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. From the United States, the Order of the White Star is being awarded to a lecturer Professor Toivo Ülo Raun, researcher of the history of the Baltic countries and Finland at the University of Indiana and the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana is being awarded one of the founders of the Baltic study programme at the University of Washington, Professor Guntis Šmidchens.
Estonian Public Broadcasting, 01.02.2012