Remarks of Ambassador Charles L. Glazer
Visit to the X Batallon Cuscatlan Contingent Al-Kut, Iraq
May 16, 2008

It's an honor to be here in Al-Kut with all of you.
You, the brave soldiers of the Cuscatlán Battalion, are the tenth contingent that El Salvador has sent during the last five years to form part of the Coalition Forces carrying out Operation Iraqi Freedom. 

You have undertaken a humanitarian mission and are providing assistance in projects that are re-establishing vital water, electric and health services.  Almost 400,000 Iraqis will benefit from these projects worth more than four million dollars in aid.

All of you have left your homes and families behind to promote democracy in a country on the other side of the world.  We appreciate the sacrifices you and your families have made, and we especially recognize the tremendous sacrifice of the families of the five Salvadoran soldiers who lost their lives in Iraq, as well as the families of the more than 50 soldiers wounded in combat.

Last week I participated in the Soldier’s Day ceremony with President Saca and the Minister of Defense.  They too praised the work of the ten Cuscatlan Battalion contingents.

In the name of my government and of the people of the United States, I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for standing shoulder to shoulder with us in the fight against terrorism and for your enormous contribution to the reconstruction of Iraq. 

As a result of your brave work, you have won the admiration and respect of the officers and soldiers of the Coalition Forces, and the gratitude of the Iraqi people.  You have honored your country in the eyes of the world.

Soldiers, I salute you!