In Gen. Wald's words, there are established relations between Commander of EUCOM Gen. James Jones and Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky.
We think that Russia is a strategic partner for us, especially in the military sphere, and we would like to have more contacts with the Russian side; I think General Jones and General Baluyevsky will work jointly in this direction, Gen. Wald told RIA Novosti.
As for us, I will say it straight - we have done with the past and we don't have negative reminiscences anymore, added the general.
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees to relieve Gen. of the Army Anatoly Kvashnin of the post of head of the Russian Federation Armed Forces General Staff and first deputy Defense Minister, as well as to appoint Col.-Gen. Yuri Baluyevsky head of the Russian Federation Armed Forces General Staff and first deputy Defense Minister.
Replying to RIA Novosti's question about the possibility of the U.S. Army participating in ensuring security of American sportsmen at the Olympic Games in Greece, Gen. Wald once again noted that this mission will be carried out within NATO framework.
I think this is a very wise idea and I am glad that Greece decided to ask NATO for help in this issue, and we will do everything possible acting within the NATO framework, he said.
In the general's words, the efforts Greece is making in ensuring security at the Olympic Games may "make terrorists think twice" before committing terrorist acts in that country.
Terrorists are cowardly and try to avoid places where security is established, he emphasized.
