1 US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld speaks to troops at Manas Airbase in Kyrgyzstan, April, 2005. Kyrgyzstan is seeking to sharply increase, to 50 million dollars (41.4 million euros) a year, the amount the United States pays for the airbase which supports US troops in Afghanistan(AFP/Pool/File/Gerald Herbert) 2 Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah meets with U.S. Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait City, in this Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004 file photo. Sheik Saad Al Abdullah Al Sabah was named as the new Emir of Kuwait following the death of Sheik Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah who died Sunday Jan. 15, 2006. (AP Photo/Larry Downing, Pool) 3 Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, right, accompanied by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace meets with reporters at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006 to discuss the situation in Iraq. (AP Photo/Heesoon Yim) 4 Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, right, accompanied by Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Peter Pace meets with reporters at the Pentagon in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006 to discuss the situation in Iraq. (AP Photo/Heesoon Yim) 5 President George W. Bush speaks while surrounded by past and present secretaries of state and defense after their meeting about the war in Iraq in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington January 5, 2006. Facing the camera are (L-R) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace, former secretary of defense William Cohen (under former president Bill Clinton), General George Casey, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former secretary of state Colin Powell. (Kevin Lamarque/Reuters) 6 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is seen in Fallujah, December 23, 2005. James Clapper, a retired Air Force general, will step down as director of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency on June 13, officials said. The Baltimore Sun, which first reported Clapper's departure, said he was being forced out after angering Rumsfeld on an issue involving intelligence reform. (Jim Young/Reuters) 7 US President George W. Bush (seated left of center) speaks with reporters following a meeting with former secretaries of defense and state about the war in Iraq, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC. Seated at the table clockwise from the President are: former secretaries of state Colin Powell, Madeleine Albright, Lawrence Eagleburger, James Baker III, George P. Schultz, Alexander Haig and former defense secretaries Robert S. McNamara, Melvin Laird, James Schlesinger, Harold Brown, Frank Carlucci, William Perry, General George Casey, Commander of US forces in Iraq, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney.(AFP/Tim Sloan) 8 From left: U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Education Secretary Margaret Spellings laugh as President George W. Bush speaks at the State Department in Washington January 5, 2006. Confronting a dire shortage of U.S. foreign language speakers, the Bush administration on Thursday announced a plan to boost teaching of 'critical' languages such as Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Hindi and Farsi. The White House will ask Congress for $114 million in the 2007 budget to initiate the plan. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 9 President Bush pauses for a photograph on Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, with present and former Secretaries of State and Defense in the Oval Office at the White House. Bush met with the bipartisan group to discuss the war in Iraq. From left is former Secretary of Defense Harold Brown, former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger, former Secretary of State James Baker, former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former Secretary of Defense James Schlesinger, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State George Schultz, former Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird, former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former Secretary of State Alexander Haig, former Secretary of Defense Frank Carlucci, former Secretary of Defense William Perry, and former Secretary of Defense William Cohen. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 10 U.S. President George W. Bush speaks during a meeting about the war in Iraq with past and present secretaries of state and defense in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington January 5, 2006. Seated near Bush from left are Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 11 U.S. President George W. Bush speaks while surrounded by past and present secretaries of state and defense after their meeting about the war in Iraq in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington January 5, 2006. Facing the camera are (L-R) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Peter Pace, former secretary of defense William Cohen (under former U.S. president Bill Clinton), General George Casey, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and former secretary of state Colin Powell. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 12 President Bush speaks with members of the media, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, as he met with present and former Secretaries of State and Defense in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. Bush is pressing ahead with a public relations offensive on Iraq, bringing a bipartisan group of former secretaries to the White House for give-and-take on the unpopular military mission. Left to right are Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 13 President Bush, center, meets Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006, with present and former Secretaries of State and Defense in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. Bush is pressing ahead with a public relations offensive on Iraq, bringing a bipartisan group of former secretaries to the White House for give-and-take on the unpopular military mission. Left to right are Secretary of State Donald H. Rumsfeld, Vice President Dick Cheney, Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and former Secretary of State Colin Powell. