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Rumsfeld Reviews Challenges of 2001
Thursday, December 27, 2001
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Rumsfeld said, DoD does not have "the freedom to manage the department effectively, so that we can really unleash a culture of innovation and begin turning waste into weapons."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
"What a difference three months makes," Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told reporters at a press conference here today.

Rumsfeld reviewed 2001 during the briefing. He said the Sept. 11 attack on the Pentagon that killed 184 people was the "toughest moment."

"On Sept. 11, the Pentagon and the Trade Towers were burning, the Taliban were in power, and Afghanistan was a reasonably safe haven for terrorists," Rumsfeld said. "Today, the fires are finally out, the Taliban have been driven from power, their leaders are on the run and, thanks to so many nations' efforts – and the extraordinary men and women of the defense establishment and the armed forces and the coalition forces -- Americans are celebrating this holiday season as they were meant to, in freedom."

Rumsfeld said DoD has much work still to do, and this is not limited to the war on terrorism. He reiterated the Bush administration's effort to transform the DoD and the military to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
(More: DoD News Source)
2001 © The United States Department of Defense.

Dan