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| Rumsfeld given a Mongolian horse, but, whoa, there's a snag |
| 2005-10-23 |
| ULAN BATOR, Mongolia — Mongolia has 131 soldiers in Iraq, and Saturday it received an official U.S. statement of gratitude from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Rumsfeld came to Ulan Bator to deliver that message personally, and, in return, he was given a Mongolian horse. In dazzling sunlight on the grounds of the Mongolian Defense Ministry, Rumsfeld took the reins of the calm gelding and said, "I am proud to be the owner of that proud animal." He immediately announced that he would name the horse Montana because the plains and mountains that ring the Mongolian capital reminded him of that Rocky Mountain state. Rumsfeld owns a ranch in New Mexico, which could offer a pleasant life to an expatriate horse, even one descended from the steeds that carried Genghis Khan and his successors across the steppes to conquer most of Asia in the 13th century. But transport for Rumsfeld's gift posed a problem. Rumsfeld is on an eight-day, around-the-world trip aboard the National Airborne Operations Center, an aircraft nicknamed the Doomsday Plane because it would be the flying command post for U.S. leaders in the case of nuclear war. The reconfigured Boeing 747 has a secure video-teleconferencing suite, nozzles for refueling in midair and oversized computer consoles for a nuclear battle staff. But Air Force planners apparently gave no thought to stables. So in an act of modern horse-trading, Rumsfeld's staff said, the Pentagon offered a Mongolian herder a flashlight in ceremonial compensation for his agreement to care for the horse in his herd 100 miles from Ulan Bator, at least until Rumsfeld can return to retrieve his gift. Although the exchange might have been highly choreographed, Mongolian defense officials said the animal belongs only to Rumsfeld. Unless he chooses to retrieve the horse, "only the steppe winds will ride on his back," said Khasbazar Boldbat, senior officer for foreign cooperation. Rumsfeld's visit was the first by a U.S. defense secretary to Mongolia, which annually receives $18 million in U.S. military aid. President Bush is scheduled to visit next month. Rumsfeld's decision to include Mongolia in a trip aimed at heavyweight negotiating in China and South Korea and with NATO defense chiefs in Lithuania shows the extent to which the Bush administration must nurture nations making even small contributions to military efforts in Afghanistan and Iraq. About 500 Mongolian soldiers have served in Iraq in previous rotations. Fifteen are currently in Afghanistan. Mongolia's military is focusing on developing the expertise to serve in peacekeeping missions. Rumsfeld met with 180 soldiers who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan. In the group were two sergeants who prevented a suicide bombing at a logistics base near the Iraqi city of Hillah in February 2004. When a truck approached the gate that they were guarding and refused to stop, they shot and killed the driver. The truck, packed with explosives, crashed and exploded outside the base. No coalition military personnel were injured. "It's a privilege to be able to look you in the eye and say, 'Thank you,' " Rumsfeld told the Mongolian troops. |
| Posted by:Sherry |
| #3 "only the steppe winds will ride on his back," said Khasbazar Boldbat, senior officer for foreign cooperation. Way Kool Sherry, THX. |
| Posted by: Red Dog 2005-10-23 20:53 |
| #2 Far better a horse than a carpet. |
| Posted by: Uleager Jineper3615 2005-10-23 15:22 |
| #1 Pic available here: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2002578094_rumsfeld23.html (might be subscription) |
| Posted by: Sherry 2005-10-23 14:54 |