By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
JERUSALEM , March 31, 2014 – Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey,
chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Israel’s chief of the General Staff,
Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz have met in Jerusalem to discuss countering long term
threats to the region and ways to turn them into opportunities.
Speaking to reporters, Gantz said that based on their
conversations, “we can definitely cooperate on the challenges and actually try
and turn some of the threats that we face into opportunity.”
The Israeli military leader described cooperation with the
U.S. military as being very important, very professional, very open and candid.
Dempsey described the meetings as a chance to look further
into the future.
“I’m very excited to have that conversation with General
Gantz and his team about our common future, common interests, the common
security of our two people and to reassure each other on the strength and the
enduring nature of our relationship,” the chairman said.
Gantz said the relationship between the two militaries will
remain solid.
Dempsey stressed the relationship between the Israeli and
U.S. military as being built on trust and candor. “The world is complicated
enough without us speaking in parables to each other,” he said. “This is a time
for great clarity and great candor and I can always count on our Israeli
partners for that.”
Iran is constantly on the mind of Israeli military leaders.
Both were asked by reporters if they had the capabilities needed to halt Iran’s
nuclear program.
“Obviously we will keep our capabilities to ourself, but we
do emphasize that the capability is very much there,” Gantz said.
Dempsey noted that President Barack Obama has made it clear
that he will not allow Iran to gain nuclear weapons.
“My role as the senior military officer is to make sure that
I provide him with the military options necessary to live up to that
commitment, and we will,” he said.
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