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RUMSFELD: Australia 'Steadfast Ally' in Anti-Terror War
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service

"The terrible experience at Bali has only reinforced our determination to defeat this scourge of terror, no matter where it may be," Australian Defense Minister Hill noted, adding that the Bali attack emphasizes the global nature of the terrorism threat.

WASHINGTON -- AFIS
Australia is a steadfast, valued ally that's united with the United States in the war on global terrorism, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said here today.

Senior Australian defense officials were in Washington to attend this year's annual defense meetings between their nation and the United States. Last year's meeting was held in Canberra, Australia.

Rumsfeld spoke to reporters at a State Department press conference along with Secretary of State Colin L. Powell, and Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and Defense Minister Robert Hill.

"We've had excellent discussions on the war on terrorism and the situation in Asia, more broadly, the security environment there," the U.S. defense secretary noted.

Australia "was one of the first countries to join with us" after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks on the United States, Rumsfeld remarked. Australian troops "fought shoulder-to-shoulder" with U.S. forces in Afghanistan and played an important role in ejecting the Taliban and al Qaeda from their former haven, he noted.
(More: DoD News Source)
2002 © The United States Department of Defense.

Dan