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Rumsfeld tough days ahead { March 23 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20030323-115026-7008r.htm http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20030323-115026-7008r.htm Rumsfeld: Tough days ahead Roland Flamini UPI International Editor Published March 23, 2003 WASHINGTON, March 23 (UPI) -- Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld confirmed reports that some U.S. soldiers were missing Sunday and the Pentagon later said they had been captured by Iraq. However, speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" program, Rumsfeld also said he had no information on Iraqi claims that an allied plane had crashed in Baghdad. He said the televised scenes of Iraqi soldiers hunting for the downed pilot, including firing their weapons into the Tigris River, was staged for propaganda purposes. Rumsfeld also declared that, in the absence of indications to the contrary, "We have to assume (Saddam Hussein) is alive and well." Asked whether the Iraqi leader is in control, he said, "we're getting reports that the leadership is in some disarray." Later in the interview, he speculated that Saddam might even have crossed the Iraqi border and left the country. Asked how the Iraqi Foreign Minister Najib Sabri had slipped out of Baghdad to attend an Arab League summit in Cairo, Rumsfeld said, "The Iraqi border is porous, like ours with Mexico and Canada. Saddam could have gotten out (across the border)." But he did not elaborate on this possibility. Iraq has a borders with Turkey, Jordan, Iran and Syria. The most friendly of those countries to Baghdad would be Syria. But there has been no indication from Damascus that Saddam is there. Rumsfeld warned that, "There have to be tough days ahead. War is unpredictable." He said how long the war would last was "not knowable" and neither was the number of casualties. As coalition forces closed in on Baghdad, "There was a possibility that we will meet some degree of resistance for a period." Meanwhile, there were "people on the ground" in contact with Iraqis, urging them to surrender. He would not be specific, but said the secret contacts did not extend to the Iraqi leadership. Copyright © 2003 News World Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to the article

baghdad-bombing beginning-war celebration colateral-damage friendly-fire grenade-soldier iraq-downfall jessica-lynch media missile-mishaps northern other-cities south-advance us-casualties US-POWs warplan 75 billion not even close { April 4 2003 } Alqaeda fighting with iraqis { March 28 2003 } American flag raised { March 21 2003 } American idol might leave { March 26 2003 } Australians support war now { March 25 2003 } Back code yellow Bosnia iraq arms scandal { April 3 2003 } British officer punched kicked prisoners Bush budget doesnt add up { March 25 2003 } Bush has solid support Bush mental breakdown Buying tribes from saddam Buying tribes { April 3 2003 } Cheneys daughters not human shields { March 26 2003 } Demands russia cease iraq aid Dirty war cuts both ways { March 2003 } Dolphins clear landmines Dolphins enlisted locate mines { March 26 2003 } Fbi questions us iraqis German intelligence gave US iraqi defense plan { February 27 2006 } Intentially destroy water supplies Iraq accuses israel Iraqi city water shortage { March 24 2003 } Iraqi deserter desperate days Iraqi plots to kill americans { March 29 2003 } Israel obligated to defend { March 16 2003 } Jail of evil Marines avenge blood executed gis { March 25 2003 } Marines dropped devices similar to napalm Marines line up iran border Missile hits kuwait Monster saddam now hero Navy dolpins awol { March 29 2003 } Officials confirm dropping firebombs { August 5 2003 } Officials defiant { March 23 2003 } Phoenix power plant threat { March 20 2003 } Pows guantamo bay { April 1 2003 } Reports moab used Rumsfeld tough days ahead { March 23 2003 } Russia provided iraq intelligence Saddam vows to fight { March 18 2003 } Saddam warns of world war Saudis help with cheap oil and air bases { April 25 2004 } Seize airports Senate slashes bush tax cut { March 26 2003 } Soldiers pray pamphlets Us admits used napalm bombs Us capture chemical plant Us leaves british with oilfields { March 21 2003 } Using du illegal Weather forecast secrets { March 25 2003 } Whats next korea iran { April 3 2003 } Files Listed: 52

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