Myers Begins Four-Nation Swing in Japan
By Jim Garamone
AFPS
TOKYO, Jan.
11, 2004 – Joint Chiefs Chairman Air Force Gen. Richard
B. Myers arrived in Japan today on the first leg of a nine-day,
four-country trip.
Visits will
include China, where the chairman will continue constructive military-to-military
contacts. He will also journey to Mongolia and Australia.
In talks with
Japanese military and defense leaders, Myers will thank Japanese
allies for their support in the global war on terrorism and for
sending personnel and money to help rebuild Iraq and Afghanistan.
He will also consult with Japanese leaders about their participation
in missile-defense efforts. Myers, who once commanded U.S. Forces
Japan, is familiar with the country and was looking forward to
renewing old acquaintances and making new ones, officials said.
In China,
the chairman will continue the process of engagement with Asia’s
fastest-growing economy. He will seek to expand military-to-military
relations to new areas and to lower levels. Senior defense officials
said the general will build on work the U.S. Pacific Command has
started.
Officials
said he will likely discuss North Korea, Taiwan and other matters
of concern between the two countries.
Myers will
be the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to visit Mongolia.
He will thank the Mongolians for their contribution to Operation
Iraqi Freedom. The country has a peacekeeping company in the Multinational
Division Central/South based in Hillah.
In Australia,
he will consult with senior military and defense leaders, and
thank them for their support to date. Australia, a stalwart in
the global war on terrorism, suffered its own September 11th-like
tragedy in the October 2002 bombings on the Indonesian island
of Bali. That incident claimed many Australians among the more
than 500 killed and injured.
Officials
said it was important for the chairman to visit the nation because
the United States "does not want Australia to think we take
them for granted."