“In the opening days of the war [in Iraq], commanders avoided bombing as many as three dozen high-priority targets–including the Ministry of Defense and television and communication facilities–for fear of civilian casualties. ‘It would be highly desirable to have completely, totally ended any ability on their ability to communicate,’ [Secretary of Defense Donald] Rumsfeld said [on March 23, 2003]… ‘They have put their communications systems in downtown Baghdad, and commingled civil action, civil activities, with military activities. And they have done it in very close proximity to large numbers of innocent men, women and children.’ ”
– Todd S. Purdum and The New York Times Staff, A Time of Our Choosing, Page 126