Donald Rumsfeld in The Associated Press

On Homeland Security: Missile defense is a moral imperative

Rumsfeld sought to assure US allies and others opposed to President Bush’s plan for a national missile defense that it will be a “threat to no one.” He said building such a defense is a moral imperative as well as a security need. He provided no details on how Bush intends to proceed toward deployment of a nationwide shield against ballistic missile attack. But Rumsfeld made clear that while the allies will be consulted, they should not expect Washington to reverse course.

“No U.S. president can responsibly say that his defense policy is calculated and designed to leave the American people undefended against threats that are known to exist,“ Rumsfeld said. He said Bush would not wait until technology can provide for a perfect defense. He did not mention a timetable. ”It is not so much a technical question as a matter of a president’s constitutional responsibility,“ Rumsfeld said. ”Indeed, it is in many respects ... a moral issue.“

Source: A.P. in New York Times, on Bush Cabinet Feb 3, 2001

The above quotations are from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press in other publications. Click here for other excerpts from Columns and news articles distributed by the Associated Press in other publications. Click here for other excerpts by Donald Rumsfeld. Click here for a profile of Donald Rumsfeld.
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