WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) – Defense Secretary Jim Mattis bade farewell to the Pentagon on Monday, telling the US military to “hold fast” after he quit over a series of fundamental differences with President Donald Trump. Mattis resigned December 20, after Trump stunned the US establishment by ordering a full troop withdrawal from Syria. “Our department is proven to be at its best when the times are most difficult,” Mattis said in a brief memo […]
Tag: Jim Mattis
In photos: Balangiga bells being readied for transport to PHL
(Eagle News)—-In these pictures released by the US Embassy in Manila, the two Balangiga bells housed in Wyoming are being readied for transport to the Philippines. The preparations took place after a ceremony at the F.E. Warren Air Force Base led by US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis. It was President Rodrigo Duterte who called out the Americans for taking the bells from Samar, artifacts he said were part of national patrimony. Another Balangiga bell sits […]
Mattis visits troops on US border, says mission ‘necessary’
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday that the military operation to harden the US-Mexico frontier was clearly necessary, as he visited troops deployed on the controversial mission. President Donald Trump ordered the deployment in the build-up to last week’s midterm elections, with critics assailing the move as a costly political stunt to mobilize his conservative base. According to Mattis, some 5,900 troops are now at the border. The mission could […]
US, China officials to hold top-level security talks Friday
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis will host their Chinese counterparts Friday in Washington for a round of high-level diplomatic and security talks, the US State Department announced. The second US-China Diplomatic and Security Dialogue will bring Mattis and Pompeo together with senior Communist Party foreign affairs official Yang Jiechi, and with General Wei Fenghe, a department statement said. The talks, which follow on from […]
Saudis vow ‘complete’ probe of Khashoggi murder: Mattis
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AFP) — Saudi Arabia has promised a “full” investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said Sunday following talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Bahrain. “We discussed it… the need of transparency, full and complete investigation. Full agreement from FM Jubeir, no reservations at all,” Mattis told reporters following the talks, during which he warned the Saudi kingdom that the murder attributed to the […]
Afghan attack won’t change Kandahar security situation: Mattis
SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP) — US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Friday the killing of a top Afghan official would not fundamentally change the security situation in Kandahar province. The Taliban have claimed responsibility for Thursday’s shooting in the restive southern province that killed anti-Taliban strongman and police chief, General Abdul Raziq. At least two other people died during the attack inside a fortified government compound in Kandahar city that targeted a high-level security meeting. The […]
Of course I don’t think about leaving’: Mattis
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis dismissed Tuesday a fresh round of rumors suggesting his days at the Pentagon might be numbered due to deteriorating relations with President Donald Trump. The buttoned-up former Marine general is loathe to discuss politics or his dynamic with his mercurial boss, but a new book by veteran political reporter Bob Woodward has thrust the two mens’ relationship into the spotlight. Among other claims, Woodward said […]
Palace on US’ alleged plan to return Balangiga bells to PHL: It’s a welcome development
(Eagle News)–The Palace on Sunday, Aug. 12, welcomed the United States’ supposed plan to return the Balangiga bells to the Philippines, years after they were seized by the Americans from the Eastern Samar town as war loot. “We welcome this development as we look forward to continue working with the United States Government in paving the way for the return of the bells to the Philippines,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement. US […]
China general slams ‘irresponsible comments’ on S. China Sea
SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP)– A Chinese general on Saturday, June 2, lashed out at “irresponsible comments” on Beijing’s military build-up in the South China Sea after the US defense chief accused China of intimidation and coercion in the disputed waters. “Any irresponsible comments from other countries cannot be accepted,” Lieutenant General He Lei said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. It came just hours after US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis told the security summit that China’s […]
Mattis accuses China of ‘intimidation and coercion’ in S. China Sea
By Thomas Watkins Agence France Presse SINGAPORE, Singapore (AFP)–China’s military build-up in the South China Sea and its deployment of high-end weapons systems in the disputed waterway is designed to intimidate and coerce neighbours, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Saturday. Speaking at a high-profile security summit in Singapore, the Pentagon chief also said the US military continues to support diplomats pushing for the “complete, verifiable and irreversible” denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula. Mattis […]
Pentagon still backs Iran nuclear deal: general
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The Iranian nuclear deal is still in the best interests of the United States, a senior Pentagon official said Tuesday, going against President Donald Trump’s claim that it’s a “terrible” agreement. US Central Command chief General Joseph Votel told a Senate panel he shared the views of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis and Joe Dunford, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “From my perspective, the JCPOA addresses one of […]
‘Too soon’ to tell if Korean Olympic thaw will last: Mattis
SEOUL, South Korea (AFP) — US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis cast doubt Sunday on whether North Korea’s charm offensive at the Winter Olympics would lead to a lasting rapprochement between Pyongyang and Seoul. “Clearly it is too early to say… if that is going to have any traction once the Olympics are over,” Mattis said. “In the midst of all of this, he (North Korean leader Kim Jong Un) ran a military parade that highlighted […]





