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Coalition Members Show Solidarity at Pentagon
Monday, March 11, 2002
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

"Some have helped openly, others have helped quietly."

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Lined up with military representatives from 27 countries supporting the war on terrorism, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today said, "Six months after the war began, it is certainly far from over, but if we stand together ... the final outcome is assured."

The coalition guests standing with Rumsfeld were representatives from foreign embassies in Washington and from U.S. Central Command headquarters in Tampa, Fla. Calling a short press briefing after returning from President Bush's 9-11 commemoration at the White House moments before, Rumsfeld spoke about the scene at the Pentagon on Sept. 11.

"One could walk out these steps and see a peaceful blue sky … but if one turned to the northwest, you'd see black smoke, thick smoke and flame rising from this building," he said.

The attacks on the Pentagon and in New York killed thousands of innocents, he said. The attacks killed people from more than 80 countries and of all races and religions. He called the terror attacks "truly an attack against the world."

Australian army Col. Craig Orme is the senior Aussie representative at CENTCOM headquarters. "We live and work in what's called the Coalition Village at Central Command headquarters," he said during a press availability after Rumsfeld spoke. "It has worked well. We transmit any request that (U.S. Army) Gen. (Tommy) Franks has to the headquarters in Australia."

Orme said he's pleased with the way CENTCOM deals with coalition partners and that CENTCOM appears pleased with the information, intelligence and other capabilities the coalition partners provide. He said the cooperation within the coalition took some time to smooth out, but that liaison work has become routine.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

Dan