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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Saturday, February 08, 2003

US War with Iraq No Drag on: Defence Secretary

United States Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Friday said he did not expect a possible war with Iraq to last long.


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United States Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld on Friday said he did not expect a possible war with Iraq to last long.

Rumsfeld made the remark while he addressed US troops at an airbase near the northern Italian town of Aviano.

A possible conflict "could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months," said Rumsfeld, adding, "it is highly unlikely that we would go to a full mobilisation."

Rumsfeld told hundreds of American troops that a war against Iraq would certainly not mean the end of Washington's battle against international terrorism.

He said US President George W. Bush's administration has vowed to wage a firm battle against terrorism.

"You are what stands between freedom and fear," Rumsfeld told the troops. "The hopes of mankind depend on your success."

Rumsfeld arrived in Aviano from Rome where he met Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi and Defence Minister Antonio Martino.

After addressing the troops in Aviano he flew to Germany to take part in the 39th Annual international Munich Conference on Security Policy, where on Saturday he is scheduled to give a majorspeech.

Rumsfeld will also hold bilateral meetings with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Ivanov and German Defense Minister Peter Struck.


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