Croatian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Awarded by U.S. President

WASHINGTON, January 8 - On behalf of President of the United States of America George Bush, General Richard B. Myers, U.S. Air Force, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff presented today the Croatian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Josip Lucic, with a high American medal, the Legion of Merit, at a ceremony in Fort Myer outside Washington.

General Lucic was received with full honors and was awarded for his contribution to the reform of the Croatian military on its path to NATO, the fight against global terrorism, particularly in Afghanistan, and constructive relations between the Croatian and U.S. armed forces.

A statement issued today emphasized that under Lucic's leadership the Croatian armed forces had made substantial contributions to the struggle against global terrorism as part of Operation Permanent Freedom.

The deployment of Croatian Military Police to Afghanistan was of vital importance in assisting that country in its transition towards democracy, while at the same time demonstrating Croatia's active commitment to maintaining global security, the statement said.

After the ceremony, Myers and Lucic proceeded to the Pentagon for talks on bilateral military relations between Croatia and the United States. During his stay at the Pentagon, General Lucic also met with General Peter J. Schoomaker, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, Lieutenant General Steven H. Blum, U.S. Army, Chief, National Guard Bureau as well as with General Michael W. Hagee, Commandant of the Marines Corps, U.S. Marines Corps.

The Croatian delegation also attended a Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Arlington National Cemetery, where General Lucic lay wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Lucic, accompanied by the Croatian Armed Forces delegation arrived in the United States on January 3^rd, for a seven-day official visit. The delegation has visited the Headquarters of USCENTCOM (US Central Command) in Miami Beach, Florida, the Headquarters of USSOCOM (US Special Operations Command), Seventh U.S. Coast Guard District, U.S. Army Infantry Center in Fort Benning, Georgia, the Noncommissioned Officers Academy (NCOA) and various other departments of the U.S. military.