By Sgt. Sara Wood, USA
American Forces Press Service
Oct. 17, 2007 - The United States has dealt al Qaeda many significant blows in Iraq and elsewhere, President Bush said here today. Military gains against al Qaeda are encouraging, but the situation cannot be won militarily, and that is why the U.S. continues to work with the Iraqi government on reconciliation and political development, Bush said at a White House news conference.
"We're making progress, ... but I fully understand those that say we can't win this thing militarily," Bush said. "That's exactly what the United States military says. That's why it's very important that we continue to work with the Iraqis on economic progress as well as political progress."
Bush noted that reconciliation is happening at the local level in Iraq, as people realize they can make a better future for themselves. This local reconciliation eventually will affect the national government, he said. Meanwhile, the United States is encouraging the Iraqi government to pass important legislation to move the country forward.
When asked about the possibility of the Turkey parliament approving military action against Kurdish separatists in northern Iraq, Bush said that he and commanders on the ground agree that such a move would not be in Turkey's interest. The Iraqi government understands that this is a sensitive issue, he said, and the Iraqi vice president is in Turkey today to assure leaders there that Iraq shares their concerns about terrorism, but that there's a better way to fight it.
During Bush's news conference, media outlets reported that the Turkish parliament voted to approve the military action.
Showing posts with label united states military. Show all posts
Showing posts with label united states military. Show all posts
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Pacific Command Chief Praises Little Tonga for Big Iraq Contribution
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 17, 2007 - Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating arrived here today at the capital of this 17-island archipelago to thank its people for setting the example for other countries around the world as they support the war on terror. Keating, on his first visit here since taking command of U.S. Pacific Command in March, said he wanted to express firsthand the United States' appreciation to Tonga, which recently sent its second contingent of troops to Iraq.
Fifty-five of Tonga's 450-member Tonga Defense Service deployed Aug. 18 to provide security at the Multinational Force Iraq headquarters at Al Faw Palace. The deployment represents the first time a non-U.S. force has taken on the mission.
Before deploying to Iraq, the Tongan troops trained at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and in Kuwait to ensure they were prepared for the mission, officials said.
Keating, who observed the Tongan troops during a Khaanquest training exercise earlier this summer in Mongolia, said he has no doubt of their capabilities. "They're very tough," he said. "They're not just very good, they're first class."
Tonight, at a military retreat ceremony and dinner at Togalevu Naval Base featuring the Tongan army band, Navy marching corps and native musicians and dancers, Keating said Tonga's contributions go far beyond numbers alone.
"What this country is doing is huge," the admiral said, particularly in light of Tonga's total military size and population. "Size is not as important as commitment," he said. "And the commitment seen in this country is huge."
Brig. Gen. Tau'aika "Dave" Uta'atu, Tonga's chief of defense, cited a statement by Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that no country is too big or powerful not to need other countries to defend itself, and no country is too small to make a contribution to security, he said.
Tonga knows it has no excuse to say it's too small or too far away from places where terrorists have struck to get involved in fighting terror, Uta'atu said. "We live in a global village, and we firmly believe that Asia and the Pacific are not immune from the threats," he said. "And even though Tonga is very small, we believe in the principle that we can contribute to regional and international security."
The Tongan troops currently in Iraq represent the kingdom's second troop rotation there. The first, in June 2004, included 45 soldiers who provided security at Camp Blue Diamond in Ramadi, Iraq. There, they worked under the operational and administrative control of the U.S. 1st Marine Division.
Uta'atu noted that the 1st Marine Division and Tongan military first served together during World War II, when they fought the Japanese together during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
"The history of our relationship with the United States military didn't happen by accident," Uta'atu said.
The relationship between the two countries is based on their shared commitment to defending freedom and liberty and their belief that in helping each other, they're enhancing their own freedoms, he said.
When it comes to standing up to defend its liberties, "Tonga doesn't just talk about it," he said. "We act upon it."
Tonga previously announced plans to send a third rotation of troops to Iraq when those already there complete their six-month deployment.
"In working together, we believe we are helping to make the world a safer place," Uta'atu said.
Tonga's efforts demonstrate the importance of international cooperation in Iraq, Keating said. "It is a coalition effort, and we are intensely interested in other countries participating," he said. "Tonga is an example of that important participation."
As he travels throughout Asia and the Pacific encouraging greater contributions toward the effort in Iraq, Keating said he can point to Tonga for the example it has set.
"They're giving a lot to help ensure a more peaceful and stable world," Keating said. "That's why I'm here. I wanted to come renew that commitment and say thank you."
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 17, 2007 - Navy Adm. Timothy J. Keating arrived here today at the capital of this 17-island archipelago to thank its people for setting the example for other countries around the world as they support the war on terror. Keating, on his first visit here since taking command of U.S. Pacific Command in March, said he wanted to express firsthand the United States' appreciation to Tonga, which recently sent its second contingent of troops to Iraq.
