"There are no negotiations taking place with anyone in Saddam Hussein's regime," Rumsfeld said. "There will be no outcome to this war that leaves Saddam Hussein and his regime in power. Let there be no doubt."

Speaking at a Pentagon news conference, Rumsfeld addressed his remarks to Iraqis listening to US radio broadcasts into the country.

"The circumstance of the regime is such that Iraqi officials are spreading rumors that the coalition has entered into a cease-fire negotiation with the regime and that there's a third-party peace plan under consideration," he said.

"Their goal is to try to convince the people of Iraq that the coalition does not intend to finish the job," he said.

"Since this broadcast is sent into Iraq, let me say this to all Iraqis who are listening. The regime is not telling the truth," he said.

"His time will end, and soon," he said. "The only thing that the coalition will discuss with this regime is their unconditional surrender."

SPACE.WIRE