U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld today applauded the cooperation between Afghanistan and Pakistan in providing relief for the victims of the earthquake in South Asia. Rumsfeld, in a speech at the MacDill Air Force Base in Florida, said that he talked with Pakistan President Pervez Musharaff on Tuesday, and "I was interested that he particularly mentioned the fact that Afghanistan in assisting [with the relief], which is a good thing, to see that cooperation." Musharaff told Rumsfeld that "along the Line of Control in Kashmir, where there was damage as well, the Indian government and the Pakistan government are cooperating and working well together," according to the secretary. Rumsfeld added that the U.S. military will "do whatever we can to come to the aid of our good friends and allies at this time of their suffering." Rumsfeld also addressed the war on terrorism, in which, he said, "our global coalition is putting great pressure on the enemy all across the globe, staying on the attack, and keeping the terrorists on the run." He praised the performances of the Afghan and Iraqi security forces, defending their countries "at the risk not only of their lives, but in some cases, at the risk of the lives of their families." The secretary also tried to reassure the troops, acknowledging the difficult losses incurred by the U.S. military, but justifying them by saying: "It's the only means to secure our freedom and peace."
