Fight against terrorism 'will be like Cold War'

The struggle to defeat terrorism is more likely to resemble the West's decades-long contest against communism than a major shooting war, according to US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.

Mr Rumsfeld's comments offered the strongest suggestion yet by the Bush administration that, while the US military will play a role in rooting out terrorists, its contribution may be smaller than commonly assumed.

US military action also could come later rather than sooner. French Defence Minister Alain Richard said retaliation for the September 11 terror attacks isn't likely for several weeks.

"The decisions to take action haven't been made," Mr Richard said in Paris.

"Everyone is going to prepare their own means that will be well-adapted for a joint effort. We aren't at the end of that."

Mr Rumsfeld himself alluded to the unlikelihood of an early attack. "I haven't said we are undertaking military action," he said at one point in an interview.

The United States has assembled more than 30,000 troops in the region around Afghanistan, including two aircraft carrier battle groups, a contingent of Marines, hundreds of land-based warplanes and preparations for Army special operations soldiers to conduct hit-and-run commando raids inside Afghanistan.

Mr Rumsfeld indicated the first purpose of the growing force might be to apply military pressure rather than to launch a major attack, as the freezing of terrorist groups' money is applying a financial squeeze.

He stressed it could take unexpected turns but eventually would succeed. The administration hopes that pressures applied over a sustained period will dry up the terrorists' sources of money, their pool of recruits and their means to hide in places such as Afghanistan.

"It undoubtedly will prove to be a lot more like a cold war than a hot war," Mr Rumsfeld said in the interview in his Cairo hotel room after a 14-hour day of consultations with the leaders of Oman and Egypt.