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 14 Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld discusses operations and strategy in Iraq during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill, in this Sept. 29, 2005, file photo. (AP Photo/Dennis Cook/FILE) 15 CAPTION CORRECTION - CORRECTING YEAR U.S. President George W. Bush (R) walks from the rostrum after speaking about the global war on terror after meetings at the Pentagon January 4, 2006. On his way out, Bush passes National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice (L), Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (2nd L) and Vice President Dick Cheney (2nd R). Bush said it may be possible to discuss with Iraqi leaders reducing some U.S. troops in Iraq later this year if the country makes progress on the security and political fronts. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 16 US soldiers stand with US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (back center), December 2005 in Afghanistan. US President George W. Bush said the United States was making 'amazing' progress in democracy and security in Afghanistan but he vowed that substantial US forces would remain there until the 'war on terror' was completed(AFP/POOL/File) 17 U.S. President George W. Bush speaks about Iraq and Afghanistan after being briefed by top brass at the Pentagon January 4, 2006. Standing with Bush from left are National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney. Bush said it may be possible to discuss with Iraqi leaders reducing some U.S. troops in Iraq later this year if the country makes progress on the security and political fronts. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 18 U.S. President George W. Bush walks to the rostrum to speak about about Iraq and Afghanistan after being briefed by top brass at the Pentagon January 4, 2006. Smiling behind him are Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Peter Pace (L), National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Bush said it may be possible to discuss with Iraqi leaders reducing some U.S. troops in Iraq later this year if the country makes progress on the security and political fronts. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque 19 U.S. soldiers celebrate the New Year at IZ hospital in Baghdad, January 1, 2006. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recently that the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early 2006, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani 20 U.S. soldiers are silhouetted as they dance during a new year celebration at the IZ hospital in Baghdad, January 1, 2006. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recently, the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early 2006, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani 21 U.S. soldiers' weapons lie on the floor as they celebrate the New Year at the IZ hospital in Baghdad, January 1, 2006. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recently, the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early 2006, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani 22 An U.S. soldier blows a horn as they celebrate the New Year at the IZ hospital in Baghdad, January 1, 2006. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recently, the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early 2006, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani 23 U.S. soldiers toast during merrymaking as they celebrate the New Year at the IZ hospital in Baghdad January 1, 2006. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recently the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early 2006, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani 24 U.S. soldiers dance as they celebrate the New Year at IZ hospital in Baghdad, January 1, 2006. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recently, the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early 2006, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani 25 U.S. women soldiers drink non-alcoholic champagne during merrymakings as they celebrate the New Year at IZ hospital in Baghdad, January 1, 2006. U.S Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recently, the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early 2006, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani 26 U.S. soldiers sing as they celebrate the New Year at the IZ hospital in Baghdad, January 1, 2006. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recently, the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early 2006, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani 27 U.S. soldiers dance as they celebrate the New Year at IZ hospital in Baghdad, January 1, 2006. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said recently, the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early 2006, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Thaier al-Sudani 28 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld spends Christmas Eve with soldiers in Mosul, Iraq, December 24, 2005. (Jim Young/Reuters) 29 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) serves Christmas dinner to soldiers in Mosul, Iraq, December 24, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. (Jim Young/Reuters) 30 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) serves Christmas dinner to soldiers in Mosul, Iraq, December 24, 2005. