Gen. Kohler Reception Remarks
July 21, 2005

Good evening. It is an honor for Dee Dee and me to welcome you to our residence this evening. General Kohler, welcome to El Salvador.

General Kohler’s visit is further proof of the strength of our friendship and our alliance – against terrorism, against narcotrafficking, and in favor of security for the entire Hemisphere. The General directs the U.S. agency that has responsibility for all of the equipment assistance and military training that the United States has with our allies. Here in El Salvador, he will have the opportunity to discuss our military cooperation with many of you. He will visit the Cooperative Security Location located at the Second Air Brigade Base in Comalapa. He will greet some of the soldiers of the first three rotations of the Cuscatlán Batallion – your brave soldiers who have earned the respect of the entire Coalition and the deep appreciation of the people of Iraq.

General Kohler, tonight and in your meetings tomorrow, you will meet members of the Salvadoran government, senior military leaders, and soldiers, and you will visit the facilities where they work in this beautiful country. I know that you will be impressed with the high level of training, professionalism, and dedication to the mission that our Salvadoran allies share with us: peace, security, and tranquility in our region.

General, would you like to say a few words?