Remarks as Delivered by Secretary of Defense James Mattis,
Sept. 7, 2017
Welcome Your Excellency Minister, Ambassador, military
officers, members of the delegation. You are most welcome at the Pentagon today
as a special ally. Your Excellency, it is good to see you again after meeting
during my trip to Europe, I think in February.
It is good to see you because our two nations share a
meaningful history of security cooperation and understanding. Since the
intervention to oust Saddam Hussein’s army from your sovereign territory in
1991, our countries have maintained a highly productive military relationship.
As I mentioned in front of Your Highness and the President
today, I fondly recall the 50 Kuwaiti soldiers who served bravely in my Marine
Infantry Battalion during our assault through minefields – your young Air Force
NCOs fighting together with us.
Now our militaries remain bonded by shared security
concerns, which I felt was highlighted in today’s earlier meeting. Our views on
these concerns mirror almost to the letter.
Regional stability is strengthened by Kuwait’s robust
commitment to fighting terrorism. In light of our common counterterrorism
cause, our countries maintain a very close military relationship. In recent
years, we have partnered in joint training and exchange programs focused on
enhancing counterterrorism at the local unit level.
In addition, we greatly appreciate your Emir’s leadership
and tireless efforts to mediate the recent rift between Qatar and other
countries in the GCC. Kuwait stepped forward in its usual way – it was a
difficult situation for your Emir, and we appreciate his leadership.
I look forward to discussing how we can further advance our
countries’ military partnership in the coming months and years, in particular,
by exploring ways to increase Kuwait’s involvement in the D-ISIS campaign.
Your Excellency, members of the delegation, thank you for
coming. You are most welcome here.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment