By Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward, commander, U.S. Africa Command
Released by U.S. Africa Command Public Affairs  Print     Share  

TUNIS, Tunisia, 

May 27, 2008 — Good afternoon and thank you for being here today. You have a beautiful nation and I've had a pleasant and constructive visit.

There has been much dialogue about U.S. Africa Command among African leaders and the African people. Our mission is to conduct persistent security engagement through programs that enable the work of Africans to build the capacity to provide for their own security. We will meet our mission by listening to and learning from our partners in Africa, so we understand their needs and provide the right programs to suit their purposes within the context of U.S. foreign policy.

U.S. Africa Command will add value to the effort because we are a single headquarters that consolidates and focuses U.S. Department of defense security-related activities on the African continent.

The U.S. is committed to long-term partnership with African nations, including Tunisia. Tunisia and the United States have a long history of strong relations going back to our first Treaty of Peace and Friendship signed in 1787. My visit yesterday to the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage underlined the strong ties between our two countries. That historical relationship lives on today in continued Tunisian-American partnership and shared values, working together to oppose violent extremism and promoting development.

My visit to Tunisia has given me the chance to see first-hand how our nations are working together to advance stability and security throughout North Africa. Yesterday, I had the privilege of meeting your Minister of Defense -- Mr. KAMAL MORJANE-- and several chiefs in the Tunisian Armed Forces. We discussed issues important to both the United States and Tunisia such as our bilateral military relationship and cooperation. I listened to their thoughts and concerns while learning more about this proud nation and people. Our relationship with our Maghreb partners is key to regional security and AFRICOM is committed to its partnership with Tunisia.

From a military perspective, our partnership is strengthened by Tunisia's capable and professional military. This morning I had the opportunity to see U.S. and Tunisian military training together in Bizerte. This is what AFRICOM is about -- working with our partners to improve security capabilities.

Just last week, Tunisia and the United States held our 23rd annual Joint Military Commission to reinforce that existing relationship. The United States applauds Tunisia's efforts in maintaining peace in the world, such as the recent successful Tunisian participation in peacekeeping operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea and Kosovo. I was impressed with the professionalism and expertise of your servicemembers; you should be proud of them.

Tunisia is a model for the region in many ways, certainly in combating terrorism, but also in universal education, social welfare, religious tolerance and the positive role of Tunisian women. All of these provide protection against the philosophy of hate advocated by violent extremists. Through the United States Embassy and its many programs, the United States and Tunisia are working together for the mutual benefit of the Tunisian and American peoples.

One such program, I am pleased to say, is the U.S. Department of Defense's Humanitarian Cooperation Program. In cooperation with Tunisian civil society and the Tunisian authorities, this program has provided almost $5 million dollars over nine years to support 18 projects across Tunisia including schools for the handicapped, women's shelters, orphanages, training and rehabilitation centers. My wife had a chance to visit two such projects during this trip, and she told me how impressed she was at how these Tunisian organizations are putting the facilities to great use.

I look forward to visiting Tunisia again soon. U.S. Africa Command will contribute to maintaining and enhancing the long and positive relationship between our two countries.