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to thank the troops for their service leading into the holiday season. (Jim Young/Reuters) 31 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld spends Christmas Eve with soldiers in Mosul, Iraq, December 24, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Jim Young 32 A U.S. soldier runs beside a U.S. tank after it was hit by a roadside bomb in Baghdad December 25, 2005. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Ceerwan Aziz 33 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld attends a medal ceremony for soldiers in the 173rd Airborne at an air base in Khandahar, Afghanistan December 22, 2005. (Jim Young/Reuters) 34 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (C) presents a medal of valour to Sgt. Kenneth Stover (L) as soldiers watch from a rooftop during a medal ceremony before he left for Baghdad, in Khandahar, Afghanistan December 22, 2005. (Jim Young/Reuters) 35 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) speaks at a news conference with U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad in Baghdad December 22, 2005. (Jim Young/Reuters) 36 Iraq's Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari (R) sits during a meeting with Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad, December 23, 2005. (Wathiq Khuzaie/Pool/Reuters) 37 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (C) is surrounded by soldiers after a Town Hall meeting in Fallujah, Iraq, December 23, 2005. (Jim Young/Reuters) 38 A U.S. soldier from Headquarters Company, 126 Armour, plays with toy tanks inside Camp Freedom in Baghdad December 24, 2005. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on Friday said the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase REUTERS/Erik de Castro 39 A U.S. soldier from Headquarters Company, 126 Armour, wears a holiday hat while holding a weapon on an armoured vehicle before going on patrol in Baghdad December 24, 2005. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase REUTERS/Erik de Castro 40 A U.S. soldier from the Headquarters Company, 126 Armour plays with a stuffed toy on an armoured vehicle before going on patrol inside Camp Freedom in Baghdad December 24, 2005. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Erik de Castro 41 US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld(L) serves Christmas dinner to soldiers in Mosul. Rumsfeld warmly thanked the soldiers for their service in Iraq and to their country.(AFP/POOL/Jim Young) 42 A U.S soldier from the Headquarters Company, 126 Armour holds a teddy bear on an armoured vehicle before going on patrol inside Camp Freedom in Baghdad December 24, 2005. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase REUTERS/Erik de Castro 43 U.S. soldiers from the Headquarters Company, 126 Armour play with their toy tanks inside Camp Freedom in Baghdad December 24, 2005. U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Erik de Castro 44 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) serves Christmas dinner to soldiers in Mosul, Iraq, December 24, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Jim Young 45 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) serves Christmas dinner to soldiers in Mosul, Iraq, December 24, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. Army General George Casey, the U.S. commander in Iraq, later told reporters that the U.S. force would be reduced to a new baseline of about 130,000 from the current standard level of 138,000. REUTERS/Jim Young 46 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) talks with Major Darius Galligos prior to serving Christmas dinner to soldiers in Mosul, Iraq, December 24, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Jim Young 47 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) serves Christmas dinner to soldiers in Mosul, Iraq, December 24, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Jim Young 48 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld enters the Spearhead Palace in Mosul, Iraq December 24, 2005. Rumsfeld is in Iraq to thank the troops for their service leading into the holiday season. REUTERS/Jim Young 49 A machine gun is reflected in a soldier's visor while providing cover for Black Hawk helicopter over Baghdad, Iraq, December 24, 2005. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. Army General George Casey, the U.S. commander in Iraq, later told reporters that the U.S. force would be reduced to a new baseline of about 130,000 from the current standard level of 138,000. REUTERS/Jim Young 50 Soldiers wearing Santa hats stand around Commanding General Multi-National Force Iraq Gen. George Casey in Baghdad, Iraq, December 24, 2005. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. Casey, the U.S. commander in Iraq, later told reporters that the U.S. force would be reduced to a new baseline of about 130,000 from the current standard level of 138,000. REUTERS/Jim Young 51 U.S. soldiers Major Anthony Hale (L) and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Renaud wearing Santa hats as they provide security around the Al Faw Palace for U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in Baghdad, Iraq, December 24, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. Army General George Casey, the U.S. commander in Iraq, later told reporters that the U.S. force would be reduced to a new baseline of about 130,000 from the current standard level of 138,000. REUTERS/Jim Young 52 U.S. soldier Chief Warrant Officer 2 Jonathan Renaud wears a Santa hat as he provides security around the Al Faw Palace for U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in Baghdad, Iraq, December 24, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat forces in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the numbers involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. Army General George Casey, the U.S. commander in Iraq, later told reporters that the U.S. force would be reduced to a new baseline of about 130,000 from the current standard level of 138,000. REUTERS/Jim Young 53 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) shakes hands with General George Casey, U.S. Commander in Iraq, after arriving by cargo plane in Baghdad, Iraq December 22, 2005. (Jim Young/Reuters) 54 US Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld(L) and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani listen to questions during a news conference in Baghdad. Rumsfeld said on a visit to Baghdad that the United States will withdraw some of its combat forces from Iraq early next year.