Speeches

FLINTLOCK Opening Ceremony
Remarks by Ambassador Gillian Milovanovic
November 3, 2008

I am pleased to join you at this opening ceremony for FLINTLOCK, the latest in a successful series of multilateral training exercises hosted by our friends and partners in Mali.  We are extremely thankful for the hospitality of the Malian people and the hard work and openness of their military and political leaders that make such events possible.

In every area of activity the interdependence between nations, regions, and continents is increasingly clear.  In today’s world of internet, cellular phones, and 24 hour news cycles, the world’s citizens are connected in ways that were impossible even ten years ago.

This new interconnectivity facilitates a variety of exchanges, not all of which are positive.  Nations benefit from the availability of new routes for trade, communication and understanding.  But they are also seeing a rise in the criminal trafficking of people, arms and drugs, as well as strengthened international cooperation on the part of violent extremists. 
Whether criminals or extremists, those bent on doing harm are finding ways to work together to seek to achieve their goals.  This means that governments too must increase their cooperation and their practical capacity to join forces to defeat those who threaten the very core of our societies. 

Democracy -- the peaceful expression and implementation of the will of the people for a better and more just life for all -- is a precious form of governance that we know we must join together to defend.  The Trans Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership was designed as a means to enhance regional security cooperation, and it is thanks to this initiative that we find ourselves together today, training and perfecting our ability to work together to protect our citizens.

Our security cooperation also extends to training for a variety of military exigencies, including disaster preparedness and medical emergencies.  Earlier this year, the United States government was a proud partner in MEDFLAG 2008, which helped to improve the bilateral capabilities and interoperability of US and Malian forces and provided training for medical crisis response and logistics support in real life conditions.  I am extremely pleased to note that this year’s FLINTLOCK exercise will include similar opportunities for joint medical operations both here in Mali and in Senegal.

The Trans Sahara Counter Terrorism Partnership also recognizes that security depends on basic levels of economic and social development.  My country is committed to promoting economic development, good governance, education, and democracy throughout the region.  Our growing partnership with local and national governments in Africa is one means to better achieve these goals. We look forward to continuing our close cooperation with all the countries represented here today.

The multinational composition of today’s audience clearly illustrates our shared commitment to the pursuit of successful military and civilian cooperation in an environment of mutual respect and confidence among partners.  Thank you all for your engagement in FLINTLOCK, and for all that you are doing every day in your respective nations to keep your country, the region, and our world a safer place.

Thank you.