Rumsfeld: ‘Coalition Must Not Determine the Mission’
WASHINGTON – Secretary of Defense Donald
Rumsfeld declared Tuesday night: "We will not stop for
Ramadan. We will not stop for winter. And after the
Taliban and Al-Qaeda, we’ll get after the rest!”
Rumsfeld made his unequivocal remarks at a reception
and dinner by the Center for Security Policy while
introducing the center’s latest recipient of its "Keeper of
the Flame” award, former Secretary of Defense Dr.
James R. Schlesinger.
A former recipient of the same award, Rumsfeld was
interrupted by one of several standing ovations by the
black-tie audience of defense contractors,
congressional staff and ranking military when he said,
"The coalition must not determine the mission.”
Rumsfeld noted that it took 11 months for the U.S. to
launch its land campaign against Germany in World War
II. Contrary to that timetable, he said, the U.S. had
pulled together a coalition by Oct. 7, and after just one
month had flown more than 1,800 sorties in Afghanistan
and dropped 1.25 million humanitarian rations.
Rumsfeld Zaps Arrogant Media
"The World Trade Center is still smoking deep in the pile
of rubble, and the press is asking, ‘Why isn’t the war
over?’” Rumsfeld said, shaking his head.
In reference to U.S. forces on the ground, Rumsfeld
beseeched, "As we enjoy our dinners tonight, let’s not
forget those eating rations in the mountains of
Afghanistan.”
"Some are moving around the countryside on horseback
– part of our military’s transformation,” Rumsfeld added,
smiling.
On missile defense: "The ABM is irrelevant. Get on with
the 21st century. If the terrorists had had missiles on
September 11, they would not have hesitated to use
them,” Rumsfeld warned.
Former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, the
first recipient of the Keeper of the Flame award, was
also on hand to help introduce Schlesinger. He drew his
biggest applause by saying, "It’s so good to have an
administration we can be proud of!”
Weinberger, who delivers talks around the world on
defense matters, is set to tout his new autobiography,
"In the Arena.” According to his aides, he will offer his
insights on America’s new war via media interviews,
including BBC Radio, Fox News Channel and CNN.
In brief acceptance remarks, Schlesinger voiced
concern over a military budget that, in his opinion, did
not adequately account for replacing aged military airlift
planes.
He drew standing applause when he admonished that in
arms negotiations, "we must be prepared to walk away.”
"The ABM is just an instrument, not an object of
veneration,” Schlesinger said.
The Keeper of the Flame Award was inaugurated in
1990 by the Center for Security Policy "to bestow
recognition on those who devote their public careers to
the propagation of democracy, respect for individual
rights and polices of peace through American strength.”
Founded in 1988, the center disseminates information
and stimulates debate in the U.S. security
policy-making community.
Rumsfeld described Schlesinger, who, in addition to
defense secretary, served variously as secretary of
energy, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and
director of the CIA, as a "one-man multi-disciplinary
powerhouse.” He also noted that Schlesinger still
actively advised Congress.
Schlesinger, in turn, said that Rumsfeld and other
administration leaders were operating "under
tremendous pressure.” In a light aside he also noted that
Rumsfeld had "revived the horse cavalry.”
Among those recognized as in the audience by the
center’s President and CEO Frank J. Gaffney: Sen. Jon
Kyle, R-Ariz., and Rep. Chris Cox, R-Calif., who
recently led the House of Representatives in the Pledge
of Allegiance as millions of schoolchildren across
America and the president of the United States did the
same.
Also attending were Gen. James L. Jones, commandant
of the Marine Corps, and vice chairman of the Joint
Chiefs of Staff, Marine Gen. Peter Pace.
Despite the presence of many of the power elite,
attendees had a mixed impression of security at the
Four Seasons Hotel event. Caroline E. Katzin, a staff
member with the House committee on government
reform, recounted that a security person confronted her.
However, most attendees swept easily by the reception
table, and there were no metal detectors in general use.
Samuel D. Adcock of European Aeronautic Defense and
Space Co. noted that attendance at the annual event
has grown each year, with the current fete the best
attended to date.
Gaffney said that in wake of the Sept. 11 attacks, the
Center for Security Policy would be redoubling its
efforts in Washington, across the U.S. and
internationally. Part of the center’s dramatic changes, he
said, was a vastly more useful and user-friendly Web
site: http:www.CenterforSecurityPolicy.org.
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tom watson tosiwmee |
