US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Monday warned there was no time-frame for the US campaign on terror which was bigger than just Afghanistan, but said it would not last years as he wrapped up a whirlwind five-nation tour.
"The effort against terrorism will be something we have to pursue over a period of time," Rumsfeld said in a joint press conference with Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes.
"The effort against terrorism is a global one and involves terrorists wherever they are. This is much bigger than Afghanistan," he added.
Afghanistan only "happens to be the first problem. The president (George W. Bush) has been unambiguous that we will tackle terrorism wherever it is," he added.
But asked if the campaign would take years, he said "No, I don't."
"How long it will take I can't guess. Certainly we all hope it will take the least possible time."
Rumsfeld, speaking after talks in India at the end of his three-day trip through five countries to shore up support for the US-led campaign, also brushed aside fears that Pakistan's nuclear arsenal could fall into the wrong hands.
"I do not personally believe that there is a risk with respect to countries that have nuclear weapons," Rumsfeld said in response to a question about Pakistan.
"The countries that have nuclear weapons have a healthy respect of the power and lethality of these weapons and they take steps to manage their safe handling."
Rumsfeld left for Washington after talking to Fernandes "about terrorism in the broader sense, which has affected both our countries."
Rumsfeld's remarks come amid Indian calls for tougher action against anti-Indian Muslim militants based in Pakistani territory, who New Delhi says are engaged in terrorism in the disputed state of Kashmir.
Fernandes last month pledged to be "ruthless" against border infiltrators, after India shelled 11 Pakistani posts across their de facto border on October 15 in a "punitive" operation.
The United States and other Western powers have urged India to show restraint, fearing an outbreak of Indian-Pakistani violence as they try to hold together the coalition against the Taliban.
Rumsfeld's tour has taken him to Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Pakistan -- all allies in the war launched after the Taliban refused to surrender Osama bin Laden, accused of masterminding the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States that left more than 5,000 dead.
Public backing in many of the coalition members has begun to flag almost a month since the launch of US strikes.
Rumsfeld termed the US operation "an exercise in self-defense" and, amid rising concern about civilian casualties, said the bombing "cannot be any more attentive or precise."
The comment comes a day after Rumsfeld in Islamabad accused the Taliban of "actively lying" in reporting that as many as 1,500 people have been killed by the US bombing.
Fernandes, who had said Sunday he would press the United States to remove sanctions on military exports in place since the Cold War, said he spoke with Rumsfeld on building "a mutual defense-related partnership -- certain items that we need to acquire, collaborations that we can have."
Rumsfeld for his part also stressed the need "to be able to strengthen military-to-military ties" which he said were "so important".
He said most sanctions have been lifted or waived but said the "status of some other sanctions which I think are related to nuclear or missile technology is something which the State Department and the government of India will discuss" -- NEW DELHI, (AFP)
© 2001 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
