US Secretary of State thanks Aussie forces

TEA AND A CHAT: US Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice talks with LS Mellisa McLellan and WO Michael Conners at an afternoon tea with ADF members. Photo: LT Cameron Jamieson

Volume 49, No. 5, April 6, 2006

By Michael Brooke

A US Ticonderoga-class Aegis-cruiser, USS Port Royal, berthed at FBE recently and provided visiting US Secretary of State Dr Condoleezza Rice with a platform to thank US and Australian servicemen for their sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

USS Port Royal’s Commanding Officer CAPT David Matawitz and the ship’s company of 387 gave Dr Rice and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer a rousing welcome on March 16.

Dr Rice said the US and her trusted allies such as Australia would win against terrorism because of the courage, and dedication of their servicemen.

“We are going to win the struggle for freedom on behalf of the US, we are going to win it on the behalf of our allies like Australia, and we are going to win it on behalf of the men and women who stand at the front lines with you in places like Iraq and Afghanistan,” she said.

Dr Rice honoured ADF personnel making the real sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We have no better friend and ally than Australia … who has been at our side whenever we have fought for freedom,” she said.

The US Secretary of State said the Bush Administration deeply appreciated Australia’s military sacrifice “and we honour all Australians who have given their lives in the pursuit of freedom”.

At the conclusion of the address Dr Rice and Minister Downer had lunch with the enlisted personnel in the galley, where they discussed USS Port Royal’s current deployment with Expeditionary Strike Group Three in support of the fight against terrorism.

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