Embassy Press Release

US AMBASSADOR NICHOLAS TAUBMAN'S
REMARKS ON THE OCCASION OF THE HUMVEE HAND-OVER CEREMONY

Mr. State Secretary, Lt. Gen. Ioan Sorin, Lt. Col. Tonu Nicolae, soldiers of the 265^th Military Police Battalion, distinguished ladies, gentlemen, and friends, it is my great pleasure to be here with you this morning.

A few weeks ago Lt. Gen. Ion graciously invited me to participate in today's ceremony. I readily accepted because I wanted to tell you in person how sincerely appreciative the United States' government is of the many contributions the 265^th has made to global peace and stability.

Several years ago, the American and Romanian governments made the difficult decision to take direct action against those extremists seeking to destabilize democratic and free societies through terror. To be sure, it is difficult for any country to pit its youth against a bold and brash enemy, especially when that enemy is as seemingly distant and elusive as are the terrorists we face today. Romania is one of a handful of countries that has courageously chosen to combat the enemy on his own turf.

The United States and Romania stand side-by-side on the frontline of this global war on terror, in the direct fight where so few choose to be. American troops have grown very familiar with, and indeed reliant on, their increasingly capable and high caliber ally, the Romanian soldier. The American military knows, as I know, that the Romanian military is shouldering more than its share of the military tasks associated with global operations. Years from now, when we have met our objectives in this war on terror, you will be able to hold your heads high and state with pride that Romania met the challenge when so many other nations did not.

The 265^th Military Police Battalion, which stands before us today, represents that steadfast service of the Romanian fighting man. Members of this battalion have deployed far and wide in just about every operation since 1991, beginning with Operation Desert Storm. They stood side-by-side with American, NATO, and coalition soldiers in Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I know that in April this battalion lost a good soldier serving in Iraq, Lieutenant Hancu Bogdan. His sacrifice is remembered, and he has, as you have, America's thanks. You have my thanks.

And so, it is with great pleasure that I present you with these eight American armored HMMWVs, purchased with American grant dollars. HMMWVs have served the American Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps well. Now Romania has its own HMMWVs and it is appropriate that these first eight vehicles go to the 265^th Military Police Battalion, and specifically to a company commanded by Lieutenant Ivan, who will attend U.S. Army Ranger School this winter. This is a challenging school, and we wish him good luck.

So I'll finish with this thought. These vehicles are testament to the strength of the Romanian-American defense relationship. I expect that you will put them to good use and it is our wish that they will serve you well.

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