Former Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith Speeches

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith's Remarks on the occasion of an Excess Defense Articles Transfer

June 10, 2003

Ambassador Pamela Hyde Smith' at the event on  the occasion of an Excess Defense Articles Transfer

General Coropcean, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen:

 It is a pleasure to be here with you today, and, on behalf of the Government of the United States of America, to present these vehicles to the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Moldova.

The vehicles you see here today are just a few of the 57 trucks and trailers, valued at $321,000, which recently arrived in Moldova under the auspices of the Excess Defense Articles Program of the United States Government. Through this program we are able to donate surplus vehicles and equipment, most in good working condition, to countries with which we have complimentary security goals and interests. We appreciate Moldova's interest in this program and their willingness to cover the cost of transporting these vehicles to Moldova with their Foreign Military Financing grant funds. This is the second such transfer to the Moldovan Ministry of Defense; in 1999, 15 trucks, valued at $105,000, were donated through this program.

I am confident the Ministry of Defense will make excellent use of these vehicles, just as the vehicles received under the previous transfer have been and will continue to be effectively utilized. In fact, this transfer is especially timely since these vehicles are now available for use in the upcoming Peace Shield Partnership for Peace Exercise scheduled for July in L'vov, Ukraine, in which Moldova will be participating.

Again, thank you for being here today. I wish you great success and look forward to continuing the excellent cooperation between our military organizations.

Thank you.