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Powell: U.S. Prepared to Fight During Ramadan
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Wednesday he hopes the anti-terrorism war in Afghanistan can be concluded quickly but the administration is prepared to keep up the fight during the Muslim holy period if necessary.
Powell, a former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the Bush administration is sensitive to the onset of the Ramadan holy days in mid-November and the beginning of winter. "The important point to remember," he said at a State Department news conference, "is we have military objectives to accomplish and I would like to see all of those objectives accomplished in the next few days as we approach this period of Ramadan and winter."
And yet, Powell said, "We will just have to make an assessment at that time on where we are. If it is necessary to continue military action I am sure that's a judgment the president will support."
Despite the administration's sensitivity to Ramadan, Powell said, "We can't let that be the sole determinant whether or not to continue our military effort."
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