General Martin Dempsey, the Irish American who is President Obama's highest ranking military adviser, has publicly thanked Ireland for allowing US soldiers to use Shannon Airport.
The 60-year-old four-star General is Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the highest ranking military officer in the US, and has a Master's thesis in Irish literature and a longtime passion for Irish music.
The General spoke to RTE, Ireland's national broadcaster, in Dublin at the weekend where he attended an American football game between Notre Dame and the Naval College.
Shannon Airport is a crucial hub for American forces as they travel to war zones such as Afghanistan, Genera Dempsey revealed, adding that the soldiers really love coming through the Irish airport.
Responding to the ongoing protests the General said he did not know whether critics saw the troops as an inconvenience or if they were angry about the war, but he nevertheless expressed his gratitude to Irish people who support the stopover.
In a wide ranging discussion General Dempsey said there were no plans for US military intervention in Syria. The US had learned lessons from their involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan Dempsey added, and had adapted with different outcomes.
Asked about the operation of the Guantanamo holding centre, the General said it was a matter for American politicians, with the military providing the guard forces.
General Dempsey also revealed he has strong Irish connections. All of his grandparents were born in Ireland and he learned some Irish while on holidays as a youngster in County Mayo.
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.IrelandNorth | Sep 10, 2012, 08:11 AM EDT
Interesting to see how Ireland is being softened-up for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) associate membership, with a spot of shamrocks 'n' shennanigans diplomacy. Notra Dame/Fighting Irish v[ersu]s Old Navy/Midshipmen in the Aviva/Landsdown R[oa]d theatre of simulated warfare, with the former victorious, and material benefits to the ailing economy. Roger! Two Irish-American officers of USN and US Marines on board United States Ship (USS) doing heavy life for match - escorted by Irish Naval Service (INS) flagship Lóng Éireannach (phon/pron Lung Air-in-och) LÉ Eithne. Despite being pro-American, can't deny being a tad uneasy at those rendition flights from AfghanistanIraq to Gitmo via Shannon airport United States Air Force (USAF) base in County Limerick, Munster/southern Ireland province. Not being privy to any more sensitive information, (as an ex-Irish army military policeman myself), collaboration with US military is best done with due process and humanitarian missions only. The middle path is always the surest. (PS PaddyRanger! Interesting to see an Ulster loyalist like yourself taking a strong republican line re Iran/Israel, albeit of the American variety. And cunningly exploiting the old W[orld]W[ar] II neutrality controversy.)
mamaginnty | Sep 09, 2012, 08:17 AM EDT
" the soldiers love coming through the airport " what a stupid statement to make. Do they all go googoo listening to airport workers irish accents, because that is all they get to see/hear of Ireland.
Searlit | Sep 08, 2012, 03:01 PM EDT
@paddyRanger, I think that the Chairman was meaning that Iran was a rational actor because that nation understands the consequences that would ensue if a war was started with Israel. It's not to say that some actions, policies or beliefs they hold aren't irrational. You made the point yourself when you said "if they thought they could get away with it they would attack." They know they wouldn't, so they are trying to play by the rules. That's rational.
paddyRanger | Sep 08, 2012, 02:29 PM EDT
TomSwinford......Iran is NOT a rational actor at all....if they thought they could get away with it they would attack. Only by the US standing firm and showing it will not tolerate this would stop them and even that is not certain. YOu can not look at Iran with Western Eyes, it is as nasty a regime as Nazi Germany, and you would not call them rational either would you.
burly2bear | Sep 08, 2012, 10:00 AM EDT
The comment below is just more Democratic rethoric. See 2016 the movie to learn more about the motive of telling the world that the Ireland is assisting America.
burly2bear | Sep 08, 2012, 09:55 AM EDT
Martin Dempsey is a great guy and the country is fortunate to have a man of his competence and common sense in the highest uniformed position in the U.S. military. In responding to the chicken hawk hue & cry from congressional republicans - to deal with Iran's nuclear ambitions (by supporting Israel in an attack) Dempsey said very clearly that Iran is a rational actor, meaning that its leadership will not launch a nuclear strike on Isreal or anyone else because to do so would be to commit national suicide.