States News Service
July 17, 2009 Friday

ADJUTANT GENERAL TO VISIT ARMENIA

TOPEKA, KS

The following information was released by the Kansas Adjutant Generals
Department:

Maj. Gen. Tod Bunting, the Adjutant General of Kansas, will be
traveling in the Republic of Armenia the week of July 20, as part of
the Kansas National Guards partnership with the country. Bunting will
meet with embassy staff and Armenian government officials to discuss
how the Kansas National Guard can continue to build upon its now
six-year partnership.

Kansas has some of the nations best medical, agricultural,
bio-security and educational professionals, said Bunting. We stand
ready to support the embassy and explore additional opportunities to
assist Armenia.

Buntings visit will focus on fostering growth in biosecurity,
agriculture development, education and law enforcement.

Accompanying Bunting will be Dr. Martha Vanier, associate director of
the National Agriculture Biosecurity Center and retired Lt. Col. Craig
Beardsley, who will work with Armenian agencies to discuss a
Biosecurity Threat Reduction Plan.; and Dr. Fred Cholick, dean,
College of Agriculture and director, Kansas State University Research
and Extension, who has identified key opportunities for Kansas
State/Armenia engagements focusing on agricultural development.

Additionally, Dr. Blake Flanders, director of workforce training and
education services of the Kansas Board of Regents will advise Armenian
officials on education strategies. Maj. James Brown, operations
officer for the Kansas City, Kan., Police Department, will discuss
strategies with International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs
and Armenian police officials.

In 2003, Kansas and the Republic of Armenia were linked under the
National Guard Bureaus State Partnership Program. The Kansas National
Guard works closely with the Armenian Ministry of Defense, Ministry of
Health, Rescue Service and other governmental offices and agencies.

Armenia, formerly part of the Soviet Union, is an independent nation
neighboring Turkey, Azerbaijan and Georgia, with a land mass slightly
smaller than Maryland.