Zero

Interview

The commander of the American missile destroyer “Donald Cook”, commander Matthew Powell spoke about the purpose of the exercise United States Georgia, Ukraine and Romania in the Black sea, about the need to maintain stability in the region and the professionalism of the allies, to assess which failed in joint operations.

Us missile destroyer USS “Donald Cook” / photo facebook.com/USSDonaldCook/

*This material is published by UNIAN in cooperation with the project, the Georgian TV company “Starvision” in Russian “Border ZONA”. Project author: Egor kuroptev.

Recently in Batumi port became an American guided missile destroyer USS “Donald Cook”. Command of the destroyer participated in planning exercises with the Georgian colleagues and the coast guard. Although the Russian authorities, as usual, called the entry of American vessel in the Black sea as a provocation, in fact, this visit is of routine nature in the framework of cooperation of Tbilisi and the White House, which has been developing for many years.

Of course, after tensions in the Straits of Kerch where Russian troops seized Ukrainian ships and sent to prison Ukrainian seafarers, the frequency of visits of us warships in the region has increased. In the Kremlin these actions are called “test of patience of Russia”, but what, really, is the purpose of the wily American?

In an interview for the project, the Georgian TV company “Starvision” “Border ZONA”, which the author visited the Kremlin threatened the destroyer “Donald Cook”, the commander of the ship, commander Matthew Powell spoke about stability in the black sea region, the threats and challenges faced by post-Soviet countries.

The first question I would ask is about the person who is depicted in the painting behind us. Could you briefly tell us about the Donald Cook, and why your ship was named in his honor?

This ship was named after Donald cook, Colonel, U.S. marine corps, who was captured during the Vietnam war. He said that he is the senior officer of those who were in captivity, although it was not so.

While he was in captivity (about three years), if he was getting any medicine, he gave them to his people. Instead of having to fight for their own liberation, he fought for the liberation of their people. After about three years of captivity, he died of malaria. And for such actions, it has become one of the knights of honor medal in 1980-m to year.


One of the main objectives – maintaining stability in the region, says commander Matthew Powell (center) / photo facebook.com/USSDonaldCook/

Clear. Thank you. Could you talk a little bit about this ship? I know this ship was part of U.S. military forces during the war in Iraq and, since 2014, he is part of the 6th fleet. What goals for the 6th fleet in General, and what goals fulfill specific your ship, and your team?

The ship is based in Spain. As you said, we are in the 6th fleet. This multi-purpose vehicle. We can take part in various operations. Such as missile defense, military operations in the air and on the water. We are here to accomplish the goals of the 6th fleet. One of the main goals – the maintenance of stability in the region.

As I know, your vessel takes part in joint exercises with your Georgian colleagues. What is the purpose of the exercise and what the purpose of your visit to Georgia?

The main goal is to increase the level of interaction between our countries. To learn more on both sides. We always learn something. Always bring something from the exercise, because not all military are the same. This is useful for both sides to see the effect of each other. Sometimes there are very interesting ideas. The more we work together the better.


The ship was named after Donald cook, Colonel, U.S. marine corps, who was captured during the war in Vietnam / photo facebook.com/USSDonaldCook/

How often do you perform such exercises? Not only your ship, and the 6th fleet as a whole. Not only in Georgia but also in other post-Soviet countries in the black sea region?

From the moment I stepped aboard the destroyer three years ago, we were the first in Georgia. Over the past year, including the destroyer “Donald Cook”, three U.S. ship came to this port.

If you went to other countries? Ukraine or others?

Our ship is involved in different countries. Romania, Ukraine and of course Georgia.

Such frequent visits of us warships in the black sea region is somehow connected with the tension in relations between Russia and Ukraine in the Kerch Strait?

I think it would be better to ask questions connected with relations between Russia and the United States Embassy.

Well. That you and your leadership is the key to security in the black sea region?

I think for us, this visit helps to ensure that our ships and our allies ships could move freely in the region in accordance with international law. This is one of the main purposes of why we’re here.

Do you think that such visits contribute to and help stability in the region?

Our presence here? Yes, of course.


The Americans will conduct exercises with the coast guard / photo facebook.com/USSDonaldCook/

I’m not going to ask other political issues. How long have you been serving in the US Navy?

I serve 18 years. 19 years will be in may.

I had the opportunity to talk with the team of the USS “Theodore Roosevelt”. As I know USA is a very honorable to serve in the Navy. What does this mean for you?

Of course, this is one of, if not the highest honor to serve my country. And it’s an even higher honor to be the commander of this warship. The crew is a lot of fantastic men and women. They are definitely the heart and soul of this ship. They are responsible for ensuring that the ship was in the right condition. It is a great honour to serve my country and to be commanding officer.

If you have already met with their counterparts in Georgia, could you assess the readiness of the military forces of Georgia or the coast guard? Or, if you have not yet met, the hospitality of the citizens of Georgia?

The hospitality was top notch. The welcome ceremony was very beautiful. I spoke with the team members who were in town, they were a very-very good attitude. Residents of Batumi very friendly treated me and my entire team. I couldn’t imagine a better.

From the point of view of readiness, we have not carried out military exercises with the Georgian colleagues, but I know that Georgia has the US enormous support in Iraq and Afghanistan. That’s where everyone can see Georgia’s readiness.

In NATO operations?

Yes, in NATO operations. Usually, the country sends the best for this job. We will conduct exercises with the coast guard. I have already met some, and I’m sure they are the best of the best. I am sure that they are fully trained and professional.

It will be almost a political issue, so if you can, please respond. What do you see as the main purpose of your ship’s crew in Georgia or the region, given that the Russian authorities stated that the visit of your destroyer in Georgia poses a threat to regional security, and the United States “has the patience of the Kremlin.” Your goal is to test the patience of the Kremlin or do you have here other purposes?

From the point of view of us-Russian relations…

No, no, no. What is your goal?

Yes, I understand you. It is more a question to the Embassy. This is a routine planned visit. Such visits build synergies between countries. USA quite often, about three times a year, conduct such activities with Georgia, Ukraine or Romania, or other countries. Usually this is a routine planned visits.


Matthew Powell (left) welcomes Ross Wilson, U.S. Ambassador in Georgia in Batumi (January 22, 2019) / photo U. S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist

We have heard many statements from officials in the United States, Georgia… You, as an officer of the US Navy, a citizen of the United States believes that Georgia is an ally, partner or a friend?

Yes, Georgia is definitely our ally.

I mean, you know about Georgia, local problems and challenges?

I study this question.

Study. That is, as man, citizen, officer, you see Ukraine and Georgia to become allies?

Yes.

Yes. Thank you very much. I had a lot of political issues, but I have to ask them to Embassy representatives. Thank you very much for the interview.

Thank you!

Egor Kuroptev

***

“Border ZONA”

Project Playlist on Youtube

Egor kuroptev – Russian media Manager and journalist, since 2012, lives in Georgia and covers topics related to the Georgian-Russian war. In 2017 on the basis of TV channel “Starvision” launched the independent author’s project in Georgia in Russian “Border ZONA”. The aim of the project is the promotion of Euro-Atlantic integration of the country, countering the propaganda and spread the truth for Russian-speaking audience in Georgia, Russia, Ukraine and other countries on the 2008 war, occupation, war in Syria, the annexation of Crimea and war in Eastern Ukraine.