Fifty-five of Tonga's 450-member Tonga Defense Service deployed Aug. 18 to provide security at the Multinational Force Iraq headquarters at Al Faw Palace. The deployment represents the first time a non-U.S. force has taken on the mission.
Before deploying to Iraq, the Tongan troops trained at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and in Kuwait to ensure they were prepared for the mission, officials said.
Keating, who observed the Tongan troops during a Khaanquest training exercise earlier this summer in Mongolia, said he has no doubt of their capabilities. "They're very tough," he said. "They're not just very good, they're first class."
Tonight, at a military retreat ceremony and dinner at Togalevu Naval Base featuring the Tongan army band, Navy marching corps and native musicians and dancers, Keating said Tonga's contributions go far beyond numbers alone.
"What this country is doing is huge," the admiral said, particularly in light of Tonga's total military size and population. "Size is not as important as commitment," he said. "And the commitment seen in this country is huge."
Brig. Gen. Tau'aika "Dave" Uta'atu, Tonga's chief of defense, cited a statement by Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, that no country is too big or powerful not to need other countries to defend itself, and no country is too small to make a contribution to security, he said.
Tonga knows it has no excuse to say it's too small or too far away from places where terrorists have struck to get involved in fighting terror, Uta'atu said. "We live in a global village, and we firmly believe that Asia and the Pacific are not immune from the threats," he said. "And even though Tonga is very small, we believe in the principle that we can contribute to regional and international security."
The Tongan troops currently in Iraq represent the kingdom's second troop rotation there. The first, in June 2004, included 45 soldiers who provided security at Camp Blue Diamond in Ramadi, Iraq. There, they worked under the operational and administrative control of the U.S. 1st Marine Division.
Uta'atu noted that the 1st Marine Division and Tongan military first served together during World War II, when they fought the Japanese together during the Battle of Guadalcanal.
"The history of our relationship with the United States military didn't happen by accident," Uta'atu said.
The relationship between the two countries is based on their shared commitment to defending freedom and liberty and their belief that in helping each other, they're enhancing their own freedoms, he said.
When it comes to standing up to defend its liberties, "Tonga doesn't just talk about it," he said. "We act upon it."
Tonga previously announced plans to send a third rotation of troops to Iraq when those already there complete their six-month deployment.
"In working together, we believe we are helping to make the world a safer place," Uta'atu said.
Tonga's efforts demonstrate the importance of international cooperation in Iraq, Keating said. "It is a coalition effort, and we are intensely interested in other countries participating," he said. "Tonga is an example of that important participation."
As he travels throughout Asia and the Pacific encouraging greater contributions toward the effort in Iraq, Keating said he can point to Tonga for the example it has set.
"They're giving a lot to help ensure a more peaceful and stable world," Keating said. "That's why I'm here. I wanted to come renew that commitment and say thank you."
Pace: Military Will Continue to Stand Against Evil
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 17, 2007 - There is evil in the world, and the United States military stands ready to take on that evil, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Families United for a Strong America here today. Many members of the group lost family members in Iraq and Afghanistan. They invited Marine Gen. Peter Pace to help them place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns here and then to address their rededication ceremony at the Memorial Amphitheater.
"Gatherings like this are the most meaningful and the most difficult," Pace told the crowd of between 450 and 500 members. "They are the most meaningful because we actually get a chance to stop and think about the incredible gift that our most loved ones have given us. They are the most difficult because somehow – at least for me – the English language does not properly express what is in our hearts."
Pace, accompanied by his wife, Lynne, thanked the group for inviting him and for another chance "to pay our respects, and to reflect on the incredible 231 years of our nation."
He said ceremonies like this give all Americans the chance to think about the history of the nation and what it means to be free. Those who fought for liberty and freedom made it possible for the United States to be born and to endure. The thousands of tombstones in this national cemetery give reality to that sacrifice, he said.
"Those of us who have the privilege of wearing the uniform today know fear," he said. "When we're in combat we know fear for sure. But what we fear more than physical danger is that somehow we'll let down those who went before us. That somehow the sacrifice of your loved ones and so many other who have served this nation honorably for so long, that somehow our performance will not measure up to theirs."
The incredible legacy and heritage their sacrifices bought Americans "instills in us an understanding of what is right to do, when it is right to do it, and the determination to follow through," the chairman told the audience.
Evil still lives in the world, Pace said. "Like so many times in our nation's history, there is evil that wants to change the way we live," he said. "(It is an evil) that wants to prevent ... us from meeting like this and praying the way you want to or not."
