Rumsfeld Thanks Mongolian Troops for Terror War Support

American Forces Press Service ^ | Oct 22, 2005 | Donna Miles

[SandRat]

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia, Oct. 22, 2005 – A group of almost 200 Mongolian Army soldiers got a personal thank you today from U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld for their service in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Rumsfeld, who made a stop here during an eight-day trip to China, South Korea and Lithuania, praised Mongolia for its support in the war on terror.

"You are a sovereign nation and you made a choice," Rumsfeld told the group, assembled in an auditorium in Mongolia's Government House. "It showed political courage and it showed personal courage on the part of your troops."

But that decision, he said, has contributed to the liberation of 50 million people in Iraq and Afghanistan. And these people, he noted, now "will have lives that will be noticeably different than what they otherwise would have been."

Rumsfeld told the Mongolian soldiers they will one day look back and recognize the full significance of what they contributed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Similarly, he said, the people of those countries will fully appreciate the significance of what's been accomplished in their countries.

"And I know the people of those countries will be deeply grateful to you and the Mongolian people for allowing you to participate as you have done," the secretary said.

Rumsfeld singled out two soldiers - Sgts. Azzaya and Sambuu-Yondon - who fired on a suicide bomber attempting to drive a truck into their unit's compound at Logistics Site Charlie in Hilla, Iraq, in February 2004.

The soldiers "showed a great deal of courage" and "behaved in a heroic manner" by stopping an attack that could have caused great loss of life, the secretary said.

"I congratulate each of you," he said. "To put your lives at risk for your fellow soldiers is admirable."

Rumsfeld called the soldiers an example of Mongolia's army and its professionalism. "The Mongolian army has demonstrated that it is a force worthy of pride and emulation," he said.

During a news conference before Rumsfeld met with the troops, Tserenkhuu Sharavdorj, Mongolia's defense minister, reaffirmed Mongolia's continued commitment to the global war on terror.

Mongolia currently has 131 soldiers deployed the country's fifth rotation to Iraq, where they are patrolling, maintaining perimeter security and conducting a variety of other security missions. Another 15 Mongolian troops are expected to deploy next week for their country's fifth rotation to Afghanistan, where they will operate as a mobile training team to instruct the Afghan army.

"I'm proud that I had an opportunity to serve in Iraq," said Azzaya, one of the soldiers Rumsfeld singled out for recognition today.

"By doing so, I helped defend the country and contribute to international security," he said. "I believe the mission was successful, and I am proud of it."

[SandRat]

Mongolian Troops helped BBQ Terrorists.


but,.... but,.... we're in the WOT Unilaterally! </sarc

[Paul_Denton]

Very cool 8)

[Larry Lucido]

Were there hordes of them?

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[xJones]

Rumsfeld called the soldiers an example of Mongolia's army and its professionalism. "The Mongolian army has demonstrated that it is a force worthy of pride and emulation," he said.

Old ancestral memories must die hard; that must be the reason I don't think it's a good idea to go encouraging the Mongolian Army.:)

[xJones]

Rumsfeld called the soldiers an example of Mongolia's army and its professionalism. "The Mongolian army has demonstrated that it is a force worthy of pride and emulation," he said.

Old ancestral memories must die hard; that must be the reason I don't think it's a good idea to go encouraging the Mongolian Army.:)

[xJones]

Burp.

[catmanblack.]

now that is hard to believe mongol hordes stopping terror-damn maybe i am hallucinating-geeze

[Lady Jag]

It's comforting to learn Mongols are living up to their reputation.

[xkaydet65]

If you want a great view of things today in Mongolia pick up Robert Kaplan's new book, Imperial Grunts. A remarkable book about remarkable people, one of whom is a one man mission to Mongolia.

Kaplan paints a picture in this work of an American military that all but Cindy Sheehan and her ilk will have difficulty not shedding tears of pride.

[SeeSalt]

"Old ancestral memories must die hard; that must be the reason I don't think it's a good idea to go encouraging the Mongolian Army.:)"

Yeah, .. the ghost of Gingis Han ferocious army!

[PzLdr]

If there's anyone who can scare the bejezzuz out of Moslems in general, and Iraqis and Afghans in particular, it's a Mongol.

[NormsRevenge]

Thank you for posting this.

Here are some pics.

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (R) holds the reins of his horse which was presented as a traditional gift by Mongolia's Defense Minister Tserenkhuu Sharavdorj at the Defense Ministry in Ulan Bator, Mongolia October 22, 2005. Rumsfeld on Saturday praised the 'political courage and personal courage' of Mongolia and its troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has decided to name the horse Montana. REUTERS/Mandel Ngan/DoD/Pool

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U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld (L) speaks during a joint news conference with Mongolia's Defense Minister Tserenkhuu Sharavdorj following their meeting at the Defense Ministry in Ulan Bator, Mongolia October 22, 2005. Rumsfeld on Saturday praised the 'political courage and personal courage' of Mongolia and its troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He has decided to name the horse Montana. At center is a statue of Genghis Khan. REUTERS/Mandel Ngan/DoD/Pool

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U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld talks with Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar Saturday, Oct.22, 2005, during their meeting at Government House in Ulan Bator, Mongolia. Rumsfeld delivered a letter of appreciation from President George W. Bush thanking Mongolia for its assistance following Hurricane Katrina. Rumsfeld paid a brief visit to Mongolia during which he thanked the nation for its support for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Mandel Ngan, Pool)

[E.G.C.]

BTTT