Reply #28: Don't dwell on Iraq deaths, says Rumsfeld

[WearyOne]

Don't dwell on Iraq deaths, says Rumsfeld

WASHINGTON: Painting an optimistic picture of Iraq's future, the Defence Secretary, Donald Rumsfeld, has warned that the US mission in Iraq is "essential to protecting the lives of the American people".

Mr Rumsfeld said that progress in Iraq cannot be measured by the level of bloodshed or the number of terrorist attacks, and criticised news outlets for dwelling on violence in reports from Iraq.

His comments on Monday coincided with the Pentagon announcing the appointment of a retired four-star general to lead a taskforce to seek solutions to the threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IED), which have become the leading cause of death of US troops.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/dont-dwell-on-iraq-deaths-says-rumsfeld/2005/12/06/1133829597989.html