For those taking a tour on the Rumsfeld Watch:

US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld has said he would like to expedite the processing of prisoners held since the war in Afghanistan.

He acknowledged getting a letter from Secretary of State Colin Powell concerning the 660 prisoners held at a US navy base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Translation: Colin Powell wrote a chilly letter to the effect that an entire year is ample time to obtain enough intelligence to allow a decision whether an individual is a terrorist or not. Dragging out the process is actually detrimental to our efforts. Therefore, Rumsfeld needs to ensure that the focus at Gitmo is processing, not merely detaining.

But Mr Rumsfeld told a US TV network that thorough questioning remained necessary for the detainees, most of whom are suspected members of the Taleban or al-Qaeda.

“It takes time to find out what intelligence they have,” he told CNN.

“It also takes time to figure out what law enforcement process might be appropriate.

“What Colin and I have been concerned about… is that it’s taking so long,” he said.

Translation: Rumsfeld knows he’s running out of time on this issue. He also knows that the President is taking flak from human rights groups and the court of world opinion.

The “Colin and I” part is the biggie, though. Since when has Rumsfeld sought to portray himself as aligned with Colin Powell? Answer: since Rumsfeld realized that while his own “approval rating” is directly tied into the results in Iraq, the public’s approval for Colin Powell has been consistent, long-term, and loyal.

To those on the Rumsfeld Watch: look for more of the “I’m a team player, really!” claims.