Bush voices strong support for Rumsfeld

WASHINGTON - Brushing aside an intensifying clamor among retired military commanders for Donald H. Rumsfeld’s resignation, President Bush said Friday that his defense secretary enjoys his full support and that Rumsfeld’s leadership of the Pentagon was “exactly what is needed at this critical period.”

Bush apparently issued his statement to put to rest increasing calls for the secretary to go because of criticism from six former military commanders that he has mishandled the Iraq war and made other mistakes.

“I have seen first-hand how Don relies upon our military commanders in the field and at the Pentagon to make decisions about how best to complete these missions,” Bush said in a written statement, issued while the president was spending the Easter weekend at Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland’s Catoctin Mountains.

“Secretary Rumsfeld’s energetic and steady leadership is exactly what is needed at this critical period,” Bush said. “He has my full support and deepest appreciation.”

In an interview aired Friday on Al-Arabiya television, Rumsfeld said he intends to serve the president at his pleasure.

“The fact that two or three or four retired people have different views, I respect their views,” Rumsfeld said. “But obviously if, out of thousands and thousands of admirals and generals, if every time two or three people disagreed we changed the secretary of defense of the United States, it would be like a merry-go-round.”

Rumsfeld's remarks came after retired Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who commanded the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq until last November, reiterated criticisms he leveled earlier this week.

Batiste, appearing on NBC's "Today" show, said “a fresh start in the Department of Defense ... would be incredibly uplifting” for the armed forces.

Batiste said Rumsfeld had “failed to build the peace” in Iraq, and criticized “a leadership style which is intimidating, abusive. There was not a two-way street of respect.”

Bush reiterates 'strong support'
Bush said he had talked with Rumsfeld earlier in the day about military operations in the war on terror. “I reiterated my strong support for his leadership during this historic and challenging time for our nation,” the president said.

NBC VIDEO Batiste on Rumsfeld April 14: Ret. Major General John Batiste talks with "Today" show anchor Katie Couric about Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's handling of the war. Today show

It was an extraordinary statement by the president on the status of a top official. Bush decided it was warranted because of the “type of voices” that have recently engaged in public criticism of Rumsfeld, a senior administration official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to more freely elaborate on the White House’s thinking.

The official said that Rumsfeld’s case was unique. There has been no similar statement of support for Treasury Secretary John Snow, whose resignation is rumored to be imminent.

The administration official said Bush’s statement should make it clear that Rumsfeld’s job is safe for now.

Several retired military commanders, including one who turned down a promotion to lieutenant general to leave the Army, have recently made statements urging Rumsfeld’s ouster. They argue that the planning for the war in Iraq was not sufficient and that Rumsfeld’s management style has too often given shortshrift attention to the views of uniformed officers.

Batiste, during his NBC appearance on Friday, emphasized that the generals were speaking independently and had not organized their criticism. “There is no political agenda at all,” he said, adding that he had not spoken to the other officers.

Retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni told CNN that Rumsfeld should be held responsible for a series of blunders, starting with “throwing away 10 years worth of planning, plans that had taken into account what we would face in an occupation of Iraq.”

‘Micromanaged the generals’
The spreading challenge to the Pentagon’s civilian leadership included criticism from some recently retired senior officers directly involved in the Iraq war and its planning.

“I really believe that we need a new secretary of defense because Secretary Rumsfeld carries way too much baggage with him,” retired Maj. Gen. Charles Swannack, who led the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq, told CNN on Thursday.

“Specifically, I feel he has micromanaged the generals who are leading our forces,” he said.

Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Riggs told National Public Radio on Thursday that Rumsfeld had helped create an atmosphere of “arrogance” among the Pentagon’s top civilian leadership.

“They only need the military advice when it satisfies their agenda. I think that’s a mistake, and that’s why I think he should resign,” Riggs said.

Retired Marine Lt. Gen. Gregory Newbold and Army Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton have also spoken out against Rumsfeld.

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