WASHINGTON, (Islamweb & News Agencies)-US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says he cannot rule out military action against Iraq in the US-led war on terrorism. (Read photo caption below) He was speaking after the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister, Tariq Aziz, said he believed the US planned to attack 300 Iraqi targets with 1,000 missiles.
However, British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw dismissed the idea, telling America's ABC News he had seen no evidence to link Iraq with the 11 September attacks on New York and Washington.Mr Rumsfeld, also interviewed by ABC, said: "There is no question but that Iraq is a state that has committed terrorist acts and has sponsored terrorist acts."
He said that Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was a threat to other countries including the US and that many people - in and out of government - wished he were not there, adding: "And certainly, I'm one of them."
PHOTO CAPTION:
Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld points to a reporter as he gives a briefing at the Pentagon, October 29, 2001. The U.S. military will continue bombing Afghanistan's ruling Taliban and al Qaeda hide-outs, despite mounting concern in the region over civilian casualties, Rumsfeld said. (Win Mcnamee/Reuters)
- Oct 29 3:21 PM ET