Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, September 11, 2003
Rumsfeld Heckled, Deflects Question on Resigning
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was heckled by protesters against the Iraq war during a speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday and brushed aside a question on whether he might resign.
US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was heckled by protesters against the Iraq war during a speech at the National Press Club on Wednesday and brushed aside a question on whether he might resign.
Rumsfeld stood quietly at the podium while a small group of uninvited protesters unfurled a "Bloody Hands" banner from the balcony and, interrupting his speech, shouted accusations that the war was illegal, that U.S. soldiers were dying there, and that he should "bring the troops home now."
"Hey, Rumsfeld, what do you say, how many soldiers did you kill today?" they chanted before they were removed from the club. Police said no arrests were made.
After the protesters were removed, Rumsfeld paused, then drew laughter by saying, "Well, now," and continued with his speech.
Rumsfeld has faced harsh criticism from Democrats and some Republicans in Congress, who say he misjudged the difficulty of bringing peace to Iraq after President Saddam Hussein was removed and claim he did not send enough American troops there to get the job done.
After the speech, he was asked in a question-and-answer session how he felt about a demand by Democratic Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin that both he and Deputy Defense Secretary Paul Wolfowitz resign.
"I guess the short answer is (that) I serve at the pleasure of the president," he replied without elaborating.
Analysts have said there is little chance Rumsfeld might resign. And President Bush's chief spokesman, Scott McClellan, said on Tuesday that the secretary was doing a "terrific job."