Commander of US Central Command D. Petraeus meets Kazakhstani militaries

ASTANA. January 14. KAZINFORM /Narymbek Ismagulov/ Vice Minister of Defense of Kazakhstan Bulat Sembinov has met today with Commander of the US Central Command, Lieutenant-General David Petraueus, Kazinform reports.

In the course of the meeting Kazakh Vice Minister of Defense positively estimated personal contribution of D. Petraeus to the operation ?Freedom to Iraq? and expressed gratitude for ?taking care of every soldier of the coalition? including Kazakhstani militaries. ?I suppose our cooperation with the Central Command of the USA in ensuring security of our countries and modernization of the Kazakh Armed Forces will be more active and successful in future?, B. Sembinov added. Congratulating Kazakhstani side on successful completion of the mission in Iraq, General D. Petraeus said that the work of ?Kazbrig? militaries was of great importance for the Multi-National Force in Iraq. ?It was great honor for me to serve for 4 years together with Kazakhstan militaries in Iraq?, D. Petraeus said addressing the attendees. ?We are grateful to Kazakhstan for its contribution to strengthening peace in Iraq. You have brilliantly coped with the task?, the US Commander added. After then D. Petraeus handed over a medal of the US ministry of Defense «Meritorious Service Medal» to Colonel Yerlan Talasbayev, Chief National Representative of KZ Armed Forces to the US Central Command in Tampa, Florida, in 2008. Besides, 24 ?Kazbrig? militaries who participated in peacekeeping mission in Iraq were awarded with memorable badges