Donald Rumsfeld, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, has warned NATO member countries that the threat of terrorist attacks using weapons of mass destruction is greater than previously thought. Mr. Rumsfeld delivered this warning yesterday at the NATO Defense Ministers' meeting in Brussels. He urged America's European allies to rapidly enhance safety measures against attacks using nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons by terrorist networks. He also stated that NATO members should not wait for clear signs and evidence of an imminent attack before taking action against terrorists and the countries that harbor them. The defense ministers of European NATO member countries agreed that they must adapt their military forces to face current threats. The NATO meeting continues today.
U.S. Defense Secretary's Warning to NATO Member Countries - 2002-06-07
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned NATO members about the heightened threat of terrorist attacks using weapons of mass destruction during a meeting in Brussels. He urged immediate action to enhance safety measures and adapt military forces to current threats. This is significant as it reflects the evolving security landscape post-9/11.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
During a NATO Defense Ministers' meeting in Brussels, U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld warned member countries about the increased threat of terrorist attacks using weapons of mass destruction. He urged immediate action to enhance safety measures and adapt military forces to address these evolving threats.
- Rumsfeld emphasized the need for proactive measures against terrorism.
- NATO members agreed on the necessity to adapt military forces to current threats.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Post-9/11, the global security landscape shifted dramatically, with a focus on combating terrorism and preventing the use of WMDs. NATO's role evolved to address these new threats.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%