Easley to again address war's demands on National Guard

RALEIGH (AP) -- Expect to hear more today from Governor Mike Easley about the demands of the Iraq war on the National Guard.

Easley has been outspoken on the issue, talking about the stress the war places on the Guard on behalf of the National Governor's Association.

He said last week the North Carolina National Guard has about half of the equipment it needs. The rest been diverted to the war in the Middle East.

Easley says that's left the state Guard able to respond to a hurricane, but he wonders about the ability to handle a pandemic or other natural disaster.

Easley is scheduled to talk about the problem again today with Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy, who is a co-chair of the Senate's National Guard Caucus.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)