Photo by Seaman Andrea Eastwood, USN
Posted on 03/16/2006 12:59:26 PM PST by La Enchiladita
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2006 – Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visited the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal today during the ship's regularly scheduled port visit here.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice speaks to the crew of the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal during a visit to the ship March 16. Port Royal was in Sydney for a regularly scheduled port visit.
The secretary made brief but encouraging comments to the crew and visiting media on the ship's main deck before going below decks for a special lunch with the sailors.
"This group of wonderful young men and women who represent the best of America ... are defending freedom around the world," Rice said to more than 150 Port Royal and Reuben James sailors bedecked in full dress uniforms.
Port Royal commanding officer Navy Capt. David Matawitz and USS Reuben James commanding officer Navy Cmdr. Logan Jones greeted Rice and Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer as the visitors boarded the ship with official honors. Reuben James is also in Sydney for a regularly scheduled port visit.
After making her way through the assembled ranks of sailors on the ship's bow, Rice took the podium and emphasized the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Australia. She also reinforced her commitment to peace and stability in the 7th Fleet's area of responsibility, which includes more than 52 million square miles of the Pacific and Indian oceans.
"We have good friends, and we have good allies," she said. "And we have no better friend and ally than Australia."
(Excerpt) Read more at defenselink.mil ...
Photo by Seaman Andrea Eastwood, USN
Ping
Truer words have not been spoken.
Absolutely!
It's difficult for me to even contemplate the long flight down there,
but I would love to see the place.
Aussies are warriors, and the heck of a lot of fun!
Ooooh, what a beaut...
Great drinking buddies. Someday I'll make it for a visit. And to Kiwi-Land too!
"We really put our heart and soul into this visit, so I think that was really good for crew morale," said Petty Officer 2nd Class Ron Dixon, who sat with Rice. "I think the visit here was great, and a lot of people here onboard had a good time."
For sure, all was ship-shape. And here's to our guys and gals having a great time onshore!
Kiwis! They're even worse! LOL.
I was in the Navy, so I know that all this visit really did was piss off sailors. "Dammit, here we are in Sydney, one of the greatest ports in the world, and our liberty is being held up so some politician can visit and talk about crap we don't care about."
I was waiting for the straight poop! LOL!
I thought that out Naval vessels were barred from New Zealand waters/ports because of their nuclear policy.
Hi. I noticed this was taken out of Front Page news. And why take out all the coastal states that I entered?
Could it be restored, at least to Extended News, then?
Thank you.
When Lange was the PM I think that was the case. Don't know if it continues to be so.
and the politicos say she's not runnig in 08 for the Top Spot.
Right < / disbelief
She says it herself, Sand.
I gotta believe her! Don't I?
Hehe.
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