ISTANBUL, Turkey, June 27, 2004 -- NATO's rapid response force is up and ready for its first mission — possibly to support the upcoming Olympics in Athens or the national elections in Afghanistan, if requested, Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told reporters here today.
Speaking at the NATO Istanbul Summit, Rumsfeld said the force, proposed by the United States just a year and a half ago, will fill a vital gap within the alliance.
Missions could range "from peaceful, humanitarian-type assistance all the way up to full-fledged combat," Rumsfeld said.
In either case, these forces are "on a short string, ready to go," the secretary said.
Rummy (good news), ping!