(AFP/POOL/Jim Young) 55 US General George Casey, Commanding General Multi-National Force Iraq, speaks during a news conference in Baghdad. Casey said that US President George W. Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had accepted his recommendation not to deploy two brigades scheduled for deployment next year.(AFP/POOL/Jim Young) 56 US soldiers of the 1st battalion 327th infantry regiment check a car while on patrol in the northern Iraqi city of Hawijah. US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on a visit to Baghdad that the United States will withdraw some of its combat forces from Iraq early next year.(AFP/Filippo Monteforte) 57 Iraqi soldiers secure a road to a polling station in the town of Al Amarah in British-patrolled southern Iraq December 15, 2005. Guerrillas stormed an Iraqi army post on Friday, killing 10 soldiers and wounding 20, as Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told U.S. combat troops their numbers would fall as Iraqi forces were trained to take over. (Damir Sagolj/Reuters) 58 A U.S. soldier mans a machine gun to provide cover for a Black Hawk helicopter as they fly over Baghdad, Iraq, December 23, 2005. U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Jim Young 59 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld addresses soldiers during a Town Hall meeting in Fallujah, Iraq, December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Jim Young 60 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) and Iraqi President Jalal Talabani listen to questions during a news conference in Baghdad, Iraq, December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld announced a reduction in the size of the U.S. force in Iraq by two combat brigades by next year, taking the number of troop levels to below 138,000 which existed prior to the recent presidential elections. REUTERS/Jim Young 61 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) speaks at a news conference as Gen. George Casey, Commanding General Multi-National Force Iraq, listens in Baghdad, Iraq, December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Jim Young 62 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) meets Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Baghdad, Iraq December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Jim Young 63 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) listens to Lieutenant-General Marty Dempsey speak at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center in Amman, Jordan December 23, 2005. REUTERS/Jim Young 64 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) and Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari arrive for a news conference in Baghdad, Iraq December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Jim Young 65 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld speaks at the King Abdullah II Special Operations Training Center in Amman, Jordan December 23, 2005. REUTERS/Jim Young 66 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) is saluted after arriving on a military transport plane in Amman, Jordan December 23, 2005. REUTERS/Jim Young 67 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld addresses soldiers during a Town Hall meeting in Fallujah, Iraq, December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Jim Young 68 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld waves to a Black Hawk helicopter pilot as he arrives in Baghdad, Iraq, December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld was returning from Fallujah where he announced a reduction in the size of the U.S. force in Iraq by two combat brigades by next year, taking the number of troop levels to below 138,000 which existed before the recent presidential elections. REUTERS/Jim Young 69 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld addresses soldiers during a Town Hall meeting in Fallujah, Iraq, December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld made the trip to Iraq to thank soldiers for their work prior to the holiday season and announced a reduction in the size of the U.S. force in Iraq by two combat brigades by next year, taking the number of troop levels to below 138,000 which existed prior to the recent presidential elections. REUTERS/Jim Young 70 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) and General George Casey, Commanding General of Multi-National Force Iraq, attend a news conference with Iraq's Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari (not pictured) in the heavily fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Wathiq Khuzaie/Pool 71 Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari (front R) attends a news conference with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (front 3rd R) in the heavily fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Wathiq Khuzaie/Pool 72 Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (C) is surrounded by soldiers after a Town Hall meeting in Fallujah, Iraq, December 23, 2005. (Jim Young/Reuters) 73 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (C) arrives for a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari in the heavily fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad December 23, 2005. sfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Wathiq Khuzaie/Pool 74 Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari (front R) speaks to U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (front L) during a news conference in the heavily fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad, Iraq December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Wathiq