The wording is an implication that Rumsfeld does bear some personal responsibility and denys it. He'd have to be aware that it was friendly fire for the basis for the reporter's account to be credible. As it's Associated Press, such poor journalism doesn't surprise me.
Another example of media bias.
Former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld defended himself and took no personal responsibility Wednesday for the military’s bungled response to Army Ranger Pat Tillman’s friendly-fire death in Afghanistan.
There are only two relevant facts in this matter.
1. Pat Tillman stood upright in a firefight, and screamed ‘Stop shooting, its Pat F’in Tillman!’ at which point he was shot by friendly fire.
2. The Chain of Command made a series of stupid decisions regarding Tillman’s death, and should be punished accordingly.
Rumsfeld had nothing to do with it.
AP=al qaeda Press.
LLS