Rumsfeld has until May 16 to recommend which domestic bases should be closed or realigned. His recommendations will be the basis for deliberations by the independent Base Closing and Realignment Commission, which will submit its own list to President Bush by Sept. 8.

The Pentagon wants to close some bases to save money over the long run, and base realignments are aimed at advancing the ability of the military services to operate and train together.

States and cities are trying to avoid closures by making the case that their bases are crucial for national security. They have hired high-powered lobbyists with Washington connections and tried to make their facilities — through new construction and other improvements — more resistant to closure.

The Pentagon declined to release a transcript of Rumsfeld's remarks to the editorial writers until their editorials have been published. Two of the writers confirmed in telephone interviews Friday that Rumsfeld made the statement that the reduction in base capacity would be less than half the 20 to 25 percent range.

J.R. Labbe, editorial writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, said she pressed Rumsfeld on this point, noting that his words suggested that only 10 to 12 percent of capacity would be eliminated in this round of base closings. She said Rumsfeld did not dispute her characterization.

"He did not try to back off on that," she said.

Andrea D. Georgsson, editorial writer for the Houston Chronicle, confirmed that Rumsfeld did not object to the 10 to 12 percent estimate, although he did not use those figures in his own comments.

Rumsfeld also made clear that he has not made final decisions about his set of recommendations to the commission. Pentagon officials say he might submit his recommendations next Friday rather than wait until the deadline of May 16.

"We still have to remain cautious," Bishop said. "Nothing is official yet and there is a lot of work that remains to be done in this process."

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