One of the protagonists of the War on Terrorism and the War on Iraq, Donald Rumsfeld is not shy of experience of serving in American administrations. He is on his fourth president, having fulfilled different capacities under President Ford, Nixon and Reagan.

He has been closely linked with Iraq in the past as he was President Reagan?s representative to the Middle East, and was a significant player in meeting with Saddam Hussein and setting up sales of military equipment to Iraq. He was quoted at the time, ?Saddam made it clear that Iraq was not interested in making mischief in the world. It struck us as a useful to have a relationship, given that we were interested in solving Mideast problems.? Oh how times have changed.

When not promoting American interests abroad, Mr. Rumsfeld has been employed by several major companies involved in pharmaceuticals and communication technology.

Donald is without doubt a hawk of some considerable standing, opposing the SALT II strategic arms reduction treaty and having involvement in the ?Son of Star Wars? missile defence project.

He can be credited with the now famous insult of France and Germany by calling them ?Old Europe,? "Germany has been a problem and France has been a problem," Mr Rumsfeld told Washington's foreign press corps. ?But you look at vast numbers of other countries in Europe, they're not with France and Germany... they're with the US. You're thinking of Europe as Germany and France. I don't," he said. "I think that's old Europe."

Donald?s mutterings have even been turned into poetry by an American satirist, Hart Seely in a book entitled ?Pieces of Intelligence.? In answer to the question How Big is Iraq? Rumsfeld may have answered,
?It?s an enormous country. You know, it?s bigger than Texas. Or, as big, I guess. I haven?t looked lately. But it is a very big place.?

To hear more of his most baffling pronouncements, a visit to the Broadcasting house website is recommended. http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/news/bh/