Donald Rumsfeld: The war on terror is far from over

From a speech by the US Defence Secretary to marines at Camp Pendleton, in California

We know that today's global war on terrorism is not a Hollywood picture. It's real, it's dangerous. There's no question but that it's different from anything our country has faced previously. There's also no question but that success, victory will take time, will take patience and, as you already know, will take courage.

We face adversaries that are determined – let there be no doubt – terrorist movements and terrorist states that do not directly challenge armies or navies or air forces. Instead, they hit and run. They attack innocent men, women and children. They hide in caves. And they launch terrorist attacks in ways that are admittedly difficult to defend against. Terrorists have a wonderful advantage: They can attack at any time, at any place, using any technique.

And as you know from your roles in force protection, it is difficult to defend at every place, at every time, against every conceivable technique. They think and fight differently than other adversaries that we've faced.

While the conflict in Afghanistan may be the first battle of the 21st century, it certainly won't be the last. The war on terrorism will not end soon. The terrorists who attacked us on 11 September, for them it was the opening salvo. They do intend to strike again, we know that.

The advance of human freedom does depend on each of you. All over the world, people long for what you defend – liberty, democracy, tolerance, a future without fear. And that's why we'll prevail. Your spirit, and the spirit of the men and women standing watch for liberty at this moment all across the globe, are our guarantee that in the 21st century the American people will continue to live in freedom.