PRESS RELEASE
November 9, 2004
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: [email protected] ;Web:
Top Armenian Military Officer Visits the United States, Meets with
Counterparts
Armenia’s highest ranking military officer, Chief of Armed Forces
General Staff and First Deputy Defense Minister Colonel-General
Mikayel Harutyunian visited the United States on October 31-November
5, 2004, at the invitation of his U.S. counterpart, Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff General Richard B. Myers.
During his visit, Col.-Gen. Harutyunian, accompanied by Armenian Armed
Forces officers, visited the U.S. Joint Forces Command and NATO Allied
Command Transformation in Norfolk, VA, U.S. Central Command in Tampa,
FL, as well as the State of Kansas, with which Armenia has concluded
a State Partnership Program, providing for cooperation between the
Kansas National Guard and the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia.
The Armenian military delegation then proceeded to Washington, D.C.,
where Col.-Gen. Mikayel Harutyunian held meetings with Gen. Richard
B. Myers and other high-ranking officials at the Pentagon. The agenda
for talks included U.S.-Armenian military cooperation, peacekeeping,
and issues related to Armenia’s participation in the NATO Partnership
for Peace Program. Visiting the Arlington National Cemetery,
Col.-Gen. Harutyunian placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns on
behalf of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia. The Armenian
military delegation also visited the National Defense University and
the Armenian Embassy in Washinton, D.C.
During the visit, Col.-Gen. Mikayel Harutyunian was awarded the Legion
of Merit, in recognition of establishment of a durable and constructive
relationship between the Armed Forces of the United States of America
and the Republic of Armenia, as well as of Armenia’s significant
contributions to the effectiveness of the global war on terrorism
and active cooperation in NATO Partnership for Peace Program.