Rumsfeld cancels Letterman appearance

NEW YORK, Sept. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld won't be appearing on "The Late Show with David Letterman" next week after all.

Letterman's people announced earlier this week that Rumsfeld would be a guest on Tuesday night's show.

But Rumsfeld's office said Friday he will be too busy focusing on federal relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.

"We obviously understand this decision," executive producer Rob Burnett said." "He is welcome to come here any time."