Rumsfeld urges Asians to join war on terror

"It must be confronted on many fronts by all civil societies," he said in a speech to an Asian security conference, dubbed the Shangri-La Dialogue, that included defence ministers, military officers, lawmakers and private security experts from about 20 countries.

In his speech to the security conference, Rumsfeld called the US military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq examples of progress in the global war on terrorism. He spoke only briefly about Iraq, saying success there would be "a victory for the security of the civilized world."

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The Iraq issue arose during a question-and-answer session with Rumsfeld's audience, and he asserted that there is no acceptable alternative to continuing on the current path to a democratic Iraq.

He cited five unacceptable alternatives: civil war, anarchy, ethnic cleansing, a splintering of the nation into ethnic enclaves and the rise of a "junior version" of the deposed Saddam Hussein.

"As soon as we can, we want to pass off the security responsibilities to the Iraqis," but not before they are ready, he added.

Speaking of the broader US-led war against terrorism, Rumsfeld said, "Despite considerable progress, the reality is that today we remain closer to the beginning of this struggle than to its end."

He cautioned that despite some successes in capturing al-Qaeda figures in Asia and foiling some plots, the terrorists will strike again.

"Let there be no doubt, there is more to come."

Rumsfeld mentioned no specifics on US plans to reduce troop levels in South Korea. "Though the way we organize may evolve and change, the United States is a Pacific nation, and we will most certainly maintain our security presence with modernised deterrent capabilities here in this region," he said.

Before delivering his speech, Rumsfeld met with his Australian counterpart, Robert Hill, and told reporters afterward that Washington appreciates Australia's support in Iraq and Afghanistan.