Those who have died or been wounded in the fight against terror "have made it possible for us to gather here today," he said. "All of us who wear the uniform promise you that as long as we can draw a breath ourselves that we will make it possible for us to meet like this tomorrow and the day after for as long as we please in this incredible nation we call home."
Pace said that he hopes his and his wife's attendance at the ceremony "can convey to you what an incredible honor it has been to serve this nation for some 40 years, standing side by side with your sons and your daughters and your husbands and your wives. No one can ask for more than that."
American Forces Press Service
Sept. 17, 2007 - There is evil in the world, and the United States military stands ready to take on that evil, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Families United for a Strong America here today. Many members of the group lost family members in Iraq and Afghanistan. They invited Marine Gen. Peter Pace to help them place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns here and then to address their rededication ceremony at the Memorial Amphitheater.
"Gatherings like this are the most meaningful and the most difficult," Pace told the crowd of between 450 and 500 members. "They are the most meaningful because we actually get a chance to stop and think about the incredible gift that our most loved ones have given us. They are the most difficult because somehow – at least for me – the English language does not properly express what is in our hearts."
Pace, accompanied by his wife, Lynne, thanked the group for inviting him and for another chance "to pay our respects, and to reflect on the incredible 231 years of our nation."
He said ceremonies like this give all Americans the chance to think about the history of the nation and what it means to be free. Those who fought for liberty and freedom made it possible for the United States to be born and to endure. The thousands of tombstones in this national cemetery give reality to that sacrifice, he said.
"Those of us who have the privilege of wearing the uniform today know fear," he said. "When we're in combat we know fear for sure. But what we fear more than physical danger is that somehow we'll let down those who went before us. That somehow the sacrifice of your loved ones and so many other who have served this nation honorably for so long, that somehow our performance will not measure up to theirs."
The incredible legacy and heritage their sacrifices bought Americans "instills in us an understanding of what is right to do, when it is right to do it, and the determination to follow through," the chairman told the audience.
Evil still lives in the world, Pace said. "Like so many times in our nation's history, there is evil that wants to change the way we live," he said. "(It is an evil) that wants to prevent ... us from meeting like this and praying the way you want to or not."
Those who have died or been wounded in the fight against terror "have made it possible for us to gather here today," he said. "All of us who wear the uniform promise you that as long as we can draw a breath ourselves that we will make it possible for us to meet like this tomorrow and the day after for as long as we please in this incredible nation we call home."
Pace said that he hopes his and his wife's attendance at the ceremony "can convey to you what an incredible honor it has been to serve this nation for some 40 years, standing side by side with your sons and your daughters and your husbands and your wives. No one can ask for more than that."
Friday, April 20, 2007
Gates: Iraqis Need to Speed Up Reconciliation Process
By Kathleen T. Rhem
American Forces Press Service
Iraq, April 19, 2007 – The path to reconciliation among Iraqi factions is arduous, but Iraqi leaders from all parties need to step up the pace, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today in Tel Aviv, Israel. "Frankly, I would like to see faster progress," Gates said, moments before boarding a military aircraft to travel to Iraq.
Continued debate on Capital Hill over potential troop redeployments help show the Iraqis that "this isn't an open-ended commitment" on the part of the United States military, he said.
"Our president has said that our patience is not unlimited," Gates said. "I don't think we've been very subtle in communicating these messages to the Iraqis."
He said the Iraqi government needs to approve several important pieces of legislation, including laws governing foreign investment in Iraqi oil and how best to share the revenue from such dealings. Iraqis are also working on, but have so far failed to agree upon, a "de-Baathification law," to govern how best to deal with former members of Saddam Hussein's regime.
Passing these laws won't change the security situation overnight, but it will send an encouraging message to the Iraqi people, Gates said.
"I think ... the ability to get them done communicates a willingness (of) all of the parts of the Iraqi government to work together to begin solving some of these problems," he said.
After arriving in Iraq, Gates held a joint news conference with Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq. During the briefing, Petraeus seconded Gates' notion about the Iraqi laws.
"Those (laws) are hugely important for all Iraqis to feel a stake in the success of the new Iraq," Petraeus said.
U.S., coalition and Iraqi forces are working through the Baghdad security plan "to provide a window of opportunity ... that will allow Iraqi leaders to resolve some of these very tough issues that are out there confronting them, among those the need to reconcile in a variety of different ways," Petraeus said.
A series of bombings that killed and wounded hundreds in several areas of Baghdad yesterday set back what Petraeus described as "a bit of traction" in the security situation.
"Yesterday was a bad day, there's no two ways about it," Petraeus said. "And a day like that can have a real psychological impact."
Still, yesterday's bombings and an April 12 attack that killed an Iraqi Council member shouldn't stop the Iraqi government from moving forward, Gates said.
"Clearly the attack on the Council of Representatives has made people nervous," Gates said. "But I think that it's just very important that they bend every effort to getting this legislation done as quickly as possible."
