Iraq War Will Be Long and Costly, Admits Rumsfeld

Iraq War Will Be Long and Costly, Admits Rumsfeld
Alex Belida
VOA,Pentagon
21 Nov 2003, 20:56 UTC


File Photo
Donald Rumsfeld

Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has again acknowledged the war on terrorism will be long and costly. Mr. Rumsfeld says that, in Iraq, despite fresh attacks, coalition forces will ultimately succeed.

Mr. Rumsfeld spoke to Pentagon employees, military and civilian, on the same day anti-coalition insurgents in Iraq launched new rocket attacks in Baghdad, using donkey carts as launch vehicles.

The attacks caused extensive damage, but few casualties. The Defense Secretary said such incidents would not deter the U.S.-led coalition.

"These attacks will not deter the coalition from its mission," he said. "The coalition will stay the course - 34 countries strong now, and they will stand and work and succeed."

Mr. Rumsfeld said much has been accomplished in the global war on terrorism over the past two years, especially in Iraq.

But he acknowledged further setbacks will occur, and predicted more American lives will be lost.

"The road ahead will not be easy," said Donald Rumsfeld. "There will be successes, to be sure, but there will also be setbacks and, regrettably, a price to be paid in lives and treasure."

Nearly 300 American military personnel have been killed in Iraq in hostile incidents, and more than 2,000 have been wounded. More than half of the U.S. deaths have occurred since the end of major combat operations was declared last May.