Iraq Invasion- One Year Later

"Welcome to Hard Ball. I'm your host, Chris Mathews. It's been one year since the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq, and with us tonight to look back over the last year is US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld."

"First question, Secretary Rumsfeld: do you think that the fact that no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq invalidates the reason given by you and others in the Bush administration for the invasion?"

"Not at all, Chris. The threat of weapons of mass destruction was a very important 'talking point' to convince the American people to support the invasion, and as such, served its purpose very well."

"Mr. Rumsfeld, the estimated length of the military occupation has stretched from months to years--how long do you think American troops will need to be stationed in Iraq to protect the American-installed government?"

"Chris, until the terrorism and violent resistance of the Iraqi people ends, it would be premature to discuss the ending of the occupation. The terror must stop before we can proceed with the roadmap to peace."

"Mr. Rumsfeld, how would you answer the many critics of the American occupation who say that the continuing construction of American-only settlements in Iraq will only make it harder for the Americans to eventually return the nation to the Iraqis?"

"We are willing to make painful concessions when it comes to the settlements, but again, we need to see tangible progress made by the Iraqis, and especially the Shi'ite leadership, before we can resume the peace process."

"Fair enough, Mr. Secretary. One last question: the recent use of the 'oil weapon' against China, threatening their shipments of oil until they meet US trade demands, has convinced many that US control of world oil was the true reason for the conquest of Iraq. Your response?"

"Chris, there are elements within the Chinese government that have been aiding terrorists for many years, and until Beijing re-evaluates these policies, we must keep the pressure on. And we all know that the brutal Chinese regime has killed thousands of its own people in Tibet."