WASHINGTON – Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein yesterday that it won’t take very long to oust him from power once the war starts.
Rumsfeld’s tough talk during a critical European trip came as the U.S. buildup in the region continued to intensify, with the Japan-based aircraft carrier the USS Kitty Hawk ordered to become the fifth U.S. carrier in the Persian Gulf area.
With more than 150,000 troops and 500 aircraft in the region – and 100,000 troops and at least 200 more aircraft on the way – Pentagon officials told reporters the U.S. now has enough firepower in the Persian Gulf region to begin military operations against Iraq at any time.
“This is a critical time,” Rumsfeld told reporters on his way to Italy.
” . . . Momentum is building with respect to efforts to get Saddam to disarm.”
Later in the day, as he addressed U.S. troops at the Aviano Air Force base in Italy, Rumsfeld said he believes the high tech war plan will bring about a quick victory.
“It is not knowable how long that conflict would last,” Rumsfeld told the U.S. troops. “It could last six days, six weeks. I doubt six months.”