President of the Slovak Republic Met with US General Richard B. Myers

President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič met General Richard B. Myers, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The President as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Slovakia expressed his pleasure of meeting the highest-ranking military officer of the United States. At the meeting, the President informed of the transition of the Armed Forces of the Slovak Republic being in progress inspite of the lack of financing, and of the Slovak army being on its way to be a professional volunteer military force. Ivan Gašparovič has also ensured General Myers of Slovakia‘s willingness to take continuous part in the international alliance countering global terrorism and threats of the world extremism. The President is convinced that Slovakia should keep its stands and positions derived from the NATO membership commitments, despite the fact that three Slovak soldiers were killed and the Slovak Embassy was attacked in Iraq. The Head of the State takes the view that the Slovak troops should not be withdrawn before the democratic process has been completed in that country. The President asked the General about plans of the American troops in Iraq. General Myers said that in the first place the constitutional referendum and democratic elections in December should take place in Iraq. He has also noted that the alliance and US troops should stay in the country until the Iraqi forces are capable of providing public order and security.