Rice Comes To Defense Of Rumsfeld

Rice comes to defense of Rumsfeld

http://washingtontimes.com/upi/20060...5135-8240r.htm

Apr. 20, 2006 at 8:28AM

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is refuting criticism of Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, saying he is facing an "enormous historical challenge."

Rice told the Chicago Sun-Times she didn't agree with the criticism in recent weeks by several retired generals of Rumsfeld's handling of the war in Iraq.

"We've all had to make difficult decisions. I would be the first to say that I'm sure not every decision has been a good decision," Rice said. "But this is a period of enormous historical challenge and change. And when you're in periods like this, some things are going to go wrong and some things are going to go right."

Rice also said she didn't take it personally earlier this month when Rumsfeld suggested she had a lack of understanding when she said thousands of tactical mistakes had been made in the Iraq campaign.

"Don Rumsfeld has been my friend for a long time ... And he's a really good secretary of Defense," she said.