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Spring Thaw Likely to Spark Attacks in Afghanistan
Friday, April 26, 2002
By Linda D. Kozaryn
American Forces Press Service

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld (center) talks with reporters April 25, 2002, aboard a U.S. Air Force C-32 bound forCentral Asia.
Image Credit: Linda D. Kozaryn -- AFIS.

"We, needless to say, prefer to be arranged in ways that give us more options rather than fewer options," Rumsfeld explained. "We therefore have activities in a number of the neighboring countries, as well as within (Afghanistan). Our basic interest is to have the ability to go into a country and have a relationship and have understandings about our ability to land or over fly and do things that are of mutual benefit."

SHANNON, Ireland -- AFIS
The spring thaw in Afghanistan may mean more al Qaeda and Taliban attacks on U.S. and coalition forces, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said Thursday on his way to Central Asia.

"My guess is that as … the weather improves, and as they find ways to communicate with each other, that they will probably again try to attack the interim authority and opposing factions in the country, as well as U.S. and coalition forces," the secretary said. The terrorists will try to "create an environment that is inhospitable for everyone except themselves," he told 12 reporters traveling with him.

Rumsfeld left Washington Thursday afternoon on his third trip to Central Asia since the United States launched military operations in October against the al Qaeda terrorist network and Afghanistan's Taliban regime.

His current five-day itinerary includes a stop in Afghanistan where he'll meet with leaders and visit some of the 6,000 U.S. service members in the country.

U.S. and coalition forces, Rumsfeld noted, are working with the Afghan interim authority to restore and maintain stability. The Germans, for example, are working with the Afghan government police forces to develop Afghanistan's border patrol. U.S. and coalition partners are also beginning to work with the Afghan national army.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

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