This is from the November 2, 2003 program of Meet the Press.
Complete Video and Photos
Rumsfeld: One Way Or The Other (Small – 3 MB)
Tim Russert:
“You also reference to ‘the coalition can win Afghanistan and Iraq in one way or the other.’ What did you mean by that?”
Donald Rumsfeld:
“Oh, that it is (stops) We’re on a track, and we hope the track works, and I believe it is working. You take Afghanistan, Mr. Karzai and Loya Jirga have produced a bonn plan — a way ahead. It’s underway. Uh, will it stay on track exactly? I don’t know. I hope so. I think they’re doing a good job and we’re doing everything we can to help them and so are a lot of other countries, including NATO now. Um, but, but however that sorts out one way or another, that country is not gonna go back and become a terrorist training ground for the Al Queda.”
Tim Russert:
“That appears to be a much more pessimistic assessment than you have made publicly.”
Donald Rumsfeld:
“Not at all. I believe we’re doing well in Afghanistan, and said so.”
Tim Russert:
“And Iraq?”
Donald Rumsfeld:
“Well, I was gonna come to Iraq. Iraq is what it is. It is a tough, difficult situation. When you’re having people killed in the coalition, and we are, and our Iraqi allies being killed that are providing security, and Iraqi people being killed by these terrorists, it isn’t a pretty picture. It’s a tough picture.”