Rumsfeld pays tribute to British forces who served in Iraq
Donald Rumsfeld has paid tribute to the ‘valour and determination’ shown by British troops in Iraq.
Mr Rumsfeld met Tony Blair and Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon in London during the week, and told the News of the World that the ‘special relationship between Britain and America was ‘stronger than ever’.
He continued to say that: ‘The liberation of Iraq would not have been possible without the valour and determination of the British forces working side by side with American troops.’
‘The world is a safer place today because of the men and women in the Royal Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Army,’ Mr Rumsfeld praised.
‘We will never forget what they have done for their country, for the Iraqi people and for the world. Theirs was a great cause.’
In the article, the US Defence Secretary also paid a glowing tribute to the leadership of Tony Blair. He described the manner in which he conducted himself as ‘eloquent and unwavering’.
He then drew reference to the history between the two nations who: ‘stood together during two World Wars, the Cold War, in Afghanistan and in the global war against terror. Today, we stand together again.’
With regards to the future of Iraq, Mr Rumsfeld insisted it was not the goal of either Washington or London to impose its blueprint on Iraq: ‘Our nations covet no territory or resource or military base – only a safer world. The future of Iraq belongs to the Iraqi people.’