Khuzaie/Pool 75 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (C) shakes hands with an Iraqi official as he arrives for a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari in the heavily fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Wathiq Khuzaie/Pool 76 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumseld gestures during a news conference in the heavily fortified Green Zone in Baghdad December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Wathiq Khuzaie/Pool 77 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) gestures as an interpreter speaks during a news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari in the heavily fortified Green Zone area in Baghdad, Iraq December 23, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Friday the number of U.S. combat troops in Iraq would be cut by some 7,000 by early next year, but the number involved in training Iraq's new military would increase. REUTERS/Wathiq Khuzaie/Pool 78 Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (R) gestures as he speaks to the press beside U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in Baghdad December 23, 2005. REUTERS/Ceerwan Aziz 79 US Secretary of Defense, Defense Rumsfeld (R) meets troops at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad. Rumsfeld arrived unannounced in Baghdad to hold talks with US Commanders and assess the next phase of US troop deployments in Iraq(AFP/POOL/Jim Young) 80 Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (R) speaks to the press beside U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in Baghdad December 23, 2005. REUTERS/Ceerwan Aziz 81 Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (R) gestures during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in Baghdad December 23, 2005. REUTERS/Ceerwan Aziz 82 Iraqi President Jalal Talabani (R) speaks as U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld looks on in Baghdad December 23, 2005. REUTERS/Ceerwan Aziz 83 An Iraqi child looks at an US soldier on the outskirts of northern Iraqi city of Hawijah. On his surprise visit to Iraq US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has announced the United States' withdrawel of two combat brigades (totaling between 5,000 and 9,000 soldiers) from the country by next spring(AFP/Filippo Monteforte) 84 US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) with the US Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad in Baghdad. Rumsfeld has announced the United States is to withdraw two combat brigades, totaling between 5,000 and 9,000 soldiers, from Iraq by next spring(AFP/Pool/Jim Young) 85 US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld(L) is greeted by Gen. George Casey, Commanding General Multi-National Force Iraq upon his arrival by transport plane in Baghdad. Rumsfeld warned that ensuring democracy and stability in Iraq would take time, as he flew into Baghdad on a surprise visit.(AFP/POOL/Jim Young) 86 US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld meets troops at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq. Rumsfeld warned that ensuring democracy and stability in Iraq would take time, as he flew into Baghdad on a surprise visit.(AFP/POOL/Jim Young) 87 US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld(L) reads the oath to re-enlist soldiers SPC Eric Robert Betts(R) and SSG. Joseph Berardo Villar(2ndR) during a ceremony at Bagram Air field, north of Kabul, Afghanistan.(AFP/POOL/Jim Youn) 88 US President George W. Bush (R) speaks on the war on terrorism as Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) and Vice President Dick Cheney look on in September 2005. Bush, badly weakened in 2005 amid growing doubts about the war in Iraq, hopes to turn his political fortunes around ahead of critical US legislative elections in November 2006.(AFP/File/Paul J. Richards) 89 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) and Gen. George Casey, Commanding General Multi-National Force Iraq, speak after their meeting in Baghdad December 22, 2005. Rumsfeld arrived unannounced in Baghdad on Thursday to hold talks with U.S. commanders and assess the next phase of U.S. troop deployments in Iraq. REUTERS/Jim Young 90 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) meets troops at the Al Faw Palace in Baghdad, Iraq December 22, 2005. Rumsfeld arrived unannounced in Baghdad on Thursday to hold talks with U.S. Commanders and assess the next phase of U.S. troop deployments in Iraq. REUTERS/Jim Young 91 SPC Steven Haupt of the 173rd Airborne (L) raises his hand to take his re-enlistment oath from U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld during a ceremony before Rumsfeld left for Baghdad, in Khandahar, Afghanistan December 22, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Thursday a rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq or Afghanistan would spawn more terrorism in the region and raise the risk of attacks on the United States. Addressing U.S. troops on the second day of a visit to Afghanistan, Rumsfeld said 'there are some in Washington who are questioning why our country is fighting this difficult war on terror half a world away'. REUTERS/Jim Young 92 SPC Ryan Brent of the 173rd Airborne (front) takes his re-enlistment oath in front of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld during a ceremony in Khandahar, Afghanistan, December 22, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Thursday a rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq or Afghanistan would spawn more terrorism in the region and raise the risk of attacks on the United States. Addressing U.S. troops on the second day of a visit to Afghanistan, Rumsfeld said 'there are some in Washington who are questioning why our country is fighting this difficult war on terror half a world away'. REUTERS/Jim Young 93 Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne stand while waiting to have their picture taken with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (C) before