Petraeus said these sensational attacks should not be viewed as anything other than setbacks and challenges.
"It does show that the enemy has a vote, and the enemy -- in this case al Qaeda -- clearly is intent on trying to reunite sectarian violence and on trying to derail the Baghdad security plan," Petraeus said. "And I think the Iraqi leaders and the coalition leaders have shown the determination to give back."
Iraqi leaders "responded very resolutely" to the attacks, Petraeus said. He noted that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other leaders met with Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker last night to discuss actions to improve security and focus intelligence on the car-bomb networks.
"And they met again today for that very purpose," he added.
Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who traveled here separately to join the secretary in high-level talks with U.S. military and Iraqi leaders, met with Petraeus, U.S. Central Command chief Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, and Multinational Corps Iraq Commander Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno in Fallujah today. Also present was Gates' new senior military assistant, Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, who preceded Odierno as the corps commander in Iraq.
Gates and Pace will meet with the other senior leaders again this evening to get their "in-depth evaluation (on) how they think things are going and what they see the prospects will be," Gates said. The secretary also is scheduled to meet with Ambassador Crocker and Iraqi leaders, including Maliki.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
American Forces Press Service
Iraq, April 19, 2007 – The path to reconciliation among Iraqi factions is arduous, but Iraqi leaders from all parties need to step up the pace, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today in Tel Aviv, Israel. "Frankly, I would like to see faster progress," Gates said, moments before boarding a military aircraft to travel to Iraq.
Continued debate on Capital Hill over potential troop redeployments help show the Iraqis that "this isn't an open-ended commitment" on the part of the United States military, he said.
"Our president has said that our patience is not unlimited," Gates said. "I don't think we've been very subtle in communicating these messages to the Iraqis."
He said the Iraqi government needs to approve several important pieces of legislation, including laws governing foreign investment in Iraqi oil and how best to share the revenue from such dealings. Iraqis are also working on, but have so far failed to agree upon, a "de-Baathification law," to govern how best to deal with former members of Saddam Hussein's regime.
Passing these laws won't change the security situation overnight, but it will send an encouraging message to the Iraqi people, Gates said.
"I think ... the ability to get them done communicates a willingness (of) all of the parts of the Iraqi government to work together to begin solving some of these problems," he said.
After arriving in Iraq, Gates held a joint news conference with Army Gen. David Petraeus, commander of Multinational Force Iraq. During the briefing, Petraeus seconded Gates' notion about the Iraqi laws.
"Those (laws) are hugely important for all Iraqis to feel a stake in the success of the new Iraq," Petraeus said.
U.S., coalition and Iraqi forces are working through the Baghdad security plan "to provide a window of opportunity ... that will allow Iraqi leaders to resolve some of these very tough issues that are out there confronting them, among those the need to reconcile in a variety of different ways," Petraeus said.
A series of bombings that killed and wounded hundreds in several areas of Baghdad yesterday set back what Petraeus described as "a bit of traction" in the security situation.
"Yesterday was a bad day, there's no two ways about it," Petraeus said. "And a day like that can have a real psychological impact."
Still, yesterday's bombings and an April 12 attack that killed an Iraqi Council member shouldn't stop the Iraqi government from moving forward, Gates said.
"Clearly the attack on the Council of Representatives has made people nervous," Gates said. "But I think that it's just very important that they bend every effort to getting this legislation done as quickly as possible."
Petraeus said these sensational attacks should not be viewed as anything other than setbacks and challenges.
"It does show that the enemy has a vote, and the enemy -- in this case al Qaeda -- clearly is intent on trying to reunite sectarian violence and on trying to derail the Baghdad security plan," Petraeus said. "And I think the Iraqi leaders and the coalition leaders have shown the determination to give back."
Iraqi leaders "responded very resolutely" to the attacks, Petraeus said. He noted that Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and other leaders met with Petraeus and U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan C. Crocker last night to discuss actions to improve security and focus intelligence on the car-bomb networks.
"And they met again today for that very purpose," he added.
Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Marine Gen. Peter Pace, who traveled here separately to join the secretary in high-level talks with U.S. military and Iraqi leaders, met with Petraeus, U.S. Central Command chief Navy Adm. William J. Fallon, and Multinational Corps Iraq Commander Army Lt. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno in Fallujah today. Also present was Gates' new senior military assistant, Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli, who preceded Odierno as the corps commander in Iraq.
Gates and Pace will meet with the other senior leaders again this evening to get their "in-depth evaluation (on) how they think things are going and what they see the prospects will be," Gates said. The secretary also is scheduled to meet with Ambassador Crocker and Iraqi leaders, including Maliki.
Article sponsored by Criminal Justice online leadership as well as police and military personnel who have authored books.
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