US Would 'Finish it Fast' in War Against Iraq: Rumsfeld

Home>>World

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, November 15, 2002

US Would 'Finish it Fast' in War Against Iraq: Rumsfeld

If the United States uses military force to disarm Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Iraq probably would not be able to fight for very long, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Thursday.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

If the United States uses military force to disarm Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, Iraq probably would not be able to fight for very long, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Thursday.

"In the event that it becomes necessary, the United States would do it in a manner that would be respectful of human life on all sides, but would be determined to do the job and to finish it fast," Rumsfeld said on a call-in show on Infinity Broadcasting and National Public Radio stations.

The US defense chief noted that US-led coalition forces took only 100 hours to finish ground combat in the 1991 Gulf War.

"The Gulf War lasted five days. I can't say if the use of force would last five days or five weeks or five months, but it certainly isn't going to last any longer than that. It won't be a World War III," he said.

Rumsfeld skirted a question on whether the United States would respond with nuclear weapons if Saddam's forces were to use chemical or biological weapons.

"We are communicating with people in Iraq, in the military, very forcefully that they ought not to use those weapons," Rumsfeld said.

"Anyone in any way connected with weapons of mass destruction and their use will be held accountable, and people who helped avoid that would be advantaged," he said.

Iraqi Ambassador to the United Nations Mohammed Al-Douri, on Wednesday, told reporters after presenting a nine-page letter to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, that Iraq is "clean" of weapons of mass destruction and is ready to readmit inspectors.

"The letter said Iraq will deal with Security Council resolution 1441, despite its bad contents," he said.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Iraqis Hope for Peace after Baghdad Accepts UN Resolution

US War Plan for Iraq Calls for up to 80,000 Ground Forces

Russia Calls for Comprehensive Settlement of Iraqi Issue

Jiang Zemin Wins Respect for Absence in New Party Central Committee ( 2 Messages)

'Three Represents' to Become Party's Mission Statement ( 7 Messages)

Lured by Black Gold-Oil-- under Anti-Terrorism Banner ( 116 Messages)

China Objects US Blockade of Cuba ( 3 Messages)

China's Foreign Trade Totals 500 Billion US Dollars ( 4 Messages)