ISLAMABAD, Dec. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday, according to Pakistan's GEO TV.

    Rumsfeld will visit earthquake-hit areas and watch relief operations performed by the American relief troops.

    "Pakistan is a moderate country and a key player in the international war against terrorism," Rumsfeld told reporters earlier aboard his plane en route to Pakistan.

    He said that he doubted that Al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden was now capable of supervising the global operations of the militant organizations.

    "I have trouble believing that he is able to operate sufficiently to be in a position of major command over a worldwide Al-Qaeda operation but I could be wrong. We just don't know."

    "I suspect that in any event if he is alive and functioning, that he is probably spending a major fraction of his time in trying to avoid being caught," he said. "I think it is interesting that we have not heard from him for a year, close to a year. I don't know what it means."

    About 850 US troops, 12 helicopters and two military hospitals have been engaged in relief operations in the earthquake-stricken areas of Pakistan, said Rumsfeld. Enditem