George W. Bush to Be Awarded Cross of Terra Mariana
The name of the former US president George W. Bush features prominently on the list of recipients of state decorations traditionally awarded on the eve of the Independence Day by President of the Republic of Estonia.
Bush will be awarded the highest order granted to non-Estonian citizens, the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana, for a leading role in the expansion of NATO that led to Estonia's joining the alliance in 2004, and for standing firmly behind Estonia's foreign and security policy interests as a friend and supporter, the statement by the Office of the President read.
Altogether, 99 people, 15 foreign nationals among them, will be awarded state decorations on February 23 by President Toomas Hendrik Ilves.
Erkki Sivonen