14 October 2005

(Defense Secretary lauds effort of soldiers, citizens in Iraq, Afghanistan)

Washington -- The goal of the global War on Terror is "victory -- unconditional, unapologetic, and unyielding," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says, even as the terrorists pursue a test of wills in which their goal is not to win militarily but to outlast the coalition.

At a town hall meeting October 13 at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, the secretary of defense praised the U.S. forces and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan who he said are on the front line of this effort.  He also highlighted Iran's efforts to thwart U.S. and coalition success in Iraq.

Rumsfeld praised Iraqi and Afghan security forces for taking increasing responsibility for defending their territory against terrorists.  He also said the U.S.-led counterterrorist coalition "is putting great pressure on the enemy … staying on the attack and keeping the terrorists on the run."

The secretary cited the ballots cast for democratic governments by millions of Afghans and Iraqis, in spite of terrorist intimidation and bombings, as "an amazing accomplishment.”

"And let there be no doubt," Rumsfeld continued, "the people who agree to run and serve in those [elected] posts are under constant threat of assassination, of punishment for them, their families, their friends, their neighbors, and they've shown enormous courage."

He pointed out that Afghan security forces currently are suffering at a rate that is twice as high as that of the U.S.-led coalition forces of soldiers who are being killed in action.

"They are out there doing their job … defending their country …  [a]nd … doing so at the risk not only of their lives, but in some cases at the risk of the lives of their families," Rumsfeld said.

Asked about reports that Iran is aiding the insurgency in Iraq, Rumsfeld confirmed that "we have found weaponry from Iran of recent vintage in Iraq recently."  It is a clear concern, he said, although it still is uncertain to what extent the Iranian government actually may be complicit.  In any event, he said, "The weapons didn't just walk in there, they were brought in."

The secretary also stated that "there are certainly Iranian intelligence agents in Iraq attempting to affect the nature of the playing field there."  By that he meant Iraq's current efforts to create a working democracy.  That process is difficult, he said, leaving the Iraqis vulnerable to outside manipulation.  Iranian and Syrian interference in Iraq’s internal affairs, Rumsfeld said, is harmful and creates the "uneven playing field."

"What one can be absolutely certain of is that the Iranians do not want a flourishing democracy in Iraq," he said.

The transcript of Rumsfeld’s town hall remarks is available on the Defense Department Web site.