U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld says the United States must be on guard against terrorist attacks "vastly more deadly" than those of September 11.

Donald Rumsfeld

In a major speech Thursday at the National Defense University in Washington, Mr. Rumsfeld defended a $48 billion increase in the nation's defense budget for 2003, saying new adversaries may strike in unexpected ways with weapons of increasing range and power. He said the job of the military is to close off as many avenues of possible attack as possible.

Mr. Rumsfeld noted that 21st century wars will require support from economic, intelligence and law enforcement capabilities, as well as the military. He quoted a well-known American proverb that the best defense is a good offense.

U.S. officials say documents recently found in Afghanistan suggest that members of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network have been planning to attack U.S. nuclear facilities, possibly in the northwestern state of Washington.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission issued a warning to all nuclear plants earlier this month. However, federal officials and the governor of Washington state (Gary Locke) say there is no credible threat of an upcoming attack.

Some information for this report provided by AP.

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