Rumsfeld said progress is being made in the global War on Terror, particularly in making it more difficult for terrorist groups to recruit, train, raise money, establish sanctuaries and acquire weapons. But he stressed that more needs to be done.
"The strategy must do a great deal more to reduce the lure of the extremist ideology by standing with those moderate Muslims advocating peaceful change, freedom and tolerance," he said.
Rumsfeld noted that his audience included an Afghan military officer and one from Iraq.
"We welcome you and are proud to stand with you in the cause of freedom," the defense secretary said.