he leaves for Baghdad, in Khandahar, Afghanistan December 22, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Thursday a rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq or Afghanistan would spawn more terrorism in the region and raise the risk of attacks on the United States. Addressing U.S. troops on the second day of a visit to Afghanistan, Rumsfeld said 'there are some in Washington who are questioning why our country is fighting this difficult war on terror half a world away'. REUTERS/Jim Young 94 Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne stand while waiting to have their picture taken with U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (C, left) before he leaves for Baghdad, in Khandahar, Afghanistan December 22, 2005. Rumsfeld said on Thursday a rapid withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq or Afghanistan would spawn more terrorism in the region and raise the risk of attacks on the United States. Addressing U.S. troops on the second day of a visit to Afghanistan, Rumsfeld said 'there are some in Washington who are questioning why our country is fighting this difficult war on terror half a world away'. REUTERS/Jim Young 95 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) walks with General George Casey, U.S. Commander in Iraq, after arriving by cargo plane in Baghdad, Iraq December 22, 2005. Rumsfeld arrived unannounced in Baghdad on Thursday to hold talks with U.S. commanders and assess the next phase of U.S. troop deployments in Iraq. REUTERS/Jim Young 96 Washington will consider its campaign in Iraq a victory when Iraqi security forces are able to take over security duties, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said in Kabul(AFP/Jim Young) 97 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) presents medals to Sgt. Ryan Pummill (R), Sgt. John Irick (2nd R) and Chief Warrant Officer 2 Steven Burr at Bagram Air Field near Kabul, Afghanistan, December 22, 2005. President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday he was unworried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan, and Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Jim Young 98 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld is applauded as he arrives on stage to address troops at Bagram Air Field near Kabul, Afghanistan December 22, 2005. Under pressure to cut U.S. troop commitments overseas in the face of difficulties in Iraq, Rumsfeld on Monday ordered a reduction in the number of American troops in Afghanistan to about 16,500 from the current 19,000 by next spring. REUTERS/Jim Young 99 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld arrives on stage to address troops in Bagram, Afghanistan, December 22, 2005. President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday he was unworried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan, and Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Jim Young 100 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) reads the oath to re-enlist soldiers SPC Eric Robert Betts (R) and SSG. Joseph Berardo Villar (2nd R) during a ceremony AT Bagram Air field, north of Kabul, Afghanistan, December 22, 2005. President Hamid Karzai said on Wednesday he was unworried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan, and Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Jim Young 101 US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld(L) shakes hands with President of Afghanistan Hamad Karzai in Kabul, Afghanistan. Rumsfeld said the US decision to cut its force in Afghanistan by up to 3,000 troops will not change its focus on counter-terrorism in the country.(AFP/POOL/Jim Young) 102 A Black Hawk helicopter carrying United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld arrives at a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, December 21, 2005. Rumsfeld said the Bush administration still considers it a priority to capture the mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, who is believed to be hiding somewhere in mountains along the Afghan-Pakistani border. Rumsfeld is in the area to survey the areas affected by the Pakistan earthquake and to visit with troops that are assisting in the relief operations and helping the sick and injured. REUTERS/Jim Young 103 United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) tours a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, December 21, 2005. Rumsfeld said the Bush administration still considers it a priority to capture the mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, who is believed to be hiding somewhere in mountains along the Afghan-Pakistani border. Rumsfeld is in the area to survey the areas affected by the Pakistan earthquake and to visit with troops that are assisting in the relief operations and helping the sick and injured. REUTERS/Jim Young 104 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (2nd R) tours a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan, December 21, 2005. Rumsfeld said the Bush administration still considers it a priority to capture the mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, who is believed to be hiding somewhere in mountains along the Afghan-Pakistani border. Rumsfeld is in the area to survey the areas affected by the Pakistan earthquake and to visit with troops that are assisting in the relief operations and helping the sick and injured. REUTERS/Jim Young 105 United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R) tours a medical facilty with LTC. Jamie Gannon (C) in Shinkiari, Pakistan, December 21, 2005. Rumsfeld said the Bush administration still considers it a priority to capture the mastermind of the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, who is believed to be hiding somewhere in mountains along the Afghan-Pakistani border. Rumsfeld is in the area to survey the areas affected by the Pakistan earthquake and to visit with troops that are assisting in the relief operations and helping the sick