 |
| News > Senegal president praises Guard partnerships |
|
|
| |
| Photos | |
 |
President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal, Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas and Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie, the adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, meet at Camp Johnson, headquarters of the Vermont National Guard, in Colchester, Vt., on Sept. 20, 2010, during the president's two-day visit for National Guard State Partnership Program activities. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill) (Released)
|
Download HiRes
|
|
|
|
Senegal president praises Guard partnerships
Posted 9/24/2010 Updated 9/24/2010
Email story
Print story
by Army Staff Sgt. Jim Greenhill
National Guard Bureau
9/24/2010 - BURLINGTON, Vt., (9/22/10) -- The National Guard State Partnership Program is increasing understanding between African countries and the United States, the president of Senegal said here Sept. 19.
"Each country can learn something from another," President Abdoulaye Wade said in an interview here at the end of a two-day visit to Vermont. "The National Guard ... will know better Africa, because to know a country is to know the people. You should have contact with the people.
"We have invited the National Guard to Senegal. At any time, they would be welcome."
The West African country is paired with Vermont in the almost 20-year-old, 62-nation National Guard State Partnership Program.
The SPP initially focused primarily on former Soviet Bloc countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union. It has expanded into Africa with the establishment of U.S. Africa Command and Defense Department emphasis on building partnership capacity.
Wade's visit here en route to the United Nations in New York included cultural visits and meetings with Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas; Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael Dubie, the adjutant general of the Vermont National Guard, and other elected and appointed state and local leaders, business executives and private citizens.
It was Wade's second visit to the United States and his first to his nation's partner state.
"I did not know where was Vermont," Wade said, speaking in English, a second language after his native French, the official language stemming from 19th century French colonization. Senegal gained independence in 1960.
"I am very, very happy to be here," Wade said. "I regret only to have not been here before. ... Now I think that beyond the [official partnership], we have an opportunity to establish relations between the Vermont private sector and Senegalese private sector."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
