Governor visits Minn. Guard stationed in Kosovo

by Jessica Mador, Minnesota Public Radio

St. Paul, Minn. — Gov. Tim Pawlenty is traveling this weekend in Kosovo, where he is meeting with soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard.

During a conference call today the governor told reporters he wanted to visit the troops to thank them for their service.

He also held a town hall meeting to hear their questions and concerns.

"Questions and concerns and suggestions we get, and they are extremely valuable, because many of our proposals that we bring to the legislature, or that we change administratively through our Department of Veterans Affairs or our Department of Military Affairs of Minnesota comes from suggestions or ideas or concerns expressed by our soldiers," Pawlenty told reporters.

Pawlenty said soldiers' concerns include issues like disability benefits and tuition reimbursement.

This is Pawlenty's second trip to Kosovo, and his first since the country declared independence on February 17.

He said he is impressed by the visible progress in the country.

The troops are scheduled to return home this summer.