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.