Military

DATE=4/27/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=RUMSFELD/MIDEAST (L)

NUMBER=2-302621

BYLINE=GREG LAMOTTE

DATELINE=CAIRO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld is on a tour of the Gulf region. He also plans to travel to Afghanistan. V-O-A's Greg LaMotte reports the defense secretary's trip is, in part, to discuss the future of U-S military presence in the region.

TEXT: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Abu Dhabi as part of a tour of the region to thank U-S allies for their assistance in removing Saddam Hussein from power.

The United Arab Emirates allowed U-S forces to use its base at al-Dhafra for refueling aircraft and U-2 reconnaissance flights.

During his trip, details of which are being kept confidential for security reasons, Mr. Rumsfeld is also expected to discuss U-S military presence in the region now that U-S troops are in control of Iraq. Military analysts have said the United States will likely downsize the military presence that has caused widespread domestic dissent throughout the Arab world.

Mr. Rumsfeld said he planned to discuss the arrangement the United States has with its partners in the region, including neighboring Iraq. The defense secretary said he would stress the evolution that is taking place from major combat operations in Iraq to stability operations.

American military forces are currently using facilities in the U-A-E, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, where the U-S Central Command is located.

Mr. Rumsfeld is also planning to visit Afghanistan, but because he arrived in the U-A-E six-hours later than expected, that trip is to be rescheduled. Mechanical problems during a refueling stop in Ireland caused the delay.

Mr. Rumsfeld said his trip to Afghanistan will be to discuss declaring a formal end to combat operations and speed up reconstruction of that country. (SIGNED)

NEB/GL/ALW/RAE