September 18, 2003
General Myers in Budapest

 

Army Gen. Richard B. Myers, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, stopped in Hungary today while on a European tour that include visits to American allies.

Gen. Myers visited Hungary at the invitation of Gen. Szenes, Chief of Staff of the Hungarian Armed Forces, and also met with Prime Minister Péter Medgyessy. The parties talked about Hungarian-American military cooperation, the future of the Taszar Airbase, and the situation in Iraq.

Gen. Myers said that Hungary's role within NATO has been strengthened with the accession of seven countries because Hungary is a valuable source of advice for the new Allies.

He also praised Hungary's contribution to the international operations against terrorism in Afghanistan and Iraq. A transportation battalion of 300 troops is taking part in the international stabilization force in Iraq and a Hungarian medical team is in Afghanistan. Earlier this year, Hungary allowed the U.S. military to train Iraqi dissidents at the Taszar Airbase in the southern part of the country.