24 December 2003

Rumsfeld, Myers Discuss New Terrorism Alert, Force Levels, Other Issues, December 23, 2003

(Defense Department Report, December 23: Year End Operational Update)

There have been important achievements in the fight against terrorism during the past year, but it remains a difficult war that will not be over soon, says Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.

Speaking to reporters at a Pentagon briefing December 23, Rumsfeld said Americans should be thankful for the courage of the young men and women of the armed forces who have "put their lives at risk" ... in pursuit of ... "peace and freedom."

He said that Saddam Hussein will be "facing justice for his crimes, and the Iraqi people face a future not of fear, but of freedom." He said the U.S. military has helped to "capture or kill nearly two-thirds of the known senior al Qaeda operatives," terrorist cells have been broken, and terrorist attacks have been prevented on several continents.

Asked about the possibility of sending additional troops to Iraq, Rumsfeld said Defense Department personnel needs are always systematically reviewed, and needs would be met. He said the department is already considering what must be done regarding force composition when the conflict in Iraq comes to an end. He said that rebalancing among active and reserve forces would be needed, as well as some shift in activities between the two elements.

Rumsfeld also said the Defense Department was reviewing the policy of mandatory anthrax vaccinations for service members as a result of a recent court ruling that the department could not make the vaccinations mandatory. He said it was too early to tell what the department would do in that regard. "The lawyers are examining it ... and ... will be making a recommendation as to the way forward," he said.

Asked about the seriousness of the heightened terrorist attack alert level announced by the Department of Homeland Security December 21, Rumsfeld responded that it is not a decision that is taken lightly. He said it imposes additional stress and cost on federal, state and local governments and on military and civilian employees who are responsible for the protection of all Americans.

Richard Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- who recently returned from a trip to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Bahrain and Djibouti and participated in the briefing with Rumsfeld -- said the troops he saw are "doing just great." He also cited the critical role of military men and women stationed throughout the United States supporting the mission for homeland defense.

Myers said that Americans may notice higher levels of security over the holiday period as a result of the recent increase in the domestic threat level. Air patrols over certain cities may be visible, he said.

Asked about developments in Iraq following the capture of Saddam Hussein, Myers said coalition forces have captured additional regime elements as a result and gotten "more insight into ... how the former regime elements are structured." He also said that there has been an increase in the numbers of Iraqis willing to come forward and provide information to coalition forces.