Following a meeting on Sunday with IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-General Gabi Ashkenazi, the chairman of America’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen told members of the pres that he continues to learn new things while in Israel. While senior members of the General Staff took part in some of the meetings, the two commanders did meet privately for a period of time.

Ashkenazi reminded reporters the two have met tens of times, adding this meeting was productive, thanking the American commander of forces for his cooperation, stressing the two maintain an excellent relationship. Earlier in the day, Mullen met with Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

At the end of the meetings, Ashkenazi commented that the two of them completed a professional conversation on a number of topics, mutual challenges and issues on the agenda. Admiral Mullen emphasized that he always extends his knowledge when visiting Israel. “I always try to see the threats and the challenges from an Israeli perspective,” he said, and added that while the interests at hand are specifically Israeli, they are also important for the United States in the area.

Earlier during the day, Minister of Defense Ehud Barak met with Admiral Mullen in his office in Tel Aviv. “We are very happy to receive Admiral Mullen, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the US Military, at our defense system staff and the General Staff, for a short work visit,” said Minister Barak.

“Admiral Mullen is responsible for a very large area in the Middle East as part of his responsibility towards worldwide security. We value his contribution to the security and stability of the area and to the close work relationship between the IDF and the Pentagon and the US Military very much, and really are happy to see him here as someone who contributes a lot to the security of the entire area and the State of Israel,” he added.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)