Members of Congress

were assured that the Army would engage in a two phase selection process

consisting of integration of the selection criteria with overall "transformation"

goals, and the creation of a process by which potential communities and

installations would be allowed to publically comment and provide data

before any final decision was made.

In making a decision without

the promised public input, the Army has clearly mislead Congressional

Members, Collins wrote.

"Congress was promised

an open and accountable process, and the Army has intentionally chosen

to break that promise," Collins said. "We expect, when a representative

of any government agency tells Congress they will do something, that they

will do it."

Because of the Army's blatant

disregard to the agreed upon process, Collins threatened legislation that

will block the expenditure of public funds to relocate USARSO during the

next two fiscal years, or until such a time as the Army clearly defines

the criteria used in the Army's selection.

United States Army South's

mission promotes democracy, regional stability, and prosperity in the

Caribbean, Central and South America by engagement activities, drug interdiction

efforts, and contingency operations. USARSO currently resides at Fort

Buchanan in Puerto Rico.