US Defense Secretary Ash Carter spoke with French Defense Minister Jean-Yves
Le Drian yesterday before visiting the French nuclear-powered aircraft
carrier Charles de Gaulle for the first time. The flagship
of the French Navy is now stationed in the Persian Gulf and launching
strikes against the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant.
Carter said that Le Drian, who was meeting at the time with French President
Francois Hollande, couldn’t join him on the de Gaulle. The secretary
is on a weeklong trip to the Middle East to meet with defense leaders
and thank U.S. and coalition troops for their service and sacrifice,
especially during the holiday season.
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America’s
Oldest Ally
“Speaking as an American, it is magnificent for me to be out here
on this strong ship with a strong ally like France. France is …
America's oldest friend and ally. We're very proud to be your friend
and your ally,” Carter said.
France deployed the de Gaulle to the Persian Gulf in November to support
counter-ISIL strikes, and the French air force continues to play a critical
role after being first to join the United States in striking ISIL targets
in Iraq, Carter said after meeting with Le Drian in July at the Pentagon.
During his remarks to the crew of the French aircraft carrier, Carter
commended the French for taking command of U.S. Naval Forces Central
Command Task Force 50, which plans and conducts strike operations in
the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
Proud to be Friends
To U.S. forces on board, Carter said, “I'm so proud of you. I'm
always proud of you. It's wonderful to see you here. And to other nations
represented here, also part of the coalition, thank you as well. We
Americans are exceptionally proud to have friends like you.”
With Le Drian, Carter said he discussed accelerating the campaign to
defeat ISIL, also called Daesh.
“This is an evil force that will be defeated, must be defeated
… quickly, and my instructions from President [Barack] Obama,
and I know your instructions from President Hollande, are to accelerate
the defeat of Daesh. You have been doing that right here on board this
ship,” the secretary said.
Broader Mission
France not only has contributed to the efforts to defeat ISIL, Carter
added, but being in the Persian Gulf with the de Gaulle means that the
nation is on a broader mission -- protecting the region’s security.
“That's a reminder to us of the global reach, global strength
and global reputation of France as a force for civilization,”
Carter added. “This is the civilized world defending itself and
defending what we stand for.”
As he concluded his remarks, Carter said that it is holiday time in
France and the United States, and that Americans appreciate the noble
sacrifice of all de Gaulle crew members who are in the Persian Gulf
rather than with their families.
“My wife is here with me,” Carter said, “so from my
family to your families, French, American, and others, we're all one
family in this fight. And we're all one family in this holiday season.
Please let your families know also how proud we are of you.” |
U.S. Defense
Secretary Ash Carter visits the flagship of the French Navy, the Charles
De Gaulle, for the first time. He was welcomed by the French Secretary
of Veteran Affairs. French Navy Picture