Washington ? Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld’s blunt talk made him a celebrity in the early months of the anti-terror war, but his more recent comments are coming back to bite in the more complicated run-up to a possible war with Iraq.

Rumsfeld offended NATO allies France and Germany this week and Vietnam veterans earlier this month.

While the defense secretary said he was sorry some veterans “misinterpreted” his voicing disdain for draftees’ contributions, he’s not backing down on comments calling France and Germany part of “old Europe” and “a problem” in their opposition to military action in Iraq.

After a closed-door session with senators Thursday, Rumsfeld said he was not worried his comments might have damaged relations with European allies. Asked about the criticism of his comments, the 70-year-old Rumsfeld replied: “At my age, ‘old’ is a term of endearment.”

U.S. officials trying to rally international support for possible military action against Iraq this week ran up against opposition from Germany and France, which said United Nations inspectors must be given more time to look for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Both NATO allies are on the United Nations Security Council that could vote to authorize a military strike, and France is one of the five nations with veto power.

French Finance Minister Francis Mer said he was “profoundly vexed” by Rumsfeld’s remarks.

“Our position is not a problem, it is a constructive contribution,” German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said.

Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has raised the ire of Europeans and Vietnam veterans with his recent comments.