Military

            Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld presented Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service awards today to two individuals for their accomplishments in the Global War on Terrorism.

            Ambassador L. Paul Bremer was recognized for his service as the Coalition Provisional Authority administrator in Iraq from May 2003 through June 2004.  Among his distinctive achievements noted by Secretary Rumsfeld was his engagement with more than 20 Coalition Nations, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and international financial institutions to orchestrate establishment of a new government, constitution, electoral process and a system of laws for a secure, democratic, and free Iraq.

            Dr. Zalmay Khalilzad was recognized for his service as U.S. Ambassador and Special Envoy to Afghanistan from November 2003 through November 2004.  Secretary Rumsfeld noted that Khalilzad led a historic and comprehensive national reconstruction effort, which contributed to the stability and political acceptance necessary for a successful presidential election, the first in 5,000 years of Afghan history and a milestone in the nation's progress toward a stable and democratic Islamic republic.

            The Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award, the highest DoD award that non-Governmental civilians may receive, recognizes non-career Federal employees, private citizens, and foreign nationals, who have demonstrated exceptionally distinguished service of significance to the DoD.