Grinder
14 August 2003, 18:46
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, Aug. 13, 2003 - "The significant event
is these countries, dealing so long with instability, are
now exporting stability to Iraq," said Joint Chiefs
Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers during a press
conference here Aug. 12.
The chairman was in Nicaragua to thank the government for
its help in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Central American
nation is sending 115 soldiers as its contribution to
stability operations in Iraq. They are part of a Central
American unit roughly 1,200 men strong. El Salvador,
Honduras and the Dominican Republic are also contributing
troops to the effort.
The soldiers will come under Spanish command and be part of
the Polish-led division. They will be based in Najaf. Plans
call for them to fly to Spain and then to Kuwait. They are
expected to cross the border into Iraq by Sept. 1.
Embassy officials are very pleased with Nicaragua's
response. They said the move illustrates the maturation of
military-to-military contacts between the United States and
these Central American nations.
The Nicaraguans are specialists in demining and will
provide medical personnel and a security unit. The unit
will be in Iraq for six months and then another Nicaraguan
unit will replace it. The United States will pay to airlift
the soldiers to Iraq.
Myers met with Gen. Javier Carrion, the commander of the
Nicaraguan army, and later had an office call with
President Enrique Bolanos and Defense Minister Jose Adnan
Pastora.
Myers flew on to El Salvador for meetings and will then
journey to the Honduras and the Dominican Republic before
heading back to Washington.
American Forces Press Service
MANAGUA, Nicaragua, Aug. 13, 2003 - "The significant event
is these countries, dealing so long with instability, are
now exporting stability to Iraq," said Joint Chiefs
Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers during a press
conference here Aug. 12.
The chairman was in Nicaragua to thank the government for
its help in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Central American
nation is sending 115 soldiers as its contribution to
stability operations in Iraq. They are part of a Central
American unit roughly 1,200 men strong. El Salvador,
Honduras and the Dominican Republic are also contributing
troops to the effort.
The soldiers will come under Spanish command and be part of
the Polish-led division. They will be based in Najaf. Plans
call for them to fly to Spain and then to Kuwait. They are
expected to cross the border into Iraq by Sept. 1.
Embassy officials are very pleased with Nicaragua's
response. They said the move illustrates the maturation of
military-to-military contacts between the United States and
these Central American nations.
The Nicaraguans are specialists in demining and will
provide medical personnel and a security unit. The unit
will be in Iraq for six months and then another Nicaraguan
unit will replace it. The United States will pay to airlift
the soldiers to Iraq.
Myers met with Gen. Javier Carrion, the commander of the
Nicaraguan army, and later had an office call with
President Enrique Bolanos and Defense Minister Jose Adnan
Pastora.
Myers flew on to El Salvador for meetings and will then
journey to the Honduras and the Dominican Republic before
heading back to Washington.