Photo By Maj. Jason Sweeney | CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – United States Ambassador to Kosovo, Greg Delawie, center...... read more read more
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CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo – U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo Greg Delawie got the chance to meet with fellow San Diegans during a visit to Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, on June 19.
Like Delawie, the California National Guard’s 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is from San Diego, California. The 79th is the headquarters element for Kosovo Force (KFOR) Multi-National Battle Group – East (MNBG-E), and is on a nine-month peace and security mission in Kosovo.
Delawie visited Camp Bondsteel to meet with the MNBG-E command staff and then spoke to a large group of Soldiers at the camp’s Medal of Honor Hall, where he got the chance to bond with them regarding their mutual hometown and let them know how important their role is to maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement in Kosovo.
“We appreciate the Ambassador dedicating time within his extensive schedule to visit with the Soldiers on Camp Bondsteel,” MNBG-E Commander Col. Nick Ducich said. “The Soldiers responded well to his opening remarks highlighting his proud and mutual connection with being from San Diego.”
Delawie briefed the troops on how the break-up of Yugoslavia led to NATO forming KFOR and intervening to restore peace to the region. He said in 1999, KFOR had 50,000 troops in Kosovo. But the situation has improved and today only 4,000 remain. However, he added, problems persist.
“The situation here is still fragile,” Delawie told the troops. “You’re the safety valve. You need to be here to provide reassurance.”
Delawie said that KFOR unites Kosovar-Albanians and Kosovar-Serbs and keeps the situation here calm, and that he foresees U.S. Army Soldiers remaining at Camp Bondsteel at least a few more years.
“Kosovo is a story of successes and challenges,” he said, explaining that Kosovo is democratic with a modern constitution and laws that meet European standards, adding that the Kosovo Security Force and Kosovo Police are professional. However, laws are often implemented inconsistently and corruption is endemic.
Delawie said Kosovo is experiencing strong economic growth, but high unemployment remains a problem. In addition, relations with Serbia are a challenge.
“The United States is highly popular here,” he said, adding that the presence of U.S. troops is a big reason for that.
Delawie told the troops that the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo’s top priorities are supporting the rule of law, economic development and regional stability.
He explained that the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo and the Institutions of Kosovo are working together so that Kosovo can become a normal country. “We couldn’t do it without you and what you’re doing here,” he told to the troops.
“This was a fantastic opportunity for our Soldiers to hear directly from Ambassador Delawie the importance and impact of their daily duties in a broader, strategic context,” Ducich said. “For any deployment, having a U.S. Embassy nearby facilitates access to an incredible depth of talent and subject matter expertise, known as the Country Team, to assist military leaders in expanding their understanding of pressing issues locally and regionally.”
| Date Taken: | 06.19.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2018 12:53 |
| Story ID: | 281812 |
| Location: | CAMP BONDSTEEL, ZZ |
| Web Views: | 547 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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