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American Morning

Rumsfeld: U.S. Can Wait Out bin Laden

Aired July 23, 2002 - 08:10   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: The secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld, is more than mad about information links and apparently he may do something about it.

At the Pentagon, Barbara Starr joins us with more details on this story -- Barbara, good morning.

BARBARA STARR, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Bill.

Well, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld appeared here in the briefing room yesterday and made it clear his recent hand surgery isn't slowing him down one bit. He is furious about recent leaks to the news media and he has begun an investigation into who might have leaked information to the "New York Times" about recent plans that the U.S. might have for military action against Iraq.

Here's what he had to say.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DONALD RUMSFELD, SECRETARY OF DEFENSE: If people start treating war plans like they're paper airplanes and they can fly them around this building and throw them at anybody who wants them, I think it's outrageous. It's inexcusable and they ought to be in jail.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

STARR: And that was only the beginning. The secretary also offered his latest thinking about Osama bin Laden and why the U.S., in his words, "hasn't heard hide nor hair of him since December." The secretary says if bin Laden is still alive he may be too injured to show himself on another videotape, or too afraid. But Don Rumsfeld says he can wait him out -- Bill.

HEMMER: Barbara Starr at the Pentagon.

Thank you, Barbara.

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