Thursday, December 1
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM COALITION CONFERENCE IN ALBANIA
“Maintaining Post-Election Momentum”
| November 30, 2005 Tirana, ALBANIA-On November 29-30, the Albanian Ministry of Defense hosted representatives from 34 countries for a United States Central Command coalition member conference. The purpose of the conference was to address the strategy for supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom for 2006 and lay out future requirements. The conference was attended by senior Coalition representatives, including General John P. Abizaid, Commander U.S. Central Command and General George W. Casey, Jr., Commander of the Multi-National Force-Iraq. “The momentum from the January elections and Iraq’s successful Constitutional Referendum are both extraordinary and irreversible,” according to Casey. “But the work of the Multi-National-Force partners and the Iraqi Transitional Government is not complete. A continued commitment by the Coalition to Iraq is essential to sustain and expand this success.” Although attendees could not commit to specific requirements at the conference, coalition representatives will take this information back to their governments for consideration. Also addressing the conference were Fatmir Mediu, Albania Minister of Defense, and Lt.Gen. Pellumb Qazimi, Chief of General Staff, Albanian Armed Forces. According to Minister Mediu, the presentations during the conference clearly demonstrate the progress made in Iraq. “…we need to share the same belief that Iraq is heading toward democracy and that the Iraqis are not left alone in their progress.” This was the second annual conference to highlight the Coalition/Iraqi progress and identify requirements for continued success. Last year’s conference was held in Romania. Weblog LINK |