and injured. REUTERS/Jim Young 106 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) and Afghanistan's President Hamad Karzai (C) leave a joint news conference in Kabul, Afghanistan December 21, 2005. Karzai said on Wednesday he was unworried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan, and Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Jim Young 107 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) holds a joint news conference with Afghanistan's President Hamad Karzai in Kabul, Afghanistan December 21, 2005. Karzai said on Wednesday he was unworried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan, and Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Jim Young 108 United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) tours the Task Force Eagle supporting helicopter operations at Qasim Army Airfield in Pakistan December 21, 2005. Rumsfeld is in the area to survey the areas affected by the Pakistan earthquake and to visit with troops that are assisting in the relief operations and helping the sick and injured. REUTERS/Jim Young 109 U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) tours a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan December 21, 2005. Rumsfeld is in the area to survey the areas affected by the Pakistani earthquake and to visit troops that are assisting in the relief operations and helping the sick and injured. REUTERS/Jim Young 110 United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) shakes hands with President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai in Kabul, December 21, 2005. Rumsfeld said the U.S. is still committed to routing out the Taliban and al Qaeda in the region. REUTERS/Jim Young 111 United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld speaks during a news conference in Kabul, December 21, 2005. Rumsfeld said the U.S. is still committed to routing out the Taliban and al Qaeda in the region. REUTERS/Jim Young 112 United States Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (L) holds a joint news conference with President of Afghanistan Hamid Karzai in Kabul, December 21, 2005. Rumsfeld said the U.S. is still committed to routing out the Taliban and al Qaeda in the region. REUTERS/Jim Young 113 US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (C) with Army Lt. General Barno (R) in Kandahar, Afghanistan, April 2005. New York-based Human Rights Watch, citing inmates as sources, said in a report this week that the United States operated a secret prison near the capital Kabul where detainees were abused and tortured as recently as 2004(AFP/POOL/File/Gerald Herbert) 114 Afghan President Hamid Karzai (R) shakes hands with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in Kabul December 21, 2005. Karzai said on Wednesday he was not worried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan and Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood 115 Afghan President Hamid Karzai (R) meets U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in Kabul December 21, 2005. Karzai said on Wednesday he was not worried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan and Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood 116 Afghan President Hamid Karzai (R) shakes hands with U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in Kabul December 21, 2005. Karzai said on Wednesday he was not worried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan and Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood 117 Afghan President Hamid Karzai listens to a question during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan December 21, 2005. Karzai said on Wednesday he was not worried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan and U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood 118 U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (Center back) arrives for a press conference as an Afghan security personnel (Front) walks past in Kabul, Afghanistan December 21, 2005. Karzai said on Wednesday he was not worried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan and U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood 119 U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (R) speaks during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan December 21, 2005. Karzai said on Wednesday he was not worried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan and U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood 120 U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (2nd-L) speaks as Afghan President Hamid Karzai looks on during a press conference in Kabul, Afghanistan December 21, 2005. Karzai said on Wednesday he was not worried by U.S. plans to cut troop numbers in Afghanistan and U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld played down concerns about NATO states' willingness to fill the gap. REUTERS/Ahmad Masood 121 US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, pictured at the Pentagon, said he doubted that Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden was now capable of supervising the global operations of the militant organisation. Rumsfeld made the comments to reporters aboard his plane en route to Pakistan where he was to tour areas of the country that were hit by the October earthquake, which killed more than 73,000 people(AFP/Getty Images/File/Alex Wong) 122 A U.S. soldier speaks to Afghan security guards at a checkpoint in Kabul in this 2003 file photo. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has ordered a cut in the number of American troops in Afghanistan to about 16,000 from a current 19,000 by next spring, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. (Ahmad Masood/Reuters) 123 A U.S. Marine patrols a bazaar in eastern Afghanistan, September 16, 2005. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has signed orders that will reduce the number of American troops in Afghanistan to 16,000 from 19,000 by next spring, The New York Times reported on Tuesday. REUTERS/Sayed Saladuddin