U.S. and Russian Embassies Honor 201st Motorized Rifle Division

Courtesy Photo | Russian soldiers laid individual flowers at the base of the 201st Russian Military Base Headquarters' monument in Dushanbe. The ceremony honored the Russian soldiers who assisted in evacuating U.S. diplomats from the U.S. Embassy in October 1992 at the onset of Tajikistan's 1992-1997 civil war. The wreath-laying is an annual ceremony shared by the U.S. and Russian embassies to commemorate this act of international cooperation. (Nigina Alieva, Information Assistant, Embassy Tajikistan)  

DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN

11.30.2007

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Central   

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan -- United States Embassy Charge d'Affaires Thomas Hushek and Russian Embassy Deputy Chief of Mission Vyacheslav Svetlichny laid wreaths Nov. 30 at the 201st Russian Military Base Headquarters' monument in Dushanbe.

The ceremony honored the Russian soldiers who assisted in evacuating U.S. diplomats from the U.S. Embassy in October 1992 at the onset of Tajikistan's 1992-1997 civil war.

The wreath-laying is an annual ceremony shared by the U.S. and Russian embassies to commemorate this act of international cooperation.

Charge Hushek recalled, "Fifteen years ago, I was a young diplomat at the American Embassy in Moscow. It was hard to believe that we and our Russian friends and colleagues were witnesses to the unexpected and unexpectedly peaceful end of the Cold War.

"But then, in far away Tajikistan a civil war exploded, and in October of 1992 the State Department ordered the evacuation of our new embassy in Dushanbe....To whom did we turn for help?" The charge paused and looked out into the formation of Russian soldiers - "To our Russian colleagues at the Russian embassy and the 201st Motorized Rifle Division."

In closing, Charge Hushek said Russia and America are natural partners, and he touched on U.S.-Tajik cooperation in fighting narcotics and promoting stability in the region.

Maj. Sergey Sharhel, a soldier of the 201st MRD, was a member of the official party. Many Russian and U.S. Soldiers, civil leaders and civilians honored Sharhel as a hero today for his selfless service in October 1992.

"As Soldier to Soldier, I would like to personally thank you for what you did," said Chief Master Sgt. Francis "Frank" R. Szabo, operations coordinator for the embassy's Defense Attache Office.

Management Officer David Schafer said the embassy staff at that time was a total of 15 Americans, compared to 45 Americans today and over 200 employees total.

"The embassy's local guards wearing American patches became prime targets. They were very faithful in protecting and assisting in the mission for those who were left behind," stated Schafer.

International cooperation and working equally together will promote long-term stability and prosperity.

• Date Taken: 11.30.2007
• Date Posted: 11.30.2007 14:50
• Story ID: 14316
• Location: DUSHANBE, TJ