Military

DATE=11/21/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PENTAGON/RUMSFELD (L-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-310103

BYLINE=ALEX BELIDA

DATELINE=PENTAGON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has again acknowledged the war on terrorism will be long and costly. But as V-O-A Correspondent Alex Belida reports, Mr. Rumsfeld says that, in Iraq, despite fresh attacks, coalition forces will ultimately succeed.

TEXT: Mr. Rumsfeld spoke to Pentagon employees, military and civilian, on the same day anti-coalition insurgents in Iraq launched new rocket attacks in Baghdad, using donkey carts as launch vehicles.

The attacks caused extensive damage, but few casualties. The Defense Secretary said such incidents would not deter the U-S-led coalition.

/// RUMSFELD ACTUALITY ///

These attacks will not deter the coalition from its mission. The coalition will stay the course --- 34 countries strong now, and they will stand and work and succeed.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Mr. Rumsfeld said much has been accomplished in the global war on terrorism over the past two years, especially in Iraq.

But he acknowledged further setbacks will occur, and predicted more American lives will be lost.

/// RUMSFELD ACTUALITY ///

The road ahead will not be easy. There will be successes, to be sure, but there will also be setbacks and, regrettably, a price to be paid in lives and treasure.

/// END ACTUALITY ///

Nearly 300 American military personnel have been killed in Iraq in hostile incidents, and more than two-thousand have been wounded. More than half of the U-S deaths have occurred since the end of major combat operations was declared last May. (SIGNED)

NEB/BEL/TW/FC