Rumsfeld says anti-terror campaign more like Cold War than a shooting war. Hints there may be no attack - 9/11

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 17:00:16 GMT

CAIRO (AP) - The U.S.-led struggle to defeat terrorism is more likely to resemble the West's decades-long contest against communism - fought on many fronts, often outside the military arena - than a major shooting war, U.S. Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Thursday. Rumsfeld's comments offered the strongest suggestion yet by the Bush administration that, while the U.S. military will play a role in rooting out terrorists, its contribution may be smaller than commonly assumed. U.S. military action also could come later rather than sooner. French Defence Minister Alain Richard said retaliation for the Sept. 11 terror attacks isn't likely for several weeks.