NewsMax.com
Friday Sept. 21, 2001; 8:59 a.m. EDT
Rumsfeld: Nukes Not Considered for Terrorist Retaliation
Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld denied Friday morning that the Pentagon
is considering using tactical
nuclear weapons in retaliation for last week's terrorist attacks on New
York and Washington, contradicting
several reports that the nuclear option was being actively reviewed.
Appearing on Fox News Channel's "Fox and Friends" morning show, Rumsfeld
clarified the Pentagon's position on
a nuclear response to FNC's Tony Snow.
SNOW: There are reports that we are considering the use of tactical nuclear
weapons. Just for those not
familiar with the jargon, those are smaller grade nuclear weapons that can
be used on tactical targets rather
than strategic targets such as large cities.
RUMSFELD: We've not given consideration nor discussion to that particular
issue. You're going to hear so many
different things about what the United States may or may not do with
respect to financial matters or covert
matters or military matters. And I suspect that most of the people that are
offering those suggestions are
people that don't know much about what's going on. (End of Excerpt)
Citing "diplomatic sources," the Japan Times Online reported Thursday that
the Pentagon "has recommended to
President George W. Bush the use of tactical nuclear weapons as a military
option to retaliate for last week's
terrorist attacks in the United States."
Last Sunday, Rumsfeld gave rise to speculation that the U.S. was
considering a nuclear option when he dodged a
question about that possiblity on ABC's "This Week."
"The answer (to that question) was that that we ought to be very proud of
the record of humanity that we have
not used those weapons for 55 years. And we have to find as many ways
possible to deal with this serious
problem of terrorism," Rumsfeld said, without expressly addressing the
nuclear option.
-- Ronn! :)
God bless America,
Land that I love!
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam�
God bless America!
My home, sweet home.
-- Irving Berlin (1888-1989)
