PM RECEIVES GREEN BARET

MERSING (Bernama), Feb 13 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
was Friday accorded the honorary green beret by Army chief Gen Ismail
Jamaluddin.

The ceremony steeped in military tradition was held at the Special Operation
Force (GGK) parade ground at the Iskandar Camp in this town in the southern
state of Johor.

The GGK green beret was brought by several commandos, who alighted from a
Nuri helicopter which landed at the parade ground.

They then boarded a special operation vehicle to hand over the green beret
and a blue commando lanyard to Ismail who then put them on Abdullah, who is also
Defence Minister.

The Defence Ministry, in a statement, said the green beret was a symbol of
chivalry, bravery, sacrifice and professional accorded to warriors.

"The green beret is accorded to only those who deserve it and those honoured
with the award are accepted as members of the Special Operation Force," it
added.
-- BERNAMA