USS Gonzalez begins visit to Union of Serbia and Montenegro, December 15, 2003

December 15, 2003

USS Gonzalez begins visit to Union of Serbia and Montenegro

by U.S. Sixth Fleet Public Affairs Office

BAR, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO (December 15, 2003) -- The U.S. destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) arrives here today for a goodwill port visit. Along with the ship, U.S. Navy Admiral Gregory Johnson, Commander, United States Naval Forces Europe, is visiting Podgorica and Bar to meet with several political and military leaders.

This visit to Bar is historic in that it is the first by a U.S. Navy ship since the establishment of the Union of Serbia and Montenegro in February this year. The visit underscores the United States' commitment to Serbia and Montenegro's progress toward membership in the European community of nations as a free, democratic, stable country at peace with its neighbors and itself. The visit also recognizes the established cooperation between the United States and Serbia and Montenegro in the effort to combat international terrorism.

While in the port, the approximately 350 crewmembers of Gonzalez will have a chance to sightsee, shop and enjoy recreational activities, as well as participate in community relations projects with the citizens of Serbia and Montenegro.

The ship, homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, is commanded by Cmdr. Karl J. Van Deusen.

As Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, Adm. Johnson exercises administrative and operational control of all U.S. Naval forces in Europe.

Journalists interested in covering the ship visit and a tour of the USS Gonzalez in Bar should send a fax, signed by the Editor-in-Chief, to the Press Section of the U.S. Consulate in Podgorica, at (081) 225-515, providing the names of the individuals who will cover the event. The registration should be sent no later than Monday, December 15 at 17:00. Only those that have registered in advance will be able to cover the event. Journalists from Podgorica interested in covering the ship visit should assemble in front of the U.S. Consulate in Podgorica (Krusevac b.b.) no later than 8:15 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16. Transportation will be provided (Podgorica - Bar - Podgorica). Other journalists should be at the port of Bar no later than 10:15 a.m. on Tuesday, December 16.

BAR, MONTENEGRO -- December 15, 2003 -- A tug precedes the USS Gonzalez, (DDG 66),as it works its way into the port of Bar, Montenegro. Gonzalez is the first U.S. Navy ship to visit the port since 1991. (U.S. Navy photo by PH1 (SW) Paul J. Phelps, Sixth Fleet Public Affairs)

BAR, MONTENEGRO -- December 15, 2003 -- Sailors stand by to tie up to the pier upon arrival to the port of Bar, Montenegro. Gonzalez is the first U.S. Navy ship to visit the port since 1991. (U.S. Navy photo by PH1 (SW) Paul J. Phelps, Sixth Fleet Public Affairs)

BAR, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO -- December 16, 2003 -- Morning colors are observed aboard USS Gonzalez during its goodwill port visit here to enhance security cooperation between the United States and the Union of Serbia and Montenegro. (U.S. Navy Photo by PH1 (SW) Paul J. Phelps, Sixth Fleet Public Affairs)

ABOARD USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) --BAR, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO -- December 16, 2003 -- Adm. Gregory Johnson, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe, was on board Gonzalez for meetings with host nation military and civilian officials. Addressing guests at a reception, he said, "Our visit here is a logical extension of a military to military cooperative effort tghat has really just begun. I have every expectation it is going to grow and mature very rapidly over the coming months and years." (U.S. Navy Photo by PH1 (SW) Paul J. Phelps, Sixth Fleet Public Affairs)

ABOARD USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) --BAR, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO -- December 16, 2003 -- Gen. Branko Krga, Chief of the General Staff of the Serbian and Montenegrin Armed Forces, who visited the ship for a reception and talks with the U.S. military and civilian officials, is greeted by the ship's commanding officer, Cmdr. Karl Van Deusen. (U.S. Navy Photo by PH1 (SW) Paul J. Phelps, Sixth Fleet Public Affairs)

ABOARD USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) --BAR, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO -- December 16, 2003 -- U.S. Ambassador to
Serbia and Montenegro, William Montgomery, assisted by translator Mila Antonic, addresses guests at a reception held on the ship: "Now for the first time we have two democratically oriented governments with shared values, common concerns and common interests. This visit today is another building block in the stronger relationship I see between our two countries."
(U.S. Navy Photo by PH1 (SW) Paul J. Phelps, Sixth Fleet Public Affairs)

BAR, SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO -- December 16, 2003 -- Sailors from USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) discuss the progress of their painting the library at a local primary school with a member of the Serbian and Montenegrin army. This community relations project involved more than 20 Sailors helping to refurbish the library and also donating Project Handclasp books during the first-ever port visit to this country. (U.S. Navy Photo by PH1 (SW) Paul J. Phelps, Sixth Fleet Public Affairs)

15. decembar 2003.

Američki brod Gonzales u poseti Srbiji i Crnoj Gori

Odeljenje za javne poslove Šeste flote

BAR, SRBIJA I CRNA GORA (15. decembar 2003.) – Američki razarač USS Gonzales (DDG 66) uplovljava danas u luku Bar u okviru posete dobre volje. Admiral američke mornarice Gregori Džonson, komandant mornaričkih snaga SAD u Evropi, posetiće Podgoricu i Bar i susrešće se sa nekoliko političkih i vojnih zvaničnika.

Ova poseta Baru ima istorijski značaj s obzirom da je to prva poseta jednog američkog vojnog broda od osnivanja Srbije i Crne Gore. Posetom se naglašava privrženost Sjedinjenih Država napretku Srbije i Crne Gore ka članstvu u evropskoj zajednici naroda kao slobodne, demokratske, stabilne zemlje koja živi u miru sa sobom i svojim susedima. Posetom se takođe naglašava ostvarenje saradnje između Sjedinjenih Država i Srbije i Crne Gore u naporima u borbi protiv međunarodnog terorizma.

Za vreme boravka u luci, oko 350 članova posade Gonzalesa imaće priliku za upoznavanje, kupovinu, rekreativne aktivnosti i učešće u projektima lokalne zajednice zajedno sa građanima Srbije i Crne Gore.

Ovim brodom, koji je porinut u Norfolku, Virdžinija, komanduje zapovedik broda Karl J. Van Deusen.

Admiral Džonson, kao komandant američkih pomorskih snaga u Evropi, zadužen je za administrativnu i operativnu kontrolu američkih pomorskih snaga u Evropi.

Novinari zainteresovani za medijsko pokrivanje posete broda i obilaska vojnog broda Gonzales u Baru treba da posalju fax, potpisan od gl. i odg. urednika, odeljenju za štampu Konzulata SAD u Podgorici, na (081) 225-515, sa navedenim imenima akreditovanih novinara. Fax sa imenima akreditovanih novinara treba poslati najkasnije do ponedeljka, 15. decembra 2003., do 17:00h. Samo mediji koji su se prijavili na vreme biće u mogućnosti da posete brod. Mediji iz Podgorice zainteresovani za medijsko pokrivanje posete broda i obilaska vojnog broda treba da dođu ispred Konzulata SAD (Kruševac b.b.) u utorak 16. decembra najkasnije do 8:15h ujutru. Prevoz na relaciji Podgorica-Bar-Podgorica je obezbeđen. Drugi zainteresovani novinari mogu direktno da dođu u luku Bar, ispred ulaza na brod, u utorak 16. decembra najkasnije do 10:15h.